"January 18, 2004:

Hello Guys,

It's late here in Florida, and the gulf is tranquil tonight, and I think I should take a break from writing and tell you my latest news. I'm planning to leave the city of New Orleans and retire to an obscure address in the suburbs. The house on First and Chestnut, where I've lived for thirteen years, the house in which The Witching Hour is set, the house which Lestat visits in Blood Canticle, is now up for sale. I'm also selling my other New Orleans house, the one on St. Charles Avenue which I was able to use in the novel Violin, and where I also lived when I was fourteen. In fact, all of my Garden District property is on the market. And I'll be completing my move soon.

Of course this is a drastic step. I always thought I would live out my years in and with these properties, that the Garden District was part of my blood. But now that my husband, Stan is gone, and my son, Christopher, has permanently settled on the West Coast, I find myself overwhelmed with the care of what was once such a delight. Perhaps I've learned all I can for now from the houses I've loved so much and written so much about. And I want to leave while I hold so many happy and sad memories vividly in my consciousness, and while I still have a great deal of curiosity and energy with which to pursue something wholly new.

Simplifying my life, not owning so much, that's the chief goal, I think. And also to find a place where I can devote more and more time to writing and studying and some time to travel as well.

And perhaps I have to separate myself from patterns which have obsessed me and thrilled me with such intensity, for Heaven knows I've loved the house at First and Chestnut; and the house on St.Charles is part of my being.

Whatever the case, the houses are up for sale, and around March 1st of 2004, I'll no longer be a citizen of New Orleans in the true sense. I'll be in my country retreat. Of course I intend to come into the city for the opening of Stan's new gallery on Carondolet Street. And I'll be there for the different openings that will be scheduled there as we rotate his many paintings. And I will be in contact with my family and my old friends. I'll be very close indeed.

But I'll have left behind a big chunk of the past. I hope that, if I ever miss these homes, I can find solace simply by opening my own books. I'm not one for regrets after all. I've lived to the hilt in my own way, and will continue to do so. I think I'll be happy in my new environment, working intensely on a new series to follow the book which I hope will be published this coming fall. Nothing to do with the old characters, you understand, though the supernatural is still uppermost in my mind.

I'll miss seeing a lot of you guys. My new address won't and can't be publicized. It's pretty inaccessible. But when it comes time for the annual Book Tour, I'll see you. And that makes me very happy, indeed.

God love you, and may he bless you and keep you.

I love you,

Anne"