Bookend
Signs of the times or signs of the trade? For several years Fontana have been selling paperback editions of the incomparable Ngaio Marsh, and for several years they have been encrusted in the same old photographic covers — each depicting gruesome corpse in agonised rigor mortis. Last year the publishers decided to re-design the covers. An artist called Philip Hood produced a series of wholesome but eye-catching paintings which evoke the flavour of Inspector Alleyn's world down to the last art deco detail. The staff at Fontana were delighted with the result and the new covers were launched this spring.
Unfortunately several of the bigger booksellers thought differently. Indeed, s° violent was their reaction, and so persistent. that the publishers felt impelled to have the covers designed all over again. The new set of illustrations, ably executed by Julian Todd will appear next year — each depicting a gruesome corpse in agonised rigor mortis.
A-MeWSing
One of the nice things about the book trade is that old faces are forever popping IV under new hats. At the Frankfurt Book Fair, I am told, an elegant Tom Stacey was to be seen striding the aisles on behalf of someth e
ing or other. And
Reprint
e
ing or other. And re-surfaces the ebullient papba
ney B. Kramer who recently enjoyed a brief bout as head of Cassell and Collier Macmiltan where an ill-mannered staff dubbed him 'Bugs Bunny.' Prior to that he was a pillar of the New York paperback house New American Library whence he departed cn somewhat less than cordial terms four years ago. Sid B's new venture is something called Mews Books, a paperback imprint specialising in original 'category' series — science fiction, westerns etc. This is an act of some courage, since several other paperback firms have now decided that the 'category' boon', is over. And who is helping to stake Sid in his new enterprise? None other than New English Library, the corporate cousin of surprised New American Library.
Next week could see a happy ending to a sad saga. In 1974 an Essex company called Joanna Productions published an unusual novel by actor-writer Dennis Castle. Entitled Run Out the Raj it chronicled the zarlY escapades of a die-hard cricket-mad British clique in an Indian hill station near the end of the last war, and was very funny. Run Out the Rai was not exactly a monument to book production — the publishers somehow managed to get the author's name wrong on the spine. Worse was to come, however. Shortly after publication Joanna Productions ceased trading and the book sat for weeks in an untroubled warehouse. Dennis Castle tried to interest other publishers in the book but encountered a reluctance to publish something that had only just appeared under another imprint. During the summer his luck turned' Bailey Bros and Swinfen saw a copy, liked it signed it up and are rushing it put for publication on December 1. A nice Christ' mas present for Mr Castle and, I hope, for several hundred others.
Bookbuyer
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