Today we are celebrating the seventh anniversary of our blog. Can you believe it Wickeds? I can’t! Here’s a link you can click on to read our very first post and our very first Wicked Wednesday: https://wickedauthors.com/2013/05/01/wicked-wednesday-how-did-we-meet/ We slated our start for May first because Liz’s first book Kneading to Die was coming out on May seventh and we wanted to celebrate. Since that very first post we’ve shared joys, tears, laughter, and frustrations. The birth of new series and the end of others. We’ve been on retreats, to conferences, and talked via Zoom. We’ve met wonderful readers, bloggers, and loved the stories left in our comments. So many guest bloggers have joined us sharing their books and adventures with us. Thanks for being part of The Wickeds!
The picture above is the very first Wicked retreat in June of 2013. Jessie generously opened her house in Old Orchard Beach, Maine to us.
Since it’s been seven years, I have seven questions to ask you Wickeds.
When we started the blog did you have any books or short stories published and what was/were the titles?
Julie: First of all, that picture! A lifetime ago. I had one short stories published, by Level Best books. “Her Wish” was in Dead Calm.
Barb: I had one book published, The Death of an Ambitious Woman, and maybe a half a dozen short stories.
Sherry: I didn’t have anything published! And Julie, I agree the picture seems like ions ago!
Jessie: My first book, Live Free or Die had released but I felt like a real newbie still!
Edith/Maddie: My first mystery, Speaking of Murder, was out, published under the name Tace Baker by a micro press, and A Tine to Live, a Tine to Die, my first Local Foods Mystery, was about to be released in at the end of June. Like Barb, I also had six short stories in print.
Liz: I had a short story published – Headaches and Mad Cows.
Did you have any books under contract?
Julie: I didn’t have a contract!
Barb: The first three Maine Clambake Mysteries were under contract. Clammed Up was turned in and I was working on Boiled Over.
Edith/Maddie: I had a three-book contract for the Local Foods Mysteries. I was about to turn in ‘Til Dirt Do Us Part, the second book.
Sherry: I had a contract for the first three Sarah Winston Garage Sale mysteries. I was writing Tagged for Death. https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/30487
Liz: I had a contract for the first three books in my Pawsitively Organic series. I think I’d just turned in Kneading to Die.
Jessie: I had my first three book contract for the Sugar Grove Mysteries. I cannot remember which book I was working on at the time but I think it was the second one, Maple Mayhem.
How many books do you have out now?
Julie: Digging Up the Remains will be out in August. It’s my eighth book and my third series. Hard to believe!
Barb: I have eight Maine Clambake books, and one Jane Darrowfield book and The Death of an Ambitious Woman, though arguably it’s not out, since the ebook is no longer available and you can only get used copies of the print book. So, nine or ten, depending on how you count, plus contributions to three novella collections.
Edith/Maddie: Rather unbelievably, Murder at the Taffy Shop was my twentieth – plus a novella in a three-novella collection (following in Barb’s big footsteps!).
Sherry: I have eight books out in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mysteries.
Liz: I have seven Pawsitively Organics, three Cat Cafes (as Cate Conte), and my first Full Moon Mystery (also as Cate) is out soon!
Jessie: So far, I have released nine books under three different names. Lucky number ten, Murder Comes to Call will release this October.
How did you feel before your first book came out?
Julie: Excited, thrilled, grateful, nervous. I also felt like “finally!” since I was the last Wicked to be published.
Barb: So nervous. I had done a lot of things in my life, but I had never put myself out there to be judged in quite that way. On the other hand, it truly was a dream come true.
Edith/Maddie: I was excited and nervous and elated! I’d wanted to have a published novel for eighteen years, and I was finally there.
Sherry: I was so nervous! I was afraid everyone would hate it and write terrible reviews. It felt like taking my baby out in public and then having someone criticize the size of its nose. But whew — it was actually lovely.
Liz: I was totally nervous too, but so excited. It had been my dream since I was a little kid.
Jessie: I felt like it was such a line to be crossing, as though there was no turning back. I agree with Barb about the tredidation of public scrutiny! I think the jumble of emotions was a bit of a surprise since I had expected to only feel delight.
How do you feel now before a book comes out?
Julie: I still weep when I get my box of books. I’m mostly grateful that I’m on this journey, and thrilled that readers enjoy my work.
Barb: My books have been coming out between Christmas and New Year’s for the last three years, so mostly I’m too busy to feel anything, except grateful that the timing means I don’t have to do any in person events.
Edith/Maddie: I also still squeal and clap when I get a box filled with copies of a book I wrote, one I agonized over, one where the story surprised me (that is, all of them), one I put my all into. There’s nothing like it.
