From: ALevine at Scholastic.com <ALevine>
Date: Wed, 9 Jun 1999 14:44:53 -0400

As the editor of the U.S. edition of the Golden Compass, I can say that I think we (Knopf) were actually quite pleased with how many adults and children loved it. The publication of GOLDEN COMPASS was interesting in that it also had the benefit of several ADULT dvisions of Random House participating from the beginning. While Knopf Juvenile published the hardcover, Random House ADULT audio published the recorded book. And it was known fairly early on that Del Rey (the adult, Science-Fiction/Fantasy imprint) would do the paperback. I think those factors (and the $20.00 cover price) are part of what contributed to the impression that it was being marketed to a "crossover" audience. (An accurate impression.)
        It's interesting to note one connection: Janet Schulman, whom Susan Hirshman credited with the idea for the Watership Down campaign, was also publisher at Knopf for those of of Philip Pullman's books published prior to 1996. She was a valuable resource for me, Suzanne Murphy (Marketing Manager), Simon Boughton (Publishing Director), and others who contributed to the conception of the GOLDEN COMPASS campaign. I'm sure someone at Knopf BFYR will want to say more about this wonderful book.

P.S. For those of you who haven't read HARRY POTTER -- he doesn't actually spend his whole life in "a cupboard." For his first eleven years, his
"bedroom" is the closet built into the stairs (a terrible situation that any New Yorker can relate to!). But he leaves it to go to school, eat meals, etc.
Received on Wed 09 Jun 1999 01:44:53 PM CDT