Publish a Book, Sit Back and Wait – Serendipity

Previously when I’ve published books the most interesting people have come out of the woodwork to contact me after seeing the book.  So when my new book – Through the Looking Glass – came out the other week I wondered what might happen with some hope.

So far it’s been very interesting. First off through a friend I was contacted by the great granddaughter of the great Italian Ambassador to Peking and author Daniele Vare, probably best known for his book The Maker of Heavenly Trousers and his biography of the Dowager Empress. This was obviously a delight as Vare’s granddaughter has just moved to Peking.

It so happens that Vare dedicated a book (The Gate of Happy Sparrows I think) to the great journalist JOP Bland. By chance a descendant of Bland happened to also contact me after hearing about the book.

Then in Peking the other night I gave a talk and happened to mention the great Guardian China reporter Tim Timperley. Afterwards a gent came up and introduced himself as Mr Timperley, a relative. Another nice piece of serendipity.

That’s after just a couple of weeks so who knows who might pop up out of the woodwork next.