Sherry: I’m still nervous when a new book comes out. I still think people are going to write terrible reviews or say “Well, she had a good run.” I’m always trying to challenge myself to try something new in my books. But there is no better feeling than holding your next book in your hands.
Liz: Usually I’m busy trying to finish the next one so I don’t have time to be nervous anymore! But I always make a trip to the bookstore to see it on the shelf – that never gets old.
Jessie: I still feel amazed at every stage of the process. I can never believe I have managed to write a whole book. I get caught up in the cover art. I am thrilled to receive the galleys when my manuscript looks like a book. I always take a deep breath and let the joy of it wash over me when my box of author copies arrives on my front porch.
What has surprised you in the past seven years?
Julie: There have been ebbs and flows for sure, but I’ve worked in the arts for years, so I felt prepared for that. I think the thing that surprises me the most is how much I love it. Publishing was a dream, for sure. But I had no idea how much I’d love it.
Barb: It has surprised me that the community of readers and writers I have become a part of has come to mean so much in my life.
Edith/Maddie: Seriously, what Julie and Barb both said. Also, it surprises me that characters continue to surprise me. It’s like channeling. Yesterday my character Robbie Jordan was about to open her restaurant’s service door to a food delivery person. Instead a suspect stood there glaring at her. Whoa! And I typed it…
Sherry: When we started the blog I had no idea how close we would all become. Or how much I would enjoy reading everyone’s comments day after day. I love how our readers share their stories with us. They feel like part of my family.
Liz: All the connections I’ve made with readers and how lovely people are, and how interested they are in my writing and my life! It’s been amazing.
Jessie: I am shocked at how easy it has been to do author events. I really struggled as a child with crippling shyness but it never rears its head when I am interacting with readers or other writers. I am still amazed and delighted by how calm I feel every time I head out for a signing or a panel.
What writing tip do you have?
Julie: That it’s a journey, and you have to keep moving to stay on it. Progress over perfection. Oh, and that writing mysteries is great for stress relief because you dispose of real life difficulties in your work. Keeps you calm.
Barb: If you are a new writing, get to know your peers. Go to SinC or MWA meetings and conferences. Turn to the person next to you at lunch and ask, “What are you working on?” That little question may result in some of the most significant relationships in your life.
Edith/Maddie: Again, what they said, wise ladies both! Plus, if you want to write the best book you can, you will. No excuses. Butt in the chair, fingers on the keyboard. It’s the only way. I’ve done it twenty-five times, and no job has ever made me happier.
Sherry: Don’t give up. I have two and a half books written that haven’t ever been published and stacks of rejection letters. Work at the craft of writing — take classes, and read writing books.
Liz: Write what’s calling to you! Don’t worry about other people’s opinions or “trends.”
Jessie: I agree with everything the other Wickeds have said. My own work motto is “follow the fun”. The work asks a lot and there are no guarantees about the way things will turn out. If you enjoy the process of creation along the way then no matter what happens you will hav e spent time doing a thing that brought you joy. What could be better than that?
Readers: If you are a writer answer the questions. If you are a reader, what has surprised you about the past seven years?
Congratulations Wickeds on your 7th blog anniversary and your respective writing journeys!!
As a reader, I am grateful to have found and read your books. I got a copy of Edith’s A TIne to Live, A TIne to Die at the Albany Bouchercon Kensington book giveaway, and I have gradually been able to enjoy reading books from the Wickeds! Bravo!!
What has surprised me in the past 7 years? I moved from Toronto to Ottawa in 2014 (not planned) for a new job and then ended up taking took early retirement 2 years later in 2016.
I am surprised that I don’t miss my 27-year research career that much. I did do some contract work in the first year of retirement but stopped after that.
Retirement has been filled with surprises and plenty of highs and lows.
The Highs. I discovered my new daily “routine” and was able to reach my new reading goals (175+ books read) each year. Surprisingly, that is only slightly more than when I was working full-time (140-150 books/year). I found other ways to keep me busy which are good (long hikes/walks, cooking/baking/dining clubs) and kinda good (darn computer games – I posted about this on this past Wednesday). And I was able to travel each year on extended vacations to both Left Coast Crime and Bouchercon each year and it was great fun to meet/see many of the Wickeds in person and to get more books!
The Lows. I had been always been fit and active and ridiculously healthy. So a broken ankle (2017-18), some auto-immune issues (2018) and now getting COVID-19 (2020) has certainly put a kibosh on the fun retirement activities I listed above.
That’s enough! I hope you can get back to being active and healthy soon, Grace.
Happy 7th! I published my first book in March 2013, so I guess you could say my career is as old as the Wickeds blog. I didn’t know about you back then though. Luckily that has been corrected!
We are glad to know you, Marla!
