Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I just wanted to ask if you could wish me luck for a new project. I am just starting a novel for the first time (I’ve actually written four books on my main interest, which is American Catholic history.) I’m trying to write a novel on the Brooklyn Irish from the Famine to the 20th century. I know a lot about the subject (I used to be an archivist in Brooklyn), and I want to tell a story about people like those I knew growing up. I’m a little nervous about it, but my strength is that I know the subject better than anyone else. And as you know, we Irish love to tell stories! I hope I can capture people’s attention like you captured mine with your wonderful books. Thanks for reading this!

Sincerely,

Pat McNamara