Come on in! Thrilled to see you. Since we saw you last we had a lovely visit with Jan Karon. No, we didn't meet in Mitford, but as pleasant as the experience was it sure felt like it. We had lunch with Ms. Karon, author of the wildly popular Mitford chronicles, and we can tell you that she was as delightful as the characters who populate her novels. Taking a break from her busy schedule -- she's currently on tour promoting her new children's book, Miss Fannie's Hat -- we dined on salad and discussed writerly things. Attractive and charming with a mellifluous voice, Ms. Karon is also a real pistol. Expect a few more Mitford books from her, the next one in 1999. For those who can't wait, Karon tells us that she will be publishing installments of new stories in the publication Victoria.

A wheel in our side

Bonjour Burning Questions:
We were hoping you could help us out! We would like to know an expected date for Robert Jordan's next book in his Wheel of Time series (or if there is a next book)? The series needs a conclusion because there are just too many loose ends! I know he is still alive and writing other books, has he lost interest in Rand & Co.? His readers (us included) certainly haven't. Merci beaucoup!

Kelly Albert and Rae Elgin
Schiller Park Public Library

Dear Burning Questions:
I have been waiting for almost two years for the next release in the Wheel of Time series. You've helped in the past, so please help me now. A title and release date for the eighth book will be much appreciated. And a hearty booooo to Tor Books for taking so long.

Rodney Wilson
via the Internet

Alright, already. We're not going to hold out on you any longer. Yeesh, you guys are more persistent than the Jean Auel fans. Months ago we assured you that Robert Jordan did indeed have plans to publish the eighth volume in the Wheel of Time series. Some readers, hundreds actually, found this answer less than satisfying. So we did some research -- and we made some discoveries . . . some interesting discoveries. Let's not boo Tor just yet. Jordan's publicist there tells us that there is finally a publication date, albeit a tentative one, for the next book. Path of Daggers is currently scheduled to hit the shelves in November. Jordan's publicist cautions us, however, that this date is not set in stone. But that's something, isn't it?

Baltimore bound

Dear BQ:
Anything new from wonderful writer Anne Tyler?

Roberta Gibson
via the Internet

We previously reported that Anne Tyler's new novel wouldn't be available until the fall, but those publishers changed their minds on us again. A Patchwork Planet is due out in May from Knopf, and, from what we can tell, it's one of Tyler's best yet.

A mystery begets a mystery

Dear BQ:
Help! I read two books about a lady Scotland Yard detective -- one about a missing child and one about the detective's Indian neighbor and his daughter who went to the English seaside and became involved with a murder. I can't remember title or author and would appreciate your help. Thanks.

Nancy Jemialo
La Porte, IN

We had to consult our psychics, mystery-loving friends, and former English professors, but we found it! The author to whom you are referring is Deborah Crombie; the series features Scotland Yard investigators Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James. Gemma is the gal you remember, and the book about the Indian neighbor is called All Shall Be Well.

If you liked this series you might also be interested in these authors: P.D. James, Elizabeth Peters, Elizabeth George, Susan Moody, Martha Grimes, and Anne Perry.

These women have reason to smile

Dear Burning:
I loved Gail Sheehy's New Passages, but frankly, my husband is the one who needs the help. Do you know of a similar book for men?

Pam Whitten
via the Internet

Incredible though this may seem, the very author you mention has focused her attention on the male breed in her latest book. Random House will release Passages for Men: Getting Your Life's Worth out of Every Stage in May.

Dear BQ:
I have enjoyed all of Elinor Lipman's novels. I first heard about her in Burning Questions. Anything new on the horizon?

Lee Wood
Gainesville, FL

So glad we could introduce you to this refreshing talent. Lipman, author of the books Isabel's Bed and The Way Men Act among others, gives readers an intelligent romantic comedy with The Inn at Lake Devine (Random House). You'll be able to find Lipman's latest in June.

Dear Burning Questions,
I'm aware that Anne Rivers Siddons's Fault Lines is out in paperback. But I must know -- is a new novel on the way? Please say she's working on something! Thanks for giving me hope. (I hope!)

Stephanie Heigh
Monticello, NY

We're so pleased to be able to offer hope. Too often hopes are dashed in BQ. In July HarperCollins will publish Anne Rivers Siddons's latest novel, Low Country. We're also fans of Siddons, so look here for a special feature on this book. Also, in June, the mass market edition of Up Island (HarperCollins) will be available.

Where are they now?

In the spirit of National Poetry month, we would like to honor poets we haven't heard from in awhile. We're calling on you, our readers, to help us with the following poetic queries.

To Whom it May Concern,
I would much appreciate any information you could provide on a poem entitled "My Neighbor's Pants." I heard it read on National Public Radio five years ago and enjoyed it.

Julie Griego
Red Bluff, California

Dear Burning Questions,
A favorite author is Daniel Whitehead Hicky. He wrote a book of poems entitled Bright Harbor, copyrighted 1932 and 1960. As a poet, he wrote "A Ship for Singapore," "Polo Player," "To an Aviator," and "Who Pilots Ships." His poem about the polo player was published in Polo magazine. That and other poems were published in an anthology called All the Silver Pennies. It was edited by Blanche Jennings Thompson and copyrighted in 1967. Have you ever heard of him?

Sandra A. Merlini
Marlborough, MA

Atheneum did publish the children's collection of poetry in 1967, but it is now out of print. Cherokee Publications published Poems of Daniel Whitehead Hicky in 1975, but I'm afraid that, too, is out of print. Has anyone seen or heard of this guy? Come on, there has to be a chapbook or obscure anthology out there somewhere with his name on it.

Dear Sirs:
I was very touched by the poem, "Ascension" which appeared in the Tom Clancy book, Executive Orders. The poem is by Colleen Corah Hitchcock, and I thought perhaps she published a book of poems. I thought you could find out more about her.

Marlene J. Hahn
Halden Beach, NC

Poetry readers are a dying breed, you know. Let's help keep them alive.