The text came back a second time for further revisions! In my own defence I have to say that it was for amendments not highlighted the first time round, specifically to do with three scenes racing ‘from nought to sixty’ too fast, and therefore requiring some further build-up to heighten the tension. Not difficult to do. And also some further cutting…bye-bye research… more painful, but probably no bad thing. The trouble with having done the background reading and made the geeky discoveries about a Wimshurst machine or the construction dates of the Metropolitan tube line is that you want to put it all in, not always to the reader’s total fascination.
I think it really is done now. The copy editor will be doing her work over the next few weeks and in the meantime book proofs will be made and distributed to key readers and buyers in early September.
AND there is a title, and a first jacket design with lovely artwork.
It’s going to be THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (I owe it to my editor for coming up with this good solution) and here’s the rough. Everyone likes it, but it’s not quite settled yet….
Publication date March 6. More news soon.
In the meantime I have been planning and organising a long trip to central Asia, setting off at the beginning of October. It’s partly research, and even more for the sheer joy of going to unlikely places. I have just dropped off my passport at the visa desk of the Embassy of Tajikistan, and I’m reading Fitzroy Maclean’s book EASTERN APPROACHES and rereading THE GREAT GAME to put myself in the mood.
I’ll be telling the story of the journey here, and putting up lots of pictures I hope. Follow me if you can.
Rosie Thomas 
Oh Rosie! I’m glad that the production process is over for you at long last! Your next trip sounds both fascinating and hard work. You go to places that I’ve barely heard of! 🙂 I’m so envious of your sheer courage and so glad that you have it, because without your input into my life via your books, my mind would be a much narrower place to be! Enjoy the anticipation and the preparation for your journey and keep us all up to date with the trip.
Rosemary
Dear Rosie, thank you for the update on “The Company of Strangers”. Your next journey surprises me, after reading “Border Crossing” I`m wondering why you have chosen to return to Central Asia unless of course it`s to take a closer look at the places you were unable to stop and explore previously. I will look forward to both your stories from the new journey and your book next March.
Thank You
Francesca
P.S Stay away from war zones and enjoy those mountains.
Hello Francesca, thanks for your message – and for having got on to Border Crossing! You are quite right – one of the reasons that I’m drawn back to that part of the world is that we gave it such a poor chance on that particular journey. A long time ago now, and circumstances are different. This will be a much slower and less prescribed itinerary, with opportunities to stop and look and learn more – I’m very interested in the long and harsh history of the region, as well as the geography. That taxing rally did generate some powerful friendships, though, so it wasn’t all adversity. If you remember Melissa, in the Porsche – she has just this week had her fourth baby, a lovely boy. And I had an email from Phil this morning, with the latest picture of his 8-month old son. Isn’t that great?
Very best wishes to you.
Rosie, a thought has just occurred to me. With all the out of the way places you go to, do you ever have trouble with the food? I know you do your research first but sometimes I have found in my travels that you can cause offence just by not eating enough, let alone refusing food! Have you ever been offered something that you absolutely refuse to try? If you were, would you close your eyes, swallow hard and smile brightly? 🙂
Rosemary, nice to hear from you. Food can be a problem, I fully agree. As a guest in a home you want to be friendly and appreciative, and even if it’s just a hotel or a restaurant you don’t want to seem spoiled and western in places where other people don’t have a lot to eat. BUT… in central Asia they love to give visitors a bowl of koumiss, which is basically fermented mare’s milk. I do have difficulty with that. Once in a traditional ryokan in Kyoto we were served a full, formal, kimono and kneeling-down breakfast in our room. Fish eyes and live wiggly things and pickled rawness – this would have been Ok at 10pm with lots of sake to wash it down, but at 8 in the morning I can manage a cup of tea at most. Between courses I hid most of the items under the table, wrapped in the shower cap from the bathroom, and smuggled them out afterwards. What a waste, I know. But if you keep an open mind and are willing at least to give things a try, most things are edible, aren’t they? There’s only one absolute rule, as far as I’m concerned. Never touch those gloopy metal trays of stuff laid out to keep warm under lamps. And if you do get unlucky, 3 fingers of Jack Daniels, my partner would say, is a good intestinal antiseptic….
Putting one’s breakfast in a shower hat shows great aplomb and a certain sleight of hand, Rosie! lol. I’m not at all sure I would have the presence of mind to do it although from the meal you describe, a definite necessity! 🙂 The Illusionist at work!
That’s not research Jane, that’s Masochism. But yes, most ‘things’ are edible though not all are palatable; believe me! Bevan.
I love reading your books of adventure. They take me places that I will never get to but can with your great descriptions of places and things…..and people. I am trying to read everything that you have written. Thanks for your enthusiasm and God-given talent.
Thank you, Marge. I’m glad you like the settings.
Hello Rosie, I am new to your blog and just wanted to comment that I do find your sharing of the process of getting your draft book published interesting and thank you for doing so. My sister has had a book published and is going through the process of having the draft of hopefully, her second book being accepted. I find myself saying ‘ah yes’ reminded of something my sister’s mentioned and how it can be a long winding road (sometimes) but the joy of holding the first bound book wow – I remember the delight in my sister’s voice. I look forward to reading your new book and, in the meantime, I’ve asked my hubby to get me a copy of ‘White’ for my birthday. Thanks again. Mary
Thank you, Mary – it’s an aspect of the publishing process that you don’t hear so much about so I’m glad it’s striking a chord.There’ll be more anon.