I wrote a foreword for Phantom of the Opera + a very special writing vlog

[@dri8402]

i feel like a mom from the other side of the world but as an internet follower, i'm so proud of you 💕 CONGRATULATIONS

[@brandimullins3627]

ME TOO!!!! I’m crying

[@emmiereads]

:’) thank you!!!💕

[@dri8402]

@@emmiereads this made my day, hello emmie! hope you're doing well, your mental health is well and uni is amazing! be kind to yourself, you're amazing! 😚 and still super proud of you, will check your new video very soon!

[@ronaldowilliams7456]

It is weird. I don't really know you, but I genuinely feel happy for you. I can't imagine how exciting it must be to write a foreword for your favourite book. Congratulations!

[@emmiereads]

Thank you so much!

[@fashionandbeauty07]

Who would’ve thought that when little 3rd grade Emma picked up Phantom of the Opera that she would author a foreword for that very book as an adult 💕💕 dreams do come true ✨

[@work-in-progress]

We old subscribers know how momentous this occasion is. So proud and happy for you! 🎭 🥰 I never got to read it, but last year I watched the entire musical when it was uploaded on youtube by the legitimate theatre company. It was breathtaking, made me cry.

[@ohohnenyeoo2654]

I know right 🥰

[@emmiereads]

Ugh my heart thank you💙

[@WeirdTangent]

Emmie: "I just submitted my forward to the publishing people..." Me: I just purchased the book and now I'm waiting by my PO Box.

[@hannaknolke1180]

This is why we annotate!!! Cause there could be a chance we receive the honor to write an introduction of our favorite book !!!!

[@humyrahfatima]

I had no idea accomplishments of someone i've never met or known personally could make me this happy and proud. Congratulations, Emma! ♥️

[@emmiereads]

That is so sweet thank you so much!!🥰

[@Cubehead27]

This is so awesome Emma! You've now officially done more for this book than Andrew Lloyd Webber.

[@kyestrella]

lmaooooo

[@rosemeadows629]

HAHAHAHA

[@yipyip3173]

Someone explain pls

[@marcusr4711]

@@yipyip3173 Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the Phantom of the Opera musical, as well as the sequel Love Never Dies. from what i understand, the book and the musical are… different, let’s say

[@yipyip3173]

@@marcusr4711 ah, thankss

[@selenalee5654]

As a long time watcher, I remember vividly how ecstatic you get everytime you talk about phantom of the opera, so you can just imagine how excited i got when i read the title of this vid 😭 SO HAPPY FOR YOU QUEEN 🥺❤️

[@emmiereads]

It means the world to me, thank you lovely 💕💕

[@aditmaryadi6678]

Proud of you Emma. And I'm sure Augmented Classic Phantom of the Opera won't be the last book with your foreword 🤞So excited to see what's the next book for you to write its foreword or even you will write for your own book 😳

[@emmiereads]

Thank you! I hope so too and ah yes that’s the dream!!

[@stews9]

Congratulations, Emma. Always knew from when I first began watching your videos that you'd be a writer whose work is valued. Wonderful that it's begun for you already. Brava. We your fans are all proud of you and happy for you.

[@estelarubin764]

I open KZbin during my lunch break today and saw the title of this video. You won't believe how happy and proud I felt! It feels like my daughter's accomplishment. This is an incredible opportunity for you. Enjoy it and hopefully it is the first of many great things to come.

[@adamc3968]

My dad was in the original Toronto production of Phantom! I can't wait to read the book, I will definitely try get this edition :)

[@emmiereads]

Oh my gosh that’s amazing, what was his role?!

[@adamc3968]

@@emmiereads Monsieur Richard Firmin :)

[@maitreyeed]

Congratulations Emma, you have hit a huge milestone. Listening to fractions of your introduction made me really nostalgic about the time when I read this book eons ago.

