Hmmm, in life I think I've probably written a bit more than a million words. Does that count?

JB

Whenever I'm working on a novel, I always have a parallel file which I name "out-takes". I always think I will come back to the stuff I put in there (which generally includes any number of false starts) but I never do.

I have a file like that too, called 'projects'. It also contains edited outakes from novels, just in case anyone ever wants a full text version. I just got a full text version of Neil Gaiman's American Gods in a charity shop, which is funny, because I didn't even know there was one!

JB

I have a file alongside the other files for each novel called 'dump'. It's much easier to cut things if you can pretend you'll use them somewhere else. It's a bit like left-overs in the fridge - you give them a chance to be useful, and by the time you realise they're not, they've gone mouldy and you don't mind throwing them out.

The version of TMOL that I submitted for the MPhil has quite a lot of differences from the UK version and the US version is (slightly) different again... all in the cause of the PhD students of the future, of course.

Emma

Emma - are there any differences in the way the story is told, what is put in/left out, between the UK and US editions, or is it purely a question of language, ie UK usage versus US usage? It's just that someone said to me that American readers like to have things more spelt out than European readers. And before you ask, it was an American who said this, and, it just so happens, an editor (working for a UK publisher).

I have yet to see the American copy-edit (due next week, so if I'm not around much here, that's why), complete with US spellings which is going to be odd in a novel which is very much in two very English characters' voices. I see why they're doing though - I really don't want American readers being jolted every time they meet humour or candour or whatever. I don't really know how US punctuation differs, and they both have very characteristic punctuation too... The letters are staying in English English spelling, though, which is good.

It wasn't really a question of more spelt out or left out. (though I wouldn't blame them, as some of the finer details of Suffolk circa 1976 might be a bit allusively described for anyone who wasn't there, or hasn't watched Top of the Pops reprises since) It was small, structural shifts of the sort which any editor might have asked for, if you see what I mean.

(Have just heard TMOL's Russian translation rights have been sold. I do wonder what it will look like in Cyrillic...)

Emma

Hey, congratulations on the Russian rights!

Thanks, Roger.

Emma

Yes, very well done Emma. I'm looking forward to getting my copy! (Roger, I still haven't got yours yet as I'm in the poorhouse, but it's sat there on Amazon and as soon as I start my new job, it's top of my list!)

JB

Thanks, JB. But you never know, you might hate it.

Emma

I doubt it Emma, from what I've heard it sounds fly!

JB

Thanks JB - don't worry about buying it. Pester your local library. Make them buy a copy (if they haven't already)!

I think getting libraries to buy things is probably just as good if not better; I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting more people to read my book, even more than wanting more sales.

But you'll have better things to do, won't you JB, from what I've just read in the lounge?

Emma

I'll always have time to read Emma, never fear! And I'll buy both books. I'll only be skint until the next pay cheque and I want my own copy (though ordering at the library I will do as well. Gives me an excuse to chat up this guy I've got my eye on!) Even if I get thrown out, well, they'll have your books in stock!

JB

Ah, the sweet smell of success. I do love it when people on this site get published. It makes all our hours of sweat worthwhile.

Champers all round!

D.