WOW and other stuff.

OK, I've been reading some posts on a writing site about blogging (see my previous post) and I'm kind of... confused, baffled, etc. I guess Cathy and I have been spectacularly lucky in that we are working with consummate professionals. Our agent is one of the best in the business and is affiliated with a top-notch organization; our publisher is seriously impressive and has an editor that we positively adore working with. We've been given input in our covers (which is apparently virtually unheard of) and shown absolute respect in editing, etc.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Consider me shouting it from the rooftops. Apparently there are a lot of folks out there who don't behave professionally on both sides. Authors who "flame" their houses and editors in their blogs, and vice versa.

I hope I have never posted anything that would be offensive to folks who've been working with me. I really do. Because I respect them. The folks I work with are the absolute best. And they've been really REALLY kind when dealing with a neophyte like myself. If I have, ever, I apologize right here and now because I know, KNOW that I am one of the luckiest folks in the business.

Sometimes there may be differences of opinion. But this is a business. You work through it. And in the process you should always show a level of sincere professionalism. (And if you can't manage that, INsincere professionalism. But for the love of Pete, you DON'T get to act like an ass!)

And on the other side, I HOPE that I'll be treated with respect as well -- by the folks I'm working with on the publishing side, but also by the readers. Some of the things I've read people post about other authors makes my skin crawl and just about sends me out with my soap box and Sister Mary Elizabeth's best ruler. Sort of a "Be NICE..." (with the implied "or else.") I believe in criticism. You don't grow if people don't tell you the problems. But there's criticism, and then their's just plain old cruelty.

********************

OK on to a totally different tangent -- I got the chance this weekend to go with Cathy to meet with another author who I've chatted with on line but had never met in person before. It was GREAT. She is a terrific lady. We spent hours talking about both plotting for her upcoming, marketing, and all of the things involved in the publishing business. I enjoyed it thoroughly and hope we can do it again soon.

Gotta run. Stomach's growling and telling me I need LUNCH. NOW. :D

Have a great day folks. Thanks for everything.