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Welcome Guest Goddess Mary Balogh!

Feb 8th 2010Your Friendly Goddesses
Your Friendly GoddessesGuest Goddesses

Please give a warm Mt. Oly welcome to the wonderful Mary Balogh! She is graciously kicking off our 3rd Anniversary week!

IMG_1027Mary Balogh is the author of more than 60 published novels and over 30 novellas and has met with critical success. She has received numerous awards, including a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Regency Short Stories in 1993 and has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list.

 

BRINGING BACK OLD BOOKS

I have a backlist dating back to 1985. Bantam Dell is republishing some of my old books. The first of five two-in-one editions, Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride, will be out at the end of February. I have had a fundamental decision to make—whether to make changes to the books or not.

There are definite temptations to do some rewriting. I have changed as a person and as a writer since I was first published, I hope for the better in both cases! There are all sorts of details I would love to change. Some are purely factual. In one trilogy (the WEB books), the second son of the family was Lord Eden. Of course he ought not to have had a title at all, and I could correct that nasty error after all these years. Other details concern style and outlook on life. I used to write with far more interior monologue and less action and dialogue that I do now. I could get rid of much of the “heavy” stuff.

There are arguments against change, however. Many loyal readers remember those books and love them as they are. And the books represent me as I was when they were written. I hesitate to quote scripture, but Jesus once warned about trying to patch an old garment with new cloth. If I make factual changes in order to correct an error, I change the fabric of the book. Lord Eden, for example, becomes Mr. Dominic Raine, and seems like a wholly new character. If I cut introspection and add more dialogue, I am speaking in my present voice, not the voice with which I spoke then.

I have made no changes to my republished books. For me the cons outweigh the pros. I would rather spend my time writing something new. The clincher for me is that I am a reader as well as a writer, and I know that without exception, I always hate books that have been expanded or otherwise revised before they are republished. It feels like a betrayal, like the loss of an old friend.

So, am I right or am I wrong? Or are there sometimes good reasons for making changes and sometimes good reasons for keeping an old book as it is?

For more information about Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride, and to read excerpts, see my web site.

Mary has kindly offered one commentor a signed copy of Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride as a prize today! Please note that the prize will be mailed at the end of February when Mary has received her author copies.

421 Comments »

421 Responses to “Welcome Guest Goddess Mary Balogh!”

  1. maered on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:37 am #

    Hi Mary! I love your books and am so glad that your old work is being republished! I managed to get my hands on Irresistible and I was hooked!

    I do think it is a betrayal when an author makes changes to an old book. I think it’s a betrayal to the reader. Having to buy the new book again for the sake of an extra scene or two. I don’t think thats right. I mean, I love visiting the same couples again in books but I hate the “longer” or “improved” version of books.

  2. Laurie G on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:39 am #

    I’d love to read your earlier books: Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride! I’ve enjoyed your Simply series. I’m glad that you haven’t changed a word of your books!

  3. May on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:07 am #

    Hi Mary, I am a fan and really can’t wait for Con’s book to release.

    As for making changes, I love it the way it was, fault and all. If I hate that book for some reason, I do not think making changes in some part will make me love it more. On the other hand it is already “perfect”, why change?

  4. LoriHandeland on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:16 am #

    Welcome, Mary! Thanks so much for joining us.

    I have to agree with you on leaving books the way they were originally. I’ve always felt that you don’t mess with success and if the book was published that way, it should stay that way. There’s a special energy about each book that comes from the joy we had when we wrote it and I’d be afraid to lose that by adding or subtracting anything at a later date.

  5. Linda B on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:26 am #

    Hi Mary. I love all of your books and am so happy to see more re-issues coming out. I too am anxious for Con’s book, as well as Lord Carew.

    I love reading an author’s work over time–sort of like the reader being able to take a journey with the author with each new book. While there may be an element that seems technically incorrect later on down the road, to change a book later, I think, may take something away from it too. For me, the mood and the feeling is always more important than a technical issue any time. Besides, your books are so wonderful, why change a thing?

    Thanks for visiting here

  6. Archer on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:32 am #

    Hi Mary,

    I loved your Bedwyn series. Especially Slightly Scandalous. That book definitely had some very funny scenes.

    As long as you don’t off a character in a re-write I don’t mind additions.

    I enjoyed some of the additions in Mary Jo Putneys Fallen Angels series. Especially since she added more books.

  7. LisaK on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:47 am #

    Welcome Mary, how nice to have you here!

    I very much agree with you, actually. Maybe it’s a bad example, but like you do with books I feel with my German exams. I’m going to graduate this May so I copied my important exams so that I can see later what mistakes I made so that I (hopefully) never make them again. While writing my analysis at school I mostly think it’s the best thing I’ve ever written, after having written it I often feel like it belongs to the worst, but when I get it back (I almost always have 13 or 14 points which equals an A in the US, I believe) I’m pretty content. But I almost can’t re-read it because there are so many things I could have made differently – not things my teacher didn’t like but little things like the construction of a sentence, a word which (in my mind) doesn’t fit, a topic I could have described more explicitly. But I’d rather not stick with those things but move on and decide to write an even better composition next time. =)

  8. Fran on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:52 am #

    Hello! I really enjoy reading your books. I agree with you, it feels like a betrayal when author changes the book I’ve already read and loved. But, S. Kenyon did it for a good reason and her changes improved the books very much. Also they were crucial for connecting the books that were published by several different publishers and she was forced to make several changes that crippled the books at that time. So I guess like in everything, there are pros and cons and it’s up to the author to decide which course to take.

  9. cail on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:00 am #

    Welcome Mary! I think you made the right decision. As an extremely loyal reader, I was super excited to see you kicking off our three year old celebration here. I’ve been eating up your rereleases and love getting a book that is no longer in print, just the way it was. The only time I support reworking a book is if it gets wrapped up quickly, or the author failed to give us an Epilogue the first go around and is satisfying my extremely desperate need to have one in every book. I happen to know I’m not alone in needing epilogues, so…

    anyways, welcome to TGB and keep writing your amazing books. I still have a little bit of room on my Mary Balogh keeper shelf.

  10. Angela on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:09 am #

    Hi Mary, welcome to Mount Oly. I loved your fallen angel series. I go back and reread every once in a while.
    I don’t like it when books are reissued with major changes. I want them to be familiar and cozy, like an old friend.
    Keep on writing. Love your books.

  11. Pesky on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:09 am #

    Welcome Mary!

    Kinda a toss up here with the rewrite. Books are like old friends you go back to over and over. Finding an old friend drastically changed can be a little disturbing. However if the change is for the better sometimes you rejoice in it.

    I do get a little annoyed with the authors that do a “rewrite” and then sell the book under a new title. It’s the same book and it niggles at me until I figure out that it’s a rewrite.

  12. Julie on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:14 am #

    Mary, love your books. My experience was not getting into romance novels until about five years ago. Prior to that I was a non-fiction person but got into a couple of fiction books that had very sad endings at a sad point in my life. So I vowed to only read books with HEAs…hence, romance. I glommed all the recommended writers I could, making up for a few decades of ignoring the genre. I have truly enjoyed reading writers’ works from their early days. I don’t want the author to change early releases because they are now better or different writers (because are writers ever perfectly happy with what they write?) but I can see it being problematic with contemporary stories that may seem dated.

    Looking forward to your future and past works I have yet to read.

  13. Robin/RBL on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:23 am #

    Hi Mary! Great to see you here. I think you made the right decision too. I have not read these books you are talking about so they’ll be fresh to me, but when its an old fave and I buy the ‘updated’ version, I spend my time looking for the changes instead of enjoying the book .

  14. Gillian on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:25 am #

    Hi Mary, I too am a huge fan. Jocelyn, from More than a Mistress, will always be one of my very favorite heroes. Although I have very high hopes for Con, too! Please leave older works as they are. We all have our reasons for treasuring the originals.

    Looking forward to reading A Matter of Class very soon. :)

  15. Kim on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:26 am #

    Welcome Mary!! We’re so excited to have you here on Mt. Oly.

  16. Freedom Writer on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:28 am #

    Welcome to Mt. Oly, Mary. As a writer, I think the temptation to rewrite is always there. My aunt, who was a published poet, always looked at her previously published poems and thought about rewriting them. Adding in everything she had learned since writing the poem. I think you’re right to not revise your backlist books. The changes may not improve the story, and older fans may resent the changes.

  17. Danielle D on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:30 am #

    Hi Mary, I’m a Mary Balogh fan girl and love your books. My favorite book is A Summer To Remember. I can’t wait until Con’s book comes out.

  18. Kathleen Smith on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:36 am #

    I am glad you decided not to change the reprints. THe only time I would even suggest a change is if there is a spelling error, one that is not on purpose, or a printing error.

    I eagerly anticipate your new books. You provide me with what I want in a book, characters I can visualize and with whom I can become involved.

    Thank you for your many kindnesses to your fans.

  19. Sabrina Jeffries on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:43 am #

    Hi, Mary, it’s so great to have you here! And what a fascinating subject for a blog–I’m curious to know this myself.

    I happen to be one of those people who really does enjoy new versions of books. Mary Jo Putney did it with a couple of hers, and I bought the expanded versions as well as the original versions and read both. BUT I don’t know if I did it as an author or as a reader. I honestly think the reader in me likes it, too, but I can never be sure. I’ve always been one of those people, however, who loves seeing different versions of the same tale, remakes of movies, books that are takes on movies and vice-versa. So I do think I enjoy the re-done versions. One of my keeper books is Whitney, My Love, which McNaught redid, and I bought it solely to read the changes she made.

    But it sounds as if I may be in the minority here.

  20. Sabrina Jeffries on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:47 am #

    As a writer, my perspective might be more in line with yours. A few years ago, we mentioned my Deborah Martin books to Pocket, and they said that they’d be interested in them only if I was willing to “Sabrina Jeffries-ize them.” And that’s not going to happen. The books were a completely different style and voice. I wouldn’t mind revising them, but even that is fraught with peril. On the one hand, like you, there are things I’d like to correct, things I’d love to smooth out and edit. On the other hand, I think once I got started, I’d have a hard time not rewriting the book entirely. You pull one thread and the whole thing unravels. Of course, my old DM books aren’t in hot demand the way yours are, so I’d have nothing to lose, but as you said, it’s time-consuming and I’d be better off working on new material. So there they sit, unrevised and un-Sabrina-Jeffries-ized!

    Oh, and may I say, along with everyone else, that I am eager for Con’s story!

  21. kay on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:53 am #

    Welcome Mary. I’m glad you decided not to change your books and by the way I have ALL of your books. There are so many of them that I love, but here are the ones I really really love (in no particular order): A Precious Jewel, A Gift of Daisies, Lady with a Black Umbrella (you should write for fun books), A Chance Encounter, The Wood Nymph, The First Snowdrop, A Promise of Spring, More than a Mistress and Simply Love. Simply Love was one of the few books to ever bring a tear to my eye, wonderful book. It seems that I have turned into a gushing fan.

  22. Heike M. on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:03 am #

    Hi Mary,

    I’m also glad that you won’t change your backlist books, even though I will read them for the first time, when they are republished. And even more happy that some of your backlist books will be reprinted!

  23. TrishD on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:28 am #

    Welcome Mary!!

    When a book is re-issued I don’t want changes. I want to read the book as the author intended it to be when it was originally written.

    Having said that, I do enjoy when authors add back in the pages that were edited out for whatever reason. When I hear that an author has cut 50+ pages during the editing process I always wonder what I’m missing. Obviously the story works without those pages but they were originally written for a reason. I’d love to read every word edited out… I don’t care if I have to read an extra 50+ pages… that just means I have 50+ more pages to enjoy the book! :)

    Thanks to Bantam Dell for republishing your backlist.

  24. Rachel Gibson on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:33 am #

    Welcome Goddess Mary,

    I don’t read rewritten books. If a book is special to me, I don’t want the writer coming back in years later and messing with and changing what was special.

    And I doubt I would ever rewrite one of my own books. I write contemporary, and contemps get really dated after about five years. But those books are done. Those stories told. Those characters are off living happily ever after in romance land.

  25. ladydawgfan on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:34 am #

    Hi Mary. Welcome to The Goddess Blogs!! I can’t wait for these to be released, since I have been actively searching for them, without success, in used bookstores for quite a while.

    IMHO, there is something to be said for both leaving the backlist alone, and also updating them, if that makes any sense. If a book is out of print, updating it might be the only chance to bring it back into print, as well as give the author a chance to correct those little things that have been grating on their nerves for so long. The fans of the books either don’t know or don’t care about them, but the authors sure do, and updating gives them that chance.

    OTOH, updating risks changing a beloved book so much that it is unrecognizable to those who made it successful to begin with – its readers. Adding an epilogue is great since most people love to know what happens later. However, changing names, places, adding or subtracting characters or whole chapters can be disconcerting and take away from the original, destroying the “magic.” This doesn’t always happen, but it is possible, is something to be very wary of.

  26. Mary Balogh on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:39 am #

    So many lovely responses already! Thank you. There are too many for me to answer them all individually. I am glad most of you agree with me, but different opinions are fine too. It would be a dreary world if we all agreed with one another on everything. Sabrina, I bet the reason your Deborah Martin books aren’t in huge demand yet is that many readers don’t realize you are one and the same (I didn’t!). Now that you have reached dizzying heights as SJ on the NYT List, I bet there will be a market for the old books if your shared identity can be leaked. Kathleen, printing errors in the old books will be corrected in the new because this is a wholly different publisher. Of course, there will probably be new errors to take their place! Those printing error gremlins always enjoy success even though the author and several other people read the proofs very carefully. A few of you mentioned Constantine’s book–A SECRET AFFAIR. It will be out in hardcover at the end of April.

  27. KellyAnn on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:40 am #

    Welcome Goddess Mary,

    I am at a toss up over your question. I love books that have additions made to them but I love when they stay the same too. I agree with the epilogue comment that Cail made, I love when a book has an epilogue and takes you off in to the future, whether it’s when the characters have been married for 20 years or just a year. I’ve never really read a book that has been worked over from beginning to end, so I’m unsure how I would feel. My re-read books are old friends, so if something changed drastically, I’m not sure if I’d like it the same.

    My sister just gave me one of your books (Slightly Dangerous) and I picked it up over the weekend to begin reading. I’m very excited that you are visiting us here and I’m looking forward to reading all your books. I’ve read a few of your signet regency’s – I love them! The Incurable Matchmaker – one of my favorites!

  28. Mary Balogh on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:44 am #

    I was too garrulous–I got unceremoniously cut off on my previous post! Gillian mentioned Jocelyn (MORE THAN A MISTRESS) and Cail pointed out readers’ love of epilogues. I am currently writing a prequel to the MISTRESS books–Angeline and Heyward’s story. Because it happens six years prior to Jocelyn’s and Ferdinand’s stories, I’ll probably add an epilogue to the end to tie in all three books.

  29. Elaine STevens on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:45 am #

    I’m not familiar enough with your earlier style to know how you wrote then. I just know that your current style is fabulous. Wulfric Bedwyn is one of my favorite literary characters, for example… absolute favorite within the Romance genre. I agree that your time is better spent exploring your current crop of characters. I eagerly await Con’s story, for example, and Matter of Class was stunning, to say the least. To me, you have found the perfect balance of interior dialogue and action/external dialogue, so I look forward to see from whence your style emerged. I guess I say let it be. :-)

  30. Jeanette Hornby on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:50 am #

    Hi Mary, I agree with your choice not to change the books. As KellyAnn has said, they are like old friends and should be accepted as such. As a reader I love to read and re-read my old books. As a writer I would feel as if I betrayed my characters by making changes. Keep producing your great books and we will keep reading them.

  31. Lisa H on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:00 am #

    Welcome Mary! What an interesting blog today. My opinion is simaler to what others have mentioned. When I fall in love with a book, its voice, characters and plot, I am hooked as it is. I prefer to have no changes made if in time it was to be re-released.

    As an author, I feel a stronger pull to correct those little things that might have slipped by me after edits. I would like to smooth things out, communicate ideas more seamlessly and maybe sharpen several scenes. A writer friend I respect cautions against these impulses saying, “the book must stand at some point” I do agree with that idea, or I would be forever revising.

    Happy Anniversary Goddesses! Good things come in threes!

  32. Gannon on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:07 am #

    Hi, Mary! Welcome to Mt. Oly. I love your books, and I’m always happy to see re-issues.

    I do not think an author should go back and change an old book. Readers usually loved the books the first time, so “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” *g*

    Happy Anniversary, Goddesses!

  33. jcp on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:08 am #

    I prefer that an author not change a word.

  34. Catherine Gayle on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:09 am #

    Hi Mary! You are one of my absolute favorite authors. As an aspiring writer, I can only dream of the day I’ll have to make such a decision. As a reader, though, I believe I’d prefer them to stay as they already are. It takes a lot of courage to leave even glaring errors such as having a younger son as a Lord, but that courage also allows the stories to remain intact. Like you said, if he is not a Lord, he is a Mr., and that brings an entirely different facet to his character. Kudos to you for leaving the stories as you originally wrote them.

  35. Freshechelle on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:10 am #

    Nice to meet you electronically Mary. Welcome to TGB land.

    Your view on rewrites is interesting. I never thought about them in terms of the author’s voice at the time and not being able to recapture that. I’m open to both sides of the argument.

    Like Sabrina, I enjoy a new fresh twist to see how our tastes & expectations have changed as readers, how that has impacted the author’s style, etc. I remember being confused by the first romance I read with a non-virgin heroine.

    I enjoyed SEP’s Glitter Baby rewrite but don’t know the original. I suspect I wouldn’t have been a big fan of the original. The rewrite retained its dated elements to show how authors’ and readers’ mores have changed (as well as technology).

    I see value in both sides of the discussion.

  36. peggy on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:13 am #

    Hi Mary,Iwant to say how much i enjoy reading your books.I agree with you keep them just as they are.As the saying goes If it’s not broke don’t fix it.