[@MartinDSmith]

You are a gifted writer Emma.The sound of heaven will be silently reading this beautiful foreword.And who knows,I may even like the book?Thank you so much!❤️

[@angelaconstantian8476]

I've been wanting to read this book this year, so I'm excited to get this addition with your foreword! Congrats! Also thank you for not giving spoilers in the foreword, I hate that too!

[@isabellagolden1775]

As a fellow lover of books, reading and writing, who also has post-concussion syndrome, I understand. I know this was posted a while back, but I tuned in because I just finished my first read of Phantom of the Opera and wanted to hear what you had to say. Best wishes 💜

[@samkim9786]

congratulations emma!!!! as a subscriber whos been here for some time now i know how much you love phantom of the opera. SO DESERVED!!! you're so talented

[@am13007]

This is such an amazing and special thing Emma!! You've always known of your love of the book, and getting to write the foreword for one of your favorite books is such an honorable thing! Congratulations 💕 can't wait to get my hands on the copy!!

[@emmiereads]

Thank you thank you!! I had the best time writing it:’)

[@xXBelieberx3]

I FEEL SO HAPPY & PROUD OF YOU!!😭 you deserve it Emma!!🤍 AAAH

[@lucas.ritzmann]

I loved your writing, Em! The composition of ideas and the flow of the text sounded great -- I got a lot of meaning out of it and it actually made me want to get to the novel and find out what my experience of it would be. So happy for you

[@lisajune90]

Your love of Phantom of the Opera, and the other gothic classics, is so inspiring - I have brought 4 of them through Augmented Classics. Living down under in NZ means a) shipping was ridiculous, and b) I won't get them for ages, but I just couldn't resist after seeing this video! Excited to be reading these gothic classics very soon!!

[@parthreads]

Your videos are extremely delightful to watch, and you are the reason I got back in touch with my inner reader. Thank you so much Emma.

[@sarah_es]

as a long time follower and fan (of both you and phantom) this is such a momentous happening! I’m screaming- I’m so happy for and proud of you! Love you and congratulations!! ❤️✨

[@ahappyfrenchtoast2669]

I'm really, really happy for you, Emma! I am halfway through your vlog, at 20 minute-ish mark, precisely, but I can't resist to comment. I'm so proud of what you have achieved - writing is not an easy feat! You are the most eloquent person (regarding books, particularly) I have ever come across, with extensive vocabulary and crystal clear speech. I am sure that it will be displayed through your writing as well. I''m preparing for graduate school application and will sit for two examinations next month (October) so once I am done with all the hectic grad school stuff I'm going to pick a copy of Phantom of the Opera. I hope that the panini (you know what it actually is) will lessen so I can easily place an international order again, and buy the one with your foreword! I have never read or seen Phantom of the Opera but I love opera performances pertaining to the story. I also went to Paris once and saw the majestic Opéra Garnier myself. I always thought "breath-taking" sounds a little bit excessive, but I cannot find any other word to describe how beautiful and hypnotizing the building is. I am obsessed with so many things related to Phantom of the Opera! I am sure that I will be enamored with the actual story that has inspired those majestic artworks and performances. Thank you so much for introducing us non-lit students to so many amazing books, including Phantom of the Opera!! Much love, French Toast 😇

[@piyu2764]

Congratulations, Emma ❤️! A small part of your dream came true with this project❤️. I would love watching more writing vlogs from you . They are so soothing and it's great hearing your thoughts.

[@Sinnabookz]

From what you read of your forward, I just want to say that everything you said/wrote has definitely made me rather curious, and I now officially want to read 'The Phantom of the Opera". Also congratulations son this incredible opportunity!

[@emmiereads]

Ah amazing, thank you!!💕

[@Sinnabookz]

@@emmiereads hi I wanted to return to this comment to tell you after about 2 ish years of mulling it over I finally started a booktube channel, you've inspired me a lot and I'm planning on reading phantom of the opera in my next vlog💚

[@celestegobbi1704]

I’m barely at one fifth of the video and I’m already bursting out in tears of joy for you. I’m so happy for you Emma!

