Girls Gone By Publishers


The most frustrating thing about Monica Edwards books for years has been their lack of availability. Speaking not as a collector but as a reader !
And there's the rub. There may be people who collect the books for investment or purely collecting pleasure; a form of tame bloodsport. But I am sure that nearly all the seekers of those elusive books written by Monica Edwards do so in order, simply, to read them.

This is where Clarissa Cridland and Ann Mackie-Hunter come in.
A few years ago they started publishing paperback editions of some of the books which were very difficult to find in any edition, by authors such as Elinor Brent-Dyer. Works which, if found at all, would proved inordinately expensive to buy. And they issued them in their full, original, text for less than ten pounds. (Now £13 inc postage within UK since 1st April 2012*)

They named their concern Girls Gone By as at that time it seemed that most of the books would be School Stories aimed at girls.
The books, as many of you will know, are excellently produced: good paper, clear, original text, well bound with the original illustrations and in beautiful covers of the rare dustwrappers. Some have introductory notes about the books, but the main point is that for £13 you can buy and read the original story.

The books are available, until the print run runs out, direct from the publishers or from various dealers by post or at bookfairs, or shops. Their list has increased steadily and now includes many important children's authors whose books are ignored by main-stream publishers or have been altered so much that the original text is a new experience for the reader.

In May 2005 they brought out their first Monica Edwards book Storm Ahead. It was followed by No Entry in November. Both contain extra material relevant to the story and of interest to the reader of Monica's books.

Each one has an introduction to the author and her works and a publishing history of the title with the other editions illustrated. Some have other articles, but the most attractive, and original, 'addition' is the Preface to each book, written by Monica Edwards' daughter, Shelley, individually for each book and illustrated with family photographs.

Since then there have been two of the children's novels published each year:

In Summary - their list (so far):
Storm Ahead 2005
No Entry 2005
Hidden in a Dream 2006
The Nightbird 2006
Operation Seabird* 2007
Strangers to the Marsh* 2007
No Going Back 2008
The Hoodwinkers 2008
Dolphin Summer* 2009
A Wind is Blowing 2009
The Wild One* 2010
Fire in the Punchbowl* 2010
Black Hunting Whip* 2011
Punchbowl Midnight* 2011

They have also published both of Brian Parks' guide-books to the two series.
The first, The Romney Marsh Companion, much rewritten and expanded since first self-published, became available in mid-summer 2006 .
The second volume - similarly expanded and revised, The Punchbowl Companion* was published in April 2012.

Brian Parks' Biography* of Monica Edwards was published in February 2010.
Details can be found on each book's page.
If ordering remember that these non-fiction titles are £16 inc postage within the UK * - as they are Band 'B' productions.

For more information on these books, and to order them when published, see their site at www.ggbp.co.uk or email them or write to:

Girls Gone By
4, Rock Terrace,
COLEFORD,
Radstock,
Somerset,
UK
BA3 5NF

* for ordering details and costs, which vary with payment method and destination - see the Girls Gone By site.

* Titles thus indicated are still in print and can be obtained from the publishers at the time of updating - see date at bottom of page.


This page is part of the Monica Edwards Website. To enter this site by the front door, click here.
Illustrations copyright the respective Publishers
Text copyright John Allsup
created February 2005
Last updated 19th April 2012