  37. Nicole Jordan on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:13 am #

    Welcome, Mary! It’s wonderful to have you here. You truly are a goddess even off Mt. Oly. Oh, and you are also my mother’s favorite author and that includes me, lol.

    Very cool question about changing reprints. I’ve had to face that in the past for several of my reprinted books. I did end up changing two of them for important reasons.

    For one I took out an adultery scene at the 3/4 point, which my editor had asked me to put in for the original version. At time I was too inexperienced to trust my instincts enough to fight for my vision of the story. Who was I to argue with my editor, I thought! Of course I know better now, lol.

    The other was my one medieval that was pubbed in the early 90’s, back when many historicals still had shades of bodice ripping. Years later when I reread it, I was appalled at how cruel I had made my hero. I like macho alpha males, but he was just flat out a sumbeech. So I went through the entire 155000 words of the book taking a scalpal to his character. He’s much more hero material now.

    For most reprints, however, yours especially, I don’t see any need to try to rewrite!

    Thanks for visiting Mt. Oly! My mother was thrilled when I was able to send her an autographed copy of your book after I met you at RT a couple of years ago.

  38. Madeline Hunter on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:14 am #

    Welcome, Mary! We are so glad to have you with us.

    I understand the temptation about the changes. I am sort of itching to “fix” some things in my earlier books, and they aren’t even very old. I guess a factual change would not bother me as a reader, but it you started changing the story or “cutting out” some of the other stuff, it would. So I think leaving these alone is fine for me at least.

    I am so glad these are being reissued, too. They have such heart.

  39. Karen Hawkins on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:15 am #

    Welcome, Mary! I’m so HAPPY to see you here at tgb! I’m a huge, huge, HUGE fan and am so excited to see your re-releases. YAY!

    As for rewriting, I think it depends on the book. Some books work fine when they’re reprinted. I recently had a number of my books re-released and while I rewrote the ending on one and dug up a lost epilogue and added it to another (the epilogue had been cut in the original book before it was printed), I didn’t change anything else. It’s a tough line to walk.

    I’m currently rewriting my ‘lost book’ which I wrote under another name and a different publisher. It’s set in Elizabethan Scotland and England, so I’m rewriting it as a prequel to my current Regency series to give the book more relevancy and to establish the history for the family. I’d say that 35-45% of the book is new or dramatically changed, but I’ve really enjoyed the process.

    Mary, I’m also looking forward to Constantine’s book, A SECRET AFFAIR! Is it April yet?

  40. Kirsten on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:21 am #

    Hi Mary
    I’m such a fan, I absolutely LOVE your books. Simply Love is my favorite, so romantic it really touched me! As for changing things I don’t think you should. I’m not a writer but do keep a diary. In the beginning I reread and altered things but I stopped doing that. What you have written was done in that moment and should not be altered or perfected later. I believe there is no such thing as a perfect book. It was good and completed. It was published and loved by so many. The “mistakes” just show you are human. Why mess with a good thing?!

  41. kay on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:27 am #

    After suffering a little memory awakening, there are two books that were reprinted that I enjoyed and one was Nicole’s “The Lover”, I really was glad for that rewrite. Another one was “The Rake” from Mary Jo Putney, loved both versions.

    And Sabrina, I have your Deborah Martin books, but have never read any of your Deborah Nicholas books.

  42. Deborah Brent on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:39 am #

    Mary,
    I just finished A MATTER OF CLASS. What a wonderful little book. I loved the ending.

    I admire you for not going back and re-writing your older books. It’s like and old friend having plastic surgery that’s not really an improvement.

    Deborah Brent

  43. GSM on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:45 am #

    I like reading a story as the author originally intended. No revisions are necessary. Besides, who changes a classic? Thanks for visiting.

  44. SuzyQ on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:48 am #

    Welcome to Mt Oly Mary! I’m with most of the people here about leaving the original alone. However, I do like when authors give second epilogues because it gives me a chance to revisit some of my favorite characters.

  45. Maureen on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:50 am #

    Hi Mary,
    I do enjoy your stories and it’s wonderful that some of the older ones will be reissued. I have read books that were reissued after the author changed some things and I didn’t think that was a problem so I don’t really mind either way. It just depends on the author and what they prefer.

  46. MizMacgyver on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:01 am #

    Hello Mary, I agree with you, I don’t think the books should be changed before they are republished. There are people like me scrambling to get the original books from your backlist. I hope they manage to get all of your books republished.

  47. Danielle Yockman on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:05 am #

    Keep it as it is. At the time it was published, that is how it was produced, and that is how it was when everyone fell in love with it and you as a writer. :)

  48. SheridanLA on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:08 am #

    I think it depends on how it has been changed. If it completely changes the story, then I would almost rather have a new story written then all the changes in the original.

  49. AnimeJune on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:13 am #

    Dear Mary Balogh,

    I am a HUGE fan of your books, and I know what you’re talking about. In 2005, I wrote and sent out a story, and it was finally published (my first!) in 2007. When I look on it now, I want to change it! I used so many speech tags, gah. Again, though, it wouldn’t be the same story.

    It’s also why I kept the name of my blog Gossamer Obsessions. To the 18-year-old who started that blog for personal reasons, it sounded beautiful and romantic. To the older woman reading it, it sounds kind of hackneyed, but I won’t change it because it shows my progression as a writer.

  50. Julia London on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:20 am #

    Mary, welcome to Mt. Oly!

    I just re-read one of my first books, and if I had a chance to edit, I would. I would improve the characterization, I think.

    And then there are a couple of books that have some errors I’d really really like to fix :-)

  51. Tina on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:22 am #

    Welcome Mary

    Typically I think the books should be unchanged unless you discover a major error that was missed during editing. A few times in other books, I have seen characters called by the wrong name.

  52. L G Vernon on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:24 am #

    Morning, Mary~~When LaVyrle Spencer retired, I went to the owner of my little independent bookshop. “Who shall I read, now?” I asked, since Spencer was the only romance author I read.

    Sally went directly to the shelf where your work resides, pulling off several titles. “Read these.” I headed up to the counter and produced my wallet. “No charge. No charge,” Sally said, flapping her tiny hands at me. “If you like them, you can pay me then. If you don’t, bring them back and I’ll find someone else for you.”

    Little did I know then that she’s like the proverbial dope peddler, giving out a free ‘taste’ of her wares in order to hook a new gull!~ I own all of your books, having read, reread, and dissected each one. I love the cadence of your writing, your use of vocabulary, of place and of time. I LIKE the introspection in those early books as much as I LIKE the ways your writing has changed over the years. I must agree with you: Changes to your early titles would have been a great disappointment.

    Today, I read countless authors in most of the romance genres (and everything else, too). My own work is in print as well. Reading fine authors surely helped in that regard. Thanks, LG

  53. nancyg on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:26 am #

    Good morning, Mary.

    I’ll pretty much roll with the changes. I re-read Judith McNaught’s Whitney, My Love & was ok with the changes. Karen Hawkins!! You’re rewriting the book? I thought it was just going to be re-released!! I’ll check that one out.

    I love it when authors add epilogues or pre-quels? to give a little more character history. But I wouldn’t re-purchase an old title I already own just to read the changes. Does that make sense?

  54. chelleyreads on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:31 am #

    hi mary! i am a big fan of your bedwyn series–freya being my favorite of the siblings :)

    i’m okay with small changes in re-issued books (like in the nineties heroes like to give their heroines spankings for bad behavior and i’d rather not read that). like the commenter above i also like it when authors add extra stuff especially a epilogue (so that we get a glimpse of the h/h in the future).

  55. Vanetta on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:32 am #

    Hi, Mary, just stopping by to tell you I love all of your books! I have almost your entire collection. I am on the go all the time with three girls, I am always dragging the books with me. Keep up the good work, can’t wait for the new one! Don’t worry about changing-your great just they way you are! :)

  56. CrystalGB on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:40 am #

    Hi Mary. Good to see you here. I love your books. :)

  57. JudyPatooty on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:44 am #

    Happy Anniversary, Goddess Blogs! And welcome Guest Goddess Mary!

    I’m so happy to hear that your older titles are being re-released. I don’t mind if small errors get corrected, but if the change would substantially re-write the book, forget it. :)

  58. allychew on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:44 am #

    Hello Mary! As a reader I love your books. You have a characterization and a style that is uniquely your own, and I enjoy it very much. And, quite frankly, I like knowing what the characters are thinking, so go ahead, remain introspective!

  59. Alicia on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:46 am #

    I am so glad you are not making changes to your reprinted works. I like your older works. I like to see how your writing has changed.

  60. Suzanne Enoch on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:48 am #

    Welcome, Mary! It’s just awesome to have you here today.

    I’m in the process of having several of my earliest books reprinted, and I succumbed to that “itch” for one thing — days after “Taming Rafe” was released I realized that I’d actually called the hero’s mother by the wrong name on several occasions. It’s bothered me for years. I’m relieved that when it’s rereleased that error finally won’t be there any longer.

  61. Gillian on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:51 am #

    Vanetta, I drag around a Mary book everywhere, too! :)

    Mary, I have another second at work and wanted to ask—I absolutely love how so much of your work revolves around family. Is A Matter of Class the same? Is it part of a series?

  62. Valarie P. on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:53 am #

    Well, speaking as someone who came late to the Regency genre and had to hunt to find your backlist titles (and can’t find nearly enough of them), do not make any changes to the original works so that we can read them as they were meant to be. I am glad that your backlist is being re-issued so that I can enjoy those stories as much as I do your new stories. And, can I just add, I also am anxiously awaiting Con’s book.

  63. Louisa Cornell on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:55 am #

    You’ll have to excuse me but I am having a HUGE fangirl moment here. Mary, I am such a fan of your books ! I am so excited about the re-releases as I can fill out my Mary Balogh collection. And I have to agree that these books represent the author you began as and it might be a betrayal of that writer to change them. I’m always interested in seeing how a writer develops from novel to novel. Your books just get better and better, my fellow Welshwoman ! (My father was three quarters Welsh and my brothers and I are very proud of our Welsh heritage.)

    I just finished rereading A Precious Jewel and it is a masterpiece of introspection, character and a pure simple love story. Simply Love is another of my favorites for the same reason.

    Then again, I think you deserve every award they make for creating the Bedwyn Family, epecially Wulfric ! SIGH !!

    I would imagine after so many books you have a good handle on the research details necessary to create the look and feel of the era of which you write. Do you still do research and do you ever discover historical tidbits that still surprise you?

    Thank you for writing such wonderful, wonderful books !

  64. Louisa Cornell on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:57 am #

    AND GODDESSES HAPPY, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !!!! This really is one of the very best blogs on the Net !! You brighten my bad days and enhance my good ones. This is a great community and it feels like an afternoon with the girls every time I visit. LONG LIVE THE GODDESS BLOGS !!!

  65. TrishD on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:59 am #

    I have to make just one more comment.

    “I love it when authors add epilogues or pre-quels? to give a little more character history. But I wouldn’t re-purchase an old title I already own just to read the changes. Does that make sense?”

    Nancyg, to me it doesn’t make sense. I’ll purchase a re-issue of a book I already have because if I loved the book enough to keep it around long enough that it’s being re-issued, then I really loved the book. I’ll buy the re-issue to read the changes, read new epilogues, because there is a new cover or simply because it without buying the re-issue I won’t have a complete set of that authors books.

    But I’ve also been know to buy the same book more than once or taken a book to a used book store only to buy back my own copy when I realize that I still want the book! :)

  66. Michelle B on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:59 am #

    I agree with you Mary for all your reasons. It’s sort of like having an old picture of yourself. You may or may not hate how you looked back then, but it is history. I can never throw out old photos for this very reason.

  67. Mary Balogh on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:13 am #

    Goodness, this is a chatty group! (I am NOT complaining) This is lovely. I am really interested in the variety of opinions. Sabrina is Deborah Nicholas too? Do you ever suffer from an identity crisis, Sabrina? Deborah Brent, your comment about plastic surgery reminded me of an article I read recently about the difference between aging American and English actresses. The former do all in the power to stay (unsuccessfully, sometimes grotesquely) young, while the latter allow themselves to age and attain the beauty of mature character (Dame Judi Dench, Helen Mirren for example). I liked that article. Gillian, A MATTER OF CLASS was written as a one-off long novella for Vanguard Press. It revolves very much around family. Louisa, I don’t do much research these days but am always open to learn new facts if they come and hit me in the jaw.

  68. Ramya R on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:15 am #

    Hi Mary, I love reading your books. When you said, “books represent me as I was when they were written” I cannot agree with you more.

    Thank you for your books,
    Ramya

  69. Ramya R on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:19 am #

    Coming from India, where family comes first, not to mention where marriages are arranged keeping family backgrounds in mind, A Matter of Class was lovely to read. It shows why marriages are sacrosanct and such huge affairs.

  70. Cindy Gargis on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:25 am #

    Hi Mary! Love your books. If I could just get all ones I haven’t read… Sorry, not very patient.

  71. Gibb on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:39 am #

    Hi Mary

    It’s good to see you on the Mt. Love your books and am glad you haven’t rewrote them. Good choice.

    Gibb

  72. Claudia Dain on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:41 am #

    Welcome, welcome, Mary! We’re so delighted to have you visit us today. What a huge treat.

    I think you made the right choice, though I know it was tough one. I think you have to be true to the book as you wrote it, in that time and place, just as you said.

  73. Amber E. on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:56 am #

    Hi Mary! I just read “A Matter of Class” and absolutely loved it. I’m so glad that some of your older books are being republished.

    As for making changes to republished books I agree with you. You could end up telling a whole different story, and I would rather have authors writing something new.

  74. Kathleen O on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:58 am #

    Mary I am new comer to your book, in only that I have been reading them the last couple of years. I loved your Slightly and Simple series and enjoyed your Huxtable series and Iam waiting for Conn’s book A Secret Affair to come into my possesion.. So your reissue book will in fact be all new to me.. I just finished A Matter of Class and I loved it.. In fact about halfway through the book I relaized just what was going on witht his couple.. I loved how you meshed the different scenerios in this story to get the outcome. It was a very enjoyable read..
    You have become a must read for me Mary.. I look forward to reading more and more from you..

  75. Debbie on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:01 pm #

    Hi, Mary! I just love your books. Of course my favorites are The Huxtables! So easy to fall into.

  76. Margaret on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:08 pm #

    Welcome, Mary! I only started reading your books about 10 years ago. So old is new to me. I don’t find the older ones dated. They are a product of the times you were writing in and who you were at the time. I don’t see any need for any author to “update” a book.

    I think it would be like going back in a time machine and changing one thing to make for a better outcome for that thing. Only to discover that you have altered the whole world and not for the positive.
    You know write differently these days and so do your readers. I like re-visiting the older stories and certainly wouldn’t like them altered from what I remembered as a very satisfying read.

    As the Pennsylvania Dutch around her say “Leave it lay.” ;-)

  77. Dawn on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:11 pm #

    Please don’t change a thing! Your books inspired me to write romance just the way they were written. It’s like Lucas changing the original Star Wars. I liked it better the first way. :)

  78. Margaret on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:13 pm #

    Rachel, Rachel, Rachel! Your contemporaries are definitely NOT dated. Two of my favorites are “Simply Irresistible” and “Truly Madly Yours”. I’m pretty sure they are both over 5 years old. I enjoy them every time I re-read them.

  79. Gale Laure on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:19 pm #

    Hello, Mary, It is so good to see you here today.

    Cogratulations to Goddess Blogs on their wonderful anniversary!
    GL

  80. Betty Cryder on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:27 pm #

    I don’t think any book should ever be revised. If I enjoyed/loved the first time why change. U r right. Now is not the same as then. As the writer has changed, everything else has changed also. When I reread a favorite, I want to know it’s the same as what is was to start with. Just like movies. The original is always the best.

  81. Amber S on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:30 pm #

    Hi Mary! Wow, your books are amazing. I can’t wait to read your latest :)

  82. Mary on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:34 pm #

    Hello Mary!
    As an avid reader I have to agree with don’t mess with success. If the book was a sucess in its original form I don’t think it should be changed. If its sales were lackluster then maybe that is a reason to rewrite and make it what you wanted it to be from the start. If I enjoyed the book the first time with the small errors in it I don’t want it changed just to get rid of those small errors. After all there is a reason it is called fiction. The perfectionist in you may want to fix it, but in that time and place it was good or it would not have sold successfully. For those of us who follow a writers career, the first books lead us to continue to read your work and they become like old friends. We have set memories of those old friends and to change them seems wrong.
    Thanks for all the hours of reading enjoyment. May you have many more years as a successful writer.

  83. Tracy Tinkerbelle on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:39 pm #

    What more is there to say – other than – I LOVE Mary! I love her novels. The characters ROCK! It certainly doesn’t hurt that I have grown up reading them… Thanks for providing endless hours of enterainment.

  84. Tracy Tinkerbelle on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:40 pm #

    Ooops – make that entertainment…

  85. Kim on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:40 pm #

    Hello Mary, I’m a huge fan and always get a bit disappointed when I don’t see something on the book shelf from you each month. LOL I’m a greedy reader.

    As for rereleases, I hate when they get changed. If there is something the publisher or author wants to change they should use the internet and have blogs or excerpts or altenate endings, the creative ways that a book could be updated are limitless. Leave the already printed word intact and direct the reader with links at the beginning or end of the reprint to the “improved segments.” It would then be their choice to explore differences.

  86. Faith Bello on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:44 pm #

    Mary,
    There’s a reason that the book is always better than the movie, that Hollywood remakes are RARELY as beloved as the originals, and that we all don’t have clones of ourselves. The first rendition is always the most beautiful! I’m so happy that you have chosen not to change the fabric of the older books. Your characters are friends that keep this Navy wife and mother of 3 company, on long, lonely nights when my husband is half a world away and hasn’t been home for a two or three hundred days. Often your stories have transported me from a hospital room while I’m receiving chemo to a ballroom in London full of music and dancing, beautiful gowns and dashing bad boys just a dance away from finding their own personal version of kryptonite- the ONE girl who will change their world and their heart forever. Thank you for all of the laughter and tears that you’ve written. As far as what you should do with all of those ideas you have for the old books- if Mr. Dominic Raine would be a wholly new character- then give him a book- a NEW book!

