Exciting news! British Library Women Writers

I’ve mentioned a couple of times that I had a secret project I was waiting to share – and I can finally share it. I shan’t bury the lede: I am the Series Consultant for a new British Library Women Writers reprint series!! Here’s what the first four look like… [they’re out in March and April]

And now for a bit more detail.

It must be about two years ago that I first got an email from Liz at the British Library, asking if I’d be interested in helping find books for a tentative, might-not-happen series reprinting women writers from the first half of the century. I’ll be honest, I thought it could be a hoax. Because surely it was too good to be true? It was basically my dream come true, and of course I leapt at the opportunity – and had some lovely phone conversations with Liz. She sadly left the British Library before the series came to full fruition, but I know she is cheering on from the sidelines.

The idea was, and is, to reprint about four every six months – I suppose for as long as it does well. Liz had already put together suggestions for three of the first titles – The Tree of Heaven by May Sinclair, Bad Girl by Vina Delmar, and My Husband Simon by Mollie Panter-Downes. I’d read and enjoyed My Husband Simon; I really liked May Sinclair but hadn’t read that particular one, and I’d never heard of Delmar. Luckily all the books are great – and, when I was asked to suggest something for the 1940s, it wasn’t long before I landed upon E.H. Young’s Chatterton Square. I definitely thought that needed to be back in print.

To be a candidate for inclusion in the series, the book has to be by a woman, completely out of print, and have something interesting to say about women’s lives in the period. And – eek – I got to write afterwords to each of them! They were going to be introductions, but we decided they’d fit better at the end because then I could write about the plot – and we all hate introductions that give away the ending.

For each afterword, I linked themes from the novel with something affecting women’s social, political, or private life in the decade that the novel was written – exploring it through a reading of the book. For instance, I wrote about how the books people read linked with their class in my afterword to My Husband Simon.

I’ve already suggested the four books I’d like to see in the autumn batch of the British Library Women Writers series, and am waiting to hear what the editorial team think. Obviously I have MANY books I’d like to see back in print – but if you have any suggestions that match the criteria, let me know and I’ll see what I can do :D

I do hope you enjoy this series – and can you believe how lucky I am??

71 thoughts on “Exciting news! British Library Women Writers

  • January 30, 2020 at 9:20 pm
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    I’ve said it before on Twitter and I’ll say it again: such an exciting venture and you are the perfect person for the job! I’ve already learnt so much from you and look forward to discovering much more in the future. Obviously, I am not buying any books this year, so I may have to make arrangements for them to be given to me as presents…

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:29 pm
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      Thanks Marina! That’s so lovely. And hope your arrangements work out :D

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  • January 30, 2020 at 9:32 pm
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    well done Si. Maybe I’ll write My Son Simon!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:28 pm
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      Ha, go for it!

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  • January 30, 2020 at 9:37 pm
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    It’s wonderful news Simon – such a great initiative and you’re exactly the right person to be involved. I love the idea of afterwords too – I hate spoilers. Great stuff – can’t wait to read them! :D

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:28 pm
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      Thanks so much Karen!

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  • January 30, 2020 at 9:42 pm
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    How fabulous — an absolute dream job! I’ll have to buy them all so I can read your afterwords (and THANK YOU for not having spoilers in introductions, I hate that.) Congratulations and keep us posted!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:28 pm
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      Thanks Karen!! ANd yes, taking down spoilery introductions one book at a time

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  • January 30, 2020 at 9:49 pm
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    Such exciting news! So looking forward to the release of these. I can’t think of a more perfect person to bring these back to print, congrats Simon!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:26 pm
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      Thanks so much, Catie!

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  • January 30, 2020 at 9:49 pm
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    Absolutely fabulous! Well done, Simon.

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:25 pm
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      Thanks Gillian!

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  • January 30, 2020 at 9:51 pm
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    Fabulous! V proud of you – and more skill than luck, surely :) What gorgeous covers.

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:25 pm
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      Thanks Malie!! Let’s say a little of both ;D

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  • January 30, 2020 at 10:04 pm
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    Fantastic news, Simon! How exciting!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:25 pm
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      Thanks Maren!

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  • January 30, 2020 at 10:08 pm
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    Such amazing news! Amazing news for you – terrible news for me as it is further evidence that BL Publishing are determined to see me die penniless, smothered under towering piles of their books :-D

    Is it too early to put a request in for Margery Sharp? I’d love for there to be an affordable paper copy of Rhododendron Pie…

    I have no doubt in my mind you’ll do a brilliant job Simon!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:25 pm
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      Sharp was definitely on my list! I think there were some complications, but fingers crossed… and apologies for our death by book ;D

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  • January 30, 2020 at 10:30 pm
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    Oh my gosh. This is brilliant! I will be purchasing them all. Well done xxxxx

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  • January 30, 2020 at 10:37 pm
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    Wonderful news Simon. You are the ideal person for this job. I would also like to see some of the ‘lost’ Margery Sharp’s back in print.

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:24 pm
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      Thanks Michelle Ann! I’d love some Sharp back in print too – she was on my wishlist, if possible.

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  • January 30, 2020 at 11:13 pm
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    How exciting! For you and for us. :-) Congratulations! I can’t wait to read all four of the first batch.

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:23 pm
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      Thanks Anbolyn!!

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  • January 30, 2020 at 11:14 pm
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    This is so fabulous, congratulations on your part in it. I am excited about the Mollie Panter Downes especially. I agree about Chatterton Square, such a brilliant novel.

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:23 pm
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      Thanks Ali! Yes, this MPD is quite different from the ones Virago and Persephone have done, but great to have back in print.

