The Truth Behind Lisa Todd's Kids from Fame Novels
Two Fame Novels were published by Sphere Books in 1983:
Written by Lisa Todd the books merged a number of plots from the second season episodes to make one story. Some of the events were changed from the original episodes to make the books work.
The novels were later reissued together in one volume.
Interesting fact is that author Lisa Todd doesn't exist! It is a pen name used by author Stephen Gallagher.
Here’s what he had to say about the experience of writing these books:
"What can I say? I was broke and these novelizations provided me with enough cash to finance the research for Oktober.
A courier delivered a box of twenty-six complete scripts from MGM Los Angeles. I split the pile into two and went through each script in turn, noting possible running story lines and scenes worth drawing upon.
The next day, I started to write. I turned out two 50,000 word novels in twenty-one days and picked up £4,000 for the gig. I think I ran out and bought a fan magazine so I'd have some pictures of the cast for reference, but that's all the research I did.
To this day, I still haven't seen a single episode of the series or even the Alan Parker movie that inspired it."
"I used the name Lisa Todd to put as much professional distance between myself and these titles as possible.
I'm not ashamed of them - for what they are, they're decent and honest pieces of work - but if they don't carry any of my DNA then they shouldn't be carrying my name, either.
"One thing I didn't bargain for - Lisa Todd started to get fan mail. Most of it from young girls taking dance lessons and dreaming of a career on the stage.
I couldn't dash their illusions so I had to respond in character. But I didn't deceive them completely - I told them it's a tough life and there are no guarantees of happiness. So I'm kind of hoping that God will let me off."