  87. Catherine on 08 Feb 2010 at 12:58 pm #

    Hello Mary,

    I love your stories. You have a great talent for storytelling and I thank you for sharing it with us.

    I agree about leaving original works as is. On the occasions that I’ve read a book that has had some editing, I find myself looking hard to find out what exactly has been changed, and it interrupts my enjoyment of the book itself (especially when the changes are subtle). With that said, I was happy to find the ‘bonus material’ section on your web site. What a fine way to provide the reader with some extra bits that didn’t make the final cut without causing confusion about what was originally there or not.

    I’ll be in the bookstore the morning this first dual book is out. Both will be new reads for me.

  88. Sabrina Jeffries on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:08 pm #

    Mary, I wrote as Deborah Martin for NAL Topaz (historical romance, but of a darker sort) and Deborah Nicholas for Dell (contemporary paranormal romantic suspense at a time when NOBODY was buying them) in the six years before I sold my first Regency historical to Avon. I had changed my style substantially and shifted to writing Regency historicals (my others were Restoration, Georgian, Asian, and American settings) because that had always been my favorites to read. Avon asked me to take a pseudonym. I’m glad I did, but it does make for confusion.

    I haven’t even considered reselling the Deborah Nicholas books because they’d require major work. They were written pre-internet and pre-cell phone, so they’re markedly different from suspense books now. *G*

  89. Molly Wilsbacher on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:09 pm #

    I don’t feel any changes are required in historical fiction books, generally. I don’t mind changes to correct errors though, and especially don’t mind small updates to books in contemporaries. For example, changing cassettes to CDs, etc.

  90. Barbara on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:13 pm #

    I think I am of the opinion in most cases I prefer to read a book in it’s original form so I don’t think you should rewrite it.

    As a reader I feel it is my responsibility to educate myself to the point where I know if a book is a reissue or a rerelease. I feel that you can better see an author’s development with original older books vs rewritten ones. Like you I feel an author’s time is usually better spent writing something new instead of changing a stoy that has already been out.

    Just really don’t see the need for a rewrite in most cases. By the same token I feel I should be able to tell when a book is a reprint. I really hate it when publishers do things like change the title for instance because I get the feeling they are trying to deceive the reader into believing a book is a new release rather than a reprint. Have been caught off guard by this a couple of times which is why I have learned to look at the copyright date.

  91. Amanda on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:19 pm #

    The only changes I could see would be spelling but since that doesn’t usually happen I think they should stay as is.

  92. Shannon T on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:23 pm #

    Hi Mary!

    I have enjoyed your books several years (the Simply series and Bedwyn series are favorites) but the one I re-read the most is a collection of Christmas stories, Under the Mistletoe. I am so happy that your older books are being reprinted, they will be new to me! In general I like when reprints are the original but there are always exceptions!

  93. Amy on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:25 pm #

    Mary, I love your books just the way they are! As a reader, I would be fine with little “fixes” here and there, but if it is a major change, it would irk me too no end!

    I am really excited to read Con’s story! He is such an interesting and mysterious character, and I hope he gets his HEA.

  94. Tawania Etheridge on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:25 pm #

    Hi Mary!
    I Love your books, and have been a fan for years. I don’t think you should change a thing. Why tempt fate and mess with perfection? I still get excited when I see your books on the shelf, and can’t wait to read a new one or pull out a old book I already own. :)
    Happy Anniversary Goddesses!!

  95. Karyn Gerrard on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:27 pm #

    Mary, I an a HUGE fan of your books, love them all, and thrilled some older ones are seeing the light of day. I would say no to the rewrites, esp. where they are historicals, it is not like you have to update it to include recent changes in technology and such. One of your books that made me sob real big tears was Simply Love. Have read it many times!

  96. Tanya on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:27 pm #

    Speaking as a reader I can’t stand it when a book is edited for re-release. I feel like I am missing out on some thing when things are changed. but I am one of the few who wishes they had never added all the cg to the original Star Wars. even if things aren’t the way you would do them now doesn’t mean the original wasn’t great. thank you for choosing to keep it the same.

  97. trudy on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:30 pm #

    Mary, I’ve enjoyed all your books. Don’t change anything. I believe we should move in just one direction: forward! thanks for your sprinkling of joy to the world. t

  98. chey on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:37 pm #

    Hi Mary.
    I enjoy your books.
    I’d rather read the book in its original state. I don’t like when the title is changed either.

  99. Rachel Gibson on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:38 pm #

    Margaret,

    Contemps do get dated really fast. For example, cell phone technology. Think about how much that technology has changed in the past 5 to 10 years. And fashion. Fashion changes every year. I remember a book that SEP wrote years ago. In it, OJ Simpson was a football commentator. By the time the book was a few months old, OJ was in jail and charged with murder.

  100. Mary Balogh on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:40 pm #

    I’m still reading all these posts. What an interesting discussion. I give myself a pat on the back for having chosen this topic! Actually the idea was sparked by the invitation to blog that Sabrina sent me a few weeks ago. She mentioned the reissue she knew was coming soon and it struck (since no other inspiration for a topic for discussion did) that maybe I should choose a subject connected with that upcoming volume.

  101. Mary Balogh on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:45 pm #

    Goodness, Rachel, that must have been a jolt to Susan Elizabeth Phillips! But the presence of O.J. in her book would make it memorable to readers, wouldn’t it, so maybe it worked out to be more of a plus than a minus for Susan herself. I have just been reading one of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books, much of which takes place on the 88th floor of one of the world Trade Center towers. Gives one a funny feeling!

  102. moon_princess111 on 08 Feb 2010 at 1:48 pm #

    Mary,
    I have to agree with the others who stated the “not to change” option. I too think it’s unfair to readers who know and love the books and characters as they were originally written. I also agree with you about the ways you’ve changed could change the entire story by changing one seemingly small detail. And while we all grow and change, books should remain the same as when they were published. Just my opinion though.

    Amy

  103. Sherry on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:06 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    I love your books!! I am glad you have chosen not to change anything in your earlier works. I have read books from other authors who not only rewrote some of the book, but they also renamed the book. I hate that, it makes it seem like they feel their work was inferior, yet it was published so they should leave it as it was.

    I only started reading your books about 10 years ago and I am looking forward to reading your earlier works, as well as anything you write in the future.

    Thanks

    Sherry

  104. Sara Clifton on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:06 pm #

    I’m so glad that they have you as a guest writer today. I think your post was great. It’s not a topic thought about my a lot of readers. As a reader I personally hate it when authors change their books before they are republished. I think of books like people with their own lives and character as a whole. I know it sounds strange. I work in a library and I tell my books goodnight every night and good morning when I come in. For my frame of mind going back and changing a book is like taking a time machine back in time and changing the very life of that book. We all know how well changing history works out. Ha Ha! I’m glad that you have decided not to change your books for reprint. Of course this is just my twisted idea on things so I don’t know. It seems most everyone who has commented feels the same way though!

    Thanks for the post,
    Sara

  105. Emily Sewell on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:13 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    I totally agree with not rewriting the book on republication. I’m all for correcting typos and such, but don’t change the essence of the story. I’ve always enjoyed your books as they are. Congrats on the reissue!

  106. Karen on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:34 pm #

    Hi Mary!
    Love your books! You’re one of my favorite authors. My opinion on the question at hand is NOT to re-write a book or add or anything except maybe corrections and such. A beloved story needs no enhancement. Thanks for all the stories you’ve written for us all to read.

  107. elsiehogarth on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:36 pm #

    Welcome Mary! My favorite hero of yours is Wulfric Bedwyn-Duke of Bewcastle because he was such a great brother to all his siblings. He had a lot of love for his family.

    I have to say that I was a fan of the Signet Regency books and truly miss them. They were my in between book reads. Years ago is how I found your books like: The Last Waltz, Christmas Bride(my favorite), Dark Angel, Lord Carew’s Bride, Courting Julia, Notorious Rake, Christmas Promise. Lady w/Black Umbrella, Masked Deception, The Unlikely Duchess, Snow Angel etc. I like when an author reissues their books and do some minor changes especially since they really add more dialogue as opposed to endless description of scenery, clothing or food.

  108. MariElle Betz on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:42 pm #

    Hi Mary
    Have loved your books for a long time- nice to finally see your face 8~)

  109. Joy on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:50 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    I’ve enjoyed so many of your books. Thanks for writing them!

    Personally, I would prefer that republished books NOT be modified. The only exception that comes to mind is to correct spelling. Editing the story seems like you would be trying to rewrite history. While I often think that there are things in my past I wish I could change, I realize that if I changed them, my life might have taken a different course. It seems to me as if it would be similar to changing a previously written work. Anyway, that’s my two cents.

    Thanks again!

  110. amy1242 on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:53 pm #

    Hi Mary, and welcome! This is a difficult question to answer. I’ve read some books by well read authors who revised their earlier work and I enjoyed the changes. I’ve also read earlier works that were not revised and enjoyed how their work progressed as the years went by. I guess it depends on how the author feels about it and if they are comfortable with how it all started. Congrats on your reissues. Looking forward to them.

  111. Deb H. on 08 Feb 2010 at 2:53 pm #

    Mary, you are a new-to-me author in the last year or so. It has been so exciting reading your books.
    You have a tough decision to make in regards to changing things in some of your older books. Even though you know there are some things that should be changed to be correct, you are also right in thinking that the changes, no matter how minute, may change the interwoven fabric of the stories. Best of luck to you!

  112. PJane1031 on 08 Feb 2010 at 3:05 pm #

    Welcome to Mt. Oly, Mary! I have to say, one of my favorite things about hanging out here is getting to know amazing authors, and their friends who stop by! I will (sheepishly) admit that other than a couple novellas, I haven’t read your books, but I will say that will be changing soon!! Looks like I have just a ‘few’ (*G*) to add to my TBB pile!!

    As for re-writes, making small editorial things wouldn’t bother me as a reader. . . or adding an epilogue to tie up loose ends to answer the ‘where are they now’ question, is fine. When it starts to mess with the fabric of the story itself, it’s no longer the original, and that would bother me.

  113. Jillian on 08 Feb 2010 at 3:24 pm #

    Hi Mary!
    I’ve read a few of your books and LOVED them, with a huge pile of your books on my TBR pile!
    I can definitely understand where you’re coming from with the re-issuing problem. I know this is a pathetic example, but it’s what I immediately thought of.
    If you’ve seen the original version of Disney’s Aladdin, it’s absolutely fantastic! But when my family bought Aladdin on DVD, they had tried to make the scene in the cave of wonders 3-D…I suppose to make it more exciting for the kids? I thought the result was awful, though…nothing like the scene I remembered!
    I have to fall back on “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Readers loved your books as they were then, and they’ll continue to love them as they are, wrinkles and all.
    Thanks for stopping by, and I will work on that TBR pile, promise!

  114. Mason on 08 Feb 2010 at 3:30 pm #

    I’d say keep things the same. Why change something that is good already?

  115. Sue Harrison on 08 Feb 2010 at 3:51 pm #

    Mary,

    Count me in the “please tell me a new story now!” contingent, and don’t spend your writing time revising much earlier books.

    You’ve given me years pleasure with believable stories, men and women I would like to know, people who pay attention to others around them, people willing to see and to change what were once fixed opinions when they see good reasons to change, people willing to go far outside their comfort zones to achieve their dreams. Thank you thank you.

  116. Cathy Phillips on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:12 pm #

    Mary, hi and welcome!

    I love your books and am glad to hear that some are being republiished as they were. I liked them as they were written, and would hate to see them change. In fact, I think when any book is republished, it should stay the way it was first written, since that is how the author was feeling when she/he wrote it in the first place.

    Looking forward to your new books as they come out!

  117. amy s-p on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:20 pm #

    Mary, I just read a few of your books for the first time last month. I am hooked! I read “First comes Marriage” and “Then Comes Seduction.” Can’t wait to get to the store to plow through the rest.

    Thinking about some of my fave authors, I know as a reader I would be really bummed if something was changed in a new edition, no matter how trivial….i love to re-read books and it just seems like it wouldn’t be the same book. However, I can completely understand how an author would be tempted to fix things. I’m an attorney, and for a good day or two after every trial, I’m always thinking “I should have done this instead” etc… i can literally drive myself crazy doing that! It seems like it’s an interesting option to have in your line of work.

    Thanks for stopping by!

  118. Jody F. on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:24 pm #

    I don’t mind re-issues….as long as I know they’re re-issues and what’s different from the original. If I don’t have all of an author’s backlist then I’m particularly pleased to see the books back on the market.

  119. Moonsanity (Brenda) on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:29 pm #

    I can understand leaving them the same too. Plus, if you start with slight changes then where do you stop? Especially with as many books as you have (which is amazing, by the way).

  120. Kristi on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:47 pm #

    Mary, I can’t wait to see your old stuff! I have all of your current books from the last 10 years or so and am looking forward to reading them!

  121. Quilt Lady on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:51 pm #

    Hi Mary, I have heard a lot about your books but have never read one! I can’t wait to read one of your books. Thanks for the chance to win!

  122. denise on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:56 pm #

    Happy Anniversary Goddess Blog!!
    Mary, I haven’t read your books yet. I will definitely be looking for them now.

  123. Vivian on 08 Feb 2010 at 4:59 pm #

    Mary,

    I too am glad that have decided not to re-write any of the books being reprinted. You have been kind enough to include epilogues on your website, which I have printed off and included in my copies of your books. I believe from the above remarks that you have made the right choice and I look forward to all your new writing, new characters and scenerios. And as you say, your writer’s voice has changed over the years, without the old stories the new ones couldn’t have evolved. In parting just let me say how lovely it was to read all the comments and from so many writers that I feel priviledged to have contributed mine as well.

  124. Gwynlyn MacKenzie on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:14 pm #

    Mary,

    You are 100% right. I have many of your earlier works and have enjoyed watching you progress as a writer. To change it now is a betrayal all right, but not of the reader; it is a betrayal of yourself and your journey to the writer you’ve become. Let’s face it, anyone who read romance in 1985 knows books published then probably wouldn’t make the cut today. The genre has grown, changed, matured. Expectations are not what they once were.

    So, count me in for the Aye vote. Can’t wait to revisit some of my favorite characters—warts and all.

  125. Karen Rose on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:14 pm #

    Welcome Mary! We’re so thrilled to have you here today! I think books written in years past shouldn’t be changed at all. They provide not only entertainment, but a window to the time in which they were written.

    I think it’s interesting to read a book written at a time that countries have a different name, or perhaps there were no cell phones and a heroine has to search for a pay phone. Someday our books will be primary resources for our grandchildren.

    Having said that, I wish I could go back and make one change. In my first book I goofed and said that WV bordered NC. I still get email about that. I’d change that, I think!

  126. Paulette Mowbray on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:32 pm #

    Hi Mary: Keep the same! It reflects the time when it was written!

  127. Emmanuelle on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:35 pm #

    Congrats Mary on your 60 novels and 30 novella… and here I thaught I had most of your books (ha !).

  128. Donna Wise on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:51 pm #

    Mary, I LOVED A Matter Of Class..I didn’t figure out the ending until the next-to-last chapter!!! Then I went back and I could see all the hints leading up to it!! I am somewhat undecided on the question on whether an author should revise her older books when they are re-released. I guess I would say no, except to coreect small errors. As for the matter of Lord Eden/Mr Raines; I would have to say just leave it-it IS fiction after all! I can’t wait for Con’s story!

  129. Jo on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:52 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    I love your books and agree that the older books should be left alone. My favorite of your books are A Summer to Remember and Simply Perfect. I just finished A Precious Jewel and it will be added to my favorites. I am glad you are spending your time on new books. I am anxiously awaiting Con’s story.

  130. Tara on 08 Feb 2010 at 5:57 pm #

    Hi Mary, I have been a fan for years! I haven’t read all the comments here but a few stuck out that I totally agree with…for starters I love A Summer to Remember! My absolute favorite, and one of the books I will go back to read over again. Second, I thought I had read everything you put out, but apparently NOT! But I can say for sure, if it had been in print and available since 2004, I have read it! And I am looking so forward to Con’s book.

    Don’t change anything about your re-releases! One of things I love about your books is that your characters and relationships have flaws and we love them for it, or in spite of them :-) . I wouldn’t want you to change them any more than I’d want you to change some detail.

  131. Lena on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:17 pm #

    I do not want some of my old favorites to be changed. I go back and read them and like listening to an old song can take you back to that time and what you were doing the same applies to a book. I think of how I have changed and why I loved the book and for the most part still love it. Write another book or read one in my case. Thank you for your writing.

  132. Kim Cresswell on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:27 pm #

    Great to meet you, Mary! I love your books too. I really enjoyed Simply Love and A Matter Of Class. I agree older books should be left alonel. :)

  133. flip on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:27 pm #

    I would vote against most revising an older work in most cases. The exception would be the case when a zealous editor edited some pertinent parts.

  134. Mary Pitkin on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:30 pm #

    “Simply Love” is probably my all time favorite historical romance. I use it as a basis for comparing all others. I’m not sure I’d like to see it “revised” except for perhaps adding an additional “epilogue” ?

  135. Marie on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:31 pm #

    A friend lent me your book a year ago and I love you stories.

    I like stories the way they are but if there are alternates, I’ll read them.

  136. Melissa on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:33 pm #

    Really nice website. I hadnt been here before but I will be back!

  137. Stephenia on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:33 pm #

    Hi Mary,
    I don’t like old books being revised…it just changes the story and not usually in a way that appeals to me. I do like when they’re reissued!

