My Appearance On ITV's "This Morning" - Letter From A Stranger

September 15th is finally here! The UK publication date of my 27th novel, LETTER FROM A STRANGER.
To celebrate this occasion, I got to appear on ITV's "This Morning" show to talk about my new book, my future writing ambitions and my family tree (among other subjects). I really enjoyed taking part in this interview segment. For those of you who missed it, here below is this clip:

My Appearance On BBC-1's "The One Show"

On Monday, September 12, I got to visit "The One Show" on BBC 1 for a chat about my new novel, LETTER FROM A STRANGER. For those of you who missed it, here is the clip of my interview...

My Portrait In Vanity Fair - The "On Time" Literary Issue

I have always been a great admirer of Vanity Fair. I've been thumbing through the pages of this glamorous publication for as long as I can remember. So, when I was recently asked to have my portrait taken for a special "Literary Issue" for the UK edition (October, 2011), I was only too pleased to say "yes!"

Vanity Fair Cover Illustration by Sonia Roy

I later learned that the theme of this magazine would be about timepieces. In fact, they've called it: "Vanity Fair On Time." I was asked to select my favorite wristwatch for the photo shoot, which took place at my Manhattan apartment back in June. The timepiece I selected is by Graff Jewelers. It's called the "Graff Superstar." The VF photographer for this shoot is Julian Dufort. He captured this unique image of me in my dining room.

Photo by Julian Dufort

Last week, Bob and I were so pleased to attend a launch party in London to celebrate the publication of this special Vanity Fair "On Time" issue. It took place at the famed Annabel's. A great time was had by all! The October issue of VF hits newsstands in the UK this week. I hope you enjoyed this little preview...

My UK Book Tour - Public Events

I've just been handed this schedule of public events from my UK publisher, HarperCollins. These, of course, are in support of my new novel, LETTER FROM A STRANGER, which comes out in the UK on September 15th. It will be great to see many of my loyal UK readers at these special events this month.

Monday 12^th September:

8.30pm – 9.45pm Hampstead and Highgate Literary Festival, Ivy House, 94 - 96 North End Road, London, NW11 7SX

Barbara Taylor Bradford "In conversation"  with Trudy Gold.

Tickets: http://www.hamhighlitfest.com/events/monday

http://www.ljcc.org.uk/events/1745-font-color-cc0000-barbara-taylor-bradford-talks-to-trudy-gold-br-i-a-woman-of-substance-i-font.html?festival=1

Tuesday 13^th September:

12pm: Wellbeing of Women Lunch at Fortnum and Masons, London

Barbara Taylor Bradford "In conversation" with Eve Pollard

Tickets: http://www.wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/support-us/shopping/online-shop-items/?item=Literary%20Lunches

Wednesday 14^th September:

12pm Meet the author lunch at Calcott Manor, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire. T: 01666 890 391

http://www.calcotmanor.co.uk/special-events/meet-the-author-lunch-with-Barbara-Taylor-Bradford-OBE

Wendesday 14^th September:

6pm Meet the author at Barnsley House, Barnsley, Cirencester. Champagne reception and screening.  T: 01285 740 000 http://www.barnsleyhouse.com/offers/cinema/

TO PRE-ORDER A COPY OF LETTER FROM A STRANGER CLICK HERE

LETTER FROM A STRANGER - Coming September 15th In The UK

Captivating and evocative, Letter from a Stranger will take you on an unforgettable journey from idyllic Connecticut to exotic Istanbul to war-torn Berlin then back to the present day.

When award-winning film maker Justine Nolan returns to her beautiful childhood home, she is intrigued by an envelope she finds in her absent mother’s post. But the letter inside contains a shocking revelation. If genuine it will change everything she believes about her family’s recent history, her mother and her adored grandmother, Gabriele.

With the support of her beloved twin brother, Richard, Justine resolves to uncover the truth. To do so she must travel to Istanbul – the teeming, beguiling city on the cusp of East and West. It is a place which holds its own secrets, leading her to a fascinating man who appears to know more than he is prepared to disclose.

Yet even when her quest succeeds, Justine is faced with a further mystery: Gabriele’s background is not what it seems. Justine is given a book of memories in which the real story unfolds, taking her back to the darkest days of European history, with its suffering and astonishing acts of bravery. At the heart of it lie the final facts of Gabriele’s identity – and her own.

