Richard Simon to Michael Roberts, Editor, Thuppahi
Thomia, as you know, is a comprehensive history of S. Thomas’ College presented in the wider context of Lankan history and focusing on the influences between the two. In this sense it resembles my previous history of the Ceylon tea industry, which you were kind enough to praise when it was published in 2017. It is very different from a typical school history and its appeal is certainly not confined to Old Thomians.
Now on sale: Thomia is available for advance purchase from today, 25 November 2024. I hope to finance printing of the book partly through advance sales; I am happy to say I have already received a number of pledges.
I am replying from my Yahoo! mail address because it is the one I use for business related to Thomia. I’m very grateful that you have consented to circulate this email for me.
Thomia, as you know, is a comprehensive history of S. Thomas’ College presented in the wider context of Lankan history and focusing on the influences between the two. In this sense it resembles my previous history of the Ceylon tea industry, which you were kind enough to praise when it was published in 2017. It is very different from a typical school history and its appeal is certainly not confined to Old Thomians.
Now on sale
Thomia is available for advance purchase from today, 25 November 2024. I hope to finance printing of the book partly through advance sales; I am happy to say I have already received a number of pledges.
The price for pre-publication buyers will be Rs 19,990/– or the foreign currency equivalent at prevailing rates. This buys two elegant quarto hardcover volumes in a sturdy slipcase at a saving of about 25% on the post-launch recommended retail price.
How to buy
To order Thomia in advance of publication, prospective buyers should visit https://www.thomia.com/hhy and fill in the simple order form they will find at the bottom of that page. I shall respond to every order I receive with a confirmatory email. This will contain a quotation for the book at the above price, plus – if applicable – shipping and handling charges to the stated delivery address. I will include details of a bank account in Sri Lanka for them to remit the money. A receipt will be issued to each buyer as soon as the funds are realised.
Shipping & Handling
Delivery will be free of charge to buyers within the Greater Colombo area. Beyond this zone, shipping and handling charges unfortunately apply. They will naturally vary with the delivery location. For overseas buyers, these charges could be quite high – as much as the price of the book in some cases. I am trying to work out ways to reduce them as much as possible, but for buyers resident overseas the best plan may be to persuade a friend, relative or business associate resident in Greater Colombo to take delivery and make their own collection arrangements privately with them.
Advance buyers should begin receiving their copies (depending on shipping times, etc.) soon after launch date, which is tentatively scheduled for 2 February 2025. I’m trying to publish before STC Old Boys’ Day.
In closing, I take the liberty of quoting some responses from readers of the draft manuscript:
‘Epic in its reach, poetic in its lyricism’ – David Sansoni, OAM, STC OBA Australia
‘Prodigious research and detail’ – Prof. Marina Fernando, Professor Emerita, City University of New York‘Genuinely interesting… a pleasure to read’ – Rohan Pethiyagoda
I believe this is a book that Old Thomians and history buffs alike will be proud to own.
Thank you once again for this great favour.
Sincerely,
Richard Simon
EMAIL CLARIFICATION from RICHARD SIMON:
“One of the recipients of my previous mail just called to clarify just what I meant by “equivalent in foreign currency”.
My bank manager tells me that overseas purchasers need to remit the equivalent (in their currency) of Rs 19,990/– at the ‘TT buying rate’ for Sri Lankan rupees. This is the telegraphic-transfer buying rate and can quite easily be found with a quick google.
Sorry for the technicalities!”