  138. Deanna on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:35 pm #

    I think I vote with the majority…keep the books the same.

  139. Miranda on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:37 pm #

    I think that there are some cases in which an addition (say an epilogue) would add more details necessary to tying in a series or wrapping up loose ends, but I agree with the main point of the post, in that if you were to rewrite or add too many new details, it would dramatically alter the book/characters/etc to the extent that it would no longer be the old book, but something ‘else.’ Not necessarily bad, not necessarily the nest thing either.

  140. Judy F on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:38 pm #

    HAPPY Anniv Ladies…

    Hi Mary… Great to see you here.

    Late to the party that’s me. LOL

    I like my books just the way they are. I don’t mind an author making corrections but I think I fell in love with the original stories for a reason.

  141. Sherry Dickens on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:39 pm #

    Hi Mary,
    I cannot even begin to tell you how popular you are with our library patrons! And about revisions, I dunno, on historicals, I think rewriting is kind of a moot point; I mean, they are historicals, so no updating is called for because they take place in a particular point in history. I vote with the others…..Leave them be :)

  142. Diana on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:39 pm #

    Being able to change and update a work of art is not always possible but you are being given the chance. For the followers who are set against change make sure you save a copy of the original or find one. It is interesting to see growth in books and characters and as a writer I know you will follow your heart. Either way I will still reread it.

  143. Linda B on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:40 pm #

    HI MARY,

    IF YOU GET DOWN THIS FAR, I’VE NEVER READ YOUR BOOKS, THANKS TO MY SCROOGE. LOL I TREASURE ALL SIGNED BOOKS AND I NEVER LET ANY ONE BORROW, THERE ARE SO MANY THAT ARE REVISED THAT CHANGES THE BOOK COMPLETELY.

  144. Marian Pearson Stevens on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:41 pm #

    Hi Mary! I’d say — don’t mess with success. Readers loved you then, they’ll love you now! That’s awesome that they are coming back! Congrats and enjoy! I know readers will!

  145. Maria on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:44 pm #

    Hi. I have several of your books in my to read stack. I love going back and discovering the early work of a new to me author. My only request is that publishers make it clear that a book is a reissue.

  146. Sherrinda on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:44 pm #

    I think it is the right thing to NOT change a thing! I agree that your work shows YOU at the time of your writing and really…your work is timeless, is it not? ;) I would soooo love to win a copy of your book!

  147. Erika on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:45 pm #

    Hello! I definitely agree that changes should not be made. Hindsight might always be 20/20, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get something out of the experience you had. I wouldn’t want to reread a book from years ago and notice large changes. If I had really enjoyed the book before, then I might get upset that an author felt the need to change something I thought was great. Of course it’s your plot and therefore your choice, but I am glad you made the decision to keep it the same.

  148. Pam Keener on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:45 pm #

    Hi Mary,
    You are a new to me author. I love rereading old stories and I think they should remain intact. But and it’s a big but if you have ideas that move the story I say go for it.
    Love & Hugs.
    Pam

  149. Rebecca on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:46 pm #

    I always find it very interesting when authors rerelease, just to see what they are thinking of in terms of change. I wish there was a way to get old and new together though (like on DVDs).

  150. Esther on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:47 pm #

    My initial reaction was, “No, don’t change them. I love the original.” However, the author Elizabeth Lowell, another romance writer that I enjoy, has rewritten several of her classics and bulked them up over the years. In each case, I found the rewritten version an improvement but also enjoyed being able to read the original versions. We will always love your classics but if you do find yourself tempted to modify them, know that your most loyal readers can always find BOTH versions and have that as a special treat (but note that Elizabeth changed the titles to indicate the drastic updates). Revise if you want to, but if you do, make it clear that this is a new version of an old classic Balogh. My biggest reason for saying, “no” is if it means I have to wait that much longer for you to write a new book. Thank you for your thoughtful, very real characters.

  151. Joelle BB on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:47 pm #

    Hiya Mary!

    I don’t mind revisions as long as long as they are pertinent (sp?.) I don’t like changes for the sake of changing something.

    -Joelle

  152. Marelou on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:48 pm #

    Hi Mary, Don’t make a change. I think your work stands the test of time. I love your work: I just finished a three Balogh book read – A Matter of Class, Simply Love and Seducing an Angel.

  153. Nina S on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:48 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    I haven’t had the chance to read your books. But now I want to read your books. I believe an author has a right to revise their book if they believe it enhances the story line or if their points are not going across like they except to. Thanks Mary for the blog!

  154. Keira on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:49 pm #

    I totally agree about not revising books when they get another printing run. A book will always end up being somebody’s favorite and if you made 90 out of 100 people happy by changing something and updating it you wouldn’t be able to please the rest and they would be angry about the changes and probably more vocal too. lol :)

  155. Lucile on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:49 pm #

    While there’s every possibility I’m forgetting something to the contrary, I tend to like books that don’t change…if I read books set pre-internet and pre-cell phones (but also just ‘present day) it’s nice to be able to still read them and not have them updated and the entire story altered because the character did an internet seach or something…. I think some things do get lost when elements like that get changed in stories.

  156. Lyoness2009 on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:49 pm #

    Helloooo Mary! “Simply Dangerous” is one of my favorite romance books of all time. The story is brilliant, I enjoy the characters….I’m literally sighing as I write this. I’ve enjoyed all of your books and am looking forward to this re-release.

    Glad to see you here at the Goddess Blogs! :)

  157. Ann on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:50 pm #

    oooo I ducking my head here Mary is a new to me Author I confess I have not read your books but they sound wonderful.
    I have been reading a lot of Paranormal of late but found myself in a slump so now I’m back to reading historical & contemporary romance Picked up a few new Authors too. So it looks like I’m back into the swing of things.
    As for re-writes As long as you don’t bump off any main character’s I guess I’m okay with it.
    Have a good one Ladies…..

  158. Sue A. on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:50 pm #

    I like books to stay the way they were. Classics are perfect just the way they are, flaws included. But with that said I wouldn’t mind a sequel.

  159. Marie K on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:51 pm #

    I think you are right. An old book is an old friend. To update, in some cases, is probably ok, but a reader understands old technology and sometimes, that’s part of the charm of the book.

  160. darkreader on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:52 pm #

    I love the original stories best, otherwise I’m too busy trying to find the changes than relaxing and just enjoying a good read! If a story was a short and changed to a novel that would be different.

  161. Barbara on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:53 pm #

    I have been collecting books for the last ten years, only having time to read a few a year; but now i have retired and i am looking forward to all my books just as they are. they don’t have to be updated to include technology, i am just going for the love/mystery story!!!

  162. Cheryl Koch on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:54 pm #

    I have read both the original verison and reissued verison of books where they were touched up some. I think leaving the books they way they were originally written is better. I haven’t really noticed a difference in the changed verisons.

    I agree with you that spending time working on new stuff is a better use of time.

  163. Lesa Schwartz on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:55 pm #

    Mary-As I have just recently become a fan, I am looking forward to reading your backlist titles. I appreciate the fact that they are just as they always have been. The 2 for 1s are great because when I read your books I couldn’t put them down and having another one readily available will be great!

  164. Kimberley Coover on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:55 pm #

    Hi Mary!
    I love your books. I love to re-read your books too! I am so glad that they are republishing your older books. On revamping the books, I think it really depends on the book, the author and how the original was written. Having read all your books – I think the originals are fantastic. Seeing how you wrote at the start is always interesting. When the author reviews the book and finds extremely bad problems, then do re-writes and additions otherwise leave that book be!

  165. Carolyn G on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:57 pm #

    Congrats on having your books republished. I would leave them as is.

  166. Rhi on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:58 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    I love many of your books and it’s great to hear that some of your older books will be re-issued. As a reader, I can see both sides of the argument for whether to “fix” the older books or not. I think perhaps one way to compromise on this issue is to fix the factual errors – like calling the second son a “Lord” in your example – while not changing the content so as to show your readers and fans the way you’ve grown and evolved as an author. That way, you’re allowing you’re readers to re-read their favorite books without changing too much, but also acknowledging that there were some mistakes that perhaps should be fixed. I don’t think a book written ten years ago and re-issued should be updated with modern technology. That’s just taking it out of its context and at that point, the book should be fully re-written instead of re-issued.

    –Rhi

  167. Terchil on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:58 pm #

    Hey there! Thanks for the contest.

  168. Pam Thompson on 08 Feb 2010 at 6:59 pm #

    So glad to hear some books are being republished. I can’t wait to get my hands on them

  169. Nicole aka Buttercup on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:00 pm #

    Hi Mary! This is my first time blogging at Mt. Oly. I’m a HUGE Julia London fan and love this site…so when I saw that you were going to be here I absolutely had to blog!!

    I first discovered your books when Amazon.ca suggested you as someone I might like. I first read The Secret Pearl and was absolutely addicted to your novels! Since then I’ve become a HUGE Mary Balogh fan and have been buying any and all of your books that I can find. So I am SOOO excited that your older works are being re-released.

    As for your question…I’m with the majority on this one. I think it’s best to leave “well enough” alone.

  170. Lizabeth S. Tucker on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:00 pm #

    Frankly, I’m torn about this. If I liked a book well enough to buy it, read it, and continue to read that author, then I would say it seems like nothing needs to be done to the older book now being reprinted. If the book was bad enough that I didn’t finish it and wasn’t inclined to read more of that author’s books, it probably should be rewritten, but I won’t be giving them another chance.

    I love your books as they are. Don’t see why you would want to revisit older stories and tweak. As Kimberley C. has said, it is interesting to see how a writer has developed over the years.

  171. dorotha holloway on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:01 pm #

    HI,
    You are thinking about doing something everone wish they could (corrections of a past life) I belive you should change what has allways bugged you and anthing else you feel is wrong. Those persons that are the original print supporters will have that copy, so why should they deny anyone the oppertunity to read a different version, and enjoy a fresh look at some old friends. Good luck and thanks for the enjoyment of your worlds.

  172. Michelle B. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:02 pm #

    Well, I would agree on the whole with keeping the books as they were originally written…I have run across books that originally read in ebook format several years ago that have now come out in print with a new title & rewritten…I did not appreciate the changes (especially those times I didn’t realize I already had the book in eformat)…

    Michelle B. aka Koshkalady

  173. Nicole aka Buttercup on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:03 pm #

    PS: By the way…I’m from Saskatchewan too! Prince Albert actually!! Oh, and if you ever have a book signing in Saskatchewan, I’ll be the first in line!!

  174. RachieG on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:07 pm #

    Wow! I’m late to the party. I saw Mary Balogh and I knew I had to comment!!

    Mary, I’m such a fan. Every time I see a new title by you, I run to the store. I hadn’t heard about this one, so I’m pretty glad I checked out the Goddess’ today.

    Congratulation on all of your success, you deserve it!

  175. Beverly G on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:08 pm #

    Welcome Mary your work is well awesome! ty for being here today your new book sounds awesome have a wonderful night

  176. STACEY on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:10 pm #

    omg! i’M So HAPPY that the older books are back on the market… I’ve been looking for some of these for a while now! i’m super excite and can’t wait to go buy them!

  177. Judith Rochelle on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:10 pm #

    I’m sort of with you, Mary. I’ve had four books republished, two of them I just polished up a little and left them absically as id, and the other two I make some radical changes to. I think it’s all about what the characters say to you when you pull them up out of your computer.

  178. Sonya on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:11 pm #

    I love your books and I’m so glad some of your older books are begin re issued so you can reach more new readers

  179. Chelsea B. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:11 pm #

    Absopazalutely! I’m convinced that if something is good, you don’t change it! :-)

  180. Lulu on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:12 pm #

    Hi Mary!

    I love your books! As for the issue about changing books, I think they should remain as-is unless an error is discovered.

  181. Jill D. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:12 pm #

    Hi Mary!

    Personally, I think that a past book ought to stay the same. I enjoy going back and reading those books from the late 80s, early 90s. It’s nice to read a book that has a different vibe than what is currently being written. I think you are smart to leave your old books alone and direct you energy to new work. Afterall, you still have a phenomenal fan base and they are always clammoring for more.

    I just read A Matter of Class and really enjoyed it. I don’t typically like shorter novels, as I tend to feel like the story has been short changed. I will say that after reading a really positive review from a blogger, I decided to give it a try and I am pleased to say I was not disappointed. I loved the clever twist to the story. Bravo. As A Matter of Class is a perfect example of a shorter novel done correctly!

    PS. I hope I don’t sound like a pompous windbag, as I don’t really know what I am talking about. I’ve not had any formal training! I just know what I like and want to shout it out to the moon – or anyone willing to listen.

  182. Aemelia on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:13 pm #

    I’m so excited to see Mary’s older books back out in print!!! Now I will have a chance to OWN and read them!!!

  183. Julie Swaney on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:14 pm #

    Congratulations on your anniversary, Goddess.
    Welcome Mary and thanks for the great interview. Your books are on my TBR list.
    Hope everythings keeps going Ok

    Julie S.

  184. Stacy Stewart on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:15 pm #

    I like to read the original books, because they are authentic. We change, but it’s nice to look at how we once perceived the world and just, because it may be different does not mean it was wrong.

  185. RiseD on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:15 pm #

    Mary, I enjoy reading all your stories. I am a big fan of books about families and enjoy seeing characters repeated in books, makes the reader feel that you are visiting old friends, and a glimpse into the lives that have grown and changed. I would not change anything that you have written in the past, they too are like old friends to be revisited. Thanks for the wonderful stories.

  186. Jane O on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:15 pm #

    I’m glad you’re not changing things — part of the pleasure of older books is the way we — and you — were then. I’ve always been very fond of The Dark Angel, but I’ve never been able to find Lord Carew’s Bride, so I’m looking forward to it.

  187. Denise DiFalco on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:16 pm #

    Hi Mary~What an honor to be able to be invited to your Celebration! Now’s a chance to tell you how exciting your books are and how much we enjoy you sharing your gift of writing with us! Have a Marvelous Valentine’s Day!!!

  188. JerseyLou on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:16 pm #

    I agree – old books should not be tampered with! Each book is a reflection of where you were at as an author at a particular point in time. To go back later and try to change or update it? Ugh! I recently re-read the first Nancy Drew book – Secret of the Old Clock. They had thoroughly updated it – she was no longer a titian-haired beauty, did not drive a blue convertible, nor was her father, Carson Drew, a prominent River Heights attorney… It was a thoroughly boring book!!!

  189. Brenda B. Hill on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:17 pm #

    Hi Mary,
    I have not read any of your books but have added you as a new author and adding you to my to buy list. This one sounds like a great read. Love romance with suspense or a who done it.. Have been avid reader for over 50 yrs and look forward to reading your books. Thanks for the giveaway. I don’t think I will need to call zeus.

  190. Raelena on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:17 pm #

    I definitely think that there are occasions when it’s for the best to go back and make changes. Only rarely though.

  191. Iyisha on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:17 pm #

    I’ve only read one of your books but i really enjoyed it! I’ve definitely added you to my must buy list.

  192. Eva M on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:17 pm #

    Thanks for all your wonderful stories, Mary! And I like originals to stay original! :)

  193. Jan on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:19 pm #

    I agree with you. Don’t change or elaborate on an old story. You are an artist and always creating, so why destroy one of your previous works?

  194. Mary Anne Landers on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:19 pm #

    Mary: Thank you for your post.

    I’ve never been in your position; therefore you might want to take my response with a grain of salt, if not a whole shaker full. But here goes: I’d correct factual errors, but I’d be most reluctant to change anything else.

    Just because some aspect of a previously published work matters to you doesn’t necessarily mean it matters to the readers. It’s hard to gauge exactly what they want. Even if they tell you, they might not have thought it out much or be expressing themselves clearly.

    What’s more, the readers might actually be looking for and enjoying the way you wrote back then. If they want to read works that represent the way you write now, there are plenty of those for them to chose from.

    Keep up the good work!

  195. Lois M. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:19 pm #

    Hi! :) I haven’t read too many of yours, just a couple, but hoping to change that in the future! :) Anyway, think I’m with just about everyone else — except for those major errors that weren’t caught the first time around, basically keep it the same. I mean, we know somethings have changed in the world (guess that’s more for contemporaries than historicals, but still), and we might not look at certain things the same way, but there was nothing wrong with a story when it came out the first time that some liked, so don’t mess up it. Or, those like me who missed plenty, we want to read what everyone else knows and loved the way it was! :)

    Lois

  196. Tammy S. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:20 pm #

    Hi! I really enjoy your writing. Every story has a special pull for me. Thanks. Keep it up!

  197. annalisa mck. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:20 pm #

    I’ve been reading your books for many years and love them the way they are written. I would not change a thing! I usually don’t care for re-writes and I really dislike it when the title is changed. I am so happy that your earlier books are being republished because there are some that I could never find. Now I will have a chance to read them! :)

  198. Stacey Ellis on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:20 pm #

    Hi Mary, I have been a fan of yours ever since I borrowed one of your books from our local book exchange…it had a mingy cover, torn/rumpled/food finger printed pages and I knew it had been VERY well read and must be a fab read!! I’m torn though in regards to change or not change re-issues. I have read all of your books and must admit that, whilst I loved your earlier work initially, I have grown with you and much prefer your style as it is now. Everyone who has followed you will already have the copies they like…I certainly do. It might be refreshing though to see how you’d work it now? Who knows…there is no right or wrong…just books glorious books!! I think I’d definitely buy a re-issue of yours if it’d been reworked. You do what feels right though! luv ya work!

  199. Phyllis L on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:21 pm #

    Please leave your stories as they are. That is why they are wonderful and memorable.

  200. suzycue44 on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:24 pm #

    I have noticed that a lot of writers today are just too racy in their writing, just too much modern day for my taste. You are an excellent writer, just keep doing what you are doing!

  201. Beth Wright on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:25 pm #

    I love your books. I don’t like to see changes in re-issues, especially if it’s a book I haven’t read. If it was good enough to sell the first time and be re-issued, it should stay the same.

