From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mr. Fezziwig's Ball, Frontispiece, A Christmas Carol 1843

Nine years ago, Florida author and historian Les Standiford published a little book about a tiny slice of Charles Dickens' writing career. It wasn't a hefty biography, nor was it intended to be. It was merely the story of a writer whose career was starting to tank and his desperate attempt to revive it. That little book has gotten some more attention of late, as has Mr. Standiford himself, because of a movie, The Man Who Invented Christmas, which is based on the book and came out this season. Les Standiford heads the creative writing program at Florida International University and is on the faculty of the Writers in Paradise writing workshop at Eckerd College each January. Of course, we're happy for anything that draws attention once again to Charles Dickens and his works. At this festive time of year, we're delighted offer from our family to yours all the best of Christmas season.