This is the part of Thanksgiving where I make everyone set down the turkey and the sweet potatoes for a second and go around the table and say what we’re thankful for. I guess this means I’ve officially become my mom.
What are you thankful for in the publishing/writing world?
I am very thankful for my amazing agent and editor for believing in me, my awesome and talented colleagues, my incredible clients, and of course YOU, for reading the blog and teaching me so much.
What about you?
nataniabarron says
I'm thankful for the writers, editors, and agents always willing to help those of us just starting out. Really, this is an unprecedented age of generosity in that respect. 🙂 Makes me all warm and fuzzy!
Amanda C. Davis says
Semipro short story markets. God bless 'em, every one.
GhostFolk.com says
Your blog. Best in the business. Thank you, Nathan.
Christopher Cocca says
great teachers and peers at The New School.
books.
agents who blog and tweet and otherwise share important insights. Thank you, Nathan.
hilltrash says
I am thankful for other writers. The ones who read my work so I don't send things out before they are ready. The ones who, when a door opens for them, hold it open for the next few people behind them, too. The ones who try daring things and take risks so that what is possible in writing becomes an ever-widening horizon. The ones who slave away at literary journals and judging writing contests for no reason except that they love words. I am thankful for other writers.
Anonymous says
As an editor, I'm thankful for POD, since the phrase "due at the printers'" no longer strikes terror in my heart.
Erinn says
I am thankful for the small nation of people who write, edit and buy books and therefore also provide emotional support to other writers. Thanks everyone!
Veronica Barton-Dean says
Nathan-
When it comes to my writing, I am thankful for the blogging world. This year as I dived head deep into my own I have been welcomed with open arms.
I'm also thankful for the friends of mine who don't mind being my guinea pigs:)
Ink (Bryan Russell) says
Cormac McCarthy.
Plus the online writing community. It's nice not to be alone out here.
Thermocline says
Parents who read and read and read to me.
Now that I've got a kid, I can understand the soul crushing monotony of Goodnight Moon after a thousand times through.
L.M. Quinn says
I'm grateful that I can read and write what I like when I like without total censorship, something that still goes on in many parts of the world. For being able to support authors and for them to support my work, I'm forever greatful.
Moira Young says
I am thankful that I have had so many opportunities in the past year to grow up and be more mature in general, and when it comes to my writing career. Such as: teaching myself to take rejection as a learning opportunity rather than as a sign that I'm not good enough.
Oh, and pen names. 😉
Ulysses says
Books.
Company: friends, family, readers, writers.
A steady paycheque.
The wide variety of foodstuffs which incorporate chocolate.
Steph Damore says
I'm thankful for having such an amazing year. It's been a lot of hard work, but oh so rewarding.
Author Guy says
As a bookseller I'm very thankful to my fellow authors at Echelon press, for writing such terrific books. Deserving books I can sell to deserving readers with a great glad heart.
As an author I'm thankful to all the readers who've taken a chance an an unknown, and to my publisher for doing the same. When and if i get an agent I'll be thankful for them too.
Nick says
Plenty. But right now I'm especially thankful my horse beat Cholera. Thought I was going to lose the old girl. I mean sure, it's not unheard of for horses to get over it, but it still takes a good number, and most of the horses I've known to get cholera have died thanks to it. So I'm really glad she pulled out fine.
That aside…Agents such as yourself who provide helpful resources to us writing folk. The fact that The Strand magazine is back in print and accepts submissions makes me giddy as well.
Oh, and trilby hats. God I love trilby hats.
Brigita says
I'm thankful for agents like you who choose to share their knowledge of the publishing world with writers and would-be writers. And for every occasion when someone does something unexpected and nice for me, you don't get to see that often nowadays.
Happy Thanksgiving to all those who celebrate it.
Gordon Jerome says
The two things I am most thankful for in publishing are the internet and Amazon's Kindle Books.
More than just being thankful, I am glad that I was alive in the time when it all began. I remember when no one had a computer or a calculator for that matter or a digital watch.
But now the whole world has changed. In 2010, I intend to restart XYSTUM Publishing. I never could have done that if Kindle Books had not come along.
T. Anne says
For my wonderful family, our health, for wonderful teaching blogs and the fact I still have a burning desire to write.
Josh says
For hope.
Elisa says
I'm VERY thankful for my readers, especially those who took the time to let me that my novels touched them in some way.
I'm thankful for blogs like yours, too, that keep writers like me in the know and part of the conversation!
jjdebenedictis says
Oh, hey! Serendipity!
My blogging buddy CKHB came up with a great Thanksgiving exercise for writers today:
"Show, don't tell" your thanks, i.e. paint a scene that shows what you're thankful for, rather than saying it explicitly.
I've got some examples on my blog, where I'm attempting to turn this into a meme.
Matilda McCloud says
I'm grateful that despite all the talk about e-books and the death of printed books, the POD printer where I work is still in business (and is pretty busy this month too). I'm thankful to be employed so that my husband and I can more or less pay college tuition for my son.
I'm grateful to agents, editors, and writers (and others) who blog everyday because I'm an insatiable blog reader (I think blogging is an interesting art form!).
Lauren says
I'm thankful for my writer's critique group. They have given me so much and have been such an encouragement to me in my writing endeavors.
Some have even become great friends.
Thanks to Nathan for providing a forum where we "wee" little hopefuls can learn more about publishing.
P.S. I read this blog often and it's high time I start participating in the conversation.
Jason says
I'm thankful for the fact that good information is so easily accessible for writers today. Kudos to agents who blog..and are nice about it! 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Carolyn says
I am thankful for my agent. She is an amazing agent and I am very very glad to have her represent me.