  202. Thao N. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:25 pm #

    I love re-issues, but am very hesitant should there be any changes. If there was only a way potential changes could be “previewed” by readers beforehand?

  203. Patsy Hagen on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:27 pm #

    I have loved your books since I read the first one years agp. I can’t imagine why any author would want to mess around with a finished book.

  204. Betsy Ferguson on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:30 pm #

    love love your books

  205. Lauren on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:31 pm #

    Hi Mary, enjoyed your post! I personally don’t like it when an author redoes a book that’s already been published. JMO. :)

  206. Jennifer on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:31 pm #

    Mary:

    Thank you for your candor as you look back at your previously published work, being able to appreciate both the writer you were yesterday and the writer you’ve grown into today. Too many of us lose a great deal of sleep over missed details, evolution of writing style and other forces that shift as we develop our craft over the course of a decades-long career. Your very healthy and positive attitude should be an inspiration to writers at all levels of achievement and experience.

  207. Sue Brandes on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:32 pm #

    I guess as a reader I would not want a book changed. It would bother me if there were differant versions of a book. Mary you are a new author to me. I do have a book of yours waiting to be read. Thanks for the great contest.

  208. Mayra B on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:32 pm #

    I am a firm believer in letting things stay as they were. The novel is a snapshot of you in that moment of your writing career it shows your strengths and your weaknesses. I say leave it as it is that way a new bunch of people can be introduced to the writing that made you successful in the first place.

  209. Tamara Shurling on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:35 pm #

    I think it all depends on what it is. If you feel as an author there are things to change then yes it is your world.

  210. Cindy G on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:35 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    I absolutely love your books and don’t think you should rewrite them at all. I am very excited that your older and harder to find books are being re-released.

    Thanks for the interview!

  211. Tessa K. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:37 pm #

    I have to agree that I am mostly in favor of keeping things the way they were, but I suppose that there are some instances where up dating allows the author to fix a story they were unhappy with to begin with.

  212. Brenda Rumsey on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:37 pm #

    I’m so glad you didn’t change a single word of your earlier books. I think most people will agree that when you start writing or reading, the characters take on a whole personality of their own. To change things now would have the characters acting in ways against who they were meant to be. I can’t wait to read “”Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride”. and hope there will be more in the future.

  213. Sue Goodin on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:39 pm #

    Oh to snuggle under a quilt in this nasty cold weather and read your book. And I am a person who does reread books and your do qualify for rereading.
    Thanks

  214. Melissa Cleaver on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:39 pm #

    I really love your writing! My favorites would have to be: Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride!

  215. Gloria Lerma on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:41 pm #

    Mary, I love your books. I did not start reading Romance Novels untill around 1996, but once I did, I couldn’t put them down. I went on a quest to find as many of your older books that I could find. Dark Angel is one that I did not find and I will be looking for it. I’ll also be awaiting your new books.

  216. Flora P. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:44 pm #

    It’s great to have the opportunity to read your earlier works. I think reprints should be just that…a reprint of the original. A book is a story of certain characters written at a particular time in the writer’s life. The writer should accept that, as should the reader. Like real life, we might wish events and people were different than what they are, but dealing with them as they are is what makes us who we are.

  217. Jeanette Juan on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:44 pm #

    I think it’s best to leave original books the same without any changes, unless it’s grammar. I think changing a book later on would disrupt the whole flow of the original story and leave readers with an unpleasant feeling. I’m glad you’ve left your books as is and can’t wait for the release of Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride.

  218. Rosalia on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:45 pm #

    If I love a book the only thing I would want an author to do is offer an epilogue or a 2nd epilogue. Only non-fiction books should be revised/updated. Maybe incorporate your ideas in newer novels. Why mess with what your readers love and consider perfection? :0)

  219. Vikki Parman on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:46 pm #

    Hi Mary – no, I don’t think you should change a thing with your older books. It would be kind of like plastic surgery – I’m against it. Let them age gracefully. Vikki

  220. Ashley L on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:46 pm #

    As someone who’s only been reading your books for about 2 years Mary, I can say that I like your newer books best. I have read some of your earlier books (yay for the library) and I did not like them as well. Your style was different then. But I agree with the majority that the books should not be changed. They are snapshots of who you were then. Just like those photos of yourself that you hate, the memories they represent prevent you from destroying them. To add something original that was cut can be nice, but I don’t think you should change them. That’s like trying to digitally edit a horrific hairdo out of a photo. Even if it can be done, it detracts from what the photo represents.

    Waiting not so patiently for Con’s story as well.

  221. Katie Naegle on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:46 pm #

    I love to read (and occasionally re-read) books. I think that changing the originals would disappoint some fans. But as the author, it is your decision to “fix” it if you think it needs fixing. Looking forward to reading the re-releases.

  222. Helen on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:47 pm #

    Hi Mary, I’d keep it the way it is.

  223. Mary Balogh on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:48 pm #

    I have just spent about half an hour catching up. This is incredible. So many readers and writers with interesting comments. I’ll single out just two.

    Rhi, you mentioned that perhaps a factual error should be corrected in a republication, like the one of Lord Eden/Dominic Raine I mentioned in the original article. It was a dilemma at the time. I solved it by leaving the book as it was and adding a Letter to the Reader at the beginning, acknowledging the error and explaining why I had not corrected it!

    And Jill, you hit the nail on the head about novellas. They are not either long stories or short novels. They are an art form in their own right, and an author needs to learn how to write them. One reader complained that she had enjoyed the book but wished it had been longer. I told her that it couldn’t have been made longer. That story would not have worked as a full-length novel.

  224. WendyK on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:51 pm #

    Oh I’d love to win. I do love all these older releases.

    hugs,
    WEndyK

  225. Elaine Moreau on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:51 pm #

    Hi Mary… Love your books! I don’t think a historical romance should be altered from the original, for the most part. I’ve found some minor issues with books I otherwise loved… things that seemed inconsistent from one chapter to the next, or typos. Otherwise, the beauty of a the genre is that the story can survive for years and still seem fresh, where a “modern-day” romance is quickly dated, especially when the story line mentions recent events and technology.

  226. Janet Kay Gallagher on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:52 pm #

    Mary,
    Wonderful amount of feedback.
    Loved the excerpts I just read.
    My vote is for “no change.”
    Glad you are putting your energy
    to writing more great books.
    This might sound odd. We read a
    good book and it becomes “OURS.”
    We want to keep it as is from now on.

  227. Juanita Stender on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:52 pm #

    DO NOT CHANGE A THING! I love the original flavor.

  228. Barbara Baugh on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:54 pm #

    I’m glad your not rewriting your reissues. I have books that I have read several times. I lost the original copy of one of my very favorites and picked up a reissue. It was bad enough that the cover art had changed but when I started reading it I was extremely upset to find the story had been tweeked. I couldn’t finish it I hate to sound melodramatic but it was as if an old friend had died. Thanks

  229. Donna Saltzman on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:54 pm #

    Well I new to this bloging thing not sure how it works hope I’m doing this right, will Mary what can I say other than I just love your work. I have been reading your books for a very long time, ooops telling my age LOLO and ways I would just like to say thanks for all your hard work and time, and to let you know that I enjoy your books very much.

    Donna

  230. Melody on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:56 pm #

    Wow, that’s an interesting question.

    The only thing that truly detracts from my enjoyment of re-published titles is when they aren’t clearly marked as re-issues. Otherwise, I find I enjoy the classic tales in either their original form or an expanded one.

    Ultimately, as long as the author is pleased with the world they’ve created, how can I not enjoy my visit? :O)

  231. Amy S. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:56 pm #

    I’m glad you decided not to change the books. I’ve read books that the author has changed and I would rather have them as they first were.

  232. Barbara R. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:56 pm #

    Mary,

    I have read excerpt for Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride, on your web site. They both sound perfect for me. I look forward to finally sitting down and reading them with a good cup of tea. Except for grammer and spelling errors, nothing should be changed. They are perfect just the way your wrote them. They are part of you and why tamper with how you expressed yourself than.
    Best wishes and keep writing these wonderful books.

  233. Debby on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:57 pm #

    I don’t think you should rewrite your books. They are products of that time and should be enjoyed that way.

  234. Suzy R. on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:57 pm #

    Hello and Happy Anniversary! I have enjoyed several of your books, love to read some from the backlist.
    Happy Valentine’s Day to all…

  235. Christine on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:58 pm #

    When I read a book from cover to cover it is because I love the book the way it is and wouldn’t want it to change. I can see after the fact wanting to make a strong character more romantic or the heroine less needy but going with the first thought or gut is generally the way to go. When I start a book if I’m not attached to it by the second chapter, I’m done. It might try again but for the most part I want to be pulled in at the beginning.
    The only book that I loved the first time around that I still love that needs a face lift isn’t even comparable to what you write: Judy Blume’s ‘Are You There God It’s Me Margaret’.

    I just finished reading Seducing An Angel and loved it. Thank you so much for such and enjoyable read.

  236. Leni on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:58 pm #

    I think that if you want to make changes you should do so. State on the cover that you have made changes and provide the original version.

  237. Patricia Cantrell on 08 Feb 2010 at 7:58 pm #

    Hi Mary, I don’t think that an author should change anything, but it is up to the individual. I love to read, I am always looking for a new book, but I also love to re- read ones that I enjoyed the first time around.

  238. Sara E on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:01 pm #

    I have enjoyed reading a lot of works by authors and seeing how they have grown as a writer and can see the argument against changing classics that I myself have read, re-read and loved. I am such a nit-picker myself that I would change so much it would probably become an entirely new book. But it would be interesting give an old character new life or slightly change a situation with a fresh pair of eyes and see how it grows.

  239. Dina on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:02 pm #

    Hi MAry,

    If an author wants to change something there is good reason and I may not even notice the change, lol

  240. Margaret S on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:04 pm #

    Mary, love your books. Must admit I only found them a couple of years ago, up to that date the only romances I had read were Georgette Heyer, now that really dates me! Now I have several ‘must-read’ romance authors, & you are one of them.

  241. Star P:) on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:05 pm #

    I’ve enjoyed all of your stories (that I’ve read), but you’re an author that I’ve only just started with. I prefer when authors -don’t- change their re-published stories. Just because I like to read them over and over again — just because you’ve changed and grown doesn’t mean the story isn’t work reading!!!!

    On the other hand, I like to compare old vs. new….just for fun.

  242. Jane on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:05 pm #

    I only read one book where the author made changes, but it didn’t bother me because I never read the original version

  243. Maria D. on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:05 pm #

    Hi Mary- great post. I have to say that I’m against a writer going back and making changes or adaptations of their earlier work. I think that they should be faithful to their earlier readers. I can see allowing some changes if the publisher did a bad job on the printing side of the book, like misspelled words and things like that but to go back and change the book- no not right. Most writers, especially those doing a series, are on tight schedules and if they have an opportunity to get something reprinted that was done previously I’m all for it but not at the expense of their current work. If re-vising an older book will cause you to fall behind, just reprint it as it is.

  244. savannahlady on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:06 pm #

    Hi Mary, you are a new author for me to read. As much as I read, I’m surprised that I haven’t read any of your books. Now that I have found out about you and your books, I can’t wait to get started reading your books.

  245. MJ on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:06 pm #

    I’m not a fan of changes!

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

  246. Jackie B. on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:06 pm #

    Kudos to the decision not to change the books! Though I could see fixing minor errors (a typo that slipped through editing or something like that) I appreciate your not making changes that might fundamentally change parts of the story. I’ve noticed some authors are re-releasing older books to make them more politically correct, but I tend to like the originals better. I’m looking forward to reading Dark Angel and Lord Carew’s Bride.

  247. Helen Mann on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:07 pm #

    Hi Mary,
    I appreciate that you intend to keep your reissues as they were originally written. I fell in love with your writing in the old Signet Regencies. I look forward to buying the reissues and finding the same comfortable feeling of being in the world that you created. My favorite characters are your Bedwyn family. I have read those novels several times (Wulfric is my favorite) and each time I find subtle things or insights that I overlooked. I enjoyed revisiting them in the “Simply” books. I will always look forward to your next book.

  248. Kammie on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:07 pm #

    I’ve read many of your stores and enjoyed every one of them! I wouldn’t want to see any changes made.

  249. Ann on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:07 pm #

    I’m selfish. If changing an older book takes away from writing a new book, I want the new book.

  250. Sandy Winters on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:07 pm #

    Mary…

    I want to tell you how much I enjoy your books. I have to admit (like most of the reader that have already posted) I’m glad you didn’t change a thing. Even though they have new covers. (lol)

    Thank you for all the great reads!!

  251. Renee C. on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:07 pm #

    Oh I love the new cover Mary! It’s soooo pretty! I wish I could get away with wearing clothes like that today LOL!

    I think in historical fiction changes aren’t really necessary but in contemporary fiction that may have been written say 10-15 years ago sometimes a reprint would be better if the tech speak was updated. I know in romance technology isn’t a big thing but if characters are listening to say, a tape player in the book, maybe it would be easier for the modern reader to relate if the charactere had an iPod LOL!

    xoxo~ Renee

  252. dbrown3400 on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:08 pm #

    Hi Mary. Welcome to Mt. Oly. You picked an interesting topic. For the most part I don’t like to see an original changed, e.g., when Jude Deveraux enhanced A Knight in Shining Armor, a book I didn’t think needed any improvement. But I agree with Esther there are authors who satisfactorily rewrite their books. I am eagerly awaiting Con’s story.

  253. Marjana Kaly on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:09 pm #

    Hey Mary! I just want to say I LOVE your books!

  254. kathy agate on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:12 pm #

    I totally agree with you, Mary, that keeping your books in their orginal form is best and saving your creativity for your new novels is wonderful. I can’t wait to continue reading your material, so keep on creating, so your readers can enjoy!

  255. Paula Klug on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:13 pm #

    I’m with you, Mary! I would much rather read the original story than a rewrite!

  256. Dee on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:17 pm #

    Mary,
    I definitely agree with your decision not to rewrite older books for republishing for the reasons you stated but also because as a reader I want to enjoy the experience of rereading a favorite, not be distracted by the editing that may change the book for me.

  257. Deedles on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:19 pm #

    Hi Mary! You are a new author for me so I haven’t read any of your books-yet! As for rewriting parts of your books I would say leave them as they are. When people have read a book and loved it, I think changes would be upsetting.

  258. jade on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:19 pm #

    Good for you not to change the original – like a time capsule that’s how things were at the time (leave it to the films to remake things!)

  259. Lynn on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:21 pm #

    Mary, love your books! My top favorite is Slightly Dangerous, and that’s tops of all the books I own. I am really looking forward to the newest re-release.

  260. Wendy on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:22 pm #

    I totally agree with not messing with the original! If it works, why mess with it? ;)

  261. Opal Baker on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:22 pm #

    Hello Mary,You are great and your books have allowed us to escape our normal routine and go into another life.I appreciate that you let me escape my reality,heaven knows that it is needed to have a “regular”life.I don’t think that you need to change the older books,because they are as good today as they were back then.We loved your books thenand we love everything you do now.Bringing them back will let us start over in reading them again.Keep up the good work,we need you.

  262. Katie on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:23 pm #

    I don’t think you should change a book,sequal yes change no.

  263. Vicki on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:24 pm #

    As with the old children’s rhyme, “Make new friends, but keep the old — one is silver and the other is gold” – so it is with the characters in your books. If you were to change your stories as your outlook changes, the people in your books would change as well. Better you should put your energy and creativity into giving life to new stories for your readers to enjoy …

  264. Betty on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:24 pm #

    I think a published fiction should be left as is. A flaw that you may want to correct, could be a beloved flaw that many love about a certain character. This makes me think of all the debates over colorizing some of the classic black and white film.

  265. Alicia on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:24 pm #

    Hello Mary :) I love the cover for Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride!

  266. JenR. on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:24 pm #

    I completely agree with you that expanded and revised versions of my favorite books are terribly upsetting. I liked the storyline the way that it was. However, I think if you’re going to re-release something a little editing never hurt anything. :) I think those types of changes make it nice for future readers — never hurts to re-comb through the manuscript. But substantive changes — no way.

  267. Ro Abreu on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:26 pm #

    The Bedwyns are one of my favorite “book families”. I think you should leave your book the way it is, and if you have an issue with something that needs revision (like the ‘Lord’ thing) perhaps you can put an author’s note at the back of the book stating what you’ve learned since you initially wrote it. That would also be helpful for aspiring writers so they can see that you’ve grown over time with your own writing, research, etc.

  268. Janae on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:30 pm #

    Coming a bit late. Funny how the day gets away from you. Welcome Mary! I LOVE your books. Kit from A Summer to Remember. IDK how many times I checked it out from the library before I finally bought myself a copy. I CANNOT wait to read Con’s story!

    In general I don’t think an author should change anything to the story. However, if there’s some editing, like calling someone by the wrong name, that’s something that should be corrected. For example, I know of book where someone called the Duke of Wellington John, when his name and every single Duke of Wellington’s name since, is Arthur. That should be fixed because it just takes me out of the book every time I read it.

  269. Mary Ann M on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:31 pm #

    I agree I have read a couple of books that were expanded to be re releasesd and I didn’t really care for the rewrite It was to confusing.

  270. Janae on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:31 pm #

    That should read Kit from A Summer to Remember is one of my favorite heroes.

  271. sakismurf on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:36 pm #

    I think that if you are changing items in as a update it would be different then a second edition. At the same, I hope you don’t progress to the point of Betty Kahn who changes a few things and gives it new title.

  272. peggyprobus on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:41 pm #

    You are an author who is new to me but from reading all the comments from your readers I look forward to trying your books soon.

