books

litjoy special editions

LitJoy has put together this spectacular special edition set of my books and I’m thrilled that it’s finally been revealed.

This set features both The Night Circus and The Starless Sea in a custom, tarot-inspired slipcase. This set is signed and also annotated by me in my questionable handwriting, with dozens of notes and references and memories scribbled in the margins. The covers are foiled (The Night Circus in silver and The Starless Sea in gold) and include metal charm inlays. The page edges are illustrated to coordinate with the slipcase. They are truly something special.

So many incredible artists are involved in conjuring these editions and I am honored and delighted to have their work enhance these stories.

Book cover designs by Lichen & Limestone

Slipcase and page edges by Fyodor Pavlov 

Tip-in illustrations by Maria Arteta and Patsy Lascano

Illustrated endpapers by Simona Jančíková and Patsy Lascano

My endless appreciation to all of them and the wonderful team at LitJoy. It has been such a pleasure to watch these editions evolve. I was lucky enough to get to see a great deal of the behind-the-scenes for these, glimpses of processes and planning and sketches, and it has been a bright light in a dark time to see such creative people bring these editions to life.

Much more information about these editions on LitJoy’s website! These sets are limited and preorders will open at the beginning of February. 
By erin, ago

the folio society edition of the night circus

I am over the moon that this stunning edition of The Night Circus is now available from The Folio Society. I have been a fan and a collector of their beautiful books for years so it is an honor and a delight to have the circus included in such company. 

This edition is illustrated by the incredible Cristina Bencina and has a new introduction by me (mostly about blank notebooks and time) and so many beautiful, thoughtful details, from the endpapers to the red ribbon bookmark.

Everything about the book design is gorgeous and Cristina’s illustrations are luminous and unique, I adore the way she combines lines and color. 

I am endlessly thankful to have this story encased in such a work of art. 

(Vesper remains skeptical as always.)
By erin, ago

finished copies of books illustrated’s the starless sea

My copies of the Books Illustrated editions of The Starless Sea have arrived and they are stunning. The presentation of each volume is gorgeous and thoughtful with so many details. I keep petting the black leather honeycomb cover because it just feels so lovely and soft. These, along with the Books Illustrated editions of The Night Circus, are the most beautiful books that I own and it is an honor to have my stories contained in such packaging.

There are four different editions and as far as I know they are all still available here. (I believe there might be a few copies of their deluxe edition of The Night Circus as well.)

The illustrations by Anne Yvonne Gilbert are so beautifully detailed and layered, I am always so impressed by her ability to combine so many elements and moments into single illustrations and it is a joy to have her interpretations of so many moments from this book. (I am particularly delighted by her version of a certain Persian cat.) Limited edition prints of her illustrations from both The Starless Sea and The Night Circus are available here and here. 

I could go on and on about all the perfect details, from the repeating honeycomb motifs to the glorious hand-marbled endpapers in the prestige edition. I am endlessly grateful to Hilary and Mike from Books Illustrated and all of the artisans they work with to put these editions together, they are truly works of art. And, of course, Vesper likes them, too. 
By erin, ago

beautiful things for spring

Vintage UK has a beautiful new edition of The Night Circus as part of their Vintage Quarterbound Classics collection. It will be available starting today wherever books are sold in the UK. There are links here for retailers. (Some bookstores should have signed bookplates.) It is both immensely flattering and a bit surreal to have this book included in such company.








I had the honor of writing the introduction for the Folio Society centennial edition of Lord Dunsany’s The King of Elfland’s Daughter. My copies have just arrived and they are so incredibly stunning. This centennial edition is illustrated by Julie Dillon and also has a foreward by Neil Gaiman and the whole presentation is just gorgeous, from the slipcover to the endpapers. It is such a delight to see this story wrapped in such an incredible package. I now have five different editions of this book spanning a century and they are all enchanting in their own ways. (If you’ve never read The King of Elfland’s Daughter I highly recommend it, it is wonder-filled and wonderful.)

Spring is disguising itself as winter around here, with hail yesterday and a fresh coating of snow today. It is doing nothing to improve my sense of time but it is very pretty. Spending these unseasonably cold days writing and playing Dragon’s Dogma 2 and waiting for things to bloom.

By erin, ago

books illustrated’s the starless sea

Absolutely over the moon to be collaborating with Books Illustrated and Anne Yvonne Gilbert again as they work their magic on The Starless Sea.

This very limited special edition will be published in 2024 for The Starless Sea’s fifth anniversary. To keep up with the process as it unfolds including all future news regarding ordering information please sign up for the Books Illustrated Starless Sea mailing list here. 

By erin, ago