The Sunne in Splendour reborn

This is a perfect example of the law of unintended consequences, in this case, with very good results. My wonderful American editor and publisher, Putnam’s, have agreed to give me a much needed extension for A King’s Ransom. I was in full-panic mode, seeing no way that I could meet the deadline, so I consider this the best possible news, for me and for the book. This means, however, that Ransom cannot be published in October of next year, as was originally planned. I know that some of my readers will be disappointed, but I also know you all understand how much research is involved in writing one of my books, research that requires extra time. Now I will be able to give the remaining chapters the attention they deserve. And my secret fear won’t come true, that after missing the deadline, I’d have to enter the Witness Protection Program!
Now to the unexpected consequences of this decision. My British agent passed the news on to my new British publisher, Macmillan, which was also my first British publisher. I then learned that they’d been planning to publisher Ransom next October, too, which came as a surprise. They were very understanding, though, and then informed me that they really wanted to publish a book by me next year. And so, since they have the rights to it, they intend to bring out a hardback edition of The Sunne in Splendour next September. Sunne was first published thirty years ago, after all, and books rarely get a second life like this, so I felt as if I’d been given an early Christmas present. They initially set a pub date in October, but rescheduled it for September since I will be in the UK then for my Richard III tour. They will then bring out a new paperback publication of Sunne in 2014, possibly to coincide with their publication of Ransom. Since I know that so many of you are like me and want to have hardback editions of favorite books, I think this is very good news for us all. Maybe even for Richard.