  273. Denise on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:42 pm #

    Hi! Mary, I love your books.
    I do not think it is a betrayal when an author makes changes to an old book. I think it’s a betrayal to the reader when you are buying a republish book and it does not have at least one extra chapter in there. Having to buy the new book again for the sake of an extra scene or two. I don’t think thats right. I mean, I love visiting the same couples again in books and I want to know what happen after the happily ever after or you can just publish mini books online. Specially when is series

  274. Mary Balogh on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:42 pm #

    Much as I am loving this, I am going to have to finish commenting (though I will read the rest of your comments tomorrow). I have an early flight to New York tomorrow–6:30, up at 4:15 (yuck!). So I am off to bed. But a big thank you to all of you who have visited and commented and been so kind. And a huge thanks to the goddesses for asking me and having me. I have enjoyed this enormously. I hope the rest of your celebration week goes as well or even better!

  275. Nicole Mc on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:43 pm #

    Cant wait for Con’s book!!! As for the question, I think leaving a book as it was is the best way to go. Just slap a shiny new cover on it!! :)

  276. Reb on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:43 pm #

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and process–it’s so interesting! I can understand wanting to revise/rewrite, but it seems better (and seems like you’ve already decided), to leave the originals, and keep writing new material. (If it makes you feel better, rewrite the originals, and just keep them for yourself or for supplemental/alternate editions for the future–like alternate endings in the movies.)

  277. Jeanine Lesperance on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:44 pm #

    I would leave them alone. Maybe correct actual errors, but don’t change content….. Peolpe loved them the first time. Why change at this point.

  278. Denise on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:44 pm #

    Hi! Mary, I love your books.
    I think it’s a dissapointment to the reader when you are buying a republish book and it does not have at least one extra chapter in there. I buy all the books with your name so if it has another cover I will purchase it. I mean, I love visiting the same couples again in books and I want to know what happen after the happily ever after or you can just publish mini books online. Specially when is a series you can use one to update on all of them

  279. Jennifer on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:48 pm #

    I think that you are absolutely right in choosing not to change the original book – writing is a form of art and, as you said, it reflects who you were at a certain point in your life. Changing the story erases all that, destroys the work’s original spirit. What if Picasso had looked at his Blue Period paintings while he was in his Cubist phase and repainted over all of them?

  280. Cay on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:49 pm #

    I love your books old & new. I think you were right in not changing your reissues. They are what you were and are today. I have been reading you forever (Regency Romance Books) and you have never failed to entertain. If I had to pick a favorite, I reread a lot of them, but Slightly Sinful still brings tears to my eyes when Alleyne arrives home. Thank you for many hours of pleasurable reading.

  281. Fedora on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:52 pm #

    Hi, Mary! In general, I would prefer that an author not focus her efforts on updating a previously released book unless she’s had a major change to make; otherwise, I’d prefer her to create new stories for us! In general, I think an author’s backlist reflects her journey as a writer, and I enjoy reading it unadulterated. Thank you for writing so many books for our enjoyment!

  282. krista on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:53 pm #

    I can see the need for rewrites sometimes. But if you feel your fan base will love them as they are, don’t change a word.

  283. Angie Frawley on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:55 pm #

    First I must say I do adore your writing!!…Second,for me I have read a few books where the author has gone back and “changed” things,always it ruined the story for me because of course I am just nosy enough to want to reread it and see the changes…it is just as you stated,it changes the whole dynamic!! I then didn’t like the story anymore. Thanks for keeping your fab books just the way they are!!

  284. Valerie L. on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:56 pm #

    Do not change one word! Your books were a joy to read then; your new books are a joy to read now, but they are both different. We readers rejoice in their differences and read them both with pleasure. Thank you.

  285. Elaine on 08 Feb 2010 at 8:59 pm #

    I agree with Ro Abreu “if you have an issue with something that needs revision… you can put an author’s note at the back of the book”. I too like seeing the original work and be able to following an author’s development. When I read all your books available at my library, I began searching for them at used book stores and online. I like reissues because it allows me to read books I have been unable to locate. Thanks, Mary!

  286. Sue on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:02 pm #

    I say leave the books the way they were originally written. It never makes sense to me to add or subtract chapters in a book.

  287. Santa on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:03 pm #

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LADIES!

    Welcome to Mary Balogh! I vote for you going on to creating more marvelous stories. Your back list is a treasure onto itself and, personally, I wouldn’t change a word. Really.

    And, btw, I adore all the books I’ve read from the gorgeous goddesses of this blog. Talk about your backlists but I will prevail!

    Congrats, once again, on providing such a great place to for romance readers to gather and share their thoughts and gush about some of the best books written out there today.

    My hat’s off to you! And here’s to many more!

  288. Pat on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:03 pm #

    I had stopped reading your books for a few years. I thoroughly enjoyed Seducing an Angel, but was disappointed by the reissue of A Matter of Class. I think that on the whole reissues aren’t worth the effort.

  289. Cory on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:07 pm #

    I think that this is really a case by case basis. Generally, the only changes I would be for would be typos or grammatical errors that were missed. However, there are cases where some changes might be a good thing. For example, Sherrilyn Kenyon recently had three books republished. The books were originally published through three different publishers, requiring some changes since the books could not be the intended series in this case. When she republished the books, she went in and changed names and a few other necessary things to bring the series back together. In this case, the stories didn’t lose anything. Instead they become more what they were intended in the beginning.
    However, I do think this is a rare case. I believe you made the correct decision in leaving you books as they were.

  290. PJ on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:10 pm #

    Happy Anniversary Goddesses!

    Welcome, Mary! As a long-time fan of your books I’d just like to say, please don’t change anything! Your older books are like treasured friends. If I want a new friend, I’ll buy one of your new books. ;-)

  291. Sarah on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:14 pm #

    I don’t like it when the author changes anything in an older novel. If I already own the book, it feels like a manipulation. Like you are trying to make me buy the same thing again for a few minor changes.

    On the other hand, I would love to see how an author would re-write those characters and situations at this point in their life (but I’m talking a deep revision).

  292. MaryMeg on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:17 pm #

    Hi Mary, I am not a big fan of reading updated old books. When I discover a new author that I like, I try and find as many of her/his previous books that I can get my hands on. I usually enjoy seeing the ways an author can change and grow as well as the many paths they take. Thanks for your many pathways! MaryMeg

  293. Pat Cochran on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:19 pm #

    Making changes in your older books would be like denying who you were at that time. Change isn’t always good!
    I’m 5′ tall, still haven’t lost all the weight I want to, and am now gray haired. I’ve always wanted to be tall and
    slim with red hair. Would my family still love me? Would my grandchildren even know me? Being true to oneself
    and accepting yourself as you are is a blessing. It’s God’s gift to you!

    Congratulations to all the Goddesses on this wonderful site which I enjoy visiting! Keep up the good work!

    Pat Cochran

  294. Barbara C. on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:21 pm #

    Hi Mary!
    I’m glad to hear that you’ll be reissuing your earlier books, so I’ll have a chance to read your out-of-print novels. I don’t think you should change the contents, but you should correct any typographical errors which the original proofreaders missed. You should also correct any error that was purely factual, for example, if an author had listied the wrong date for the Battle of Waterloo in a Regency, you would certainly want to correct that. But don’t tamper with the contents of the novel itself.
    I wouldn’t want the older “contemporary” romances updated. If the book was a “contemporary” and was set in the 1960s, it could be a “modern historical”. After all, you wuldn’t have expected Agatha Christie to re-write her mysteries and give Hercule Poirot a cell phone! I would enjoy reading an older “contemporary” to see how society was during that era. In fact, one of the things I enjoy when watching my Columbo mysteries on DVD, is seeing the evolution of the cell=phone! You can tell the original year of a tv show by the size of the charcter’s cell-phone!

  295. Thea on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:22 pm #

    Dear Mary:

    When it comes to interior dialogue, it is one of the main reasons I love your books so much. Introspection,
    the examined life, one’s motivations, insights, and emotional, psychological growth and transformation are essential in good characters. And isn’t that one of the miracles of love (as opposed to romance) to transform, to bring us out of our usual self-centered, blithe, and ignorant pursuit of our own pleasure. Such is the tradition of some of our greatest writers, e.g. Henry James and Edith Wharton. I realize that is perhaps not so popular amongst the readers of the romance genre, but it is one of the characteristics that make your books
    so welcome I think.

  296. Kayce Crews on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:25 pm #

    Books are like essays, and unlike recipes in the sense that once you have the finished product, it can be honed. You can take out what you don’t like and add something that you had more time to think about. With recipes, you usually have to prepare the dish again to get the ingredients right. I gave up on cooking, but not on reading. I like to have the option to change my mind.

  297. Mariska on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:25 pm #

    Hi Mary,
    I haven’t read any of your book *g*. And so glad that you didn’t make any changes of your old book :)

  298. Beth on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:25 pm #

    Mary,

    I have loved all your books just as they are. I haven’t read about Lord Eden yet, but I would say to leave him as you first wrote him! After I “discovered” you, I went back and read all the books I could find. I loved them all just as they are! Don’t change a thing!

  299. Ellen on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:26 pm #

    Hi Mary,I enjoyed the Web trilogy when you first wrote it (them?) and since I hope that I too have changed for the better (sic) I believe we all grow because of our past decisions and I really wouldn’t change a thing in your stories.I’ve heard many fine actors say they can’t watch themselves in a movie because they are too critical of their own performance.Thank you for many hours of reading pleasure.

  300. Karen Haney on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:27 pm #

    I love the Goddess pictures of all of you! Mary! How nice of you all to come down from the mountain just in time for the Olympics that you all helped to start all those ages ago!

    I think when you wrote your books, you were telling a story that came from your heart and mind in the place you were in at that time in your life. Why would anyone want you to go back and change it? To me, that would be somewhat like watching a movie made from a book and the movie is different. That always upsets me! You wrote about Samantha and I think it is wonderful to have both stories in the one book. When you finish DARK ANGEL, like many good books, as a reader you want to know what happened to the fascinating characters and in one volume, you allow this to happen by having LORD CAREW’S BRIDE right there! What a treat! If I go back and reread a book like this that I love, I would be so sad to have it changed….the way it was is the reason I loved it to begin with. Please don’t change them!

  301. GladysMP on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:29 pm #

    I agree with your decision to leave the books aa they were. They were successful or they would not be in the process of being republished. I doubt if the readers notice minor details or mistakes as much as you do. Congratulations on having so many books published. And Happy Valentine’s Day to you and anyone reaing this.

  302. Mickey M on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:30 pm #

    I am one of those people who prefers that the re-issue stay the same too. I am trying to add different formats to my library (Hardcover, ebook etc) of my favorite titles and if the author makes changes it spoils that plan for me.

  303. Sabrina N on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:30 pm #

    I think that if a book I loved was republished without any changes at all, I would decide whether or not to buy the new one based on which cover I liked best (I know, I know, very shallow). But you have a limited budget, so why have two of what is essentially the same thing on your shelf when you could save the money and buy something new and different. If there’s something in the republished book like new scenes or chapters after the original story line, I would buy the new book.

    If there are grammar, spelling, factual mistakes, I think they should definitely be fixed. I hate it when I run into nonsensical sentences or errors when I’m reading. It always throws me out of the story. Very disappointing.

    I feel that making major changes to a book would be essentially writing a retelling of an old story. I don’t mind that. It’s interesting to read the same story told by different authors, and with so much time in between, and all the associated growth and change as an author, wouldn’t it be the same?

  304. cat on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:31 pm #

    Mary,
    don’t change any of your books as they are. Please don’t change any of them!! Your characters and stories always keep me intrigued, with interesting story lines and characters. They don’t need a face lift at all.
    cat

  305. MplsVala on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:34 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    I like the idea of keeping old books in print and available.

  306. Mitzi H. on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:34 pm #

    Hi Mary, I say “Let sleeping dogs lie” and don’t change a thing. We love them just they way they are and would rather have you working on new novels…versus rewriting old ones. Thanks for the contest!!!

  307. carol eckelkamp on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:36 pm #

    Mary, please keep the books coming….I almost have them all. I still thank the book store lady
    who turned me on to your books. Thanks for the memories!

  308. Laura T on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:37 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    I am clearly in the minority when I say that I do not mind one bit if my favorite authors make minor revisions to their older books. I don’t think it always makes the book better–but sometimes it does.

    As a huge fan, I completely trust your judgment in this matter. If you were inclined to make changes, great. If not, that’s wonderful too as it shows you are happy with the product you produced years ago. I love your earlier writing as much as I love your current works and enjoy the evolution of your style.

    I have all four of your latest/coming soon books on my list:
    1. Seducing an Angel
    2. A Matter of Class
    3. A Secret Affair
    4. Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride

    Thank you for many hours of reading pleasure!

    Laura

  309. Heather R on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:38 pm #

    HI Mary, I am glad that you didn’t change your books. I have favorite books that I read over and over again and I know that I would be upset if the author went back and changed the book. It would be like meeting up wiith an old friend and finding out that they aren’t the person that you thought they were.

  310. cories on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:38 pm #

    Hi! I love your books! I especially enjoyed “At Last Comes Love” as I feel for Margaret and want her to have a great story/love.

    In terms of changing a story during reprint, it’s like a “director’s cut” which can be fun, but it may lose a bit of what makes the book good in the first place.

  311. Julie on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:40 pm #

    I’m torn. Part of me says “Why mess with perfectly good imperfections?” While the other part of me says “Getting a Second Chance is a prevalent theme in Romance Lit. If the hero and the heroine get second … and sometimes third chances … then why can’t a writer?”
    I simply love Mary Balogh’s Simply Unforgettable. I would hate to see a single word changed. That being said … I believe that Mary Jo Putney rewrote her book The Rake and the Reformer. It is now called The Rake and it is one of my favorite stories. So I’m torn. I guess that the only solution is to own both the original and the rewritten versions of a book! Wouldn’t it be nice if they marketed it as a gift set? My idea of Reader Heaven.

  312. Gerry L Crockett on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:44 pm #

    I enjoy reading your work very much. I have read the complete Slightly series and part of the Simply series. I have, but have not started some of the “Huxtables” series. I enjoy reading the older publications, and I feel if you change something for republishing, you lose a lot of the original meaning. I am looking forward to the republication of the book Dark Angel, Lord Carew’s Bride.

  313. Julie on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:45 pm #

    I agree with Laura T. I too completely trust your judgment in this matter.

  314. Shawa on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:47 pm #

    Hi, Mary!

    I remember your first books fondly and have enjoyed the evolution of your writing! Your books take up almost an entire shelf in my bookcase. I was trying to think of my favorite of those early books and I think I’d have to say “Dancing with Clara” (I think that’s the right name without running in and checking!). That one made me cry as the hero slowly reformed. I can hardly believe how long I’ve been reading your books.

    Here’s to just as many years to come!

    Shawna

  315. Auriette on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:47 pm #

    I think the decision should be a financial one. Will you be paid for your time re-writing? Will it make a difference in your advance or, more importantly, in the sales of the book to justify the time and effort? As you may guess, I’m not philosophically opposed to a re-write. H.G. Wells, just to mention one example I’m familiar with, re-wrote some of his novels more than once. I believe he revisited the works because they were written in installments, for newspapers, and the amount of space he had each week may have influenced some of his choices. If you know you might be reaching new readers this week, who aren’t up to speed on the story and characters, you may present things differently than in a novel where the reader will presumably remember what s/he read an hour or a day ago, as opposed to a week ago, if at all.

    A re-issue is a great chance to fix a typo or two that got past the proofreaders the first time around. A minor factual error that won’t affect the plot but has caused you consternation for years, sure, go ahead and fix it. Don’t feel you have to, though, if it’s not worth it to you.

  316. Yvonne B. on 08 Feb 2010 at 9:48 pm #

    I think that, as a reader, it is up to the author and whatever s/he thinks is right to do for them at the time they are offered the opportunity to reprint.

    I can understand that readers would like for the text to stay as is, no changes, and I can respect that.

    Again, it is the author’s work and if s/he thinks the odd change here or there might be needed, then go for it. If not, then not.

  317. Larena Wirum on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:01 pm #

    I can understand wanting to make changes but on the other hand I would say that what made people want to read it in the first place will make people want to read it now. There might be some facts wrong but since it is being re-release it must have been worth reading to being with. :-)

  318. Kim S on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:01 pm #

    Great post Mary! I think that you are right! I also feel betrayed when a book has been “expanded” and “revised”. I say, “Leave it alone and an those things into a new book!”

    I just read my first historical in years!! I think I burned myself out and quit reading them for a long time. But the one I recently read, reawakened my love for the genre! Can’t wait to read many, many more. And I think your books are a great way to continue on!! ;)

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Goddesses!! :)

  319. enyl on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:01 pm #

    I agree Mary Balogh, if any changes had been made with subsequent publications of any my favorite books ( Crime and Punishment, The Pickwick Papers, The Three Musketeers, and The Inferno ) I would feel betrayed.

  320. zina on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:03 pm #

    WOW over 300 posts
    Mary, hello and salutations from The non snowed in state of Rhode Island( not yet anyway). I haven’t read any of your books yet but my 24 yrold Stephanie loves them and owns several, I just haven’t pilferred any yet to read.
    Well back to the laundry so we can leave in the morning on our first ever family vacation.
    Zina

  321. Gaby @ Starting Fresh on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:03 pm #

    Mary, thank you for sharing your thoughts and your decision not to make the changes. I had not thought how an author might want to make revisions years after publication. As a reader, I’m glad that you decided not to change the book. As you pointed out Lord Eden is a very different character from the correct name!

    Your bring so much enjoyment through your books, the occasional error is just a tiny footnote!

    Gaby

  322. Sharon on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:05 pm #

    I love reissues that are unchanged. Flaws are what show how much an author has grown. My personal opinion is if it is so badly written that it needs to be rewritten then it should not be republished at all. I love the originals, worts and all.
    Additionally, if you spend time rewriting early books, that detracts for the time needed to write new ones. Keep on writing.

  323. etirv on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:08 pm #

    I don’t mind changes to update an older story especially if done by an author I trust like Mary Balogh — one of my alll time favorite authors! Thanks, Mary!

