Mary Hoffman; Stravaganza

[Mary Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Pointy

Hello.

I saw some postcards in the cinema the other day advertising the books, and found out about the new fourth one (I thought it was a trilogy and hadn't looked for more after reading 'Flowers'). I then saw it for sale in a bookshop, but was surprised when it looked totally different to the others). I'd like to know what has happened to the previous livery style? Will the new book be available in the old style at all, or do I need to buy the other three again to make my bookshelf match (yes I'm anal like that with books )?

Thanks

Dear Pointy,
I've heard about those postcards - though not seen any yet.

When it was decided (by Bloomsbury, not by me) to issue City of Secrets straight into paperback, they wanted to re-launch the series by having a new jacket style and re-ssuing the previous three to match.

So I'm afraid that's the only jacket there is or will be in the foreseeable future. But if you want it in hardback, the American edition is that, but with the same cover, if you see what I mean.

I hope, after all that, that you will like what is between the covers!

Mary

[Pointy]

Originally Posted by Mary Hoffman

Dear Pointy,
I've heard about those postcards - though not seen any yet.

When it was decided (by Bloomsbury, not by me) to issue City of Secrets straight into paperback, they wanted to re-launch the series by having a new jacket style and re-ssuing the previous three to match.

So I'm afraid that's the only jacket there is or will be in the foreseeable future. But if you want it in hardback, the American edition is that, but with the same cover, if you see what I mean.

I hope, after all that, that you will like what is between the covers!

Mary

I'm sure I will!

It just made me wonder why they messed with the old style to make the new one. They do it a lot with books, and they do it with DVDs as well. It gets expensive for an anal bod like me who likes to have things that are of the same series on the shelf in livery that matches.

The postcards were just in the stand at the cinema with the rest of what they had. They look the same as the new covers (which at the time I hadn't seen). When I first saw them and saw the word 'Stravaganza' across them with photos on them rather than the pictures I was used to, I thought they were promoting a new film. It was only when I picked up the first one and the one behind was different (there was one for each book and whoever stacked the carousel set it up so they were consecutive), that I realised there'd been a new book.

By the way I think it's great that the actual author has taken the time to join the forums and take part in the conversations here.

--Pointy

[Vespesiano*Fontana]

Hello!

I'm 13 years old boy from Slovenia! Mary, your books are incredbiles!
I can't speak english so good!! But I study english!!
I would like to know the publication date of the book(in the Slovenia), if you now that.

Is maybe here someone from Slovenia?

For me is your the best book Stravaganza:City of Flowers!!

In the morning I doesn't eat because I read City of flowers!
In the afternoon I doesn't eat because I read City of flowers!
In the evening I doesn't eat because I read City of flowers!
At night I doesn't sleep becouse I'm hungry!!

[Mary Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Vespesiano*Fontana

Hello!

I'm 13 years old boy from Slovenia! Mary, your books are incredbiles!
I can't speak english so good!! But I study english!!
I would like to know the publication date of the book(in the Slovenia), if you now that.

Is maybe here someone from Slovenia?

For me is your the best book Stravaganza:City of Flowers!!

In the morning I doesn't eat because I read City of flowers!
In the afternoon I doesn't eat because I read City of flowers!
In the evening I doesn't eat because I read City of flowers!
At night I doesn't sleep becouse I'm hungry!!

Dear Vespesiano,
What a lovely posting! The second bit was a real poem.

I'm afraid I don't know when or if City of Secrets will be published in Slovenia - it is best to contact the publishers direct.

I'm so glad you like the books so much!

Mary

[Vespesiano*Fontana]

Thanks!!

I saw on Stravaganza picture of Luciano, Sky... and on background pictures from Stravaganza!!

Is there website where I can find all pictures?

Tanks for answer!

PS: Plese call me Žan or Yean (Vespesiano Fontana is my Talian name)

[Mary Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Vespesiano*Fontana

Thanks!!

I saw on Stravaganza picture of Luciano, Sky... and on background pictures from Stravaganza!!

Is there website where I can find all pictures?

Tanks for answer!

PS: Plese call me Žan or Yean (Vespesiano Fontana is my Talian name)

Dear Yean, Sorry to be slow replying - I have been in Italy! There is no website with pictures other than Stravaganza - is that the one you went to?

Mary

[Vespesiano*Fontana]

Originally Posted by Mary Hoffman

Dear Yean, Sorry to be slow replying - I have been in Italy! There is no website with pictures other than Stravaganza - is that the one you went to?

Mary

HH I came home yesterday! So I read your post today!!


PS: Today I have 13 years

[emz4482]

Hi Mary,
I agree with Pointy, I preferred the old covers. The new covers are nice though. And like pointy, I will need to rebuy the whole series to match. (I am like this with books, can't stand it when people borrow books, and return them with spines stretched)

I was just wondering if there will ever be a stravaganza movie? Though you probably get this question a lot.

