gratefulThe first October Daye book—Rosemary and Rue—was published in September, 2009. It was not my first publication, thanks to a few anthologies that managed to speed through the publishing process (Ravens in the Library and Grant's Pass), but it was my first real sale, and it was the book that opened the door that led to those anthologies. Without Toby, I don't know that I'd be in either book, even though both were edited by friends of mine, because no one really thought of me that way. Not yet.
Since September 2009, I have published fifteen books, ranging from Toby to Velveteen. I have appeared in enough anthologies that I honestly can't tell you how many; not without counting them. I have experienced the soul-crushing terror of the Hugo Awards as viewed from the front row (which is a flavor of fear that I never truly appreciated until it was wrapping its arms around me and squeezing me tight). I have written more than a million words of fiction. Possibly more than two million words. And while I have been stressed and strained and stretched too thin, I have never lost sight of how incredibly lucky I am. I get to tell these stories. I get to see my name in bookstores, which is an honor and joy beyond compare. It's never not exciting. I hope it never will be.
Thank you. Thank you so much, for reading, for talking, for reviewing, for helping, by your very presence, because without people, there would be no publication. A book that is unread is a book that falls into obscurity, and has no sequels, and has no future.
I am very tired, but I am very grateful. The last four years have been amazing. I wouldn't trade them for the world.
Now let's go steal me four more.
October 2 2013, 15:00:32 UTC 3 years ago
Minor electrical fire - my bunbun and I are fine, but I'm living in a hotel for a month and can't get to pretty much all of my stuff and bunny is being boarded and everything is just a huge annoying mess (though I am well aware it could have been much worse)
I am occupying myself with a massive Toby reread, on e-books because all of my deadtree books are being treated for smoke stink, and it's been nifty to re-immerse myself in her world while looking for your hidden breadcrumbs. Also, I finally got to the Squeecast this morning, and listening to you squee about Haunt season makes me smile. 8 seasons at Fright Fest, so for me fall smells of crisp leaves with a slight undertone of pee and the distant sound of screaming and laughter.
So I wanted to say Thank You - and now everyone go check you smoke detectors.
October 3 2013, 16:09:23 UTC 3 years ago
And thank you.