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S T E I N H A U E R
I’m not actually on much of a French kick–I don’t even speak the language–but I realized that this month I have two titles hitting French bookstores.
36, boulevard Yalta (dig the cool cover) is the third in the series to be put out by Editions Liana Levi. They very optimistically bought all five books when The Bridge of Sighs was nominated for an Edgar years ago, and they put it out under the title Cher camarade.
Coincidentally, Cher camarade is also being released–or, re-released–this month as part of Gallimard‘s “Collection Folio policier” series, which is an honor. Their list includes such luminaries as Ian Fleming, Chandler, Martina Cole and Ken Bruen–as well as a host of other people I’ve admittedly never heard of.
I can’t say my books have been doing all that well in France–one online reviewer has given my books wonderful notices, but she seems to be alone in even noticing the books. I’m told that the Gallimard release will give my books an automatic level of respectability, and perhaps give my French potential a shot in the arm.
Which I can only hope is true.
February 15th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Hey Olen,
Good luck with that French release. Out of curiosity, how long did it take you to write LM?
Also, if you don’t mind another somewhat pestering question, I hear that France is one of the best overseas markets as far as making a name for yourself.
For example, the rumor mill goes, there are plenty of US-based writers who are virtually unknown within the borders of their home country, but are adored in France.
I was wondering, is this something of an urban legend, or is there a certain set of authors for which this is a very real circumstance?
February 15th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Maybe someone else knows better, but I don’t think there’s anything particularly special about the French market. Just as often, US writers will make more of a name in the UK before at home, and I know one English writer who does best in Germany! Someone like Paul Auster does incredibly well in France, but I imagine his style works well for the French intellectual scene, as his fluency in French helps when it comes to interviews. When my first French deal happened, I was asked if I spoke French; I said no; I was told that I could forget about being interviewed then, because the French press will chat if you speak their language.
As for LM, it went remarkably fast–3 months. I usually spend a full year, sometimes more, on a book, but I guess enough of the story had built up in my head that it was just a matter of getting it out!
February 15th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Wow three months!? Jeez. That’s truly impressive, but I read that every once in awhile, reading an author interview. They have that one book that just flowed.
Interesting stuff on the different markets, thanks for filling me in.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Glad the French like you, Olen. I’m with Belfond. Only the first of 4 titles is out. Can’t say how well it’s doing, except that it’s also going to a book club. I’m afraid to ask details. I’m not doing anything in the UK. They have enough historical mysteries of their own, I think. But the Eastern block countries have been quite interested. To me, all of this is nice (very little money in it), but my primary concern is with the American market.
February 15th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
:{
That’s my emoticon for the gallic shrug which, sadly, is what you’ll get if you ask a French person about Monsieur Wignall.
February 15th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Kevin, your agent needs to get busy.
I should add to my post above that Belfond have just offered for # 5. So maybe things are moving well in France.
February 16th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Book club, Ingrid? That sounds like success to me. Add to that the request to buy more books, and I’m jealous.
And don’t get down on the “little money” of foreign sales–it can add up. My first 2 books were bought by Japan for nearly the same amount of money as the US paid, which gave me an inflated sense of my own importance until they declined the offer of the next 2 books! Same thing, sadly, happened in Sweden…
Kevin neglects to mention that a nation of many millions, from the border of Belarus to China, will perk up if you ask about Comrade Wignall.
February 16th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Yes, I have a Russian deal, for one book, For the Dogs, and I’m very pleased about that. I think it might be coming out shortly, though of course, I’ve had no contact at all.
But the general failure of my books to sell into foreign markets has been a constant frustration.
February 16th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
I loved THE DOGS. Hang in there, Kevin. And I’m jealous of your British deal, Olen.
Foreign money takes into account the cost of a translator and the size of the reading public. Japan is a very literate country. Alas, in my case they don’t want to read about their own country. I hope to get them with some German history. :)