It’s DONE!!!
As my husband says, “Finished” is a relative term to a writer. For me, there’s a sense of completion when I’ve seen the shape of the book; I know what I’m working with. Then there’s the BIG “Finished,” when I’ve done with the writing–the story is All There, and in the publisher’s hands; at this point, there _will_ be a book, even if I get run over by a train.
Revisions–usually very minor, and they were _really_ minor in this book–are generally done as I go along. I send my two editors (US and UK) chunks of the manuscript, and they send me their comments, and if there looks like anything that should be tweaked (often there’s not), I do that just as part of the daily writing.
So the next major “Finished” is the copy-edits. The copy-editor is the unsung heroine who reads the finished manuscript One. Word. At. A. Time, looking for typos, continuity errors, infelicities (like using the same word three times in the same paragraph, or using six clauses all separated by dashes <g>), and so on. This is god-awful tedious stuff, and it’s not a lot more fun on -my- end, when it comes back and I have to check through all of the copy-editor’s queries and either answer them or do something about them.
And once the copy-edits are done, the manuscript goes to the typesetters, and then we get galleys. That’s short for “galley-proofs.” These are typeset pages that look exactly as the pages will look in the book, including page numbers, gutters, decorations, etc.
The final “Finished!” is when I’ve read through the galleys, correcting any typos that escaped during the earlier processes (there are _always_ escaped typos, no matter how many people have combed through a manuscript, always), and errors introduced during the typesetting process (words hyphenated in the wrong place at the end of a line, lines transposed–very rare, but it happens–lines accidentally broken in the middle, and so on). This is also my Very Last Chance to change or fix anything, and for this manuscript, also the last chance to make sure all of the Gaelic and French and German phrases were correctly spelled. <g>
But I made it! The very last batch of corrected galleys went out of here by FedEx this afternoon. I’m FINISHED!!
Whereupon my husband took me out to celebrate, and after two bottles of a nice cold Austrian wine, a lobster quesadilla (divine), a bowl of Chama chili and a four-hour nap…I was Nicely Mellow. <g>
We’re done–and there _will_ be a book on June 10th! (in the US and Canada; I believe the UK/Australia/NZ are saying they plan to release it June 5th, and Germany is saying July 21st.) Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Oh–I’ve had a lot of inquiries lately about getting signed copies of WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD (My Own Heart’s Blood = MOHB = MOH-B = MOBY. Geddit?). For a list of places where I’ll be going and doing signings visit my official Appearances page on this site. If you don’t live in one of those places I ‘m visiting, but do want a signed book, the simplest thing to do is probably to order it from The Poisoned Pen bookstore, here in Scottsdale. They’re my local independent bookstore, always carry ALL my titles in all available formats, and will ship anywhere in the world. Just tell them how you’d like your book to be inscribed; I normally go by there every couple of weeks to sign their orders.
(Note from Diana’s webmistress: You can also request free, signed bookplates for your copies of MOBY. Click here for more information.)
I can hardly wait ! And thank God it’s in time for summer vacation!! But I must know….what was the name of the Austrian wine you had….they do have a few of my favourites!! Hope to see in Ottawa, Canada to sign my MOBY copy !!
Cheers !
Dear Paula–
Machherrndl Gruener veltliner. [g] Delicious!
–Diana
It’s Amazing!!!, now, just wait for the book translated to spanish on amazon.com, because in Chile, I will could expect years to read it
Congratulations! And, a well deserved rest I am sure.
I was talking with a co-worker about time travel books having just read Jack Finneys Time and Again. Her top favourite is the Outlander series, as of course is mine. I had planned to do a reread of the series – I have been an Outlander reader since the 90s- in anticipation of the 8th book coming in June. So I thought I would have quick look at the first chapter of Outlander as I was actually reading another book. Well next thing I know I am in the middle and there is no way I am putting this down until it is done. The amount of detail and plot that goes into these books is astounding. And, even though this was most likely my fifth reading of this book, there is always something new that I missed on previous reads. Quite an achievement for a book written for practice!
Your books stand head and shoulders above others and I do thank you for your efforts and hard work. Your books are well worth the wait. And, if we are impatient, we can always just read them again!
When will the NEXT book (After Moby) be out!!
Dear Changeling–
A) How the heck would I know that? and
B) Why would anybody need to know that right now?
–Diana
A winter read for those of us from downunder.
A chance to curl up in a cozy chair close to the fire pour a glass of red and sink into Claire and Jamie Land. I shall begin pre-cooking and freezing meals the week prior otherwise it’s likely that no will get fed around here until the last page is turned.
