RANDOM JOTTINGS

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Long time blogger just moved to wordpress. Love music, theatre, movies, sport (tennis and cricket) and cooking. Two great daughters, two great granddaughters.

Cynthia Harrod Eagles – The end of a Dynasty?

M1 M2 M3 M4 M5 

To my utter astonishment and dismay I understand that the Morland Dynasty books of Cynthia Harrod-Eagles will soon be coming to an end.  Not because the author has got fed up with writing them, au contraire, but because her publisher don't want them any more.  Apparently they have decided they are not going to continue with the series because they are not selling enough copies.  Although it is extremely popular, too many people either borrow them from the library or buy a second hand copy and the publisher gets no money from that (neither does the author of course!)    Apparently Cynthia Harrod-Eagles' contract goes up to Book 34, so there are two more to come but after than – zilch.

I find this decision incredibly short sighted.  Historical fiction always sells well – why is Jean Plaidy being reprinted?  Why are Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory plastered all over Waterstones?  No need to answer that one – because their publishers pay for this space that is why.  There is very little publicity for the latest Morland novel as each is published and I think the publishers have lost sight of what a marvellous series they have in their keeping.   My gut feeling is that Cynthia Harrod-Eagles has been with them a long time, she is reliable, she gives them a Morland book a year (plus the Bill Slider mysteries) so they take her for granted and perhaps don't think she is 'sexy' enough.

Why don't they do a push on these titles?  Why don't they re-brand and re-market these marvellous books?  Make sure they are all available and in print in paperback, promote them, publicise them all over again and I guarantee that sales will go up.  I have followed the Morland Dynasty since book one and, apart from sharing in the joys and sorrows of the Morland family, the historical research is staggering and they are extremely well written too.

I am going to write to Sphere, who publish these books.   Sphere is part of the Little, Brown Book group and their CEO and publisher is Ursula Mackenzie.   The Publishing DIrector – Commercial of Sphere is Antonia Hodgson and both these ladies can be located at:

Little, Brown Book Group
100 Victoria Embankment
LONDON
EC4Y 0DY

Those of you who have read and enjoyed these books please leave a comment and join me in doing our very best to keep the Morland Dynasty going.  If you have a blog I would appreciate it if you could spread  the word.  Failing that, well we will just have to see if another publisher with a bit more nous will take them on.

Go on – you know it makes sense……….

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261 responses to “Cynthia Harrod Eagles – The end of a Dynasty?”

  1. Frances Gasparotto Avatar
    Frances Gasparotto

    The Morland Dynasty is finished? Noooooooooooooooo!!!

    Reply
  2. Caroline Avatar
    Caroline

    I also am a very disappointed reader of the Morland Dynasty. I devoured every book and was anxiously waiting for no. 36. I can’t believe there won’t be any more. I’m now going to try Goodbye Piccadilly and it’ll be interesting to see if this hooks me in the same way!

    Reply
  3. jillbyron@btinternet.com Avatar
    jillbyron@btinternet.com

    When there is so much bad fiction being written and published, why on earth would the publishers of the Morland Dynasty not want to publish them any more? They are so well written and researched and give pleasure to so many people. I know that there are awful lot of people out there who would want to continue reading these superb books so please don’t stop writing them Cynthia. Try and find another publisher with some vision.
    Jill Byron.

    Reply
  4. Prudence Blake Avatar
    Prudence Blake

    I am shocked and very disappointed to hear that the Morland Dynasty has come to an end. I enjoyed every bookmark n this series and the development of the characters was wonderful. I understand that there must be an end at some point but surely this could be a natural end by bringing the books up to date instead of leaving us in limbo.

    Reply
  5. Gill Pembury Avatar
    Gill Pembury

    I have been reading the Dynasty books for many years. Each year I have waited – impatiently – for the new one to come out. I am appalled to hear Cynthia Harrod-Eagles is being treated so shabbily by her publishers. Even worse from a selfish point of view, if you have read all the published books and are stuck in the 1920’s, it is cruel not to publish any more. If the author was not able to write any more or, worse, had died, that would be very sad but understandable. But to find out it is the publishers’ fault is so irritating. I agree with previous comments about publicity but the hardcore reader starts looking for the next book as soon as she has finished the last one – and long may that continue – PLEASE!!

    Reply
  6. j.Dixon Avatar
    j.Dixon

    I am another disappointed reader just found out

    Reply
  7. Kathy Watson Avatar
    Kathy Watson

    I have been reading The Morland Dynasty books since they first published. The first books were probably the best, as they were very well researched and offered an excellent overview of British history and customs of their time. I am still eagerly awaiting future books, after #35, The Phoenix several years ago. I am disappointed to read in these posts that the publisher is not interested in continuing with the series. When I started reading the series, it was noted that the books would take us up to the “present day,” presumably the 90s? I will definitely write to the publisher to add my name to the no doubt long list of CFE’s aficionados. The latest series covering the First World War just doesn’t compare. I live on the west coast of Canada, in British Columbia, and I can say that these books are difficult to borrow from any local library on Vancouver Island…..always a long waiting list, which proves that they are extremely popular. Hopefully, we will be reading more of this series in the future.

    Reply
  8. Mrs P M Ollerton Avatar
    Mrs P M Ollerton

    I was devastated when I realised that the saga would not continue since I had bought the 1st book in 1982 The Foundling” and waited annually for the next issue. I have reread each one upto and including The Phoenix. Wanting to hear how Polly lived on. The quality and research contained in each book was superb one relived each era, what a great read! I read anything I find by this author, but there is never enough.
    I have always had to search for each issue as the publicity was silch! never displayed by book shops and usually had to place an order. Our dear author should get another forward thinking publisher. Cynthia get my vote every time as the best author of the 20th Century and ongoing.

    Reply
  9. Margaret Mayhead Avatar
    Margaret Mayhead

    Please lets have some more of the Morland Dynasty . I have reread them many times.and the books could never be written quick enough. Margaret Mayhead

    Reply
  10. Margaret Mayhead Avatar
    Margaret Mayhead

    Cynthia ,please write some more about the Morland Dynasty, I have already read them 3 times over and you could never write them quicker enough for me. Margaret Mayhead

    Reply
  11. Margaret Mayhead Avatar
    Margaret Mayhead

    Please write some more of the Morland Dynasty. I could never wait for your new books about the Morland family.Margsret Mayhead

    Reply

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