[@melanieventer3511]

The excitement I felt just reading the title... I'm so happy for you Emma!

[@allyson.m]

I've never actually read the book but I have seen the musical and the movie multiple times and I do really love the story, I've just been so intimidated by the book bc I've had a love-hate relationship with classics as well as French literature, but I think you've convinced me to try it out!

[@UncleStrange]

Emmie! My copy of Phantom is being delivered tomorrow. You have inspired me to read it so when I watched this video, I knew this was the edition I wanted to start with. Can’t wait to read your words! Keep being awesome :)

[@annas.3235]

I gasped when I saw the title - huge congratulations!!! If there is anyone I would love to read from on this topic, it’s you ❤️❤️

[@kanej1567]

I'M SO FREAKING PROUD OF YOU EMMA 😭 !!!!! You deserve this and so much more. I'm literally squealing across the screen rn, AHHH CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!

[@emmiereads]

THANK YOU!!!💙

[@Sthemingway]

C'est tres cool! Felicitations, Emma. A great way to start the day, seeing your joy. I *love* that part when you're in your room, you look at the camera, and the Phantom music starts. That deadpan expression is priceless.

[@jasminerisby8340]

This play/book has my heart. First time i watched it it felt amazing and hearing about it made my soul feel so happy. Just something inside of me just felt so happy. So im so happy for you.

[@oobalooba.]

OMG Emma!!! THIS IS INCREDIBLE 🥺🤯 CONGRATULATIONS ❣️ I’ve been wanting to get Phantom of the Opera for a while and now that you’re in this edition I’m definitely going to get this one!!! 🥳

[@DasKatze500]

Emma - congratulations! What a fantastic achievement! You deserve it 😁😊

[@emmiereads]

Thank you!!🥰

[@illyrianvines5410]

i'm currently reading Phantom of the Opera! Not sure what I think about it so far, but thank you for uploading today as i've kinda been feeling a little down and your voice is really soothing!🖤.....Also, congratulations!!✨

[@emmiereads]

Ah perfect timing I hope you end up enjoying it! I also hope you’re feeling a bit better today dear💙

[@moonstonepearl21]

Congratulations on being able to contribute to something you love so much

[@maddiemeows]

you captured the heart and appeal of the story so well in the excerpt you read from your foreword 😭 Grabbing a copy asap!!!

[@chewbacca16]

Haven't finished the video yet, but I now know which edition of the phantom I am getting! Really happy for you, Emma!

[@emmiereads]

Haha thank you so much💕

[@silviafrassineti5214]

I have been following your channel in silence for a while, but today I have to and want to congratulate you with all my heart.💝🍾 P.S. I absolutely adore your channel. Keep the great work.

[@emmiereads]

So lovely to finally meet you! Thank you so much Silvia🥰🥰

[@rogerlacaille3148]

Oh my goodness I'm so so PROUD of you and happy for you!! Congratulations Emma 🎊 👏 💐

[@becca5736]

Congratulations, Emma. 💚 You should read The Wish Collector by Mia Sheridan. It's The Phantom of the Opera retelling of sorts. You might finally get to enjoy a contemporary romance. Hope you give it a shot. 💚

[@noone-re3zp]

"WHEN U AND THE SEMICOLON HAVE AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS" THAT MADE ME LAUGHHH. every time i write the semicolon just always starts an argument with me smh

[@Redbearyoga]

Oh my god this is amazing I cannot wait to have this and read your words. ❤️ all the passion makes me feel so emotional right there with you. Congratulations

[@rachelizabeth331]

I literally started crying happy tears for you! This is so exciting 🥰

[@chi6372]

So ridiculously excited, proud and happy for you! 🥺 You go Emma, that was an absolute delight! I can only imagine how intimidating that must have been for you, but you did it!!! 👏👏👏 Aaaaah man, what a moment

[@elizabeth-098]

No way! I was just about to start rereading Phantom of the Opera as apart of my fall reading! Congratulations to you! It will be a pleasure to own a copy of your work ❤️ (and a pleasure to now own a second edition... It is my favorite musical of all time!)

