As of November, 2021, more than 50 million books written by Diana Gabaldon have been published in 114 countries and in 38 different languages.
At right, the cover from a version of OUTLANDER published in Spain, FORASTERA, translated as "Outsider" in the Spanish language.
Each time a new book by Diana is published, readers in different countries around the world want to know when it will be available in their area, and in their language. The answer is usually, “It depends…” Why?
Since she is an American author, Diana’s new books are published in the U.S.A. first in the English language in print (hardcover), and usually in ebook and audio formats also. The new books are often released on the same date, or shortly afterward, in printed international editions in some countries with large English-speaking populations.
At left is an Israeli edition of OUTLANDER.
Other editions in different countries, especially in areas where her book has to be translated into other languages, takes time. Each country or publishing area (made up of groups of countries) will have a local publisher design that edition, typically creating new cover art, and using materials and typesetting which they feel will appeal to their area and culture. So if BEES is published in 38 languages and 114 countries, that is a rich array of custom editions around the world. And there are numerous legal and copyright matters that must be resolved with each and every international edition!
So international publishing of a book is complex, and involves many publishers, translators, and distributors around the world, as well as legal and copyright issues. Diana’s U.S. and international agents manage the sales of the legal rights to publish and distribute her books around the world.
English-Language Editions
As stated above, new major novels written by Diana, including the OUTLANDER and Lord John series, are released in the United States first, by her publisher, Penguin Random House.
At right is the cover for the U.K. edition of GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE, to be released on November 23, 2021.
Canada usually publishes an edition of a new book from Diana on the same day that the U.S. version is released, or nearly the same day.
The U.K. (often including Australia and New Zealand) usually publish the new novel on or very near the U.S. release date, too.
Non-English Editions
German publishers will often release a new book by Diana in the German language on or near the same date as in the U.S. When MOBY (Book 8) was published, Diana explained, “Germany gets much faster translation because I have a close personal relationship with the German translator, Barbara Schnell, and she works with me while I write.”
At right, the cover for Feuer Und Stein ("Fire and Stone"), a German-language version of OUTLANDER.
Almost all other non-English publishers will publish a new book from Diana up to a year or so after the U.S.A. edition is released. Why? Time has to be allowed for translation of the book into another language, and as Diana pointed out, “a Big Book takes a long time to translate!” Her major novels are almost 800 printed pages in most formats.
Sometimes the same edition may be sold to several countries that share a common spoken language. If a publisher were to buy the world rights to publish Diana’s books in Spanish, for example, that Spanish-language edition might be sold in multiple countries on different continents where many readers speak that language.
So, It Depends… on a lot of factors! Diana, her agents, publishers, and distributors work hard around the world to bring her new books to you.
Are International Publication Dates Listed?
Unfortunately, at this time, there is no master list of when Diana’s newest title will be released in a specific country and/or language other than English.
At left is the cover for the German-language edition for GO TELL THE BEES THAT I AM GONE, released in Germany on November 23, 2021.
Your best resource is your local independent bookstore, who will receive promotional information and materials from the publishers in your country or publishing area, once news such as a publication date is released! Also you could check with on-line booksellers in your country.
No matter where you live on the planet, if you’d like a new copy of one of Diana’s books in the English language, check out Diana’s landing page at the Poisoned Pen, her hometown bookstore. You pay the list price of the book plus mailing costs, and the Pen will ship anywhere in the world. Copies signed by Diana are also available, including preorders for BEES.
Links
- Diana discussed international publishing dates in her blog from November 15, 2013.
- News about German-language versions of Diana’s books may be found on her German-language site, maintained by Barbara Schnell.
- View a cover art gallery of Diana’s books in many editions and languages from around the world! Carmen, a German fan, has lovingly assembled and maintained a huge, beautiful collection of Outlander cover art for over twenty years! It’s fascinating to browse, and very easy to get lost in for hours. A great job and many thanks, Carmen!
This page was last updated by Diana or Diana’s Webmistress, on Tuesday, Anovember 23, 2021 at 2:03 p.m. (CST)