Happy blogiversary!!!! You all have answered the questions beautifully, so all I really have to say is DITTO. The mystery community rocks.
Thanks, Annette. It sure does.
Happy Anniversary Wickeds. So much has happened to all of you in the last seven years and I am thrilled that you have all published so many wonderful books for me and others to enjoy. 📚📚💖💖
Thanks so much!
Seven years ago, I had nothing and was just starting. Now I have three books – in two series – out, one in production, and a fifth underway. But I think my biggest surprise is how welcoming (in general, there are always “those people”) the mystery community is.
Oh, and that people actually LIKE what I write! Who’d have thought. LOL
Your books are fantastic, Liz! I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know you!
Aww, thanks Sherry!
Congratulations on the seventh blog anniversary! Praying there are many, many more. <3
What's surprising to me in the past seven years? I'd have to say first how fast it's gone by. I can remember by parents and grandparents talking about how fast time flies by as you get older. Now I know what they were talking about. Second, when did I get old? Seems like yesterday I was physically able to do all I wanted to and then I woke up and everything aches and refuses to move like it should or it just down right says "NO, not today!".
Another surprise for me was for ME to be the one to suggest to take a helicopter ride over Niagara Falls since I have a fear of heights. Funny thing is I was so concentrating on taking photos that I remember glitz about the flight itself.
Hoping the next seven years bring as much happiness, smiles, adventures and success to us all!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
For someone who doesn't do well with change, I have been amazed at how well I too to our move 3 years ago. I found that it wasn't hard to dispose of "stuff" and to leave the home we had for almost 30 years. Best decision we ever made just wish we had done it sooner.
I agree with you on the time flies and aches! I’m hoping to clean out our basement storeroom soon in anticipation of another move.
Many congratulations on your anniversary! And once again, thank you for welcoming me last week! What a wonderful community you have built here!
Thank you! And you are always welcome.
Warmest congratulations to all of you. It is such a pleasure to know you and to enjoy your books. What a powerhouse of knowledge, dedication, humor, and love you are! I am so grateful to be counted part of the mystery community and more specifically, this circle. Couldn’t have imagined it seven years ago.
It was a lucky day when Barb introduced us! I can’t wait until we can get together again!
My mom emailed me this: Congratulations on happy 7! They have been wonderful years and I enjoy your blog so much. It’s my wake-up reading every morning. Also have enjoyed so many books from all of you.
Your mom is the best!
Congrats on your 7th blogoversary, ladies! You all have so much to celebrate. Thanks for bringing us all along for the ride!
Thanks for being on the ride with us!
Congrats on seven years. I’m so glad you started this blog. It’s one of my favorite stops each day. Honestly, I don’t feel right until I stop in and see what you are talking about or who your guest of the day is.
Seven years ago, I was 8 months into a temp job. It would last for another 10 months. It was so time between when that job ended and another started that I found your blog. And, after that, I started reading all of your books.
In the last seven years, I finally made it to Malice. Twice. And I lost my next permanent job and started another one.
I started my blog seven years ago back in January, although that first six months was extra busy trying to copy over all my old reviews, it still keeps me very busy.
i didn’t realize that you started your blog seven years ago too! I always love reading it. Thanks for being here with us!
Congrats on seven years together and thanks for giving so many people so much pleasure with your writing.
Thanks for being here with us and reading our books!
Congratulations, Wickeds! It has been such a joy to read your books and to meet you (first on the blog and then at conferences). This is SUCH a special group of authors–and thanks for all that you do for readers and other writers. Cheers and hugs all around. ❤️
Thank you, Cynthia! I can’t wait until we can see you again!
Congratulations on 7 years!
Thanks so much!
Happy anni, my darling Wickeds! Thank you for all the opportunities you’ve given all of us OTHER authors! xoxo
Thank you, Ellen! So bummed I don’t get to see you this weekend.
Love you, Ellen!
Congratulations, Wickeds! It was a joy to be an official part of the fun for a few of those 7 years, and an unofficial part since then. I love you all!
Love you too!
Huzzah for your first seven years and may you continue for many many more!
I only read a few blogs and yours is the one that I enjoy the most.
Hope you each one have lots more published books in store for us, your readers.
Thank you so much! And there are more books coming from all of us!
Congratulation!!
(My fav no. is 7 as well 😀 )
Happy 7th Anniversary Ladies!
Technology has definitely changed the way we can get books. I love it. But, I still and always will cherish meeting the authors in person and receiving a personal note from my favorite Authors!
You are all a gift to me! I will cherish every book, and card I receive from authors! Sherry when I found you I didn’t realize how much we had in common. I could go on and on! Thank you for your wonderful books and sharing your seven years with us!!!