There Will Be Tears – Saying Goodbye to the Wicked Blog

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Sherry who learned after eleven years of blogging that one should not try to do a post when one is tired!

Some of you will have already read this as I inadvertently sent it out Sunday night. This version has pictures and one update near the end of the post.

As you now know, last spring at the Wicked’s retreat, Barb and I made the difficult decision to leave the blog. Trust me, this did not come easy—no one wants to break up the band and we arrived at the decision independently. I was shocked when Barb said she’d decided to leave and relieved that I wasn’t the only one who knew it was time for a change. As Barb said to me, this blog has been an important part of our lives.

Our readers and guests mean so much to me. We wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for you. When we first started the blog, we were relative unknowns – only Barb, Edith, and Jessie had published a book and those were with small presses. As we strategized, we really wanted to get a big name to join us. When Sheila Connolly said she’d do a monthly column, we were thrilled and have missed her wit and wisdom. Kimberly Kurth Gray wrote her terrific Detective’s Daughter posts and Susannah Hardy/Sadie Hartwell joined us to share her thoughts on writing. Our first blog had zero comments. In our first five posts we had a total of six comments. Only one wasn’t from one of us.

A rare picture of all of us together!

Two big highlights for me were our fun photo shoot with Meg Manion Silliker and being featured in the Boston Globe. When Meg started the photo shoot you’ve never seen a stiffer bunch of women. Then she suggested walking down the street. Meg snapped the moment of us laughing that we use for our header and so captures who we are. 

In the end though, so much of the blog has been about the six of us. We went from unknowns, and some of us unpublished, to all of us having multiple books published, and all of us being nominated for awards. We’ve shared joys, disappointments, laughter, tears, and frustrations. There have been grandchild born and we’ve mourned the loss of loved ones. We’ve stayed up late into the night talking at our retreats. I love each of the Wickeds for their uniqueness.

Barb—She’s one of the smartest women I know–both left and right brained. She’s also funny and loyal. While I’d seen Barb (along with Edith and Liz) at some New England Sisters in Crime events, I didn’t get to know her until we both rode home with Edith from Seascape in 2009. Barb is the one who told me that her agent knew an editor at Kensington who was looking for someone to write a garage sale-themed mystery. And, as they say, the rest is history.

When we first met in 2009 at Seascape with our friend Christine Hillman Keyes from Australia.

Edith—when we first started the blog, I’d never written a post before. I was terrified. Fortunately, Edith was there for me, and I sent her my first few posts. She’d do some editing or make suggestions until I was confident enough to handle it on my own. I’m not sure Edith knows how much that kindness meant and still means to me. Edith is a font of energy, fearless, and if someone needs to be asked something, Edith will do it.

Hallie Ephron moderated a panel with all of us at her local library.

Jessie—I didn’t know Jessie when we started the blog. I’d moved back to Virginia before the other Wickeds met her. Jessie has unfailing generosity, an optimistic attitude, is a wicked talented plotter, and always makes time for me even when she’s busy. She also introduced me to cider donuts. I haven’t decided if that’s a good thing or not!

Julie—Many of you have heard this story before. In 2005 Julie and I happened to sit at the same banquet table at Malice Domestic. I’d recently found out that the Air Force was sending us to Hanscom AFB and I did not want to move to Massachusetts. But that night there was Julie being Julie by making connections and welcoming strangers. She told me to join Sisters in Crime and to go to Crime Bake. Both of those things were life changing not only because it led to being published, but mostly because it led to our friendship and to meeting the rest of the Wickeds. Julie and I have had so many adventures together from standing in line waiting anxiously to pitch our books at conferences, to plotting one of my books on a two-hour drive, to sneaking out of a conference and touring Vancouver.

At a Malice Domestic conference

Liz—We also met at Seascape. Edith, Liz, and I were in the same small group at the conference. When my roommate, Christine and I realized Liz had a long commute, we asked her to spend the night with us. I will never forget the three of us sneaking around the building at midnight looking for a rollaway bed and giggling. We eventually found one, dragged the mattress to our room, and stayed up all night talking. Liz laughs easily, her passion for animals is unsurpassed, and she’s always trying to improve herself, which makes me want to do the same.

A reader asked on the Monday blog post why we were leaving. It was a good question and thought I’d tell you my reasoning. My husband retired two years ago and I love spending time with him. We’ve been traveling more and so it’s nice to do it without worrying about the blog. I’ve also written over 140 individual posts and fear becoming repetitive or boring. I wouldn’t ever want to let the Wickeds or our readers down.

All these women have my back, call me out when I need it, and love me through all my flaws and insecurities. I can’t imagine having been part of a better group. While I may not be blogging with them anymore, I know we will always be part of each other’s lives. Thank you Wickeds for everything you’ve done for me. I love each of you deeply and fiercely.

At our retreat last May

So dear readers, you’ll be happy to know that I didn’t short out my keyboard writing this, but I came close. There were tears. Thank you so much for being on this journey with us. May you all have wonderful people in your life.

