Alison Weir

[Misfit]

Misfit,

I was going to ask, hadn't Weir already published a book on Katehrine Swinford?? I am positive I have been passing it over in my local library for a good few months now.

Melisende, that's the mystery. Is this a "new" version of the one she's already published (nf?) or a HF version of same story? I was sure it was something new until I went to her website. Same book I'm afraid. I was hoping for an HF. Sigh.....

[Misfit]

Well it just showed up on my holds list at the library so it looks like they've decided to buy it. Woohoo, although it's a few months out till I can get it.

[Misfit]

Just spotted this on Amazon UK.

[Divia]

eh, not my thing. I'm tired of Elizabeth and Tudor stuff.

[cw gortner]

Melisende, that's the mystery. Is this a "new" version of the one she's already published (nf?) or a HF version of same story? I was sure it was something new until I went to her website. Same book I'm afraid. I was hoping for an HF. Sigh.....

Yes, this is the American, Ballantine Books, version of her already-published UK book, with a new title and cover. She already did one on Elizabeth, too, so her "Elizabeth The Queen" will probably be more in the vein of "Henry VIII: The King and His Court" than a straight biography, in that she'll explore certain aspects of how Elizabeth created her image, solidified her reign, etc.

Interesting, because I heard her next hf will be a continuation of Elizabeth's story, started in "The Lady Elizabeth."

[Misfit]

Yes, this is the American, Ballantine Books, version of her already-published UK book, with a new title and cover. She already did one on Elizabeth, too, so her "Elizabeth The Queen" will probably be more in the vein of "Henry VIII: The King and His Court" than a straight biography, in that she'll explore certain aspects of how Elizabeth created her image, solidified her reign, etc.

Interesting, because I heard her next hf will be a continuation of Elizabeth's story, started in "The Lady Elizabeth."

Why do they go and change the title and cover when it's the same damn book?

[cw gortner]

It's a marketing decision. I know, for those of us who are very familiar with the genre and history in general, it can be annoying and confusing; but bear in mind that publishers seek to appeal to the widest possible target audience. The UK version definitely speaks to people better versed in UK history (the mention of John of Gaunt, for example, in the subtitle) while "Mistress to the Monarchy" speaks to a US fan base very familiar with Katherine herself, thanks to Anya Seton.

In Germany, my book title was changed to "The Tears of the Queen." I have no idea why but I assume they know their readers better than I do.

Still, having gotten over-enthusiastic and bought the same book twice due to this very phenomenon, I completely understand the frustration. Until I really started investigating these things, I bought several US versions of books I thought were new, only to discover I'd already sprung for the UK releases when they were first published.

[annis]

It's a puzzle to me why UK and US versions of books often have different tiles and covers, and even, apparently, in some cases, actual content. Are our tastes so very different?

[Misfit]

It's a puzzle to me why UK and US versions of books often have different tiles and covers, and even, apparently, in some cases, actual content. Are our tastes so very different?

Good question. Most times I like the UK covers better than what we get here in the states.

[SonjaMarie]

According to her website, Alison Weir will be writing a sequel to the novel "The Lady Elizabeth". I really enjoyed that book so I'm looking forward to seeing how she writes more of Elizabeth's story.

Also her next non-fiction book "The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn", will be published in the UK on 1st October 2009, and in the USA in December.

And she's working on a novel about Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II, which is scheduled for publication in the spring of 2010.

SM