What's in a Name?

One of the characters in the earlier version of The Housemaid's Daughter was named Siobahn. She is the daughter of Cathleen, the matriarch of Cradock House. Despite Cathleen's efforts, Siobahn turns into a particularly selfish young girl - and therefore a rather satisfying character to write. Worthy characters may be wonderful and inspiring, but there's nothing like a dose of nastiness to spice up matters!

Siobahn didn't have an easy time in the book: her family would abbreviate her name, resulting in the rather in-elegant 'Siob', or Miss Siob to Ada. To add insult to injury, she then had to cope with readers being unsure how to pronounce either her full name or the abbreviation.

Clearly, something had to give.
So... when the book was being readied for its new publication as The Housemaid's Daughter, I decided that Siobahn needed - not a makeover, or a change of her hard heart - but a change of name.
Farewell, Siob! Welcome Rosemary! (or Miss Rose where required)

I rather like the idea of someone mean being graced with a beautiful name. Will it have any beneficial effect? Will it encourage her to be a kinder, gentler soul? I guess you'll just have to read the book when it comes out in August...

A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet? (Apologies to Shakespeare)

The Housemaid's Daughter goes to Germany

To my delight, The Housemaid's Daughter is set to journey beyond the English-reading world!

Yes, the book is going to be translated into several languages. So far the foreign translation rights have been sold to publishers in Italy, Holland, Germany, France, Spain and... China! Each version will have its own cover and title to best represent the story in a particular country. I confess that I am most intrigued with the possibility of a Chinese translation, and what the title will look like in Chinese script.

I recently met with my German publisher when she was in London for the Book Fair. We met for a chat about the book's prospects in Germany, and the choice of the translater who would be turning my English prose into German. There has always been a connection between Germany and South Africa, dating from the time of the German missionaries and settlers who left their homeland to start a new life in Africa. Their influence lives on in the German traditions that are still followed by their descendants, and also in the names of towns like Stutterheim...
I hope this connection will work in the other direction as well, and that Housemaid will find favour among German readers when it makes its debut in bookshops there. The German book is planned to launch in the autumn of 2013. If you have family or friends in Germany, keep them posted!

I can't wait to see it! Gesundheit!