Saying Good-bye to the Wickeds

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The moment we’ve all been talking about for a week, and that I’ve been anticipating since May, has finally come. This is my last post as a member of the Wicked Authors. Partings are difficult and this one particularly so.

I will miss my fellow authors and readers. Some of the relationships created here are among the most meaningful in my life. I have appreciated every one of you—your contributions, posts, and comments, and your general good cheer. What a lovely place this has been—and no doubt will continue to be.

As I have assured my fellow Wickeds repeatedly, I am #notdying. I’ll still be around on some social media platforms and can be reached via my website. I extend that invitation to all of you. The Wickeds have said I can visit as a guest author if I should ever be published again. So maybe I’ll see you here. Not shutting the door. More of a “so long” than a “farewell.”

Take care of yourselves. Have great holidays. And thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
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Published by Barbara Ross

Barbara Ross is the author of twelve Maine Clambake Mystery novels and six novellas. Her books have been nominated for multiple Agatha Awards for Best Contemporary Novel and have won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. She lives in Portland, Maine. Readers can visit her website at www.maineclambakemysteries.com

65 Thoughts

  1. Will be looking forward to you visiting here every now and then. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  5. Sniff. It’s definitely the end of an era, Barb. I remember meeting you for the first time at a SINCNE workshop (Elizabeth Lyon?) south of Boston many years ago, and you said you had a contract for your first book. I thought, “Wow, it’s possible!” And look at us now.

    You have been such an integral part of the Wickeds since the beginning. I can’t quite imagine going on without you, but we’ll give it a stab.

    Let’s meet up for lunch in Portsmouth or Kennebunk during the warmer months. Because, #notdying.

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  7. Barb,

    I have to admit that your departure from the Wickeds was less surprising to me than Sherry taking her leave.

    Reading the blog posts about the last book in the Maine Clambake series and the ones you did about what you learned during your writing career seemed to hint at a big change to come.

    That said, the official announcement that you were leaving was still a bummer. But with new adventures for you to come, I’m sure we’ll be hearing from you again in the near future even if it isn’t for a new book series.

    Oh, and a question for you that I forgot to ask Sherry yesterday as well, since you are not “officially” writing these days, does that preclude the possibility of you doing author signings again too?

    Thanks for all the books (and the signed copies) and blogs!

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    1. Hi, Jay. That What I’ve learned series did sound valedictory, didn’t it? I did a book talk and signing last night, and Kensington just reprinted Clammed Up for the eighth time, so I will still be around, though maybe not as much. Thanks for asking.

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  9. I will greatly miss your contributions to this community of writers, and I do hope that we will hear from you occasionally to let us know what you are up to. I have enjoyed your books – they have educated and entertained me! Good luck in whatever you do next.

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  10. Best wishes and safe travels on your next adventures! I have learned so much from your posts. I’ve saved your last six part series to re-read when the need strikes. A great teacher! Godspeed!

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  12. Goodbye and thanks for all the good reads. I read the blog all the time even if I don’t comment. Happy trails.
    Jackie

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  13. Wherever your path takes you, I wish you well! Thank you for your encouragement with my attempts to write the next great novel, even though I came to my senses and paused that pipe dream, for now. So long for now Barb, see you later!

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  14. BARB: Your Maine Clambake series was a joy to read, and I enjoyed your blog posts and meet-ups at conferences. Sending you best wishes & enjoy the winter in KW!

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  16. Your wit and humor, good advice and wonderful Maine Clambake series have been a gift over these past years. Thanks you! You will be missed. Best wishes for whatever is on your horizon. I look forward to future guest posts!

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  18. Your books informed and inspired, while providing fun mysteries and a great protagonist. I thoroughly enjoyed the ups and downs of Julia’s life, with her friends and real-world bumpy, loving family. Brava for a series well written! I have all the titles, calling to me to read them again. 🙂

    With those valuable instructional writing posts out there, is teaching a Master Class in your future? Are you contemplating taking on editing work for budding or established novelists?

    Enjoy your next chapter. We’ve certainly enjoyed your previous one as you made us smile at the end of each book, always looking forward to the next one.

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  19. I wasn’t surprised at the announcement, but I was certainly sad to see it. I’ll miss seeing your around here on a regular basis.

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  22. I am sad for your readers (including me), but I am happy for you that you are moving on to another stage in your life. You have a right to retire and to do what matters most to you. I will miss you, and I like that you may not be disappearing forever. Possibly!

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  23. Barbara I will miss your posts. Glad you will still be around the Wicked once in awhile. Yote books are wonderful.

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  25. Barbara, I cannot say enough how much I admire you, both as an author and a wonderful person! Thank you for sharing your talent and good heart so generously. I wish you every happiness!

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  27. Barbara, I will miss your voice in this blog, as I will miss Sherry’s. But maybe, if you still go to conferences, I will see you again in an elevator somewhere. (We have a couple Bouchercons in our short, combined past.) Enjoy your new activities, whatever they are!

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  28. Refusing to think of it as an ending, but rather the beginning of a new great adventure. Our hope is that you will come back, when convenient, and share it with us from time to time. Pray that as you step forward you know that those that admire you and have come to consider you a dear friend support you all while we will greatly miss you. Have the merriest of Christmas’ and the happiest of new years. The best is yet to come!

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  30. I think my phone is about to short out from the tears. I miss the Clambakes so much. Have a blast in the next phase of your life. And love those grandkids.

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