Let's Celebrate Friendship - Wendy H. Jones
On 30th July it was International Friendship Day. Yes, I know this is 1st August but that’s the slot for my post on this blog. What has this got to do with writing I hear you ask? Excellent question. Today, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all in the writing community who lift me up, support me, share my good news, cheer me on and are there for me on every step of my writing journey. Not an only do they do this for me but for numerous other writers as well. You are all amazing and whether we have have met in real life or not, I consider you friends. I, too, do everything I can to be a supportive member of that same writing community. So, I am going to give a shout out to a few ACW members who have exciting news to share.
Whilst I won’t name them all, as there are eleven of them, well done to the ACW members who set up the publishing company Resolute Books. What an amazing initiative and I am proud of you all.
Fiona Veitch Smith who is releasing her new Clara Vale Mystery Series. The first, The Picture House Murders releases later this month. I’ve had an advanced reader copy of this and it is brilliant, so well worth pre-ordering. Fiona has also, this week, moved over from being a part time writer to supporting herself full time as a writer. A huge congratulations to you, Fiona. I am thrilled for you.
Ruth Leigh has released a new book called A Great Deal of Ingenuity based on minor characters from Pride and Prejudice. What an innovative idea and I’m excited for Ruth in the ways she pushes the boundaries of what she can do.
I could not do this without giving a shoutout to Sheila Robinson, Sophia Anyanwu, Liz Carter, and Allison Symes, all of whom support others way above and beyond the call of duty. I’m glad to know you and call you friends. You are definitely worth celebrating.
All of the above members have one thing in common, in addition to new ventures. They are also people who support others every step of the way. So, thank you to all of you. I know there are many others, however, the confines of the blog and the fact I am about to hop on a flight to the USA, mean I cannot mention you all. Know I am grateful to you in more ways than you will ever imagine.
From the non- ACW community I would like to say thank you to Susan McVey, Linda Brown, Kelly Lacey, Joanne Baird and Louise Cannon, Patsy Forsyth and all the admins of the UK Crime Book Club, all of whom support the writing community in so many different ways. We could not do this without you.
As I say, I believe in supporting others and as such I have brought out a brand new magazine for Writers called, Writers' Narrative, and it is completely free. The first issue is out today, although, in the tradition of all good magazines, it came out a week ago. You can read it online and sign up to get it delivered to your inbox Here
So, as I finish I want to say, once more, a huge thank you to all those who support and applaud me. You makes this journey worthwhile and I am glad you share it with me.
I would request every person who reads this blog give a mention to one person who they feel needs to be celebrated. Let’s celebrate each other and lift each other up.
Thank you, Wendy, for all that you do to support writers. I still think of you every time that I see an exclamation mark!!!!! That one comment, when I met you, changed the way that I write. I would like to celebrate Kevin Elliott who has his first book coming soon, called 'Seeing Miracles.' Have a great time in USA.
ReplyDeleteThis is Wendy. Thank you and good luck to your friend on the release of his book.
DeleteWendy this is lovely! Thank you. I always name check you when I'm telling the story of my journey to publishing, our very first meeting in Derby when you were the Webmaster and I accidentally made you ACW's Most Stolen Author. There are so many amazing ACW people I am proud to call friend and who support me. The Incomps - Fran Hill, Deborah Jenkins and Georgie Tennant; The Priceless Ladies - Joy M, Joy V, Jocelyn-Anne Harvey, Lisa Goodridge and Jenny Sanders; Sheila Robinson (you mentioned doing events and look at me now); Maressa Mortimer the Oops I Published A Book Queen; my amazing co-Resolute Books authors Claire Dunn, Sue Russell, Andy Chamberlain, Sarah Nicholson, Russ Lucier, Liz Carter, Lindsay Rumbold, Tony Collins/Pen Wilcock and Paul Trembling (Edward de Chazal is the 11th member, but not an ACW-er) and so many more I've met over the years and who are so wonderfully supportive. The minute I post this more names will come to me - thank you for the prompt to do a shout out of supportiveness
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Wendy! Thank you so much for the mention of Sophia Anyanwu!! She was so thrilled and she couldn't believe being mentioned! Blessings. I was going to mention Liz Carter,to celebrate being an excellent editor and designer for most of my published books, but you already mentioned her. I thought Brendan was going to mention Wendy Jones, but eventually, he derailed!! So that leaves me the great opportunity to celebrate Wendy Jones. Everywhere I turn around on FB, Tik tok, ACW, Instagram, ACW Blog, she is there encouraging me. Can I be greedy and mention another name to celebrate? Bisi Oladipupo. She is one person who reviews my books without my asking or begging!! It means a lot to me!! She has just released, 'What happens when we pray? Have a really blessed time in the US. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I appreciate your kind words. This is Wendy by the way.