[@callukcraft]

well that the easiest money i have ever spent , keep up the great work and hope uni is going well ,and so happy you got to be part of a phantom project.

[@monetcasper1802]

i would absolutely love if you recorded an audiobook for us of the phantom of the opera. or any book because i love listening to you read.

[@written_by_hank]

Oh my gosh Emma this is fantastic!!! I’m so happy for you!! Also I can 100% relate to the summoning circle; it’s a must need when it comes to studying/writing. Edit: Your forward is soo good!!! Great work Emma!

[@WilliamsReptiles]

Okay Emma this is AMAZING. It's also my dream to write a forward for a book, specifically The Old Man and the Sea. It's my favorite novel and my interpretation isn't one I see too often.

[@sonyabo5365]

OMG EMMIE this is so great congratulations!! very happy for you and so proud!! 😭😭

[@jmac1814]

Congratulations on writing your first intro. I am waiting for this book to come in the mail. I have and loved the movie but have never read the book. One of my favorite opera and now looking forward to the book. Again congratulations and thank you for all you do.

[@changelingreader14]

Holy crêpe! Congratulations! That's fantastic. I want to read the rest of your foreword because what you read to us sounded *chef's kiss* phenomenal, and makes me want to read the book even more.

[@thedarkestreads7971]

Been so down😩 this was the pick me up I needed.

[@emmiereads]

💙💙

[@ChrissyCatttXO]

I am so happy to watch you dive into this novel. It’s my favorite everything- book, musical, movie, the works! I love this story so much. Thanks for getting more eyes on it, and Congratulations!

[@carolynmarshall1968]

🇬🇧 I read this book when you recommended it way back, love it, annotated it and would read it again. WELL DONE YOU! What an opportunity for you 👏

[@Nattycutiecute]

I’m so happy for you that one of your dreams came true🥰 I’m a huge fan of yours and love all your videos! You have such a calming voice that helps tremendously with my anxiety💕 I have ordered the augmented phantom of the opera book now and can’t wait to get it all the way to Norway and read your introduction🤩 It’s been a lot of fun following and taking part in both of your reading bookclubs with your friends🥳 Looking forward to even more cozy and fantastic videoes from you🙌❤️

[@mithzelluque4754]

congratulations on reaching this goal. i hope you continue receiving such opportunities, hope you continue to explore your writing and everything that made you oh so happy and giddy

[@alexinaaron1022]

I really like the way the music weaves through the vlogs! You do such a good job with that Emma! Also love your animal footage as always. That squirrel in the pot lol.

[@FranFellow731]

Congratulations! I have a complicated relationship with Phantom, the 2000s movie gave my nightmares as a kid so I avoided it for years, until college when I got to see a musical production for free and then went home emotional realizing what the story was actually about and understanding the words of the lyrics. Because I love the musical so much (I’m on okay terms with the movie now) I’ve been scared to read it or see the original 1930s movie and not have that music to carry the emotion. Knowing you love it so much makes me want to try reading it anyway. 🖤

[@lputube123]

So absolutely thrilled for you Emma, and so proud!!! Congratulations!!!!!! I adore the parts you read! I could hear your voice!! It was perfect!! You did a fantastic job!! I’m ordering a copy but I want you to sign it pleeeeease!! And the postcard was in this video!!! 🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@daisywynn477]

I discovered your channel through your video on annotating Phantom of the Opera so I’m ever so happy for you! I love the book too and I would give anything for the opportunity you got!

[@JJuliaSmile]

This is so amazing, congrats! I read this book because of you and I absolutely fell in love with it. One of my favorites now😊

[@aleisadivina]

This is so amazing Em! so proud of you ❤️❤️❤️

[@bethanytillerson6881]

I actually reread the Phantom of the Opera because of how enthusiastically you talked about all of the elements you enjoyed, and reading it I had a lot of those elements in the back of my mind--the idea of the Palais Garnier as almost a character in itself, the detective novel/mystery elements and how that played into the gothic romance of the book, how the Opera House represented the past and the present and the intermingling of these two. Your own thoughts on the novel really helped me understand it in a deeper way, and I think your foreward will be so interesting to read!