  324. Jaclyne Laurin on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:09 pm #

    Hi Mary and Goddesses,

    I have been a big fan of yours for quite some time now. The first book I ever read by you was A Summer to Remember, then I went back to the library and read More than a Mistress, then No Man’s Mistress. I loved them so much that when the Slightly books came out, I devoured each one with such appetite that you became an auto-buy/read for me.

    My dear cousin Annette Blair is another of your greatest fans. She told me she re-reads all your earlier books around Christmas time and has encouraged me to find copies for myself. So I am very glad that your publisher is bringing back your ‘Old Books’.

    As for changing them, I vote for leaving them be. I agree with your decision. Unless you or even some of your readers have found typos or discrepancies in the characters’ descriptions, errors that can easily be fixed without changing the storyline.

  325. Tif F on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:11 pm #

    It’s a big choice to make on whether to change a book. I think if it’s just fleshing out the story, then that’s okay. However, I wouldn’t make any substantial changes to plot, storyline, or characters…. It would just take away from the older books!

  326. Lynn R. on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:14 pm #

    Well, bother! Here I was thinking I had almost all of your books, and then someone goes and posts that there are 60 novels, and 30 novellas!! Shot down again, that’s all I can say. I guess a shopping trip is in my near future. I will admit that I don’t have either of the two that are being re-issued, however.

    As for the change/don’t change debate, you can put me in the “If it ain’t broke,…” column. Sure, you said you made a mistake by calling a second son “Lord Eden,” but since second (and third and fourth, and so on) can inherit the title of Viscount, and since that title merits a “Lord” when he is being directly addressed, then I wouldn’t consider it a mistake. Besides, everyone is entitled to one mistake in their lives, aren’t they?

  327. peggy sw. on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:15 pm #

    Mary, I agree that it’s better not to rewrite your “classics”. I’ve enjoyed many of your books over the years and have a lot of the Christmas ones still in my collection.

  328. Peggy M on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:15 pm #

    Mary, I love the Slightly and Simply series, particularly the final books in each series. A Matter of Class was so unique and you are correct that the Novella was the perfect format for that story. I love that your characters are so fascinating and that you do not need to create a lot of secondary plot elements to keep the story moving. I read a Secret Pearl last fall and am anxious to read more of your older works. I would not make any changes except perhaps those that should have been changed during copy editing.
    Looking forward to Con’s story and please keep re-releasing the older works.

  329. Brenna on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:16 pm #

    Mary,
    I think that an author needs to follow her own instincts when it comes to a decision like this. Since yours told you to leave them as they were, then that was the right choice for you. You obviously have lots of fans who love your books either way. Congrats on the opportunity to re-release your earlier works and gain new fans!

  330. Marion Scott on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:17 pm #

    I have 3 book shelves in my bedroom (floor to top of door jam)– and they are overflowing— you are one of the authors I keep to reread and reread. Since I am in snow bound Maryland still not plowed out from this past weekend and expecting more snow tomorrow, I will be rereading. I agree with the comment from Sharon posted at 10:05, I look forward to each new book — I already have the old ones.

  331. Terry Miller on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:18 pm #

    Mary I love your books and I am very excited that your backlist is being republished. I see advantages to both viewpoints. I like reading the books as they were originally written. And, I have enjoyed reading revised republications. But, I think in the long run I am a purist and prefer them to be unrevised.

  332. Gayle Oreluk on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:27 pm #

    Hi Mary. I agree that a book should be republished the way it was written, so long as it was published the way the author had written it. Too many times, it is edited and changed from the original way an author had wanted the book to read. Then I think the author should change the book to be the way they wanted it before it is republished.

  333. KariE on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:28 pm #

    I totally agree. I wouldn’t want to change it. It’s like that big question your inevitably asked at least once a year: if you could go back in your life and change anything, would you? It’s always no. I’m the person I am today because of the choices/mistakes I made yesterday. Similar thinking (for me anyway) for authors. You’re the author you are today because of the author you were yesterday.
    I love me a good book and I’m so easy to please. :p

  334. Tamara on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:29 pm #

    OMG, Mary, I can’t believe you’re really here! I ADORE your old books and love your news ones, too. I fell in love with titles like The Devil’s Web and the Secret Pearl as they were written then. Why deprive new readers of your beautifully crafted “older” style? I say leave the re-issues “as is” b/c they’re as wonderful as the new ones. But then again, I love lots of introspection!

  335. evlqn on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:34 pm #

    Oh my giddy aunt!! You certainly made a lot of goddesses happy today and I missed it! I love your books and I really wanted to tell you so. Welcome Mary! and Happy Anniversary to TGB also.

  336. Leslie on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:38 pm #

    I have come to know your books through my mother-in-law who goes straight for your books when she enters any book store. You are a terrific writer and I really enjoy your books. As for the re-writes, I have no objections to them. I would think as someone who writes for a living, if you think changes would benefit the book then as someone who loves to read your books, I would bow to your superior opinion. Either with new ones or old ones, I will continue to read them!!

  337. Laura on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:39 pm #

    Mary,
    I’m sad to say that I haven’t read your books yet! What would be the best one for me to start with? Looking forward to meeting your characters!

  338. Annette on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:42 pm #

    Mary,
    So glad you are kicking off the big anniversary week. What a tough decision to make about the rewrites. I say leave well enough alone..LOL

  339. Lorraine Larose on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:43 pm #

    Hi Mary,

    I don’t care if a book is fifty years old or if it’s rewritten. If I havn’t read it, it’s a brand new book for me.

    I’ll read your books anytime and enjoy them if they’re old, new, or rewritten. Just keep them coming.

    A loyal reader and book lover,
    Lorraine

  340. Angela Bartlett on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:50 pm #

    I have been a loyal reader for – well shall we say – quite a few years. And I am so excited that the two books Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride are coming back together. Of course, I no longer have my original copies so I look forward to renewing my acquaintance with these wonderful tales again. Thanks so much!

  341. pita on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:50 pm #

    Hi Mary I really enjoyed yor “Slightly” series. I agree you should not change your previous books.

  342. Betty on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:54 pm #

    I think to change or not change reprints of a book should totally be up to the author. I know some authors try to change to bring them into present day, but I’m thinking, reprint the older ones as they were, give the author the time needed to write new books.

    Everyone goes through changes, and I enjoy the process of discovering how authors find their voice and style as they go.

    Just imagine someone who had wrote a series…….change one name or experience, and everything is affected.

    Think of the master painter, you have to stop at some point. Go back and touch it up 10 years later, and the painting is not the same work as before.

  343. LLL on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:55 pm #

    Happy Anniversary Goddesses!

    Hi Mary,

    I prefer that the writer’s earlier works remain as is. It is fun to discover a writer and search out the backlist to see how the style has changed.

  344. Umbromom on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:56 pm #

    Mary, don’t change a thing. You have grown and what you first wrote is what made you who you are today. Most of us can’t change our past, don’t you do it either.

  345. Elizabeth on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:58 pm #

    Yesterday I went to one of Verdi’s operas. Talking with my son, a voice student, I learned the Verdi, like other composers, definitely revisited and redid early operas later in life. Add an aria, take one out . . .
    I’d say they are your books, and we love your writing: do what seems right to you. They’re your legacy! (And wouldn’t it be cool if people were still reading them 100 years from now?)

  346. scblanksvard4@comcast.net on 08 Feb 2010 at 10:59 pm #

    Hi Mary
    I really feel that it is best to leave them they way you originally wrote them. A lot of fans would be disappointed if you went back and changed their favorite book, character or your style of writing. You have grown as a writer as your fans have grown with you, but it is nice to go back re-read those books as they were, they make me feel younger and take me to a different stage in my life.

  347. Peggy Gorman on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:00 pm #

    I agree, a book should remain and not be rewritten or extra added.
    Happy Anniversary!
    Thanks

  348. Kathy R on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:03 pm #

    I think a book should stay the same. There are problems when they are present day like the Sandra Brown I read not to long ago and it mentioned that they would be using a new video tape machine to conduct the interview.:) I also have a problem when books are reissued under new titles. This is very confusing to readers. Mary I love your books the way they are. It is great to see an author grow.

  349. jenmeltwin on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:07 pm #

    I believe that if you look at something that you did years ago you can always think of improvements that can be made. However, that doesn’t mean you should change things. When you wrote the books, you wrote them as the person you were at that time. I think it’s good for you to be able to look back at them and realize how you’ve changed as an author. Leave them be.

  350. Carol L. on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:08 pm #

    I don’t think there should be revisions to an oldie but goodie. I agree with you Mary.
    You wrote those earlier books in the words of who you were then and that’s how it should be. Don’t get me wrong, if an I Author I love reading added something new I’d go back and check it out .
    But in the end it’s who you were then and the books were very good and they should satnd
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750@aol.com

  351. Cathy on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:10 pm #

    Back in 1989 I was taking my kids to swim lessons. The library was next door so we visited there almost every day checking out books and returning. I had 3 hours to sit in the sun and watch the glare off the water or read a book. I read about 30 books that summer and yours are the ones that turned me onto Historical Romance. Thanks so much and I’m glad you are not rewriting them. Your work has changed and I still read your books, but as the saying goes “don’t fix what isn’t broke.”

  352. Lisa G on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:17 pm #

    I love reading your books! For me, I read all my old books as well as my new ones. If an old one is reissued I will buy it to have copies of each in my collection. I don’t like to see them rewriting, it changes the whole story. It’s not nice to mess with perfection! :-)

  353. Ranurgis on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:20 pm #

    I’m so glad you haven’t changed the books. I think you’re right: they should remain as they were published.

    I’ve come across books that have been changed for the reprint. The first such book I came across I wanted to check exactly where changes were made. Trying to read both books at the same time became verrrry tedious. So finally I gave up. That book involved modernizing a 1980s contemporary for late 1990s readers. By that time the first edition was historical fiction. Why not leave it that way?!

    Most authors probably do change their styles and their outlooks. Readers weren’t as sophisticated and probably not as knowledgeable as they are now. A few imperfections don’t mar a book very much. I’m much more likely to get hung up on bad grammar or on the misuse, e.g., of lay vs. lie or on the misuse of i.e. for e.g. than facts. Until recently I didn’t know the way to use the “lord” title.

    I recently read a book from the 1970s in which the author kept addressing a character as Sir Standridge, who, it turned out was the Duke of Stonebridge the whole time. Argh, now that definitely was annoying. (names of titles not exactly right.

  354. Dots on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:44 pm #

    I can see both sides of the argument for maintaining the integrity of a work, or changing it to correct errors or annoyances. Someone above mentioned George Lucas and Star Wars. Here’s my presentation of the opposite side of that argument… Lucas had a definite vision, but only so much technical ability to present his vision in 1977, and as he evolved as a film maker, as a special effects artist, and as technology itself evolved throughout the decades of his filmmaking, he chose to go back and revisit his original trilogy to augment and further present what the reality of his original vision was, now that he had the knowledge, experience, and technical ability to do so.

    Much can be said about an author and their work as well. If the original is a hit, yes it is beloved as it is, but to be able to correct glaring errors that have bugged you since forever is a boon. Or, to enhance the story with more “meat”…can be intriguing. But perhaps the best vehicle for augmenting the story, versus changing something wouldn’t be a rewrite, exactly. Perhaps, like Diana Gabaldon has done with her Jamie & Claire characters, the right vehicle would be small novelas introducing new content

  355. Dots on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:46 pm #

    As an avid blogger, I feel strongly about preserving my original content as well, because it does reflect me as a person at the time I was writing it…it represented my world and my truth as well. And you are also correct that many times it is much better to move forward with new content than to stagnate in the past with something that has already made it’s mark as is.

    LOL, So there’s my .85! Thanks for persevering as an author, you are treasured!

  356. Kelli on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:48 pm #

    Mary,
    I just want to say I love your books. My favorite is “More than a Mistress”.

  357. Patricia Barraclough on 08 Feb 2010 at 11:52 pm #

    For those who have read and loved your books, leaving them alone would be OK. Corrections of minor details (your second son as a lord for example) would be fine as long as they didn’t effect the story. The books were loved as they were, so leave them alone. They show your growth as an author.

  358. kaisquared on 09 Feb 2010 at 12:02 am #

    I feel that books, like children, are products of a certain time and place and thought process and should not, after being originally published, altered in any major way. It would be like trying to morph a toddler into a teenager, a disaster.

  359. BeccaD on 09 Feb 2010 at 12:04 am #

    I appreciate older books being brought back out if it is well publicized (preferrably on the reissued book) that it is reissued. I read a lot; when a book is republished with a new cover I’m not happy to get home and find that I’ve already read it (usually a third of the way through it). That being said, I do read expanded/rewritten books to see if I can recognize the changes. Also, since I started reading romance relatively late, there are many authors I missed reading when they wrote first books, so I really enjoy being able to buy and read them now and if I haven’t read them before, I don’t care if they are rewritten or not.

  360. Jackie on 09 Feb 2010 at 12:56 am #

    I appreciate your opinion on whether to mess with a good thing for doing re-release. I think there is a Happy Medium . The example of the guy who who had been accidentally given the wrong Title as he should never had one to start with. Those of the kinds of things that I nit pickingly say should be changed to make it correct historically. But doing any other revision is a crime (of course that does not apply to the making Sir a Mr. All of his actions were based on the fact that he is a second son and not the first so by changing the name, I do not see that it matters except unless

    Having something that blatant is a real nit picker for me – it just makes me howl. I do not know if I am making any sense right now – I am way to tired to think.

  361. Krystal on 09 Feb 2010 at 1:01 am #

    Mary,
    I’m a big fan of your books! My favorites are the 6 about the Bedwyn siblings, the “Slightly” series. I espcially love the last one, Slightly Dangerous.
    In regards to rewriting, I’m not a fan of changing a good story, but I am all in favor of adding more to it! I often read a book and wish for more of the story! I love epilogues that give you a glimpse into the future. I always hate for a good book to end! So if you want to add more – you have my vote! :-)

  362. Barbara Elness on 09 Feb 2010 at 1:02 am #

    If there are errors in a book that you always wanted to be able to go back and fix – something that bothers you or that you’ve received a lot of feedback on, then I’d say it would be great to take care of that in a reissue. But otherwise, the older books should be left as they are, and you should spend you time on new, wonderful books for your readers to enjoy.

  363. E.R. on 09 Feb 2010 at 4:16 am #

    I am late, and I don’t think I’ll get the prize since I’m “late” to reply, but I want to add my two cents here.

    For your dilemma, it depends on the author. I don’t think changing the name you gave your character would be ideal, since in your mind as well as your readers, it is LORD EDEN, not Dominic Raine, who is the character. And it would be crushing if you changed a lot of the details, which is internal to the book. Your writing style may have changed, and therefore you will lose the integrity of the original if you do remake it.

    However, I do think minor changes, like grammar errors and/or incorrect minor details should be corrected. For example, if you had written about four male friends lounging with your hero, when you mentioned there were supposedly five of the hero’s friends with him. It may not have caught in the first edition, but I think that if there are future editions, that should be fixed to correct that mistake.

    Otherwise, keep the originals. If I were in your situation, I would be tempted to do so, but I feel that it is best to leave it the way it is because that is how readers have read it then and new readers will read it now.

    (In the next Goddess blog entry, I made a comment about your novella to the wrong author. So I want to correct that right now. I have THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS and I had thoroughly enjoyed reading your novella as well as the other two works from Nicola Cornick and Courtney Milan. I just want you to know that I had read some of your works. Please keep it up.)

  364. Susan Spidle on 09 Feb 2010 at 5:13 am #

    I like the golden oldies. I don’t think they should have messed with Anne of Green Gables.

  365. Tracey D on 09 Feb 2010 at 6:09 am #

    I’m late, too, but I wanted to post a comment.

    IMO, I think a little “twinking” here and there is ok before re-releasing a book. As long as there aren’t any drastic to changes to characters or setting, I don’t see a problem with making some changes.

  366. Becky on 09 Feb 2010 at 7:55 am #

    Hi,
    I just finished A MAtter of Class. What a lovely book!
    Leave the old books alone. Fix the obvious error, ie, miss spellings, a wrong name or date, but leave them just the way we loved them the first time around

  367. Pat B on 09 Feb 2010 at 8:41 am #

    Hi Mary,
    All it took was one book about a year ago and I have been hooked on your books, love them. As someone that has not read your earlier works, I wouldn’t notice any changes, however, if I had read one and wanted to read it again, not sure I would like the changes. Whatever you decide will be fine with me, as long as you keep giving us your wonderful books.
    Thank you.

  368. Nancy Lee Badger on 09 Feb 2010 at 9:31 am #

    Once written, it should stand on its merits especially if a publsihing house feels it is worth a reprint. My pet peeve? When they reprint a book WITH A NEW COVER! I may not remeber an author’s title, but I remember covers. I HATE to spend good money on a book I already own. Or, I check it out of a library and bring it on a trip only to realize I had already read it.

  369. carol on 09 Feb 2010 at 9:31 am #

    Hi!

    I’m definitely in the leave them as they are camp.

  370. Sue B. on 09 Feb 2010 at 9:38 am #

    Our library has a romance display and your books are going fast!

  371. Gin on 09 Feb 2010 at 10:29 am #

    Hi Mary,
    I think the only changes should be spelling errors. Anything else changes the story.

  372. sandrajod on 09 Feb 2010 at 10:30 am #

    As the great author you are, I trust your judgement. Just wanted to say that I love your books and look for them everytime I am out.

  373. Roxhill on 09 Feb 2010 at 10:30 am #

    I “discovered” Mary in Christmas anthologies, and was blown away. I told everyone that would listen, ” I’m so in love with this author” Now I have everything you’ve ever written. The only thing that should be changed in older books would be grave editorial errors. As Suzanne Enoch mentioned, one of her characters was called by the wrong name. Otherwise let the story stand. Having said that, Nicole was right to re-write her story that was changed by the editor. I nearly gave up on her books because of the cheating spouse. It didn’t seem right and now I’m glad to know it wasn’t right.:) But I perservered and love all of her stories. Ya’ll keep up the good work.

