International Book Deal

[Mark Robson]

It is with great pleasure that I announce my third international deal, this time with the publisher, Forlaget Sesam in Denmark. I believe this will be the first country to publish Imperial Spy in hardback. Go Denmark!

[burnie]

congrats of i could read italian id buy it

[Mark Robson]

Originally Posted by burnie

congrats of i could read italian id buy it

Thanks ... I'm in the same boat there, though the latest deal was in Danish, so reading Italian might not help me much there anyway!

[SJAB]

Great news, Mark!!!!!

[Mark Robson]

Originally Posted by SJAB

Great news, Mark!!!!!

Thanks, Sue.

[Patrick Mahon]

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

It is with great pleasure that I announce my third international deal, this time with the publisher, Forlaget Sesam in Denmark. I believe this will be the first country to publish Imperial Spy in hardback. Go Denmark!

Mark,

First off, congratulations! This is great news!

Second, do you know why these particular international markets have bought the rights to "Imperial Spy"? Is there something linking the French, Italians and Danish? Are they all voracious readers of fantasy? Or is it more practical than this - that these are markets that Simon & Schuster are already familiar with perhaps?

[Marky Lazer]

Another great accomplishment, Mark.

Already some more insight in the world of translating?

[Mark Robson]

Originally Posted by Patrick Mahon

Second, do you know why these particular international markets have bought the rights to "Imperial Spy"? Is there something linking the French, Italians and Danish? Are they all voracious readers of fantasy? Or is it more practical than this - that these are markets that Simon & Schuster are already familiar with perhaps?

Thanks for your good wishes, Patrick. To be honest, I have no idea why these particular nations have bought translation rights where others haven't. I imagine it's to do with what the publishers in question perceive to be right for their particular market at the moment. I know that there has been interest from several further publishers from different nations. The rights department at Simon & Schuster is not huge, therefore they can only spend so much time pushing each title. This was one of the reasons that I pushed hard for a reversion of rights clause in my contract. Any rights that have not sold within eighteen months of publication revert to my control. My agent has a sub-contracted specialist rights agent standing by to take on those rights and push them when they come back to us. Simon & Schuster know this, so it puts pressure on them to sell what rights they can quickly, before they lose the opportunity.

Originally Posted by Marky Lazer

Already some more insight in the world of translating?

Not really yet, Marky. I'm hoping to get a copy of the Danish edition - not to read, (I don't know a single word of Danish unless you count bacon!) but just because I'm interested to see what it will look like.

[Marky Lazer]

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

Not really yet, Marky. I'm hoping to get a copy of the Danish edition - not to read, (I don't know a single word of Danish unless you count bacon!) but just because I'm interested to see what it will look like.

You don't even know how to order a pint in Danish? Now, that's shocking, mate!

[Mark Robson]

Originally Posted by Marky Lazer

You don't even know how to order a pint in Danish? Now, that's shocking, mate!

You're right! I know how to say 'Four beers, please, my friend will pay' in loads of different languages, but Danish is one that escaped me. I'm going to have to look it up now ... though if anyone can help out ...

[Culhwch]

Can't help with the Danish. Unless it's of the custard variety... Mark, are there any plans to publish (or distribute) in other English-language markets, ie Australia? I've looked for your books here and seen not hide nor hair of them.

[scalem X]

Lolz, me gut feeling works in strange ways , congrats Mark.

And indeed Marky, How is it possible that it's translated in Italian and Danish and not in Dutch? The first Lotr translation was in Dutch!

Might get a French copy, need to boast up skills in that language.

[Mark Robson]

Originally Posted by Culhwch

Can't help with the Danish. Unless it's of the custard variety... Mark, are there any plans to publish (or distribute) in other English-language markets, ie Australia? I've looked for your books here and seen not hide nor hair of them.

Custard Danish ... now you're talking! I'm not sure about distribution in overseas English language markets. I know that some UK editions have found their way to Hong Kong and to Australia, but there have been no separate publishing deals in these territories so far. I think you would need to look in specialist SFF shops to find them in Aus - you might want to ask Gollum - he's certainly seen Imperial Spy in the shops over there.

And indeed Marky, How is it possible that it's translated in Italian and Danish and not in Dutch? The first Lotr translation was in Dutch!

I'd love to see a Dutch version appear over the horizon. Don't give up hope ... there's plenty of time yet. I think there'll be several more translations coming along over the next year, or so.

[Marky Lazer]

Hey Mark, I was wondering how this all happens. Is just someone starting to translate your story and then call your agent or publisher to say, "Um... Hi, this Skolle Johanson, I just translated your book into Danish?" If that's the case, I might as well just do that for the Dutch edition, and Scalem can back me up...

[scalem X]

Lol

"Um... Hi, this Skolle Johanson, I just translated your book into Danish?"

Then the agent replies: oh that's too bad, some other Danish guy called two days ago offering his translation .

Yeah Marky, we could take care of it ourselves .