grateful but sadI may have seemed a little quiet lately. That's honestly because I'm sort of in shock. I just can't believe it's over. I've been living with these people for so long that knowing that their book is closed is just...it's stunning. It's difficult to wrap my head around.
It's finished.
When I finished Feed, it was the best thing I had ever written, and I truly believe that writing it is what enabled me to grow enough as an author to become publication-ready (the final revision of Rosemary and Rue happened after the first draft of Feed). Each subsequent book has stolen that title from its predecessor. I am proud of these books. I am amazed by them. And no, I am not ashamed to say that. It's my book-day. I get to be proud.
This trilogy has earned me two Hugo nominations (three, if you count "Countdown"), a place on the Publishers Weekly Best Books list, and so much more. It has brought me into contact with amazing people from around the world. It has allowed me to indulge my passion for viruses and pandemic preparedness without freaking people out (too much). It has changed my life forever, and I am so grateful, and I am so pleased that you have all been here with me.
I'll open the discussion thread for Blackout tomorrow or Thursday, after more people have had time to finish the book; please, no spoilers here. But...thank you.
Thank you all so much, forever.
Rise up while you can.
May 23 2012, 01:14:20 UTC 5 years ago
Thank you for writing this trilogy. These characters. I don't know why I've empathized with them as much as I have, but while Toby and her crew, and the Prices, are all beloved characters, somehow over the course of these past two years, the Masons and the crew at After the End Times have become almost like friends. I feel so deeply for and with these characters that it's crazy, and you've made them feel well and truly REAL.
I have sobbed disgustingly over these books. I threw Deadline across the room at least once because I was so overwhelmed by OH FUCKING HELL WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK JUST HAPPENED OH SHIT FUCK BEARS.
Two years ago, sitting in the break room on my lunch break and crying into my noodles, I couldn't imagine how you could possibly top Feed. Last year as I was on the verge of nodding off at work because I'd stayed up all night to read Deadline, I knew you'd topped Feed and couldn't imagine how you'd top Deadline, though at that point I was certain you would. And today, 5 hours after I finished Blackout and I'm still trying to process all the emotions I feel about it, I know you've succeeded.
I feel like I'm pretty much guaranteed to enjoy anything you write, because your characters are awesome and well-rounded and your worlds are intriguing, and we have similar taste in stories. But Newsflesh, to me, will always be the story that wormed its way into my heart and soul and became part of me.
So, thank you. I'm sad that there won't be any more stories with this particular team of bloggers that I've fallen so deeply in love with, but their story's been told, and I can't wait to see what you do next. I know I'll love it.
May 23 2012, 14:40:39 UTC 5 years ago
So very much, thank you.