The Enid Blyton Dossier

[Ming]

That is sad news indeed. Were you in touch with him after the publication, Tony?

[Eddie Muir]

The Enid Blyton Dossier was published eleven years ago. My co-author on the book was Brian Stewart, and it was with great sadness that I heard about his recent death. For those that would like to know more about Brian I am putting a link to his obituary in today's Guardian.

I'm very sorry to hear this sad news, Tony. My condolences to his wife and sons.

[Julie2owlsdene]

Thanks for the link, Tony. It is so sad that Brian was only in his fifties. I noticed reading the link that he also wrote the Dossier on Rupert Bear. I may try and find this book if I can.

I only wish I'd known that he had the art gallery over in Falmouth, I could have gone and paid the gallery a visit. But being around 28/30 miles from me, Falmouth is not a place I visit very often.

I send my condolences to his wife and family.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Very sad. It sounds as though Brian was a fun and friendly person. Condolences to his family and friends.

[Tony Summerfield]

That is sad news indeed. Were you in touch with him after the publication, Tony?

Yes, I had stayed in touch with him, Ming. I actually had a Christmas Card from him which arrived after he had died. I became aware that he had died when Robert Tyndall phoned me and told me. I only discovered about the obituary when Sophie and Imogen phoned me this morning and told me. A terrible blow for the family at any time, but especially just before Christmas and my thoughts are with Carole, his wife and their two young children.

[Enikyoga]

The Enid Blyton Dossier was published eleven years ago. My co-author on the book was Brian Stewart, and it was with great sadness that I heard about his recent death. For those that would like to know more about Brian I am putting a link to his obituary in today's Guardian.

This very sad news about the sad and untimely demise of Brian Stewart. Eleven years ago when my interest in Enid Blyton becccame rekindled, The Blyton Dossier was one of the books I unsuccessfully tried to get hold of this end of the world (USA), but with little success. I was even shocked to learn that Brian was only in his 50s at the time of his demise. Please accept my condolences to his family and may his writing spirit live on forever.
Stephen I.

[pete9012S]

I wonder how many of us here own or have read a copy of the Enid Blyton Dossier?
I've just bought a copy from ebay for £4.34 no less!
I'm looking forward to reading it on my half term holiday in February if I can stop myself from peeking till then..

[Fiona1986]

I wonder how many of us here own or have read a copy of the Enid Blyton Dossier?
I've just bought a copy from ebay for £4.34 no less!
I'm looking forward to reading it on my half term holiday in February if I can stop myself from peeking till then..

I got my copy from eBay as well, I think I paid about the same for it.

[Tony Summerfield]

I have a copy of it, but I didn't buy it on ebay!

[Kate Mary]

I bought mine years ago from a remainder and discount book shop for £2.99. I was well chuffed!

Kate

[poddys]

That's so sad, and way too young.

[Tony Summerfield]

I bought mine years ago from a remainder and discount book shop for £2.99. I was well chuffed!

Kate

Unfortunately the book got remaindered before it had even been published. The printers in Spain refused to release the book until they were paid. As it was they were the only ones that did get paid, nobody else received a penny. Life may be hard for self-published authors, but it isn't always a bed of roses for a legitimately published author. Interactive Vision who poured a lot of time and money into the setting of the book actually went out of business. Up to that point they had really only produced cards and they were trying to use this book to show potential customers how good a job they could do.

When I first started proofreading it, which is never easy when you are proofing your own work, some pages had almost 100 errors on them, mostly in the captions to the illustrations. It was more difficult as I was the only proofreader as nobody else would have realised if something like a date was wrong. I think after about five proofings I did pick up almost every error, nobody has ever brought anything to my attention! To my lasting regret I did make one major blunder and as is always the way I noticed it as soon as I got my copy of the finished book. I had left out one of the Famous Five short stories and had only listed seven instead of eight, but unlike a website there is absolutely nothing that you can do about it!

[Aussie Sue]

I have two copies of The Enid Blyton Dossier. (neither from ebay) One is so I can have a perfect copy and the other one I read over and over often. It is one of my favourite books.

Thanks for your work on this one Tony.

[Tony Summerfield]

Thanks Sue. Despite al its problems I am just pleased that the book was published. In another thread Stephen Isabirye says he has an electronic version of the book - news to me as I don't think such a thing exists. Amazon also list a paperback version, more rubbish! The cover illustration is also wrong as that was sent by the publisher and without his knowledge Brian and I changed it at the last minute to a Beek Noddy illustration.

For those that like to get 1st editions - there weren't any others at all!!

[poddys]

Do you think the time is right for an Enid Blyton resurgence in popularity?

I wondered if it might be worth re-working the book, assuming you still have the original data for it, since it's probably a lot easier to publish books these days, especially if it was to be an eBook (pdf format) or for the Kindle.

Just a thought... and it would be easier to update too.

Having said that, there is nothing quite like a hardback version, and even the documents for that ought to be easier to update if there were to be multiple editions as time went on.