Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Today's Acquisitions

It's been a good day. First this arrived:


The Sonnets by Warwick Collins (whose previous book, Gents, I enjoyed). This is a telling of the story surrounding Shakespeare's sonnets, or at least Wawick Collins's interpretation of the story surrounding Shakespeare's sonnets. so I expect it will educate me as well as entertain - which I always appreciate in a book.

Then this:


Words from a Glass Bubble by Vanessa Gebbie, which flicking open I see is stuffed full of gorgeous prose - really looking forward to this some time soon.

And then this:


the very long awaited Val/Orsen by Marly Youmans. One of a limited edition of 500 and signed by Marly. At last! And I have to say it is very much worth the wait because it is gorgeous. The outside is a work of art in itself. I don't think I've ever anticipated a book with so much pleasure.

9 Comments:

Anonymous marly said...

Clare,

Thanks for the little note I found in my box. Lovely to see a book of mine pictured in the pearly world of Snaildom! I hope you like the contents as well as the lovely exterior (thanks to Clive and Robert!)

Tue May 26, 02:53:00 pm  
Blogger Clare Dudman said...

Oooh yes! Can't wait to see its insides (actually, had a peep already. I'm on page 11, and it is as good as I expected it would be - beautiful fantastical prose - that unique merging of fairytale and the modern world.)

Tue May 26, 03:19:00 pm  
Blogger Jud said...

I wonder how much impact a book's cover has on the reader? Does it vary much from reader to reader? I suppose it would.

Does the author have final approval of the artwork, or is that the publisher's choice?

Tue May 26, 04:42:00 pm  
Blogger Clare Dudman said...

Well, a book's cover certainly has an impact on me, Jud! I love Marly's cover - but I also love the picture of the girl running up the road too.

I think as far as final approval is concerned it depends on the publisher. My publishers have always given me final approval - and there's only been one I haven't much liked.

Tue May 26, 05:21:00 pm  
Blogger Jim Murdoch said...

I got sent a copy of The Sonnets too. I wasn't displeased but I'd still like to know who's handing out my address since this is the first contact I've had with Harper Collins.

I've literally just finished the book. It's 5am and I started it at 2. I'm not a fast reader by any manner or means but it's certainly not hard work. Considering the task the author set himself - to integrate as many of the sonnets of Shakespeare into a narrative - he's done a decent job. It's slight - it's certainly not Shakespeare - but then neither is it the worst way to introduce someone to Shakespeare either.

Wed May 27, 05:15:00 am  
Blogger Kay Cooke said...

Ooh, what goodies to savour! Lucky you. Enjoy.

Thu May 28, 11:45:00 am  
Blogger Clare Dudman said...

Were you in touch with the Friday Project before that, Jim? Maybe if you were the information went to HC with them.

Yes, I thought it might not take very long to read, and your description makes me want to look even more. Thank you.

Yes, quite an assortment, Kay! My lucky week!

Thu May 28, 02:43:00 pm  
Anonymous marly said...

Clare,

Glad you liked it so far... And I should say (to Jud, particularly) that I had a wonderful time working on the cover/jacket. I was allowed to pick the artist (not that there wasn't a little back-and-forth while they looked). I felt that Clive knew me well and would do a grand job. Then we worked with the designer (who was also a novelist), Robert Wexler, and chatted back and forth about different ideas.

It was a wholly different experience from doing a book with a mainstream publisher, although I must say that one of my editors at FSG, the wonderful Robbie Mayes, allowed me to help and give feedback on my two books with him.

What is it with these word verifications? "ounbard": seems fitting.

Thu May 28, 04:35:00 pm  
Blogger Clare Dudman said...

That's interesting, Marly - I had not idea you'd had such a big input...anyway, great result!

Thu May 28, 06:11:00 pm  

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