[@milliebks]

Congratulations, Emma!!❤️❤️

[@annagyorsa8100]

OMG IM SO PROUD!!!!!! I literally started crying when you did jdjdjjddj sososososo happy for you Emma! I can't wait to hold your own book in my hands one day

[@JessicaTheAustinite]

Aww! I am so proud of you! This is such a milestone & I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy!

[@jackjohnhameld6401]

Congratulations ! It is a big day, seeing your writing in a book from a real publishing house : I look forward to ordering a copy. Forewords must be tricky. Some people read them after finishing the book, hence the prevalence for the Afterword. Off the top of my head, the best foreword I recall was Randall Jarrell's to Christina Stead's *The Man Who Loved Children*. My favourite afterword is Harold Bloom's in the Yale paperback edition of *Hamlet*. How much do you give away in a foreword, how much do you signpost, how to interest an academic + hold the attention of a student? Confession : I have never read *The Phantom of the Opera* so I shall now. And I will read your foreword, but afterwards, so to speak. Fact: The brother-in-law of my niece has worked for years at Her Majesty's Theatre, London, where The Phantom still runs to packed houses. My two sisters had a tour of the theatre, and were taken backstage, and shown how the chandelier falls, and the stringent safety precautions. Haven't seen the musical, but I saw the 1962 film : Herbert Lom, Heather Sears, Michael Gough as the baddie, modelled after Milton's Satan.

[@lucia96182]

Congrats Emma! I’m so happy for you. That foreword makes me want to read phantom now❤️

[@johnmalahy]

Congratulations! I know exactly what you mean about finally/formally writing about something that you've talked about for a long time. In my case it was a book about movies that was published earlier this year. I felt a lot of pressure to really dig through and coalesce my thoughts about a particular piece, and a huge sense of accomplishment once it was completed (after many drafts).

[@joychalaby]

Oh my dear Emma! Congratulations, what an exciting achievement and such a perfect project for you to have gotten the opportunity to be involved in! I am so eager to read your forward! I haven't read Phantom of the Opera yet, but you make me want to read it more than ever. Yes, writing is so wonderful and fulfilling! Writing my dissertation right now, and it's painful some days but also so exciting!

[@emmiereads]

Ah thank you Joy! That’s amazing I hope whenever you pick it up you love it, and oh my gosh that’s so exciting I hope you’re having the best time with it!💕

[@joychalaby]

@@emmiereads thank you 😍💕

[@vmpapillon8984]

Totally agree with you on the length of the foreword! It actually happened to me with another classic where I felt dispirited and stopped somewhere in the foreword never getting to the actual book. Since then I actually skip them unless I know the book and am happy to reread it. Also- Congratulations !!!!!

[@OneDisgrace]

Congrats!!!! This is so exciting and I loved seeing the journey of writing it. Just ordered a copy! I've never read phantom before, just seen the movie so I'm really looking forward to seeing how it goes 🌞

[@emmiereads]

Awe thank you! Can’t wait to hear what you think👀

[@alexandraramz]

emma!!!! congrats !!!!!!!!!! this is fabulous news. I'm so happy for you !!!

[@evilredcaboose]

Congratulations on this! Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorites too. I have quite a collection myself. I will have to get this copy too.

[@rehabyasser2990]

congratulations emma ! i’m so proud of you ! you have no idea really how proud i’m! you’re such an inspiration and you deserve every good in the world! I love you keep it up girl ❤️✨

[@heraccount4423]

The short hair with short bangs fit you SO WELL. Especially the shorter bangs. You pull it off well.