[Mary Hoffman]

Originally Posted by emz4482

Hi Mary,
I agree with Pointy, I preferred the old covers. The new covers are nice though. And like pointy, I will need to rebuy the whole series to match. (I am like this with books, can't stand it when people borrow books, and return them with spines stretched)

I was just wondering if there will ever be a stravaganza movie? Though you probably get this question a lot.

Yes I do - sigh! - and when people e-mail me through my websites I send them my "film rant" which sits on my computer desktop. There si also an answer in my FAQs, which no-one reads.

Basically, there is nothing I can do about it and no film company has yet offered for it. But if all you fans who want one wrote to your favourite movie producer saying what a great film it would make we might get somewhere.

The other e-mail I get a lot is "where can I buy the new book in a jacket to match the old ones?" More heavy sighs. Oh, and "When is it coming out in US/Canada/Mexico/Australia/(insert any other country here)?"

I'm not sure why readers ask ME these things, rather than the publishers, who make all these decisions on things like jackets and when to publish etc.

What I want to hear abut is CONTENT, which is the only thing I do have any control over.

Sorry to sound scratchy; the e-mail access that Internet gives readers direct to authors can be a mixed blessing. Of course I'm delighted that you like the books enough to be willing to buy them again - what dedication!

I think Bloomsbury would say the re-launch was designed to attract more new readers but I'll try to float the idea of "adult" vs. "teenage" jackets. It will only work if Secrets sells enough copies - everything in publishing is about the bottom line these days.

Mary

[emz4482]

Thanks for the reply Mary, I think it's so great that you personally reply to these messages.

[Arianna]

Originally Posted by Mary Hoffman

Yes I do - sigh! - and when people e-mail me through my websites I send them my "film rant" which sits on my computer desktop. There si also an answer in my FAQs, which no-one reads.

Basically, there is nothing I can do about it and no film company has yet offered for it. But if all you fans who want one wrote to your favourite movie producer saying what a great film it would make we might get somewhere.

The other e-mail I get a lot is "where can I buy the new book in a jacket to match the old ones?" More heavy sighs. Oh, and "When is it coming out in US/Canada/Mexico/Australia/(insert any other country here)?"

I'm not sure why readers ask ME these things, rather than the publishers, who make all these decisions on things like jackets and when to publish etc.

What I want to hear abut is CONTENT, which is the only thing I do have any control over.

Sorry to sound scratchy; the e-mail access that Internet gives readers direct to authors can be a mixed blessing. Of course I'm delighted that you like the books enough to be willing to buy them again - what dedication!

I think Bloomsbury would say the re-launch was designed to attract more new readers but I'll try to float the idea of "adult" vs. "teenage" jackets. It will only work if Secrets sells enough copies - everything in publishing is about the bottom line these days.

Mary

I know why! Coz you are the easiest to get to.
And I sent you content! But I asked for spoilers (slight though) and you said you can't tell so I got sick of it. You should give away spoilers, then people won't get sick of sending you content and would keep e-mailing you, content. What do you say?

They would buy the books, because you wouldn't spoil the WHOLE book for them, right? And they will be even more curious that way!

SO! Can you please please please tell me whether Arianna will study at the university, visit Luciano seldom or vist him frequently?

By the way, I did buy City of Secrets, ordered it from Amazon, but it's gone be here in a month.

[Mary Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Arianna

I know why! Coz you are the easiest to get to.
And I sent you content! But I asked for spoilers (slight though) and you said you can't tell so I got sick of it. You should give away spoilers, then people won't get sick of sending you content and would keep e-mailing you, content. What do you say?

They would buy the books, because you wouldn't spoil the WHOLE book for them, right? And they will be even more curious that way!

SO! Can you please please please tell me whether Arianna will study at the university, visit Luciano seldom or vist him frequently?

By the way, I did buy City of Secrets, ordered it from Amazon, but it's gone be here in a month.

Arianna does NOT go to study in Padavia but she does visit Luciano every couple of weeks.

Satisfied?

Oh, and there's a new Manoush, called Ludo, who is impoertant in this one and will be evne more important later.

Mary

[Arianna]

Originally Posted by Mary Hoffman

Arianna does NOT go to study in Padavia but she does visit Luciano every couple of weeks.

Satisfied?

Oh, and there's a new Manoush, called Ludo, who is impoertant in this one and will be evne more important later.

Mary

Cool! Thank you very much!
Sorry if I got on your nerves

[LyannaWolfBlood]

Ludo is even more important later??? *stores away tidbit*

[luciano]

I have just finished reading city of secrets! But the waiting time for city of ships is going to kill me. I don't want to wait, but I guess im going to have to....