BEATEN TO A ‘PULP’
When we reviewed Otto Penzler’s anthology PULP FICTION: THE CRIMEFIGHTERS last week, we wondered if the subtitle didn’t indicate a series in the making. Now we have official word from the good people at Quercus Books that that is indeed the case. The British-based publisher has two more volumes planned, with PULP FICTION: THE VILLAINS set for release next year and PULP FICTION: THE DAMES in 2008.

GEORGE IS SAD R.L. STINE WON’T BE THERE
More than 70 award-winning authors will be on hand for the Library of Congress-sponsored National Book Festival, to be held Sept. 30 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. First lady Laura Bush will host the event, which includes such names as Christopher Buckley, Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly, Vince Flynn, Brad Meltzer, Sharyn McCrumb, George Pelecanos, Kathy Reichs, Spider Robinson, Daniel Silva and Scott Turow. For more information, visit www.loc.gov.

HERE BE DRAGONS
Naomi Novik’s dragon air force “Temeraire” trilogy – which kicked off with HIS MAJESTY’S DRAGON – has been optioned by filmmaker Peter Jackson as a potential post-KING KONG directing project. As long as it’s not another three-hour-plus epic, we’re for it.

CRICHTON’S NEXT IS … WELL, ‘NEXT’
HarperCollins has announced Michael Crichton’s next novel following 2004’s STATE OF FEAR. Titled NEXT, it’s the story of an unemployment line employee who screams the titular word whenever she’s done helping one person and is ready to aid another. Or maybe it’s about a family being pursued because of their genetic makeup. I can’t find the press release. But it comes out Nov. 28 and you can pre-order it here.

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