DeleteSuch a great blog! Too many names to mention just one. You, Wendy, were so good and patient and helpful for me as a debut author. Involving me in your projects, making me feel like I was actually an OK writer! Those early days of Wordy Chat were a lifeline and so grateful to Maressa and all the people I met through that. Now my writer friend list is huge. And I can reach out at any time and know there is help available. So thankful!
ReplyDeleteOh Wendy; you're so right! I rejoined ACW almost two years ago and no longer feel alone as a writer. Things have moved on considerably and the encouragement from so many of you has been a huge boost. I've loved the Priceless Ladies group. ACWers who came on the blog tour for The Magnificent Moustache and other stories last year, were complete troopers. Can I admit here that you made me cry (though I was smiling too), with all your generous reviews: Wendy H Jones, Joy M, Ruth Leigh, John Sevens, Veronica Bright, Penelope Swithinbank? And some of you are prepared to go round again with Charlie Peach's Pumpkins and other stories, plus some new names. I'm so grateful to you all.
ReplyDeleteThank you Wendy, this is a lovely post and so true. In fact I am right now reading about CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien and how they inspired and encouraged each other in their early days -both ultimately to become fantasy novel giants of the 20th century - and that was despite not necessarily approving of each other's finished product!! Lewis wrote fast, Tolkien wrote slowly. But it teaches us that what matters in the end is that cross-fertilisation of ideas and mutual encouragement. I'd like to give a shout out to Fran Hill who is now seeing wonderful fruit from her life journey and writing gifts - and whom I have always known as one who supports and encourages fellow authors. (Sheila Robinson aka SC Skillman).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy. I would celebrate, amongst many others, you (!), Veronica Bright, Maressa Mortimer. Outside of ACW I salute Janet Williams who set up Chandler's Ford Today over 10 years ago as a way to bring people together in my neck of the woods. She has succeeded! From Allison Symes.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Wendy. I can certainly testify to finding ACW a tremendously encouraging group, both through this blog and other channels. Like many members I'm sure, I don't move in literary circles so much of what I've learned has come through you lovely lot - even if you don't know it! One way I try to encourage members of the group is by buying their books, particularly if they happen to be debuts, though not exclusively of course. I have really enjoyed books by your good self, Wendy H Jones (Motivation Matters), Ruth Leigh (The Diary of Isabella M Smugge & A Great Deal of Ingenuity), Andrew Chamberlain (The Creative Writer's Toolbelt Handbook), John Hearson (The Most Hopeless Case), Richard Frost (Finding Stability in Times of Change), Deborah Jenkins (Braver), Paul Trembling (Local Poet), and Liz Carter (Valuable). Seeing what you are capable of gives me great pleasure. As soon as I hit send, I will realise there are others! A while back, John Hearson contacted me and we set up a call, it was great to connect with a fellow member. Outside of ACW I am always encouraged by Graham Bartlett who some of you may know as a retired police officer known on Twitter (ok...X!!!) and Threads as @gbpoliceadvisor. Graham is well known for helping crime writers to be authentic and accurate and from time to time I work for him to assist authors. Graham is now a Sunday Times best seller himself and terribly busy but will always find time to help me when I need it. If any of you want expert advice on crime fiction I would highly reccomend Graham. He is the perfect example of remembering to help others after finding his own success.
ReplyDeletethank you David for the mention
DeleteA great and very true article! I'm grateful to you, Wendy, for giving me the initial opportunity to blog. Thanks to the East London ACW group, especially Melanie Hodges, Colin Newton, Margi Taylor, Mike Schirn, Peculiar Medinus and Bryony Bennet for their continued support, constructive criticism, laughs and the occasional soiree! I'm also thankful for the kind words of Ben Jeapes, Philip Davies, Adrienne Fitzpatrick and Trevor Stubbs: your words of encouragement are often more important than you realise. And everyone who has chatted away at ACW events, making me feel welcome and managing not to roll their eyes at my latest crazy fantasy plot!
ReplyDeleteRebecca Seaton
Thank you, Wendy, for all your support, and for the History Writers! Outside that I'd like to mention Kath Middleton, Carmen Radtke and Reyna Favis, all really supportive to others and excellent, quirky writers!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lexie Conyngham! Your historical mysteries are top-notch and so much fun to read!
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