This week, we celebrate three years of blogging. We’ve added three accomplices who join us once a month, and we’re delighted to include guests. We’ve also added names on the masthead, since a few of us are writing more than one series. But the best thing about this blog: our readers. Dear readers, you will never know how much your comments, reviews, likes, and retweets mean to us.
So, dear Wickeds, thinking back upon these three years, let us know your thoughts.
Liz: Wow – three years! I remember our mad rush to get the blog launched before the first books in my and Edith’s series came out. Three years later, I feel so blessed looking back at this journey. First, we’ve picked up some accomplices along the way, which has been lovely. Second, I’ve lost count of all the books we’ve published since that day. Third, this blog has given us the opportunity to get to know so many of our readers at a much deeper level. And best of all, I think this is not only a celebration of our blog, but of our friendship. We are so lucky to have each other, and I love these ladies more every day.
Barb: What a ride it has been! The answer, Liz, I think is 24 books, plus 3 short story anthologies, and 5 more mystery novels that are not yet published but can currently be pre-ordered, for a whopping total of 32! And that does not even include the Accomplices, who are extraordinarily prolific. I’m so proud that we’ve embraced the cozy label, and created a brand, Wicked Cozy Authors, that is a big, comfortable house we can all live in.
Edith: That’s a lotta books, Barb! It’s been such a treat to see this blog grow and reshape and become more well-known. I love that we have regular reader/commenters who show up faithfully every day. I love that, at conferences, we now sometimes hear, “Oh, you’re one of the Wicked Cozys!” I love that we’ve figured out a way to wrangle the schedule that doesn’t overwhelm any of us. I love that Accomplices Sheila Connolly, Kim Gray, and Susannah Hardy find new content every month and post it on time. Mostly I love being part of this super creative and incredibly supportive family that is my blogmates.
Julie: I love being part of this blog, and knowing these women. Having a safe place where you can say anything, and have five people who don’t judge, just support. I knew everyone prior to this journey, but to lesser degrees. In the past three years they have all become friends. Writer friends, find your group. You don’t have to blog together, but you do need each other. (Sisters in Crime is the root of all things Wicked Cozy, btw.) Readers of both this blog and our books–we wouldn’t exist without you, so thank you for being part of this journey.
Jessie: Three years! Not only that, but today marks our 800th post! The mind boggles! I don’t think any of us would have thought that such a strong, supportive community would grow up around the blog. Truly, it has been a marvel and a privilege. It’s a rare thing to develop meaningful new friendships as an adult. What started out as a way to thrive in a marvelous and bewildering business has turned into one of the high points of my professional and personal life. Thanks so much ladies!
Sherry: I had no idea what I was getting into when I wrote you all! I’d never written a blog post and only read a few. I felt like I was from one of those old Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland movies saying: Let’s put on a show. And you ladies certainly know how to put on a show. What I like best, and what was always our intent, was that we wanted this to be about more than us. We wanted it to be about our writing friends and our readers. I love you ladies and the people who join us! What an adventure.
Readers: Who forms your support committee? Where do you find community, validation, like-minded friends?