Many of you will remember that a few months ago I was able to share what for me was some very exciting news about Mary Hocking’s books and how me banging on about her had seemed to pay off. I know lots of people joined in with the last Mary Hocking reading week – and I certainly plan to do the reading week again. I have of course spoken before about how much I have come to love Mary Hocking’s novels, and how sad I was that they were out of print. I have been lucky enough to collect together twenty three of her twenty-four novels (still several I need to read) – many of them ex-library copies picked up very cheaply. However I know not everyone has found getting hold of these books easy – and so of course I was beyond delighted to hear that Bello were going to be making them available via their print on demand editions and ebooks.
The novels I sent on loan to Bello for scanning – have returned – and now they have I will be able to start reading them again. It’s always so hard to choose which next when one has a lot of books by one author to read.
Anyway the really exciting news is that the first twelve Mary Hocking novels will be available in just under a month – 25th February – and all the books are now showing on Amazon and can be pre-ordered. The second batch of twelve novels is due out in July. Bello has provided me with some lovely cover images to share with you.
I love these designs – I hope you do too. You’ll notice the books being released first have a black design against a blue background.
The first twelve novels available from the end of February are:
Good Daughters
Indifferent Heroes
Welcome Strangers
The Winter City
Visitors to the Crescent
The Sparrow
The Young Spaniard
Ask No Questions
A Time of War
Checkmate
The Hopeful Traveller
The Climbing Frame
The novels due out in July (and definitely worth waiting for) are:
Family Circle
Daniel Come to Judgement
The Bright Day
The Mind Has Mountains
Look, Stranger
He Who Plays the King
March House
An Irrelevant Woman
A Particular Place
Letters from Constance
The Very Dead of Winter
The Meeting Place
Their designs will feature a white pattern on a blue background.
Despite having nearly all Mary Hocking’s books (Visitors at the Crescent – the last one I have to find) – I will still be buying several of the ebooks – I like the idea of having some of my favourites on my kindle to carry with me wherever I am.
Let’s not beat around the bush – I really hope lots of you will be buying some too – whether you are new to Mary Hocking or another of her loyal fans (I know you’re out there). I love Bello for bringing lots of fantastic authors to new generations of readers. What pleases me the most is that people who have never heard of Mary Hocking – might stumble across her books when browsing the Bello catalogue and make the same discovery I made two and half years ago.
Earlier I mentioned another Mary Hocking reading week – I think it would be perfect to have another one the year her books are made available – but what I can’t decide on is when. I would really welcome your thoughts. The last two Mary Hocking weeks have been June – which I think I just plumped for at random. This year of course her books are being re-issued in February and July (February also the month M H died in 2014) and April would have been her birthday. So when would be best?
heavenali 
I would be happy to read one. I’m doing the tbr triple dare so could not pick one up until April…
Fair enough. I know all about reading challenges.
Well done, Ali – it just shows you what a little persistence can achieve. 🙂
Thanks – though I don’t really feel that *I* did much. Just glad the books will be available again.
Again, well done Ali… it is just fantastic how you’ve influenced their reprint. Haven’t read any MH but would be happy to purchase one (or more depending on budget) to take part. 😊
Great. Still deciding on a date. I’m thinking I should move MH reading week to early April – around her birthday.
Wonderful news Ali, and you should be justifiably proud of your part in geting these books back into print! 🙂
I glad I was able to play a small part – but really *I* didn’t do much.
What a lovely array of books – both the old and the new!
I love these new designs but yes I do adore my old editions of course.
This is a truly remarkable accomplishment–congratulations! I missed the first part of this Mary Hocking party; I have some reading to catch up on (when I can). I am in awe of what you were able to do; I wish I had been able to accomplish something similar for my pet project, Margery Sharp. But other wonderful bloggers are taking up the challenge, as well! I am looking forward to experiencing a new writer, and thank you so much for your efforts in this regard. Well done.
I would love Margery Sharp to get re-issued. She has so many fans that’s it’s surprising that she hasn’t been.
That is wonderful news! And the ebooks are reasonably priced as well. Now here’s a question for you: Do you have a favorite? Or one you would specifically recommend for someone new to Hocking?
I have been thinking about this in case anyone asked. The Fairley trilogy which starts with Good Daughters wouldn’t be a bad place to start. They have remained very popular – I don’t personally think they are her best writing but they are very good, deeply engaging and become hard to put down. A Time of War is another favourite of mine – and its sequel The Hopeful Traveller is good too. The MH I read first A Particular Place isn’t available till July.
This is an excellent work of recovery, but I’m bothered that you made all the running, you supplied the texts for scanning: are you getting any of the proceeds?
I wouldn’t want any proceeds – I’m not the writer nor related to her. I merely made a suggestion and loaned some books. Bello very generously sent me several free books in thanks – and paid all courier costs. I’m just delighted to see a writer I love becoming available again. That’s all the payment I would want or expect.
Oh, I think April is a better month in which to remember and read her! My daughter married a Hocking. May I pretend a family connection?! :<))
Ha ha. You may. Yes I’m leaning towards April.
Such brilliant news. And I agree with April as will revitalise interest and boost interest in the next batch.
Yes I have more or less decided on April.
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