Diane, what will you be cooking and freezing? I might could do that in Oklahoma!
Dear Laurie–
I don’t normally freeze things; I just cook day by day. Or go out to eat, as the case may be. [g]
–Diana
I’m so excited – we get the book in Australia first!!!
Thank you Diana! I’m very excited to read that MOBY is complete – congratulations to you!
THANK YOU!!! Cannot wait!!!! I first read the book/books beginning in 2000…….have since read all of them 3 times, just finished Echo in the Bone (again), and missing Claire and Jamie and Ian, etc etc etc…..my daughter first introduced me to them when she lived in London, she stayed in her pajamas all day, but read the entire book ;D Best books I’VE EVER READ…..and I’ve read a LOT.
Thank you again Diana, you are a wizard in the best sense of the word!!!
REST? What rest.
When will -next- book be released.
(LOL) Thank you so much for the joy
your books have given me.
AWSOME!! Glad that it’s almost ready…
so excited to get it, since it comesout on my anniversary I’ve told my husband that MOBY is what he can get me… yay!!
Love you and all your books!!
Hello from Finland. I love the outlander books. My sisters insested that I read these books and I thought what are they on about so I read them. And havent regret it. Waiting for the series… And the new book
YEAHHH cant wait to read it! Great job! I want you to know I have now fell in love with Ron Moore I had no idea who he was until he took this on I have watched all the fan gatherings and I love him! I truly feel like this is his baby as well as yours! He gets what we all get! SOO EXCITED!!
This question is rather out of context here. I have been reading several threads regarding the character of Frank Randall on CompuServe. They were discussing the large age difference between Frank and Claire but nowhere in these threads does anyone say exactly how much of an age difference. I enjoy reading things on CompuServe, Facebook, and Twitter but I really do not like to post things there.
If anyone reading this can answer my question as to Frank’s age, I would appreciate it. This is the only blog that I do post things to. Thank you.
Can’t wait for June 10! I’m addicted to the Outlander series… Read the first four books back-to-back many years ago, then retread them all each time a new book came out. As well as listening to the audio version in between readings! I won’t have time to retread the whole series this time, but will I reread An Echo in the Bone before June 10.
I don’t get Starz on cable so I’ll have to figure out how to see the video of Outlander.
Kate
Congratulations! But now I’m confused concerning the release date in Germany:
Once you announced June 9th, and now it’s July 21st?
If that’s right, I’m going to pre-order the English book..
Thanks, and all the best
Sabine
Hi, Sabine!
Yes, the German publisher had set the date for June 9th, but decided that their production process really wouldn’t let them make the book as solid and well as they’d like, without more time–so they’ve changed the date for German publication to July 21st. I hope you’ll enjoy whichever edition you get!
–Diana
Hi Diana,
thanks for your answer. In fact, I ordered the English edition at buch.de, and they sent me the book from Random House which arrived yesterday! That’s perfect, because I’m going on holidays next Sunday. BUT I have to admit that I read the last page already, just to be sure that Jamie and Claire are still alive and together…
Have a nice weekend
Sabine
Thank you for the wonderful storytelling. I wish I was as proficient at explaining the story to my uninformed friends as you are at writing it! As others have commented, re-reading each book is a continuing series of “Ah hah” moments when I am able to tie something from Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, etc. to something which happens in ABOSAA, or AEITB, like those titles themselves in Outlander. Love, Love, Love the continuity and attention to detail! Thank You!!
I finished rereading them all, and still have time to wait. I can reread the last one again, cuz it’s the only one I have only read 2 times. I am so ready…..
Reading the recent daily lines and Diana’s hashtag at the end, I am tickled to know that after a well deserved rest, it looks like another book may eventually come our way! For now, I will savor some re-re-reads of some of the previous books and try not to hop up and down in anticipation of My Heart’s Own Blood.
PS I’ve started reading some Revolutionary War history – the attention to detail in Echo in the Bone is outstanding.
You have made us all part of this family. They are real to us. Your writing and details are wonderful. Can’t wait
For the new book and the series on Starz. I have read them all 3 times and will read over and over . We have even gone to Scotland, used Hugh, the same guide you used, and visit all the same sites, including the split stone( damn- it didn’t work for us). Thanks for the joy of these books.–Wanda
Diana,
Congratulations !!!!!
I am certain you are feeling better now that the book is finished.
I hope you have a nice long relaxing break before you tackle
the next project.
I look forward to reading MOBY.
Take care & Be Safe !!!
susie o.