Yesterday, I got an email from my UK editor, Michal Shavit at Harvill Secker/Random House. She said the uncorrected proofs of Reading the World had arrived.
Unable to be in the same city as my book without holding a copy in my hands, I made a detour on my way to visit a friend and stopped off at Random House in Pimlico. This little pile of beauties was waiting for me – six of only 80 produced to be sent out to journalists and reviewers in advance of publication next year. They’re not finished – there are still some proofreading things to catch and one or two loose ends to tie up – but they are pretty close, a sort of dress rehearsal for how the book will be.
I stuffed them into my trusty Daunt Books bag and scurried off, eager to have a good look. Over the next few days I’ll be combing through the pages and going over the queries from the proofreader to try to catch any last slips and typos before it all goes to press for the final time.
There’s a lot to do before it’s finally put to bed, but this is definitely a proud moment. Hard to believe it all started with a 300-word blog post asking for help from the world’s readers almost exactly three years ago today…
A year of reading the world 
This is SO exciting – I can’t wait to read it. Just gutted that it won’t be out for Christmas,I had planned to give it to at least four friends!
Aw, thanks Cathryn. Maybe it could be a birthday present instead? 😉
Congratulations! I am so exciting for you (and for me to read your book)! Cheers!
Yay! Cheers to you too Laura.
That’s awesome
Thanks – yes I’m excited.
That’s exciting! Good luck with it 🙂
Thanks!
Fantastic!
Thanks!
Wow! What an exciting moment 🙂 And many more still to come!
Let’s hope so!
how exciting!
Yes – it is quite!
That’s so exciting! I’ll have to get my hands on a copy when it comes out!
Thanks Jessica!
congratulations! would love to review it on my blog. followed you as I did the 52-country reading challenge
Thanks very much – I’ll pass your request on to the team at Random House.
Congratulations Ann Morgan! I had missed out on this!
Thanks!
Makes me smile — congratulations!
Thanks Jill!
Congratulations! I cannot wait to read it too!
Thanks!