Ash comes out in the U.K.

I am pleased to announce that Ash has a British publisher: Hodder Children’s Books! So Ash will be published in the U.S. and the U.K.* at the same time — September 2009.

Have I mentioned how much of an Anglophile I am? I’m not sure if it’s really cool to be an Anglophile, but whatever! I am, and always have been. I try to justify it with the fact that I am one-quarter English (sort of, with maybe a dash of something else thrown in); my paternal grandmother came from Earnshaws and Kirks. And my aunt has even visited the Nottingham church that includes birth records for our family.

Here I am on the London Eye in 2006 (I guess it was a chilly day!)

But really, my Anglophilicism (is that the correct word?) Anglophilia ranges far and wide. Here are some things I love about England (in no particular order): Mary Poppins, castles, really old cemeteries, Stonehenge, fairy tales, excellent accents, London, Indian food in London, pubs, Oxford, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, well-tailored suits, the best sandwiches in the world (way better than American sandwiches), late-night chips from a greasy bag, really good tea (even on British Airways!), people who apologize even when it’s your fault, amazing train stations, J.K. Rowling, Sarah Waters, the Beatles, and the Harrods Food Hall.

Cakes in the Harrods Food Hall, photographed by me in 2006

I’ve been to the U.K. several times and spent a semester “studying” there during my junior year in college. But even though there are many other parts of the world I want to visit, I would totally go there again. Next time I go, I want to go on a Scotch tasting tour in Scotland, and geek out as a U2 fan by visiting all U2-related sites in Dublin. (Yes, I know that the Irish Republic is not technically part of the U.K. But it is included in the contract I just signed!)

Cheers!

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* You might have thought that since Ash is written in English, getting it published by an American publisher would mean that it would also be available in the U.K., but that isn’t true. In the strange world of book publishing, the English-speaking world is divided into two areas: the U.S. and its territories, and “World English,” which is usually comprised of former British Commonwealth countries, including such diverse locations as Papua New Guinea and South Africa.

Related posts:

1. ASH teaser and the British cover
2. The ASH across-the-pond giveaway! (updated)
3. Ash Q&A #4: Do you consciously think about the symbolism in your writing?