My mail has just arrived and there are two familiar packages. Harlequin sends its authors several copies of each edition (”where available”, which means we don’t receive them all) in padded yellow mailers that are quite distinctive, especially in Australia because nothing else arrives in my post box in this packaging. No matter how many of these arrive, I still get a rush each time I open one up and pull out a foreign translation of one of my books. It’s quite likely I’ve blogged about this before because it is such fun but it bears repeating. To my mind this global publication is one of the best parts about writing for Harlequin. So far, 25 different markets and with each royalty statement another seems to pop up. I love to think of my books entertaining readers in all those countries and in all those languages. 
Some countries are better at supplying author copies than others. My favourite covers are these French ones — aren’t they beautiful? Luckily I caught them on Harlequin France’s website because I’ve never received a French translation which is such a pity because as well as the pretty covers I could actually read some of the words. Alas, no French copies on which to test my schoolgirl French. 
I would also love to have one of the Russian translations. I have something of a fascination for Russia. (And Turkey.)
But back to today’s envelopes which I’ve just ripped open. The first is the Italian version of The Bought-and-Paid-For Wife (see left.) Per desiderio o per denaro. Doesn’t that sound so much more romantic than the original? The second is a new, unknown-about 
Australian edition of the same book, reprinted in a different duo to its original Australian publication to go into a supermarket chain. Bonus.
And that is the thing about the yellow envelopes bearing foreign editions — you are never sure what new or fun or unknown-about surprise awaits inside the padded yellow package.
So, tell me, which foreign translation would you love to see when you ripped open the padded yellow envelope? Which foreign country fascinates you the most?
I will be away at a writing retreat when this is posted but when I return I have a copy of the new Australian duo, The Bought-and-Paid-For Wife and Billionaire’s Proposition (by Leanne Banks), and a foreign edition of your choice to give away to one commenter. Prize drawn March 8.
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I hope you have a wonderful time at your writers retreat. I could really use one of those. LOL
The French covers are sweet. It amazes me the different cover art for each country. I would love to see and Italian cover. I have this odd obession with everything Italian.
by Patty L.
on March 4th, 2008 at 7:11 am
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Hi Bronwyn!
I hope you’re enjoying your writer’s retreat! As to the foreign translation I’d most like to have - well I’m torn. I’d love to try to read a book in French or Italian - although I took Latin in HS. I supposed I’d pick Chinese - I need to practice my reading/writing. Of course, I’d want it to be in traditional, not simplified characters. I really like both the French and Italian covers! Yay for getting packages!
by limecello
on March 4th, 2008 at 8:18 am
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They all look very nice!
I’m not yet fluent enough in Italian, but Swedish or German would be my pick.
by Minna
on March 4th, 2008 at 9:05 am
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My favorite would definitely be An Italian edition. They are simply lovely. Enjoy your retreat.
by ruth
on March 4th, 2008 at 9:10 am
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Anything in Italian sounds so pretty but then seeing it in Chinese would be fascinating too.
by Maureen
on March 4th, 2008 at 9:40 am
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Oh geez, I love the UK and Australian ones myself. . . when I get copies of those, for one thing I can still read them (LOL) and seeing the ads and addresses are plenty exotic for me as it is. LOLOLOL But I’d love to see a Russian version, that must be really different. 
Lois
by Lois
on March 4th, 2008 at 9:41 am
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My first book is coming out in June and I’m eager to see any version! But especially the Spanish translation because I can actually read it. Will DANGEROUS TO TOUCH become “Peligroso de tocar” or something totally different? My hero, Marc Cruz, has a few lines in Spanish, and I can’t help but wonder how that will be handled.
P.S. I think your Italian title means “For desire or money”
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Hi Bronwyn!
Have an awesome time at your writers retreat. 
Those c0vers are fabulous.
I’m intrigued by the Australian editions. I study Italian and Spanish in school but can’t remember enough to enjoy a book!
by Susan
on March 4th, 2008 at 11:38 am
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I took French in high school, so I’d be curious to see how much of a French translation I could actually make sense of! And I would love to see a Chinese translation! (Probably couldn’t read too much of it, but it would be a hoot!)
by Fedora
on March 4th, 2008 at 11:47 am
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I can’t read any other language - but Spanish would be a good one to donate to our public library!
by Karen B
on March 4th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
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I’d be delighted to see a Swedish or German translation as that is my heritage. I could have some of the relatives read the book.
