Happy Birthday To How Publishing Really Works!

Next Sunday this blog will be a whole year old, and I've enjoyed just about every second I've spent on it.

When I first realised that it was attracting over 10,000 hits a month I considered stopping: it's good to go out on a high, but if I did that I'd be leaving the gates open for Nicola Morgan to steam in and take over the world and we can't have that: those boots of hers are very similar to jackboots when you look at them too closely.

Once I'd decided to carry on, I realised I should celebrate in some way: and what better way than throwing another pitch party? So on Sunday that's what I'm going to do. Hurrah! I know it's likely to be lovely hot sunny weather and you'll all have better things to do, so it's bound to be quieter this time; but if you're around, with time to spare, do drop in and participate: it was such fun last time, and I got to read and comment on all sorts of great blogs, many of which I still visit.
But that's not enough for me: no. I want MORE.

So I've asked a few people who have gone ridiculously far out of their way to help writers if they'd care to write a guest post for me and amazingly, they agreed: their posts will be appearing towards the end of the week and are absolute treats, I promise.

But when I thought about it, I realised that still wasn't enough. Because what has made this blog so brilliant for me over this last year is the people who have cared enough to read it, and to challenge me and argue with me and to keep me on my toes and sometimes, even, to tell me that I've got things roughly right (you know who you are). Most of you have done all that via the comments feature, although quite a few have emailed me to say so. However you've made your feelings known it's been a joy, even when you've reduced me to silence and shown me that I've acted like an arse. So here's the deal.

If any of you would care to submit a blog post of your own, to appear here on Sunday alongside the pitch party, I'd love to consider your work. If none of you send me anything (and I'll agree, it's a pretty sharp deadline) then that's fine. No more than 500 words, please; no libel, no porn (unless it's very tasteful, and doesn't feature me), no bad grammar; and nothing boring, for goodness' sake, or I might be reduced to chewing my arms off (which makes typing just a little difficult, and so might impact a little on the future of my blog). Include any links that you'd like me to edit in as I won't have time to go searching for anything on your behalf. Publishing-related and writing-related articles are preferred; and you have to be interesting, articulate and fun. Send your offering to "hprw at tesco dot net" with the subject title "HPRW birthday post", add a brief bio and a link to your blog if you have one, and I'll do my best to get it scheduled in time.

I wish us ALL a lot of luck!