{pickpocket}

Wow—I’m impressed that your mother bought you ANNIE when you were 11 or 12!   Good for your mother! She must be a really perceptive and understanding woman.

You (and Nicola) might be interested to know that ANNIE was published in Britain by Virago many years ago—sadly with an awful cover that made both Annie and Liza look miserably unhappy.  When I complained, I was told that in folks in Britain think of things differently from the way we do in the States—whatever that was supposed to man. I suspect, though, that the cover’s style may have had something to do with the fact that Parliament had recently passed a law (or some sort of binding directive) that forbade schools from supporting/teaching anything that was favorable about homosexuality; perhaps Virago was trying to get around that ruling. 

But I think Nicola should be able t get ANNIE from Amazon.com, which I think is available in Britain. She might find one or two of my other lesbian-themed books that way, too. And maybe she could try Julie Anne Peters’s books—I think she’s the best of the newer authors of lesbian books for young people.

As to your question about a film—yes, ANNIE’s been optioned several times, but, as happens with most novels that are optioned, so far it’s  never been made into a film.  The last time it was optioned, which was a few years ago now, it came pretty close—but then the production company was bought by another outfit, and they didn’t want to pursue it further.  My agent’s still trying to sell it—at least I hope he still is— and I’m still hoping that one day it’ll happen. Maybe your query will bring me luck as it did to Orson Scott Card (I agree with you about his politics, but he is a good and very popular writer, as of course you know.)

Thanks again so much for your email,  Jessa.  It was a pleasure to read.

Best, 
Nancy