[@nikitapotsangbam6739]

Something about Emma's eyes is so magical,

[@mymessynotebook2207]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’m so so happy for you, I can’t even imagine how exciting this was to do especially for a book that is so close to the heart! Hope you have a great day/evening/night and again, congrats! ❤️

[@tanyaroberts919]

Phantom of the opera is my favorite French classic and I loved the musical movie from early 2000s. 👌i read it for school and have so many copies now ah

[@ba-gg6jo]

Excellent and thoroughly enjoyed your process and how you structured it. Always difficult to edit one's work and stay true to your ideas, core themes, and feelings. In the UK edition, it has the foreword by Nik Maguire, is this your nom de plume, or am I missing something? Stay safe and banana flavoured antibiotics, I wish they had that in the UK.

[@maeiscompletelyfine]

CONGRATULATIONS EMMA!!!!!!!!! I FEEL LIKE A PROUD MOM SO CLOSE TO 180K TOO!!! WE LOVE YOU AND WE'RE SO PROUD & HAPPY FOR YOU

[@emmiereads]

Oh my gosh Mae thank you, you mean the world to me, sending you so much love!!💙

[@IreneAhmed]

So so proud of you Emma! 👏 I feel like your big sister beaming with pride at how far you've come! Congratulations! Well deserved!

[@aubreyholt279]

In the cart it goes! I cannot wait to read my copy that contains your forward- literally I am SO proud of you! I feel like an older sister, I want to show it to everyone and brag about it 😊

[@helloitsme5727]

Emma, congratulations!!! Much love!

[@SyakiraAzam]

I AM A PROUD MOTHER! Been listening to you for awhile now, and the excerpt of your foreword is so so beautiful........... DUDE YOU SHOULD WRITE A BOOK!

[@cailee8277]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I'm so proud of you!

[@isabellehall9217]

I'm so happy for you!! I would love to read the whole foreword 😄

[@anavargas]

Omg Emma! Congratulations! This is amazing ❤️❤️❤️ I cannot wait to read your entire piece! I first read Phantom when I was 13 or 14 and totally agree it is a complex masterpiece with so many themes to unpack and such perfect gothic vibes!

[@sophiamarie6577]

I am feeling very emotional right now. I am so happy for you, Emma!! 💞 I actually have just finished reading Phantom of the Opera a few days ago, and it was because of yooouu!

[@ingridbuusschmidt769]

The little part you read was amazing!! 🤩

[@LexieMoon321]

OH MY GOD! YAS QUEEN! It's my dream to write a foreword to my favorite book: Fahrenheit 451! Living my dream! Edit: Another book that deals with deformities that you might wanna look into is "The Hunchback of Norte Dame"!

[@jamesduggan7200]

White it's true Quasimodo is horribly deformed, can you honestly say the story is different without that aspect?

[@LexieMoon321]

@@jamesduggan7200 You know, you have a fair point...

[@andrewmalone2911]

@@jamesduggan7200 Well, you have to think about the fact that Quasimodo goes through a massive change from being just a lackey for Frollo with very little agency to someone who impacts the story in a big way by saving Esmeralda from her original sentence. And the reason why that happens is that she is the first person to show him true kindness while he's locked in the pillory and being jeered, mocked, and abused by hundreds of people. His deformity played a big part in his status as an outcast to the people and in this kind of treatment, much like The Phantom's does. Without it, his affiliation with Esmeralda, which is central to the story, wouldn't have happened.

[@jamesduggan7200]

@@andrewmalone2911 Possibly, and possibly Quasimodo shows the same agency to the beautiful woman who brought him water as he would regardless of his deformity.

[@nasiachr.5740]

congrats girl! this video couldnt have come at a better time. i literally finished reading it for the second time a couple of hours ago.

[@funkk.y]

Not me getting emotional watching this 😭😭😭 congratulations Emma! ❤️

[@danieladamico5485]

Aw, you made me tear up, Emma! I'm so happy for you 💜 as a writer I would be over the moon for an opportunity like this, writing something about your favorite book! Congratulations 🐿

[@olivianutter6526]

Congratulations! What you read of your forward sounded amazing! Your videos help me get through my Algebra homework, so thank you!