  374. Heidi Shafer on 09 Feb 2010 at 10:43 am #

    Please don’t change anything in your older stories. sometimes it good to look back and see how different you write now from when you started. Its a great reminder of who you were then.
    All your stories are great. Your at the top of my romance writers list.
    thanks

  375. susan leech on 09 Feb 2010 at 10:53 am #

    Welcome Mary. I loved the article you shared and I am a firm believer..do not fix..what isn’t broken and since your older books were great one time..redoing them in the same words will make them great once more to a different set of readers. I am glad they are being reprinted as I know there’s a lot I didn’t know about in the past years. Great idea and don’t change them. susan L.

  376. kristin on 09 Feb 2010 at 11:19 am #

    I say leave it the way it is, you can always add more to the series!

  377. PhyllisC on 09 Feb 2010 at 12:17 pm #

    I love your stories – you are on my auto-buy list. I think I prefer for stories to be left alone and if they are republished to do so as they originally were printed. You can always write a sequel to bring us up tp date if you have new things to say about the characters. :D

  378. claudia on 09 Feb 2010 at 12:58 pm #

    I also agree – old books should not be messed with!
    My fav is the “Slightly” series. I love love the last one, Slightly Dangerous. :) what about writing a sequel to bring us up to date if there is something new to add ? Keep up the awesome Stories ! :)

  379. Joanne on 09 Feb 2010 at 1:24 pm #

    Hi Mary, I have all of your books and still buying more of them!!

  380. Misty Wright on 09 Feb 2010 at 1:28 pm #

    We all change as writers and while you would want to change those things, its best left alone. Readers love them the way they are. I’m sure many writers have thought the same things. :)

  381. Meredith Peters on 09 Feb 2010 at 1:42 pm #

    There’s nothing I like better than a trilogy and I haven’t even read this one yet! Something to live for in February!

  382. Laura Bissmeyer on 09 Feb 2010 at 1:46 pm #

    When I read a book that has been reissued I would prefer to read it in its original writing. I also like the fact that there are some issues that could be cleared up, it makes you remember that a real person is the author, we all make mistakes. LOl

  383. Cathie F. on 09 Feb 2010 at 1:51 pm #

    I really had not read you but recently got 3 of your books lately. I unfortunately did not get to read one, but am now in the middle of “And First Comes Marriage” and I am doing my mail late because I don’t want to put it down and am anxious to read the other book I have. “At Last Comes Love”. I am also kicking myself for not reading the other before sending it along *sighs* Well I will be on the lookout for it and other books written by you.

  384. Julie on 09 Feb 2010 at 2:34 pm #

    Mary, I vote for reissuing them as originally published. Spend your time on new love interests and fantastic stories.

  385. Shelley D. (spgirls) on 09 Feb 2010 at 6:38 pm #

    I have to agree with Julie! I want a reissue to be as it was when first released. Concentrating on the new stories is best.

    So, that’s a no to changing previous novels.

  386. Heather S on 09 Feb 2010 at 7:11 pm #

    In my opinion, you should leave them alone. As a musician, it sometimes pains me to listen to my earliest songs because I’ve grown so much as an artist… and the temptation to “fix” things is always there.

    HOWEVER, if artists like Rembrandt, Renoir, Mattise had repainted earlier works we would be left unknowing how much each developed as an artist – possibly making their later works less important.

    You have an enviable career with many fine books published. Celebrate where you are today… and appreciate these earlier works for what they are!

  387. MarthaE on 09 Feb 2010 at 7:44 pm #

    Hmm – I collect Mary B books. If I liked it the first time I read it I don’t think I would have problems reading it years later even if it was tweaked a bit. On the other hand, as I collect and read from oldest to newest (except for the Slightly and newer series) it is interesting to note the author’s growth! So really I like the idea of leaving well enough alone and allowing the readers to enjoy the difference in voice.
    THANKS for many hours of wonderful reading!

  388. mslooneytune on 09 Feb 2010 at 8:43 pm #

    Don’t change a thing. Sure, you’ve grown and changed, as a person and as an author. But your books reflect who you were at that point and time.

  389. Jennifer Louden on 09 Feb 2010 at 9:33 pm #

    There are very few books that I like better after a change down the line. I most often feel like I can pick out the “new” parts. I don’t like that.

  390. B.EVans on 09 Feb 2010 at 9:45 pm #

    Mary,

    There is nothing wrong with adding or deletign scenes from a previously released novel. For those who have previously read the novel, then it is an opportunity to become reaquainted with the characters. For new readers, somethings a more modern edit might attract them to the an author’s more recent works. Of course, this is always up to the author and sometimes it is a good decision to do so.
    I recently, purchased Irresistible and loved it. This was my first time reading it and I was very satisfied with my purchase. I for one, am glad that you and others decide to share some of your earlier works with us.

    Thanx

  391. donna on 09 Feb 2010 at 10:18 pm #

    Mary, I have just started reading your book this past Christmas and really enjoyed the book and plan to read more soon….The problem i have about re issues is that it should say reissue on the front cover when they change the cover sometimes I end up buying the book (ok I should look at inside of book at the copy date but sometimes I miss) and then ahve to either keep it or argue with the book store…

    Donna

  392. Miranda Wood on 09 Feb 2010 at 10:53 pm #

    This looks really intersting – I’m looking foward for a chance to read your work

  393. Paula on 09 Feb 2010 at 11:25 pm #

    I think you were right not to change anything in the books. It is interesting to watch the evolution of an author in reading her books. I would be disappointed if, in reading an earlier book again, things were changed. Kudos for saying the same.

    BTW- I love all your books. Whenever I find one I look forward to reading it because I know it will be good.

  394. Rochelle Papurt on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:01 am #

    Mary, During the past two years I have been ill and during my stays in the hospitals and rehabilitation I read the Slightly series of books. I found them very exciting and moving, along with the other earlier series’ that you wrote and Simply (all four books in the order you wrote them) and this last series. I have not as yet read the brother’s story and look forward to reading it as well as the last of the series about their cousin. At times I cried because they were so moving. I also read IRRESISTABLE. Usually, I can start a book and read it within two days. Irresistable, was the most moving of all of your books which I have read to date. You make your characters come to life, so much so that I had a problem reading it and therefore it took me close to two weeks. I could not understand why it upset me so much but I had to push myself to read it and was finally rewarded at the end, you touched on things which are difficult subjects and I found myself discussing this book with my sister-in-law who has taken care and mommied me through all that I have endured. Bottom line, it would be difficult for me to read the reissues just like remaking a film that was perfect as it was

  395. Brenda B. Hill on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:12 am #

    Hi Mary, From the reviews and interviews I have read I believe I would really enjoy reading your books. You are anew author for me and I look forward to reading one of your books in the near future.

  396. Lily Woo on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:35 am #

    No! No! No! Changing the books would make the “old” books lose their favor. It’s great the older are being reprinted because I think I have all your books but not 100% sure. I searched everywhere – used bookstores, online (before online shopping was popular) and paid full price for them too. The only complaint I have for “reprints” is that we the readers don’t always know the book with its new beautiful cover is a reprint. Many a time, I have picked up books, just by the author’s name (auto-buys) without checking the copyright date, to find out I already have a copy after I read the first chapter or two. Lots of the time, when the publishers are changed, the copyright dates are not 100% accurate either. It’s really helpful if an author’s newsletter or website let the readers know whenever there’s a reprint.

  397. blodeuedd on 10 Feb 2010 at 1:00 am #

    I once read an authors much earlier works, and they were so not up to her current standard. In that case people finding the early ones would perhaps not move on to the great ones.
    But then again if I do have an author I love I want to read her earlier works

  398. Niki on 10 Feb 2010 at 2:23 am #

    Hi Mary,

    I have read afew of your books – the ones I can get my hands on…. so I am looking forward to reading your older books. THANK YOU for NOT changing anything. I really dislike it when authors change their books, even if it is only adding a chapter or two. When you originally wrote the book, you were on a roll, you knew where and what your characters were going and doing. The reader follows that. I have loved all the books of yours that I have read and can’t imagine not enjoying the rest. Thank you.

  399. Cridds on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:51 am #

    Hi Mary,
    I believe you are correct in leaving your books in the original format. No sense messing up a good thing! Your books are wonderful just the way they are, and I for one fell in love with them that way. I read reviews all the time from people who pick apart the details…and I have to ask why? If you want a techincal book, read a textbook for cryin’ out loud! Romance is just that, romance. When I read I love the story of the characters and many times the secondary characters more than the factual aspect. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve learned much over the years as a romance reader that I would never have come across in the normal day to day activities of my life, but I choose to read romance for the pleasure it brings me. I know that when I take a test, and I try to go back and change things, I was often right the first time…

  400. Vanessa on 10 Feb 2010 at 5:13 am #

    I think it is a valuable topic to bring up author to readers. The truth is that both sides of the argument have validity in the context of individual issues, books, and authors. Lord Eden is Lord Eden because that is how he was created by you. There are many reasons that a second son could have come into a title. Life happens. Just because you did not explore that topic in that book doesn’t mean he is not who he is… because he is. I can understand an author re-releasing a book from the 80’s and trying to make it fit a more modern socioeconomic niche by adding in cell phones… as one of my fav authors has done… because it was just yesterday for most of us… and yet so many people cannot even remember a time before that technology. However…. can you imagine updating Dracula, Taming of the Shrew, Emma, or Fahrenheit 451? Granted their have been modern versions of classic tales… but the classics still exist. I think it is okay to update, if it is the author doing so, and informing the reader of the hows and whys, because that is author prerogative.

  401. Mary Balogh on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:14 am #

    I have finally caught up with all the messages posted since I left for New York. Marvelous! Thank you so much, everyone. Laura, you asked which of my books you should read first. I would suggest A SUMMER TO REMEMBER, which is one of my best AND leads into the SLIGHTLY and SIMPLY series. For all the rest of you who have told me you have not read me yet but now hope to, well I hope so too!

  402. mountie9 on 10 Feb 2010 at 9:17 am #

    I love your books and I would have to say, I believe you should keep them the way they were written. They should be kept in the spirit they were written at the time. We all change and get better over times, but if you add something as the author you are now to the author you were back then, it would just seem disjointed. Although, I have liked your earlier works just as much as the newer works. You know how to tell a story!

  403. summercecily on 10 Feb 2010 at 11:42 am #

    I had the profound pleasure of discovering a stash of your early regencies in mint condition at the local salvation army. In the mid 90’s I was overseas and missed most of your signet regencies. They are marvellous, particularly the Notorious Rake, Lord Carew’s Bride and The Temporary Bride. It is clear to me that, apart from the rare typo, they need no changes. I look forward to filling in the gaps with the re-releases. Perhaps you could encourage your publisher to allow Kindle copies to be available,too. I have been doing a great deal of reading lately on my phone: waiting for bank tellers, oil change jockeys, carpool parking etc. etc.

  404. Biki on 10 Feb 2010 at 12:27 pm #

    I’ve always preferred authors who republish keep the book as it was (minus grammical or printing error that people randomly missed). It feels like such a betrayal to the book. And by leaving it alone, you can really see the author’s evolution of writing style and story as the years go by.

  405. Claudia-Brasil on 10 Feb 2010 at 4:56 pm #

    Hi Mary

    I just LOVED Lord Carew’s Bride and I also think that the republised books should be the same of the first edition. I really think it´s not fair for the people who have already readed the book, to discover another one, with differences from the original. It´s like cheeating on the story. By the way, your books are WONDERFUL. Mo meaning in change anything…

  406. LynnB on 10 Feb 2010 at 6:10 pm #

    Mary
    I love your books so much that they are all keepers. I have been reading your books for years but there are still those that were written before I discovered you. I would prefer reading revised additions because I think they would be better as a result of your additional experience. I will however read them revised or not. I think as an author though that you would want to move forward with new books. I can imagine the longer time you spent revising things the more things you would want to revise. Before you know it, it would be a different book.

  407. Karla on 10 Feb 2010 at 7:57 pm #

    For me, it depends on the book. If they are characters that I don’t really care about, then expanding it is pointless. I won’t read the expanded version. But, if the characters have made a deep impact on me, then I will read the expanded version. For example, beck in the ’80s Elizabeth Lowell had a book come out in one of the Silhouette formats called “Summer Games”. In 1999 the book published in an expanded version under the title Remember Summer. I have both versions and really love the expanded version over the shorter Silhouette version. But such instances are rare.

    If a book leaves me wanting more of the characters, more of their story, chances are if it comes out in a republished expanded version then I will buy it and read it. Other than that, forget it. Not worth the trees being killed to make the paper it’s published on.

  408. elainec on 10 Feb 2010 at 8:56 pm #

    Hi Mary,
    Wow! What a response!
    I love your books. They are keepers for me. Some of the early ones I’d like to read as you wrote them. You have improved, but who would know unless they read your earlier books.
    My favorites include “More Than a Mistress”, The Simply Quartet, the Slightly series, and the Huxtable series.
    Your books are such a pleasure to read. Oh, I forgot “A Matter of Class”. Very enjoyable. :-)
    Thanks for all of them.

  409. Lisa G on 10 Feb 2010 at 10:25 pm #

    I love all of your books! You are one of the greatest writers to this day!

  410. Theresa Shafer on 11 Feb 2010 at 5:36 am #

    A new introduction in the front explaining the error in using a tittle would surface. Deleting, changing a writing style is wrong. Yet, I do enjoy when the author adds back in what the editor had them cut to get it into a smaller print size. I like to read the whole story as the author had submitted with loving hope to the publisher.

    Expand, give us more of the story we love.

  411. Zelda Wendy Groenewald on 11 Feb 2010 at 6:08 am #

    Hi, Just wanted to say that we love the books the way they are and that I agree with Theresa Shafe when she says that adding an introduction would suffice. However it might be nice to visit old characters by making short stories telling us about their life after the story ended or let us meet them again in new books. Really love your work. Please keep it up.

  412. Tracey on 11 Feb 2010 at 11:43 am #

    Hummmm. Good question. While my biggest pet peeve with “republished” books is that they change the covers. And I do get attached to the covers. My 2nd peeve is that with the new & unfamiliar cover I get confused about whether or not I have already read a book. Now, if I am looking to replace a beloved book that is worn to the spine and can no longer be read (and that has happened to me), I don’t mind it so much. But it is a little unnerving sometimes to see your one of your favorite books with a completely different themed cover on it. I love the sexy guys on the covers now adays, but don’t always like them on the reprints…. I know not really an answer is it? I can only recommend to my fellow readers out there, check the publishing info before you buy that way you will see that it is a reprint & if you are not in the market for that yet, then you know. It took awhile for that to sink in.

  413. Debbie S. on 11 Feb 2010 at 12:06 pm #

    Mary, I have to say I would not want you to change anything in the earlier books. I would be like trying to go back and rewrite you own life from the person you were to the person you are today.

    Hopefully when you look back on yourself when you first wrote those books you smile at the young woman you were and realize the wonderul woman you have become.

    So let the young you live on in your first books, look back and smile. They were great then, they are great now.

    Just keep writing!

  414. Angel on 11 Feb 2010 at 6:32 pm #

    Mary, I have to agree with the majority I wouldn’t change a thing about your books. I went to your web site to see all your books and i can’t believe how many i have enjoyed over the years.

    I love to read so i average about 2 to 4 books in a week, my hubby says we could build a house with all my books…lol.

    I am looking forward to Dark Angel/Lord Carew’s Bride coming out at the end of the month.

    Please keep them coming.

  415. Rhonda Schumacher on 12 Feb 2010 at 10:46 pm #

    I can see where this would have been a very difficult decision for you. Some of my favorite books are the older books. Then on the other hand some of my favorite books are the books that are produced as the author hones her craft. I think once the book has been “birthed” you don’t want to tinker with it too much. It’s really like a song. If you start changing the notes around, you can really wind up with a whole different tune. If I fall in love with a particular version of a song, I usually dislike having someone else perform it. So I say stay true to your characters. They all brought you to where you are today.

  416. Cathi O on 13 Feb 2010 at 9:22 am #

    If it was good enough to publish once, why mess with that? Unless you are expanding a novella to a full length novel, maybe…

  417. Diane Farr on 13 Feb 2010 at 3:21 pm #

    I think you are right not the change the books, if they are being republished with the same title. But I’m sure you feel as I do, that books are rarely “finished” — there’s just a point where you either reach a deadline and must send it in, or you realized that the changes you are making no longer improve the book; they just make it different! So you call it “finished” and send it out.

    We always fall short of perfection, and the end product is never exactly what we pictured starting out. So there’s always a temptation to revisit and think, “Oh, if only I could change X or Y or Z …”

  418. Diane Farr on 13 Feb 2010 at 3:22 pm #

    I think you are right not to change the books, if they are being republished with the same title. But I’m sure you feel as I do, that books are rarely “finished” — there’s just a point where you either reach a deadline and must send it in, or you realized that the changes you are making no longer improve the book; they just make it different! So you call it “finished” and send it out.

    We always fall short of perfection, and the end product is never exactly what we pictured starting out. So there’s always a temptation to revisit and think, “Oh, if only I could change X or Y or Z …”

  419. Stella on 14 Feb 2010 at 12:20 am #

    Leave it as is! You should never second guess yourself, usually it is just better the way you had it at the first time. Not only that it is a history of your progression as a writer, you would be destroying that documentation. I like your instincts!

  420. Jeanne Simon on 14 Feb 2010 at 7:28 pm #

    I have all of your old books and I reread them all the time. I think you should not change any of them.

  421. Wanda Prince on 14 Feb 2010 at 8:14 pm #

    Mary I love all of your books. I would argue that no changes be made regardless because as you so eloquently stated that one change (Lord to Mr.) will affect the entire store line. The book as published is a work of art (with or without the errors). So, my vote is to the book as is!

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