My Aurelia Marcella series is to be published in Britain as well as in the USA. I am, as you’ll imagine, delighted, especially as the publisher will be the new and dynamic Head of Zeus.
So I’ll have the best of both worlds: Head of Zeus publishing in the UK and Poisoned Pen Press continuing to handle the books in the USA. Top-notch support on both sides of the Pond.
The first in the series, SHADOWS IN THE NIGHT (formerly GET OUT OR DIE) will be launched here in November. I don’t yet know whether there’ll be any kind of launch party to mark the occasion…a champagne reception, perhaps? (Maybe I can drop a few hints to my new publishers nearer the time!) I’ll be cracking open a bottle or two myself, whatever happens.
My books are already available over here, but being actually published in the UK will make a big difference to the way they are promoted in the UK and Europe. And though I haven’t met them yet, Head of Zeus look like a lively firm. Visit them at www.headofzeus.com. Their catalogue for this year has a good wide range of both fiction and non-fiction, including several historical mysteries.
The firm was founded by one of the big names in the book business, Anthony Cheetham, and is run by him and his son Nicolas. And talking of names, I wonder which of them came up with Head of Zeus? It’s from a Greek myth about Athene, goddess of wisdom, whom the Romans identified with their Minerva. She was born out of the head of Zeus (Jupiter,) king of the gods.
It’s an interesting tale, but gory, so if you’re eating a snack while you surf, finish it first, or skip this next bit for now. Zeus’ first wife was Metis, the personification of wisdom and prudence. She did one imprudent thing though, prophesying to her husband that she’d give birth to a girl and then to a boy who was destined by fate to rule the world. So when she fell pregnant Zeus panicked, and ate her. Well I suppose it was panic…best not to go there. After nine months were up he began getting dreadful headaches (serves him right, one could argue,) and asked Hephaestus, the gods’ blacksmith, to split his sore head open with an axe. Athene sprang out, fully armed and ready for anything. Despite her warrior dress, her main role was as goddess of reason and wisdom, so she was often pictured with another wise creature, the owl.
I reckon she’s altogether the best goddess to have on your side when you’re starting a new publishing business in the 21st century…and what an appropriately classical name for the company that’s going to publish the adventures of Aurelia Marcella.
Congratulations, you deserve that champagne. i adore mysteries and will be on the watch for yours here in England.
Thanks, Lynn, it’s great to meet a fellow mystery enthusiast. The reason I started writing mysteries was because I so enjoy reading them. There’s more info about mine on my website, http://www.janefinnis.com.
How strange, Jane, I started writing for the same reason – or rather because my mother loved mysteries so much. Very best.
Great news, Jane, well done!
Thanks, Ruth. My book isn’t the only Roman-era novel on Head of Zeus’ list – mysteries by Eric Mayer and Mary Reed, and by Bruce Macbain, are there too. One in the eye for certain agents and publishers who try to tell you “there’s no future for historical mysteries.”
Congratulations, Jane! In this day of “going indie” for so many authors I’m still firmly of the opinion that I need all the help i can get and having a great publisher–inyour case 2 publishers–behind me is all important! Congratulations to Aurelia, too!
Thanks, Donna. Amid all the gloomy news about the book business, isn’t it wonderful to find a new publisher entering the field.