Dear Burning:
I recently read Fannie Flagg's book Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man and found it to be thoroughly delightful. I realize that it was written quite awhile ago and am wondering why this wonderful author hasn't written anything since. Do you know anything about her or if she has anything in the works?

Brenda Binkley
via the Internet

Fannie Flagg is a very busy woman. Both a writer and actress, she's appeared in over 500 TV, movie, and theater productions, and in films like Grease. Her screenplay of Fried Green Tomatoes was nominated for an Academy award.

Random House will release Flagg's new novel, Welcome to the World, Baby Girl in September. It has some of the same type of charming, lovable Fried Green Tomatoes characters, but Flagg introduces a new heroine -- an urban, modern Diane Sawyer-style TV star of the '70s.

In addition to Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man and Fried Green Tomatoes, Flagg's previous books include: Coming Attractions and Fannie Flagg's Original Whistle Stop Cafe Cookbook (great okra recipes, by the way).

He's a crooner and a writer

Dear Mrs. Burning Questions:
I've heard that a biography of Tony Bennett is in the works. Is this true? He of all people should write a book. Jeez, he's been in the music business for five decades and has made 90 plus albums! (I have most of them.) Please tell.

Lance Smalls
Venice Beach, CA

Tony Bennett (real name: Anthony Dominick Benedetto, sign: Sun in Leo, Moon in Libra) is indeed an accomplished man. And with his recent surge in popularity among the MTV generation, a celeb bio is indeed in order. Pocket Books recently announced that they will publish Bennett's memoir, tentatively titled The Good Life, in November.

More abundance

Dear BQ:
Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance changed my life. Since its publication a few years ago, I've seen Simple Abundance calendars, journals, etc. But when will Breathnach come out with another book?

Ruth Maynard
Gainesville, FL

When we see Simple Abundance beer koozies and baseball caps, that's when we'll know she's really hit it big. Since its publication, Warner Books has gone back to press 41 times to print Simple Abundance. Sarah Ban Breathnach will release her next book, Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self, in October.

Burn, baby, burn

Burning:
New Patricia Cornwell. When?

via the Internet

No need to say another word, we've got your answer. Cornwell's latest Kay Scarpetta mystery, Point of Origin (Putnam), is due out next month. This time Virginia's chief medical examiner matches wits with a killer who uses fire to cover up his crimes.

And we quote . . .

Dear Burning Questions:
I've been attempting to locate a book I learned of in 1996. It was written by a man, and, as I understood it, he published quotations. I saw him interviewed on talk shows such as Good Morning America, and it was a collection of really great quotations, comebacks, and comments. I thought the title was I Wish I Had Said That. But when trying to find it I continually came across a book with the same title written by a lady. Would you possibly have any idea what the correct title would be?

Frank O'Neill
Manassas, VA

Our magic eight ball offered up a few possibilities. Based on your description, here are our suggestions, all published in 1996: Famous Lines: A Columbia Dictionary of Familiar Quotations (Columbia University Press), edited by Robert Andrews, Frankly My Dear . . . The World's Greatest Comebacks, Snubs, Insults, One-Liners, and Last Words (Fireside), edited by Katherine and Richard Greene, Great Thoughts (Ballantine), compiled by George Seldes, and I Am Not a Corpse! And Other Quotes Never Actually Said (DTP), by Mark Katz.

Globe trotting

Dear BQ --
Please identify the American author who recently wrote an article about her trip to Tasmania with her daughter. This author also wrote the book Manhattan. Thank you very much.

Cy
Providence, RI

Now, we haven't seen the Tasmanian piece ourselves, but we think Jan Morris must have written it. Her book, Manhattan '45, was recently rereleased in a special reprint edition from Johns Hopkins University Press. For more Morris, check out Destinations: Essays from Rolling Stone (Oxford University Press).