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Published by Sherry Harris

Sherry Harris is the author of the Agatha Award nominated Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series and the Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Mystery series.

70 Thoughts

  1. Sherry, thank you for explaining why the very strange truncated email arrived Sunday. You will be missed.

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  2. Sherry, you and Barb will be deeply missed by many. The Wickeds just won’t be the same without you! I really couldn’t figure out what was going on Sunday when I read your post. Especially since it said by now you will have heard that you and Barb were leaving the blog. So I googled and checked Facebook pages and came up with zip. As sad as I was to see the post announcing that you and Barb were really leaving the blog, part of me was relieved that I wasn’t going crazy. I wish you the best in the next chapter of your life and am sure you will enjoy getting to spend more time with your husband.

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  4. What a beautiful post, Sherry. You’ve been such an important part of our little group and my life as an author. I’m going to hold you to “we will always be part of each other’s lives” – see you in the spring!

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  5. Great post Sherry.

    I’m sorry to see you leave the blog, though I understand your reasons for doing so.

    Thanks for the posts and the great reads (and signed copies).

    May we raise a toast someday…at the Sea Glass Saloon!

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  6. I will miss reading your blogs, and Barb’s, but times change and we have to change with it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do next! I hope that your path includes more writing!

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  8. You will be sorely missed. However, with my own hubby retired, I know how freeing it can be not to have to answer to anyone or submit a request for time off and then wonder if it will be approved before you can even plan a vacation. It’s nice not to even have vacations limited to a certain time frame too. If one loves their hubby like I do, they enjoy spending time with them. I know I looked as forward to his retirement as he did. Now we enjoy all our time together. Of course we have some separate interest, but doing different things at the same time is our choosing. I love the saying about tomorrow not being guaranteed and the one about enjoying today as if its a present. So I say – God bless and off to new adventures as you enjoy each others company!

    Will be looking forward to the times you do drop in. ❤
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  9. Sherry! Will miss you and will always be grateful for your generosity here to me and Cyd. Happy travels and remember– carry-on only! xxxx

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  12. Sherry, I met Liz & Edith at a WPA conference over a decade ago, thoroughly enjoyed their company, and bought Edith’s first book out of a suitcase with the last cash in my pocket. I think I still owe her 25 cents. lol When the Wickeds began the blog, I signed up right away, feeling sure that the other gals would be just as genuine and engaging. I always looked forward to the posts and was never disappointed.

    You and Barb will always be Wickeds to me, no matter what your next exciting chapters will be. Thank you for all the joy you’ve brought us. 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much, Patti! I remember meeting you at lunch or dinner at Boucheron at Raleigh. It was my first Bouchercon and meeting someone like you, made it so much more fun.

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  13. Sherry, Enjoy this wonderful time with your delightful hubby. I’m sad to see you leave the Wickeds, but freedom is in front of you!

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  14. SHERRY: Sorry to see you leave the Wickeds. It’s this blog where I found your books & was able to celebrate your book releases. And I am glad we have met in person at many conferences. But I understand about you wanting to be with your hubby. I have been enjoying your recent travels online. Enjoy!

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  16. Even when moving on is the best thing personally, it sure is hard! This was a beautiful tribute. You and Barbara will be missed.

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  18. Sherry, I will miss you here. But I hope to see you somewhere — maybe on one of your journeys though the Midwest! Hugs and best to you as you move into a new phase of life! You’ve been an inspiration to me!

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  21. You ladies are….WICKED! Thank you Sherry for always encouraging us pre-published writers. See you at Malice for a large toast!

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  22. What a great tribute to everyone. You will definitely be missed, but as I said Monday, I’m not surprised by this decision. Sad, but not surprised.

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  24. Your beautiful blog has been such an inspiration and gift to us, your readers. Thank you and best wishes for new adventures and joy moving forward!

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    1. It has been! You have been a big part of that. I still remember getting on an elevator at one of my first Crime Bakes and you were on it. I was so in awe then and still am!

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  27. You and Barb will definitely be missed. I’ve loved this blog (the first one I ever read) from the very beginning. Enjoy whatever comes your way. There is so much out there to explore. Thanks for the great ride.

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  28. It is our loss and you two will be missed Barbara and Sherry. I will keep being close to you with your books. Thank you for all you have written in the book world and on the blog. I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together. God bless and good luck in your endeavors. Just writing in these blogs has helped my thinking and writing.

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  30. I am beyond sad for the departure of our two dear friends, but understand that life depends on change, so I wish all of you only the very best…blessings, love, health, success and unlimited joy always!!! Luis at ole dot travel

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  32. You’ve brought such joy to people through this blog. It’s been wonderful to be a part of it. Thank goodness I didn’t get that single room that I paid for at Seascape! Laughing all night with you and Liz literally changed the course of my life. I can’t wait to go on more adventures with you.

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