The letter from a stranger has brought her not only to the truth about her family but also a chance to heal the wounds of past betrayals, to embrace a new love and new life.

Click Here To Pre-Order Your Copy

Literacy Gala In NYC - A Major Charity Event For A Great Cause

Last night, Bob and I attended a wonderful black tie Gala for Literacy Partners at New York's Lincoln Center. This year's honoree was Leonard Riggio, Chairman of Barnes and Noble, and his wife Louise Riggio. Bob and I were of course, last year's guests of honor at this special annual event.

Special guests at last night's event included: Bestselling author, Michael Connelley, Katie Couric, Whoopi Goldberg and novelist, Stacy Schiff.

Barbara Taylor Bradford with the guest of honor,
Len Riggio, Chairman of Barnes and Noble. In the center is
Mark Jackson, President of Literacy Partners and CEO of
Dow Jones Company.

 Also in attendance was Tom Hooper, director of the 2011 Oscar winning film, The King's Speech, and David Seidler, who wrote the Oscar winning original screenplay.

For those who want to know more about Literacy Partners, and their works, there are currently more than 3.7 million adults in New York reading at less than a fifth grade level who need our help -- and that number is growing. Literacy Partners is serving almost 2000 students and they have hundreds more waiting for a spot in their program, hoping for a chance to learn and write.

Literacy Partners has been able to educate over 35,000 adult students and family members who cannot read or write living in New York City. For those of you who want to contact Literacy Partners for information or donations, please visit: LiteracyPartners.org.

Barbara Taylor Bradford and Robert Bradford with
their Houston guests, Brian Teichman and Andrew Cordes

Robert Bradford with Majorie Reed Gordon and Kate White
Editor & Chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine.

From Left: Robert Bradford, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Len Riggio
Loise Riggio, Mark Jackson and Jackie Weld Drake.

All Photos By Patrick McMullen

My Honorary Doctorate At Mount St. Mary College

Last Saturday, I was honored to have been chosen by Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY to receive an honorary doctorate degree in Letters from the university in front of some 3,000 students and faculty. This is the kind of honor I will cherish always.

That's Me At The Podium Giving My Remarks to the Students.

Speaking before thousands of these young students at this very special commencement ceremony made me feel proud to be an American citizen. They are  the future of our country. They are the young people who will be the leaders in reshaping our world. We must be proud of them and support them in their endeavors as they face an uncertain future.

From left:  Fr. Kevin Mackin OFM, Mount Saint Mary College president;
Fox News Channel anchor Bret Baier; Barbara Taylor Bradford, bestselling author;
Capt. Scott Smiley, commander of the Warrior Transition Unit, West Point;
James W. Taylor Jr., founder, president and chief executive officer of Taylor Biomass Energy LLC;
and R. Abel Garraghan, Mount Saint Mary College board of trustees chair

A special salute of affection to goes to my good friend, Father Kevin Mackin for his tremendous leadership at the university.


The night before my going to the college, I attended a charity gala dinner (The Princess Ball), which was headed up by our dear friends, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Yugoslavia. The dinner was to raise money for orphaned children in urgent need of medical assistance in Serbia. There's such a great need all over the world for children who require our support and attention.

Another Group Shot.
That's me in the middle.

A Busy Season Of Events In NYC

This has been a busy time in our lives. While I'm trying to finish my new book by the end of this month, we attended a number of social events for charity, which has become a priority in our lives.

Last week, we attended a fabulous evening for the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, with supper at the Plaza Hotel. Bob and I are very proud to be part of this event, as we were actually part of the founding group creating the orchestra some 25 years ago.

Today, it is comprised of over 100 outstanding musicians. This highly respected orchestra is much thought after around the world.




We also attended the yearly gala/English Ball by the St. George Society of New York, of which we are patrons.

The event honored an outstanding lady, Angela Ahrendts, Chief Executive of Burberry.






I'm looking forward to being honored in one week's time by the prestigious Mt. Saint Mary's College at their commencement, where I will be addressing the graduates and will be awarded an honorary doctorate in literature.

Now, back to my typewriter to wrap up my latest novel, Letter From A Stranger.