Finished.

[strange_complex]

Oh. My. God.

I have written a book.

*checks*

No, I definitely have. There it is.

WHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

This is certainly turning out to be an incredible year for me.

I can tell that I've written a book, not just because I've got to the end. But because I really feel that I've said everything I have to say about Roman suburbs. That's it now. There's nothing more to add. It's all in the book. And, bar a few final tasks, and perhaps the odd extra word chopped out here and there, it's ready to go out to the world.

The first sentence reads thus:

"A Roman city, like a text, a vase or a statue, is an artefact of the society which produced it."

and the last one thus:

"Thus it is in their use of the urban periphery as a place for constructing monumental public buildings that the relationship with Rome can best be traced."

If you want to find out what happens in between, you'd better join the queue to buy a copy, hadn't you? ;)

Comments

[swisstone.livejournal.com]

Congratulations. First of many, I'm sure. Go write the book on emperors in film next.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and I hope so. It's certainly good to have made a start.

[jessica-phoenix.livejournal.com]

Penny, this is simply marvellous!! Well done you! xxx

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *grins madly*

[qatsi.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

And did you manage to watch Doctor Who as well?

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes! In fact, I used Doctor Who as an incentive to get the last bit done. It was really all-but-finished at 6:45, which was the latest time I knew I'd be able to leave the house, buy duck and white wine, and get back for 7:15. I knew I'd need to re-read the last few paragraphs to be really sure it was as I wanted it, and indeed I did add in a few more sentences after Who. But, basically, I was able to relax and enjoy the episode in the knowledge that I'd finished at last.

Oh, and I can't tell you how thrilled I was by the bit in the trailer where they found K-9! Roll on next Saturday! :)

[miss-next.livejournal.com]

Yay! Enormous congratulations!

You have, I take it, got suitable chocolate? :-)

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Larks, yes! Green & Black's, no less. And I've just had duck for dinner. *grins, slightly bloatedly*

[libellum.livejournal.com]

I am beaming with pride right now :D You can bet I'm going to be posting that Amazon link to everyone I know and be all "that's my friend Penny, that is!!!! I know her!!!"

Wish I was there to help you celebrate :)

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

The Amazon entry has actually been up there for months. I've just kept very quiet about it until now. ;) Back when I knew perfectly well that I'd only got 4.5 chapters finished out of 7, and that one of the ones which remained was 50,000 words long by itself, I found it rather scary, and doubted Routledge's optimism. Now, I am damn proud of it!

Your celebratory assistance would indeed be very welcome. But I'm sure a delayed celebration will be just as enjoyable. :)

[kernowgirl.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! I'm so damned proud of you!

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

[ladyguinevere83.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! Do you feel nice and accomplished now?

I shall be recommending it to my sister ;-)

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

I certainly do! The real sense of achievement will come when I hand it over at the post office, I think. Up till then, there's still the possibility of fiddling with it some more, so I can't quite let it go. But even so, the weight of it has definitely lifted.

It will, of course, be appearing on the lecture list for my own course on Roman cities next year! I would personally recommend it to students everywhere. ;)

[nwhyte]

Well done!

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

that is *so* cool! well done you.

Do we get a discount?

:-)

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Re discounts, don't quote me on this, because I haven't read through all the relevant documentation properly yet to check where I stand. But I think I am able to purchase books from Routledge at a 30% discount once I become one of their published authors. And that should mean people can actually buy the book at a discounted price through me if they want to. Still £35, I'm afraid, but that's academic books for you... :(

My stance is that no-one should feel in the least bit obliged to buy the book just because they know me. But, y'know - if they'd like to, that would be great, and if I can help out by arranging a discount for them, I'm more than willing to do so.

[ex-kharin447.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[aellia.livejournal.com]

Very well done!
I've looked at the link.Out in October? And is that the price £51.69?

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I think the October date is probably a bit over-optimistic now, as they were originally assuming they'd have my manuscript 6 months ago. Early 2007 is more likely.

As for the price, yes, I'm afraid so. :( It's sad for me, because obviously I'd like my book to be accessible to a much wider range of people than that will make it. But that's what academic book prices are like. They know not that many people will want to buy the book at all, so they just sell a few copies at a high price.

However, as explained in my comment to dakegra above, I think I'll actually be able to get at least a few discounted copies for any friends who are interested. I'm not totally sure yet, and I'll post fuller details when I know. But, in practice, it shouldn't actually be necessary to buy it at full price from Amazon.

[kkjxx.livejournal.com]

Many congratulations...

Wow... just wow!

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks. It is kinda wow, isn't it? *beams*

[davesangel.livejournal.com]

That is utterly fantastic news, well done!!! :D

When I buy my copy I'll have to insist that you autograph it, of course :P

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It certainly feels good.

And indeed - autographs for all!

[mrkgnao.livejournal.com]

Check you out. Congratulations - what a marvellous acheivement. I feel all fuzzy for you.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Aww! Thanks. :)

[megamole.livejournal.com]

Wheee!

Congratulations and hugs!

(raises glass)

(I'm reading a book about Mithridates at the moment...)

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks, and excellent icon use!

I'm afraid Mithridates doesn't feature in my book even once. But that's OK, 'cos you'll already know all about him by the time you read mine!

As for American things - nothing particular I can think of, but thanks for the offer.

[irisetta.livejournal.com]

Many congratulations! :) x

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thanks. :)

[kaz-pixie.livejournal.com]

yay well done you!

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And I can't tell you how much I'm going to enjoy QI on Monday now. Very good timing! :)

[ex-lark-asc.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks, and excellent icon!

[pickwick.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, congratulations!

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *big grin*

[thebiomechanoid.livejournal.com]

Excellent work, Super proud of you.
It's an honour to know you, Miss. Superbrains : )

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

*Bows*

And I'm honoured to know you too. You're amazing already, and I really can't wait to see what you blossom into in the future. The world is truly your oyster. :)

[rosamicula.livejournal.com]

Marvellous - but not entirely unexpected - news!

The Duck may, temporarily at elast, lay his pompoms down.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

And the duck has no option, given how I've already eaten him. ;)

[angeoverhere.livejournal.com]

Woooohooooooooh!!!!!!!!! Just, wow!!

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yes, it is. I think the real 'wow' moment will come when it's been printed, and I hold an actual physical copy of it in my hand. But, still - this is pretty wow in itself.

[jurious.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! It must feel great to complete something of that scale. I can only imagine how it feels. Well done.

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks. It is definitely pretty epic! I wouldn't fancy having to do it again in a hurry.

[my-mundane-life.livejournal.com]

Wow fantastic!! I'm so in awe!
One day I too will write a book ;)
You're brilliant :)

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

Yes, you will, and it will be ace! In the meantime, I hope the thesis is going well. I think half the trick is being sure not to lose momentum once you've got it.

[firefish.livejournal.com]

Well done. :) I'm glad that you've achieved your goal. I look forward to attempting to read it!

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

Hehe! Thanks. I hope it won't be too dull a read, but I can't promise a Dan Brown, I'm afraid! :)