Gary asked Sharon Kay Penman:

Hi Sharon Iust ordered a copy of the Sunne in Splendour and will be reading it for the second time and reviewing it. How did yoiu feel about teh coincidence of a novel by the same name by Jean Plaidy coming out that same year?

Sharon Kay Penman I was delighted, Gary, for I didn't like the title The Sunne In Splendour all that much; later I would come to appreciate it. realizing that it was a good choice for Richard lived his life in his brother Edward's shadow. But at the time, I thought we could change the title after learning that Jean Plaidy had a book coming out with the same title. Sunne had already been published in the US but I raised the issue with my British editor. To my surprise, he just laughed. He was not a fan of Ms Plaidy's books and was not concerned about competing with her novel. I was disappointed at the time, but in retrospect, I am glad that he reacted that way. Not only would it not have been a good idea for the book to have different titles in the US and the UK, Sunne won me over in time, and now I cannot imagine a better title for it. I am glad, too, that both of my editors allowed me to use the medieval spelling in the title. I was delighted when my British publisher, Macmillan, decided to bring out a commemorative new edition of Sunne in 2013. This gave me the opportunity to correct some horrific typos in the UK hardcover edition of Sunne; I'd been persuaded that it was not necessary for me to read the final proofs, assured that a proof reader would do a professional job. Well, their proof reader must have been drunk, for the books was riddled with errors. I've had a clause in all of my contracts since then that gives me the right to see the galleys. I was also able to add an new Author's Note for the new edition of Sunne, in which I discussed the amazing discovery of Richard's lost grave and other historical discoveries involving the Yorkists since Sunne was initially published. So I hope you will be reading the new edition of Sunne when you review it!

flag