Malinda Lo
Blog
Dec 12, 2008
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.
Excellent! Congratulations. And the word is anglophilia
Congrats! What great news. Ed’s dad is from Yorkshire (we have a certificate awarded his parents the year he – his father – was born, from the newspaper – dubbing him the “bonniest baby in York.” How’s that for fifteen minutes of fame??)
Excellent, let us know where/when we can pre-order a copy!
That’s so cool! Do you know if the book covers are going to be different in the US and UK editions? Actually, for that matter, do you know what the book cover is going to look like at all yet?
Random question, not really related to this post — If I leave a comment on an old blog entry, do you have a way to know it’s there, or is it pretty pointless to comment on old stuff?
Heather, the US and UK covers should be different (I think they usually are). My US publisher is currently working on their cover and I’ve seen a draft of it, and it’s amazing! When it’s ready, I’ll be sure to post it.
Regarding your random question, all comments are sent to me, so I’ll definitely see it wherever you post it. I’m thinking about getting comments embedded in the margins, too. If anybody knows how to do that, let me know!
congratulations.
we d0 have amazing train stations – St Pancras is beautiful.
Scotland is also beautiful, and the cemeteries in Edinburgh are amazing – Greyfriars Kirkyard is not to be missed.
Congratulations! It is great that your first book will be also published in England!
woowoowoo I live in the UK :]
I love it too, although I’m half American, I can’t get enough of England!
And I laughed at your list of ‘things I love in London’, because it’s all so true