With commercial success in 1978, followed by ten years writing more thrillers … the time came for a change …
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| English - first edition |
... a historical novel … set in Medieval England … who would read – would his publishers be interested … ??
This was Ken Follett's idea … referenced in my recent talk about Cathedrals; his route to acceptance patently wasn't at all easy.
He wanted to write about Cathedrals and enjoyed the learning process about the Middle Ages … so he set to … ten years after his commercial success The Pillars of the Earth was ready to be taken up and published (1989).
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| Salisbury Cathedral - west end |
Enthusiasm … not much … the British and Americans duly published, without much success – but some. Apparently the Italians accepted it … seemingly the Italians have been kind to him … here in the UK, in paperback, it was number one for one week: thrilling success?!?!
However his German editor, Walter Fritzche at Gustav Luebbe, had longed to publish a novel about building a cathedral. Understandably the Germans hadn't been too happy with Follett's thrillers – there's usually a German baddy involved … so to have a publisher from Germany who was excited about cathedrals – was a bonus.
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| Luebbe's logo |
Luebbe duly published a German version … they hired Achim Kiel to do the cover … painter, graphic artist and sculptor … who took on the creative project … giving the German people something very special. Both had paid off … the German publishers, and the creative artist …
Then Pillars began to create a stir among other publishing nations … and as we know today is hugely successful.
As I read it I did notice a few anomalies … which in Wiki they've highlighted … squirrels don't hibernate (ours in the Medieval era would have been the red ones … we had some in our childhood Surrey garden); sugar would only have been available in courtly circles … until later in the 1300s; similarly hops would have been much later; then the idea of breakfast as a meal … we're not sure if that was eaten as such … but all in all – it gave us a view of life in the 1100s … certainly my talk got a nod of approval – though I didn't bring in those items … being a vaguely wise old owl!
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German edition -
using Achim Kiel's
cover art |
I do recognise a few of the authors promoted by the Luebbe group... as linked below … where you can find more information. Apparently they have thirteen publishing brands, several thousand titles – fiction, non-fiction, children's and youth books, novels, audio and ebooks.
Their concept is stated on the Company's 'the why' they are what they are … it starts;
"The importance of narrative lies in its impact on and relationship with the people who experience it. This can be a thrilling adventure, an intimate dialogue, a diverting conversation, a yearning experience, and much more.”
Follett includes the Luebbe information in his Introduction – where he goes into how he wrote the book (nearly 8 pages of it) … I used some of it in my talk … these extras for me give that little bit more.
This seemed an appropriate post for August's IWSG – I'm a member … but don't participate – I enjoy seeing others' thoughts arising out of the question – this month: What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
I'm looking forward to reading everyone's entries over on your IWSG posts …
Bastei Luebbe company information …
Wine and Cheese – arising from my Cathedral post …
Addendum: I obviously hadn't made it clear that the reason I wrote this post - was because it was the German publisher who took it up ... and from there it became the huge success it is today ... it's the German aspect for a British author was the main point of the post.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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