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Vintage Classics is teaming up with the Orange Prize for Fiction (OPF) to mark the prize's 16th birthday, with six previous prize–winners choosing the book they would most like the next generation of readers to treasure.
The Orange Inheritance partnership will see Helen Dunmore, Lionel Shriver, Rose Tremain, Linda Grant, Anne Michael and Ann Patchett, all of whom have previously won the prize, penning an introduction to their books of choice.
The titles themselves will be revealed through a major publicity campaign before their release. The books range from those written in the 1800s to one published in 1980, with titles by both American and British authors. Two titles new to Vintage Classics will also be among the selection.
Editorial director Laura Hassan said of the forewords: "You're completely convinced by them, their infectious passion for those books rubs off on you."
The books will be released on 7th April as paperbacks, priced between £5.99 and £9.99, and e-books, with pricing under discussion, available via the Orange Book Club website, www.orange.co.uk/bookclub" target="_blank">www.orange.co.uk/bookclub.
The site, as well as www.vintage-books.co.uk" target="_blank">www.vintage-books.co.uk, will showcase additional promotional content, with Vintage Classics planning to work with reading groups, libraries and the next generation of readers.
Hassan said: "Everyone remembers the first time they read Jane Eyre, or Tess of the D'Urbervilles, or their own watershed fiction moment. The partnership is a really happy way of bringing that enthusiasm to our readers."
She added: "Our distinctive Vintage Classics design will appear with orange branding and our usual red spines will turn orange for the series. It's a powerful look."
Hassan has been working with Orange Prize for Fiction project director Harriet Hastings in developing the concept.