International Book Deal

[Patrick Mahon]

It is with great pleasure that I announce my third international deal, this time with the publisher, Forlaget Sesam in Denmark. I believe this will be the first country to publish Imperial Spy in hardback. Go Denmark!

Mark,

First off, congratulations! This is great news!

Second, do you know why these particular international markets have bought the rights to "Imperial Spy"? Is there something linking the French, Italians and Danish? Are they all voracious readers of fantasy? Or is it more practical than this - that these are markets that Simon & Schuster are already familiar with perhaps?

 

[Marky Lazer]

Another great accomplishment, Mark.

Already some more insight in the world of translating?

 

[Mark Robson]

Second, do you know why these particular international markets have bought the rights to "Imperial Spy"? Is there something linking the French, Italians and Danish? Are they all voracious readers of fantasy? Or is it more practical than this - that these are markets that Simon & Schuster are already familiar with perhaps?

Thanks for your good wishes, Patrick. To be honest, I have no idea why these particular nations have bought translation rights where others haven't. I imagine it's to do with what the publishers in question perceive to be right for their particular market at the moment. I know that there has been interest from several further publishers from different nations. The rights department at Simon & Schuster is not huge, therefore they can only spend so much time pushing each title. This was one of the reasons that I pushed hard for a reversion of rights clause in my contract. Any rights that have not sold within eighteen months of publication revert to my control. My agent has a sub-contracted specialist rights agent standing by to take on those rights and push them when they come back to us. Simon & Schuster know this, so it puts pressure on them to sell what rights they can quickly, before they lose the opportunity.

Already some more insight in the world of translating?

Not really yet, Marky. I'm hoping to get a copy of the Danish edition - not to read, (I don't know a single word of Danish unless you count bacon!) but just because I'm interested to see what it will look like.

 

[Marky Lazer]

Not really yet, Marky. I'm hoping to get a copy of the Danish edition - not to read, (I don't know a single word of Danish unless you count bacon!) but just because I'm interested to see what it will look like.

You don't even know how to order a pint in Danish? Now, that's shocking, mate!

 

[Mark Robson]

You don't even know how to order a pint in Danish? Now, that's shocking, mate!

You're right! I know how to say 'Four beers, please, my friend will pay' in loads of different languages, but Danish is one that escaped me. I'm going to have to look it up now ... though if anyone can help out ...

 

[Culhwch]

Can't help with the Danish. Unless it's of the custard variety... Mark, are there any plans to publish (or distribute) in other English-language markets, ie Australia? I've looked for your books here and seen not hide nor hair of them.

 

[scalem X]

Lolz, me gut feeling works in strange ways , congrats Mark.

And indeed Marky, How is it possible that it's translated in Italian and Danish and not in Dutch? The first Lotr translation was in Dutch!

Might get a French copy, need to boast up skills in that language.

 

[Mark Robson]

Can't help with the Danish. Unless it's of the custard variety... Mark, are there any plans to publish (or distribute) in other English-language markets, ie Australia? I've looked for your books here and seen not hide nor hair of them.

Custard Danish ... now you're talking! I'm not sure about distribution in overseas English language markets. I know that some UK editions have found their way to Hong Kong and to Australia, but there have been no separate publishing deals in these territories so far. I think you would need to look in specialist SFF shops to find them in Aus - you might want to ask Gollum - he's certainly seen Imperial Spy in the shops over there.

And indeed Marky, How is it possible that it's translated in Italian and Danish and not in Dutch? The first Lotr translation was in Dutch!

I'd love to see a Dutch version appear over the horizon. Don't give up hope ... there's plenty of time yet. I think there'll be several more translations coming along over the next year, or so.

 

[Marky Lazer]

Hey Mark, I was wondering how this all happens. Is just someone starting to translate your story and then call your agent or publisher to say, "Um... Hi, this Skolle Johanson, I just translated your book into Danish?" If that's the case, I might as well just do that for the Dutch edition, and Scalem can back me up...

 

[scalem X]

Lol

"Um... Hi, this Skolle Johanson, I just translated your book into Danish?"

Then the agent replies: oh that's too bad, some other Danish guy called two days ago offering his translation .

Yeah Marky, we could take care of it ourselves .

 

[Mark Robson]

Hey Mark, I was wondering how this all happens. Is just someone starting to translate your story and then call your agent or publisher to say, "Um... Hi, this Skolle Johanson, I just translated your book into Danish?" If that's the case, I might as well just do that for the Dutch edition, and Scalem can back me up...

My understanding is that the International Rights department at Simon & Schuster contact overseas publishers and pitch their titles at them for consideration. Bear in mind that all of the other publishers, major and minor, are doing the same thing. Publishers in each territory that they approach then have the opportunity to make offers on any of the books that they think will suit their own particular market. In some territories, if more than one publisher show an interest in a particular title, an auction may be set up to try to win the best possible deal for the author (and the UK publisher in this case, as they take a percentage of the royalties - everybody has to have their piece of the pie!)

Once an agreement is reached on the amount of the advance of royalties, the royalty rates, whether the book is to printed in hard back, or paperback and a whole host of other details, then the deal is signed. Considering this is my first title with a traditional publisher, I'm delighted to have won three such contracts already with the prospect of a few more to come. I don't know whether there will be a dutch company with interest in my work, but who knows? Maybe they will be next.

 

[Patrick Mahon]

Are there any signs that there will be early translations of Imperial Assassin? I'm sure there would be takers...

 

[AmazingAmanda253]

Let's see how long it takes for you to make it to Chinese!

Would make sense, I got my copy of the imperial Spy when I was in the Hong Kong airport.

 

[Mark Robson]

Anyone here speak Italian? If anyone's interested, here's what the cover for the Italian version of Imperial Spy looks like:

©Terra-di-Mezzo.it | Autori | Mark Robson

I kind of like that cover. (Though I'd love to know where she got that sword from! Femke doesn't carry a sword!)

Oh, and Patrick - still waiting to hear on deals for Imperial Assassin. I'm hoping that deals will start being signed soon.

 

[Joel007]

I like the cover. "The spy of shandar". I must admit, the sword is a mystery to me too.

 

[Patrick Mahon]

Blimey! I wouldn't want to meet her on a dark night!

But it's great to see Imperial Spy travelling to Italy, even if they have changed the name. Hope it sells well - and with that cover, I'm sure it will

 

[dwndrgn]

Great cover! Tell whomever made the decision to go with that cover (sword notwithstanding) they should come and work for a US publisher. We get some seriously crap covers over here (not inlcuding yours Mark, I happen to like those so far).

 

[SpaceShip]

Well done Mark! It gives us all hope - it really can be done. Congratulations and hope it won't be long before they do all the others too. Again, very well done.

 

[Mark Robson]

Thanks, guys. I had a bit of a laugh last night as I used the Babel Fish site to translate the reader reviews here: La spia di Shandar - Robson Mark

The results were quite funny to read, but the general gist was that they enjoyed La Spia Di Shandar very much, which is most gratifying.

It seems that Mondadori have gained a quote from an Italian Author, Licia Troisi, which features on the cover above the title. Again the babelfish translation was entertaining, but what words it did translate were complimentary, so thank you, Licia!

 

[scalem X]

cool, I don't speak Italian though.
Waiting for Dutch/German/French/Japanese .