DEAR READER,
Emma is arriving in London!
I am thrilled to announce that I have signed with Bloomsbury to publish The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and various other Commonwealth countries!
Bloomsbury—with both the clever agility of a boutique publisher and the reach of an established, well-respected house—is the ideal home for Emma, Pierce, Islington, & Hawkes. (Hawkes did give a nod of approval when I told him the news.)
I’m working with the wonderful Alexis Kirschbaum and her luminous team—a collection of talented souls dedicated to the publishing of good books. Earlier this week, I was able to join the Bloomsbury team in person at their offices in London! Everyone was kind, considerate, and creative. I enjoyed my time with them very much.
While there, I had a chance to meet David Mann, a designer whose work I’ve loved. (Did I order the UK Bloomsbury edition of Circe by Madeline Miller from England simply because of his cover? Yes. Yes, I did. He’s brilliant.)
When I heard he was designing the covers for Emma M. Lion, I was thrilled. And upon their arrival in my inbox, I could not have been happier. The covers struck me as if a beloved classic from the 1800s had been redesigned in a late 40s style—the kind of covers that would lead a reader to scour used bookstores, so that they might find every volume of that edition for their own library. While these designs convey that classic feel, there is also a freshness and verve which I love.
And so without further ado, I present to you the first two UK covers for The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion!
The absolute charm of his illustration. The strong elegance of the selected font. The details of the spine, back cover, and interior cover design unique to each volume that you will discover. Magnifique!
And when David showed me his sketches for Vols. 3–8? I was enamored. The color of the title for Vol. 3! The illustration for Vol. 6! I’m giddy.
He has enjoyed the books and brought a real sense of Emma to the covers. I can’t wait to have them on my shelves. (The UK covers and the original covers like one another a good deal.)
As for when they will be available for purchase? The first two volumes will be released on July 30th, and the remaining volumes will follow over the next several months.
Here are a few preorder links:
Waterstones:
Blackwell’s: (Free shipping to the US. This is how I purchase all my UK covers!)
Local UK, Australian, and New Zealand bookshops:
Pop into the shop and request a preorder!
Amazon UK
Along with Bloomsbury, I have signed with the most extraordinary collection of respected publishers all over the world, who will be translating The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion into several languages. I’m excited to introduce you to these publishers and share their covers with you when the time comes.
Until then, please enjoy sharing the Bloomsbury covers with your fellow Lionhearts while I continue to write Vol. 9. (I will announce the date for that release as soon as I am able.)
With love, gratitude, and excitement for all that is ahead,
Beth
P.S. The US covers will remain the original Rhysdon Press covers, for those readers wondering.
I’m tearing up!!! This is so beautiful, and I’m so excited for you!!! When PBS picks it up for a mini-series, I shall host a watch party!!
I woke up at six this morning and immediately thought: "today is the 12th, has Beth posted yet??"