by RobynL
on March 4th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
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German or Russian or Swedish, I wonder how much I’d remember from school, it’s been a while…
by Eva S
on March 4th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
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I have a thing for Russia, I remember a russian exchange student at high school and boy was there something about him. I would also like to see a spanish one. Never traveling to another country I think they would all be really neat to see.
by Rebekah
on March 4th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
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Hi Bron,
I think I would love to see the Italian and French editions. I just attribute those languages as more romantic.
by Jane
on March 4th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
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Spanish would be my choice since it is the only other language I know how to read fluently other than English
by Cherie J
on March 4th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
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I can’t read any foreign language. So I would have to go with UK or Austratian. Although the french sounds so romantic.
by Virginia H.
on March 4th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
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I would like to see the Spanish translation since I took that language in hhigh school and would be able to read most of it. Australis is the foreign country that fascinates me the most.
by Linda F
on March 4th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
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Perhaps German isn’t the most romantic translation but I know how to read it 
Spanish would also be cool
by Mona
on March 4th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
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i like french, count me in for the book.
by kim h
on March 4th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
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I would have to say Spanish and Italian. I took Spanish in school and both my daughters took it. All my relatives come from Italy and my mom could possibly read bits and pieces of it. Plus, spanish and italian are very similar. I love seeing how different the foreign covers are.
by catslady
on March 4th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
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That is so cool,all the different editions. I like to see a french edition too, I took four year of high school Frenc and can only remeber a hanful of word. It is a pretty language though.
Hugs,Danette
by danette
on March 5th, 2008 at 3:44 am
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How exciting!! I love to receive mail!!
I’d love to receive a Greek or Danish copy of your book!! I enjoy the beauty of the Greek Islands and the stories that come from there. Also , the attitude of the Danish people. Copenhagen has places where it’s safe enough to leave your child outside in their baby carriage. Amazing!!
I also took French in HS.
Au revoir!
by Laurie G
on March 5th, 2008 at 4:04 am
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I would love to see a French edition. I took French in college.
by Crystal B.
on March 5th, 2008 at 9:04 am
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The Australian edition, I have been to Australia and loved it
by Karrie
on March 5th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
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Oooohhhhh the Australian edition, definitely!
And I have to confess that I have a bias about reading things in their original language when I can (which in my case means basically either English or Spanish)
by azteclady
on March 5th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
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The Australian edition. I took german in college probably before you were born.
by Joyce
on March 7th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
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I am back and energized from a lovely week with a group of writing pals. My apologies for not being on-line to reply to all your posts. I always enjoy chatting here.
Jill, I just wanted to say: not many months to go. Soon you will have your cover and then your author copies and after that, hopefully, your very own Spanish editions. So much excitement for you in the upcoming months.
My #1 task now I’m back is drawing the winner of my gicesway and this month that is… Ruth. Congratulations! Please email me with your address and will get the book pack in the post.
Thanks everyone and see you here next month. Meantime, hope you will visit my website for more opportunities to win (see contest page and upcoming appearances.)
Bron
by Bronwyn Jameson
on March 8th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
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Hmm. My post has disappeared. I am sitting here wondering if I accidentally posted it to the wrong post or the wrong blog, so if anyone notices a stray reply where it should not be, please let me know.
So. I’m back and energized from my week’s retreat with a group of wonderful writing pals. Sorry I could not be here to join the discussion. I do enjoy chatting with you guys each time I post to All-A-Blog.
Jill, I wanted to say that June is not too far away. Soon you will have your cover and then author copies and not too long after, hopefully, a Spanish translation. So much fun!
Now I need to draw the winner of my giveaway and after dipping into the barrel of numbers, I have come up with… Ruth. Congratulations! Please email me with your address and I will get the prize package posted ASAP.
Thanks to everyone who visited and commented. Hope to see you all again next month. Meantime, would love to see you at my blog.
Bron
by Bronwyn Jameson
on March 8th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
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Congratulations, Ruth!
by azteclady
on March 8th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
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Congrats, Ruth! Bron, so glad you had a terrific week! How wonderful when a retreat is everything you hope it’ll be!
by Fedora
on March 8th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
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wtg ruth
by kim h
on March 10th, 2008 at 10:31 am
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does anyone knows if there is any other information about this subject in other languages?
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Yaz, have you tried googling for Harlequin + romance in your language? There are many countries with their own editorial offices and own on-line bookstores with the translated books. I do wish you luck and hope you can find what you’re looking for!
Bronwyn
by Bronwyn Jameson
on March 22nd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