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  • January 30, 2020 at 11:17 pm
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    I thought this was exciting news before I knew you were involved with it but now it is even better. What a dream job for you. Mollie Panter-Downes and E. H. Young are two favorites of mine. I can’t wait to see what else is selected.

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:23 pm
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      Thanks Jennifer! It still feels rather too good to be true.

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  • January 30, 2020 at 11:19 pm
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    Wow, what wonderful news, both for you personally and for all the books that will be back in print due to your influence! Well done Simon!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:22 pm
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      As you can imagine, I have a long list!!

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  • January 30, 2020 at 11:34 pm
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    Can only echo Jennifer.

    Way to go, Simon!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:22 pm
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      Thanks :D

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  • January 31, 2020 at 12:42 am
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    What fab news! I’m so happy the books are being published and that you recommended them. I am particularly interested in reading the Mollie Panter-Downes-Downes title and I can’t wait to read your essays for all the books.

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:22 pm
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      Thanks Grier! I had great fun researching and writing them.

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  • January 31, 2020 at 1:52 am
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    What a perfect alignment of the literary stars, for you, for the British Library, and definitely for all the readers who will now be exposed to these titles!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:21 pm
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      Aw lovely, thanks Claire! I’m so excited.

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:21 pm
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      Thanks Emma!

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  • January 31, 2020 at 5:56 am
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    Fantastic! Congratulations to you, Simon!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:21 pm
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      Thanks Andrea!

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  • January 31, 2020 at 6:06 am
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    What fun! These sound like books I would enjoy. Congratulations!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:20 pm
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      Thanks Constance!

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  • January 31, 2020 at 7:56 am
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    Congratulations! The perfect fit for you. Can’t wait to see these, even if they’re not my usual reading fare.

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:20 pm
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      Yay, thanks Annabel!

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  • January 31, 2020 at 9:30 am
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    Hearty congratulations Simon, what an exciting venture in propect.
    If I was to make a recommendation for this series it would be Margery Sharp’s The Innocents, the only book that I’ve read three times!
    I think it fits the bill in most repects but recently it was published as part of a Kindle quartet so not sure if this still counts strictly as ‘out of print’.

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:20 pm
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      Thanks Helen! I love Sharp and she was one of my first suggestions, but I think the ebooks being published has made it more complex. I’ll keep trying!

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  • January 31, 2020 at 9:33 am
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    Just saw it on twitter and it’s so exciting – well done, you! And yes, afterwords are the way forward, so to speak!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:19 pm
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      Haha! Nicely put.

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  • January 31, 2020 at 1:18 pm
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    Congratulations, Simon! This is a fascinating project, and now I am looking forward to read all these gems! :)

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:19 pm
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      Thanks JUliana! I’m so excited.

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  • January 31, 2020 at 4:10 pm
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    My congratulations as well!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:18 pm
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      Thanks Linda!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:18 pm
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      Thanks Scott! I’ll certainly be inspired by your handling of a similar role :D

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  • January 31, 2020 at 8:57 pm
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    You are absolutely the perfect person for this job! Congratulations!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:18 pm
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      Thanks Ruthiella!!

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  • January 31, 2020 at 10:05 pm
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    Sneaky for not telling me! :) How fabulous – you lucky thing! I’m so proud of you – what a fantastic opportunity! The new books sound amazing. Now I’m cross I can’t buy any of them…until next year. I’m sure I’ll have some suggestions…once I’ve read some of the unread books on my shelves!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:17 pm
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      I await them eagerly!

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  • February 1, 2020 at 4:21 pm
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    I am so happy for you! Perfect, perfect!!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:17 pm
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      Thanks Nan!

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  • February 2, 2020 at 12:04 am
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    What a perfect job! I loved Chatterton Square, good choice!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:17 pm
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      Thanks Mary! I had fun reading about 30s divorce law in my research for the afterword…

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  • February 2, 2020 at 10:14 pm
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    This is so exciting, Simon! Chatterton Square has been the book to find during my last two trips to London and I’m still empty-handed. All the best in this new venture….my CC is on stand-by!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:16 pm
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      Oh wonderful, Darlene – it’ll definitely be worth the wait.

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  • February 3, 2020 at 8:15 pm
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    oh Simon, they could not have found a finer fellow for this … I know that I am not the only one who is going to buy them all as soon as they hit the shelves … I am sure you will keep us up to date so that we know when we can have them … I had been thinking of buying fewer books but it must be some winter flu because now I am enthused about purchasing all of the British Library Women Writers reprint series!!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:16 pm
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      Thanks Anne! I will certainly keep everyone up to date :D

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  • February 4, 2020 at 3:16 am
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    Whaaaaaaaaaaaat! This is incredible news! I think you are perfect for this and I’m so so happy for you and I can’t WAIT to give these books a go. Well done you! Congratulations!

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:08 pm
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      Thanks Jenny!! I still can’t quite believe it’s going to happen.

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  • February 4, 2020 at 9:12 am
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    OMG This is FANTASTIC! I can’t think of anyone better suited to help with this, and such a great project too! (Oh well, there goes my savings!)

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    • February 4, 2020 at 10:07 pm
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      Thanks so much Davida!

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  • February 10, 2020 at 1:37 pm
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    How wonderful! But you are leading me astray (again). Catching up on your posts – this is Number Three and I now have five books on the wish list, after resolving (yet again) that there would be No New Books this year!

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  • February 19, 2020 at 6:13 pm
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    Such wonderful and exciting news, Simon! Congratulations!!!! I’m looking forward to the list.

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