I'm also thankful to people who read books (especially the ones who email me to let me know they've liked my books). You make the world a more interesting place.
Vegas Linda Lou says
I am so incredibly thankful for my blog readers! It’s an unbelievable feeling to know that people from all over the world are actually interested in the crap I have to say. And God bless them for the fantastic reviews of my book on Amazon. https://tiny.cc/XgIfx They’re the ones who keep me writing!
Jason says
Now that I've got a kid, I can understand the soul crushing monotony of Goodnight Moon after a thousand times through.
Ha ha ha!
I've got three kids and I guarantee you I've read Good Night Moon a thousand times!!!
Fawn Neun says
I'm thankful for readers, intelligent, thoughtful readers who remind me that stories are what make us human.
Anonymous says
The harsh realities of the marketplace, the cruel brutality of indifferent criticisms, the insistent temperment of the projected "needs" of fiction that antagonistically drive me to greater efforts, these negative valence attributes are what I'm thankful for. Blessed be the naysayers, as painfully unpleasant as they are.
word verificate: placat [placate].
Scott says
I am thankful for the literary times I live in.
There's so much bitching and moaning about how difficult it is to get published, the transformation the industry is undergoing, etc. But at what other point in history has the common man had SUCH an opportunity to practice this art form?
At what other time in history could the average person be part of such a vibrant writing community? The possibilities are endless.
nikkimantyla says
It's probably lame to put a link to my own blog post here, but that's where I already wrote what I'm thankful for! Ten writers who've impacted my thinking and my writing: https://bit.ly/5ZGOb7
Lydia Sharp says
I'm thankful for life and the people in it. Yes, there's more to it, but that pretty much sums it up.
Heather says
Books in general, without which I wouldn't have any hopes or dreams to speak of.
The blogging community, which has fostered my growth for the dismal amount of time I have been a part of it.
My dogs, which sit patiently beside me (one under each arm) as I write every single night.
Storie Teller says
I am so thankful for my wonderful family that has stood by me with much encouragement during my quest to fulfill a dream. So glad it's finally done, and I'm so thankful for you, Nathan who has helped me in so many ways. More than you could ever imagine. Thanks for all the information you've kept us up to date with, and the step by step procedures that are written precisely to help one on their journey toward publishing. There is much to ponder on your impressive site that is always filled with information and interesting discussions including a lot of fun. ~ Debbie~
Jen says
I'm thankful for my husband, who supports me all the way and never forces me to explain my always crazy, often changing dreams.
Robena Grant says
I'm thankful that I have enough money to buy books.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Keith Schroeder says
I have a long list of things I am thankful for. If interested, check out my blog post on Thanksgiving.
https://taxprepusa.blogspot.com/
Happy Thanksgiving all. May we have many more.
Diana says
I'm thankful to everyone who has sent me submissions, the contributors to Emerald Tales for writing short stories that I am proud to publish, the authors in my Crystal Codices for writing stories and poetry that I am proud to publish, and the contributors to Copper Wire who, after a little armtwisting on my part, agreed to let me publish their work on the internet.
I'm also grateful for people like you, Nathan, who have blogs like this to help writers. And to authors who have websites that help others become published. And to other people who do things to help and support writers.
SZ says
Attended no funerals this year.
A rent controlled apartment in San Francisco.
Spellcheck !
Melissa says
I'm thankful for my readers who've helped to shape my WIP into an entertaining story.
Also, I'm thankful for my awesome husband and his connection to a friend in the publishing industry who's agreed to personally take a look at my manuscript. 🙂
CKHB says
I'm thankful for the blogging community: the agents & editors who are willing to share their expertise, the writers with whom we can commiserate or celebrate… I only started blogging this summer, so I had no idea what a time commitment this was for you all!
I'm also thankful for the agents who asked to see a partial or full, and for those who rejected me yet took the time to suggest edits.
Mercy Loomis says
I'm grateful for my husband, who understands and supports my writing.
I'm grateful to all the short story markets out there that are still accepting submissions.
I'm grateful to the wonderful industry people I've had a chance to work with this year.
And I'm grateful to the industry bloggers, because without you all the successes I've had would've been much, much harder to achieve.
D. G. Hudson says
I'm also thankful for those in the publishing industry (agents, editors, & associates) that blog, and post articles to help writers of all levels. It takes time to reach out, and we appreciate your investment and faith in our endeavours (novels, etc.)
In addition, I'm very thankful that I have the time to write, and the ideas to make it fun.
Have a great Thanksgiving, Nathan, and that goes for all readers of this blog, too.
Becca says
I'm thankful for all the great books out there and that the publishing industry does still put out good books. I'm also thankful to all the people who read the short stories that I submit and, especially, to the ones who take the time to put personal messages at the bottom of my form rejection letters.
Ally says
For family, friends, and comforts during a time when so many are suffering.
Jeanne says
I'm sooo thankful for my critique group. They totally rock! Couldn't do it without them.
Q says
I am thankful for the bloggers of the book world and how smart and funny they are!
Anonymous says
I am thankful for you Nathan and the blog you provide which supports so many writers on their writing journey. I am thankful for all the information you provide which has been a great help to me and for the online community you make possible. I am thankful for eveyone who participates in this community; you have helped me in my writing journey.
I am thankful for my great reader who helps me to continue on. I am thankful for my daughter who is the greatest kid in the world and the apple of my eye. I am thankful for all my friends who support me. I am thankful for being born in this great country – for all it's flaws.
May you all be blessed.
Balinares says
I know I am something of an oddity, but I'm grateful for all the kind and patient people of the online text-based roleplaying game I joined all those years back. It is them who groomed my English, poor awkward second language that it was, into something I can now make literary use of. Without them I wouldn't be writing in English today.