gentle art of wondering

I am just as surprised as anyone else by the current price of good secondhand copies of the UK edition of The Gentle Art of Domesticity. The book is now out of print, and unfortunately the original publisher has no plans to reprint it. The US edition is still available (in the UK, too) but for this the recipes were converted to US measurements and the text was lightly Americanised (whatever your view is on this - and I have a strong one - this is simply what happens sometimes, and the decision to leave alone/Americanise does not lie with the author). It also doesn't have the marshmallow heart on its cover, and it seems that this is something many people like.

So we are wondering what to do. Do we seek a new publisher? Do we publish it ourselves? Do we leave it alone, a one-off book with quite a back-story? Do we guard the few copies we own then speculate madly on the market? Do we wrap them up and save them for the next generation or two who may choose use them to light fires to toast heart-shaped marshmallows? You may notice I say 'we', as Simon is the driving force here. He doesn't like to see the book languishing when there is a demand for it (emails, conversations, price etc tell us this is so) and wants to do something about it it. I wonder. Maybe we should have a new (ad)venture?

 

Comments

[Barbara]

Jane,
I've been doing a lot of research lately on self-pub or "indie" books lately for a class I'm going to teach. Self-pub, especially digital, is the rage right now, and the two: Amazon and Barnes&Noble, are featuring indie digital authors constantly. I think several published authors have retained or purchased their rights to allow them to self-pub and are doing very well. Good luck.

[kathleen]

I bought the english version first publication even tho I live in the US wanted the book right away and bought before its release date so I'm so glad I did that. I think you should have it republished.

[Jo]

Ugh I hate the sound of the 'Americanising'. I used to work for a publisher where there was always an eye on what would go down well in the US market - and authors were directed accordingly. Now the books they publish tend to be bland and the same.
I don't know how things stand over the rights but I think you should look into self-publishing. I'm sure it is possible to examine the costs versus how many you are likely to sell (at what price) and see if it is viable. If you stored them at home, and received internet orders there would not be other distribution costs for you.

[deb]

Please reprint it. I love all your books, but this one is a delight. Like having a jar of favourite sweets that you dip into whenever you like. I'm constantly telling people to read your books! I don't understand why the americans can't read plain english, it's makes no sense to me! Here in NZ it's not a problem :)

[Kate]

I love this book, but I have it in the US where it's really not hard to find. however, if I were you I would self publish an online copy on amazon.

[Kendel]

I love "Domesticity", British or American. Such an encouraging book for us "overeducated housewives," who have a broad range of loves, skills and talents.

Have you considered/researched e-publishing?

[Elizabeth]

Please do get it republished, or better still republish it yourselves - it that is not too arduous a task. My Mother has an original copy but I didn't buy one for myself at the time - wish I had. I have got a copy of your knitting book and that is a fantastic source of inspiration and patterns for me.

[Paula]

Looks like you should definitely find a way to publish the book somehow. It's in such high demand! I love my copy, and take it out from time to time to rediscover its delights. I also didn't realise Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer was no longer being published. It's one of my favourite books ever.

[Anne]

You might check this out:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/business/media/perseus-creates-new-service-for-authors-seeking-to-self-publish.html?src=recg

[Amanda]

It is a beautiful book - I love to dip into it now and then (it sits on the bedside table, even though I bought it as soon as it was available). It would seem that it is worth republishing - it's themes are timeless. (For the record, I am Australian, and have the UK version).

[Celine]

Hello, I am not in the habit of leaving comments but I felt I just had to. I have been following yarnstorm since 2005 and have bought a used copy of the english book a couple of years ago. It is one of my favorite books ever, and I have since made the recipes, read through Dorothy Whipple, discovered Persephone books in the process..please don't let this book become rare and expensive! I'm sure the US version is good also, but the essence of the book is english, and I think this is the version that should stay available for women to enjoy - you put the glamour back into domesticity!

[Isabel Bellmann]

I have been looking for it in the UK version, rather unsucessfully. I hope you will be able to republish. I would be one on the list.

[Sue]

I borrowed a copy from my local library and kept renewing until someone else requested it. I am kicking myself for not buying a copy there and then. It is beautifully written and illustrated and I love the whole concept of reclaiming our right to enjoy cooking, knitting and sewing. Republish and be damned!!

[Elizabeth]

I have the Amer. version and I love it! I have always wondered at how the cover (and I guess interior) decisions are made for books that are both US and UK published. I would love to learn more about that. I think it would be awesome if you self-published. Since you're established, it seems like it would go quite well for you and you could do whatever you want. Either way, I'm cheering you on from Michigan. :)

[MmmYarn]

"The Gentle Art of Domesticity" is one of the few books I grab whenever I feel down because it always cheers me up again. I agree with the others that it deserves to remain in print. I have the American version. If you get it reprinted, I vote for the marshmallow cover!

[Kristin]

I love my British version that I bought before the US release. I'm so thankful I did that. I, too, would like the publishers to quit worrying about trying to Americanize things. Does it happen the other way round?

Hear, hear for your book and for re-publishing the way it was meant to be!

[Mrs C]

I love love love this book and made sure I got a copy not long after it came out here in the UK. It's seen me through all of my married life so far, and through the first 16 months of being a mum. I keep coming back to it again and again.

Please do republish it if you can as there are so many other women (and men) out there who need to learn that a simple life is one to be cherished.

Having just checked what it's now going for on Amazon I'm wondering if I should insure my copy as a separate item on the household contents insurance!

[Sandy Rongish]

I would have loved to have the original version, I dont need one to be changed for the text, i happen to love the differences! :) Great book!

[andylynne]

Hi Jane,
As a long time reader,and owner of your books. My humble opinion is that a reprint would be good if you can swing it. Also the american versions are nice, but I like the original context that the book was written. Some sort of conversion table for measurments might be added, but the language and the flavor of the book should be origninal to the author. I wasn't aware that books were changed made more american friendly. I don't have the american version. Not sure how I managed a copy of UK edition, but am glad I did :). Love your blog and books. Have you looked at the price of Cherry cake and Ginger Beer lately :)

[Jenni]

I do not have either book, although my aunt has both, I bought her copy of cherry cake partly as a christmas present, partly to thank her for introducing me to your lovely blog. Although I always pull out both books when I visit her, I would dearly love my own copies, and so I promise if you can reprint, I will be one of the first in line to buy them :)

[Abby Spornitz Garnett]

just have to say, i asked for this book for Christmas and happily received it. It's one of my most favorite books. Absolutely love it...even if it is in Americanise. i hope you can get it out there again so more people can enjoy it!