Thursday 11 August 2011

The Lantern - out now!


Very exciting times here, as The Lantern goes on sale in the USA and Canada. What you will see (I hope!) is its subtly mysterious cover and, with any luck, be reminded it was a book that might prove interesting. From my point of view, it is a thrilling moment tinged with some concern that it won’t repay my publishers’ faith in it, but mostly joyous amazement that I finally made it across the Atlantic with my sixth novel to be published.

And also a great deal of gratitude for what has gone on behind the scenes: first of all to my magnificent literary agent Stephanie Cabot, whom I first met in London when she was head of the august William Morris Agency. My great friend Felicia – who knew her – told me in no uncertain terms to stop flailing about and go for the top. I’m so pleased I dared, and have been for a long time now. What was even better was that Stephanie never even saw the letter I’d sent with my book, The Art of Falling, telling her that we had a connection – she called me in for a meeting because she liked the book.

Stephanie is now back in New York at The Gernert Company, where Rebecca Gardner, Will Roberts and Anna Worrell have also worked tirelessly in my behalf.


I was so, so lucky that The Lantern found its perfect editor at HarperCollins, in Jennifer Barth. Despite having been published before, I was not prepared for the infinite care and understanding that Jennifer gave my words, and the way we would work together with such productive empathy. I simply can’t praise her highly enough.

Also at HarperCollins, Jason Sack, Mark Ferguson and Olga Gardner Galvin have done a fantastic job. Many, many thanks too to Kathy Schneider, Tina Andreadis, Leah Wasielewski, Tiffany Woo, and the magnificent library team led by Virginia Stanley and Kayleigh George.

When I went to New York for BEA this May, I was introduced to the whirlwind that is Katherine Beitner, the publicist for the book, who not only kept me up to date with everything going on around us, and made sure everything went like clockwork, but kept me laughing and relaxed thoughout. I knew she was good – very good – but I had no idea she was going to get reviews of The Lantern in the Wall Street Journal and Oprah’s magazine, in Redbook magazine, and, astonishingly, in the past few days: USA Today (click here) and now as the lead book review in this week’s People magazine! (Not available online, sadly.) Katherine, I salute you - what a star!  

So there you are, so many more people that I haven’t mentioned by name, including the all-important Harper sales teams, who are behind one small book. Whoever would have thought all this would happen, when I sat down at my desk nearly three years ago to start writing a quiet but disturbing story about a shy, bookish young woman who finds herself living in France with a gorgeous but strangely secretive older man…? Certainly not me.

So it’s over to the readers now. I so hope you find things to enjoy in it, and that you’ll let me know if you do.


19 comments:

Dash said...

Congratulations Deborah, I wish you great success with 'The Lantern' now published across the pond!

I confess I have not read the UK edition yet but it's on my wish list.
XXX

Anonymous said...

Bravo Deborah! Avec l'énergie débordante que tu déploies, nul doute que cette édition va marcher.
En tout cas, bonne chance!

;) said...

Je suis content de savoir que l'enchantement va gagner le monde ;) Je viens de commencer (je lis plus lentement en anglais... un délice !)

Karen Wojcik Berner said...

I've ordered my copy and cannot wait to start reading it when it arrives.

Unknown said...

Congratulations and good luck - I keep seeing brilliant reviews and enthusiastic mentions of your book online. How wonderful to have those reviews in the press & influential magazines, too.

I hope it's a bestseller - it seems like it's heading that way. You deserve it. The Lantern is fantastic.

Jennifer said...

Congratulations you deserve it! The book was amazing.

Cornflower said...

As someone who loved The Lantern, let me urge all of you who have yet to read it to do so forthwith - it's a treat of a book; and Deborah, fingers crossed for great success in the USA and Canada.

Cathy said...

Hurrraaayyy! I'll watch for it...

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

My copy came yesterday and I tucked it carefully in my bag early this morning as I headed to the gym (reading while riding).

What a visual treasure, and it is so beautifully bound and published by HarperCollins. I am cradling it like the precious first edition it is, savoring every word.

You rock!
Genie

gill edwards said...

I wish you all the best for the USA release. I am from Uk and have just bought the book here. I am loving it and your blog so dont know what to read first

Sara Louise said...

Fantastic! Congratulations! I'm in the States in two weeks and I'm going to try and find it :-)

Deb said...

My copy is scheduled to arrive in today's post. I truly cannot wait, Deborah. I'll send you a note when I'm finished to let you know which parts I loved best. For now, I'm back to a secret brewing in the Finnish countryside... Cheers.

Olga said...

Congratulations! It must feel something like the birth of a child.

James Kiester said...

I bought my copy. :-)

Elizabeth Young said...

Can't wait to read Deborah, then I'll be dreaming of Provence, lavender and your beautiful, ancient home! Congratulations on a magnificent achievement.

aguja said...

Go! Go! Go out and buy this book! I have just finished reading it .... and you will be both delighted and amazed by the story, the style and the words.

Congratulations Deborah! I am so impressed by your skill as a writer.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Deborah. Exciting times, indeed. I hope your American readers enjoy it as much as your English ones have done.

Bunched Undies said...

Wonderful book Deborah, our belated review should be up in a few days. Best of luck in the US

BookGeek said...

I can't wait to get my hands on your book! It's been so much fun reading about your journey, even if I did jump on board a bit late. :) Many more wishes for you, Deborah!

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