Monday 1 June 2009

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!

23 comments:

Once upon a Manuscript said...

Hi HPRW,

Just wanted to say, I haven't even completed a book, but now that I have some time on my hands ( loving that recession, not ) I feel that when I do eventually send my newborn and heavily revised and edited manuscript out into the world, it might stand slightly more of a chance than the usual landfill fodder.

So, many thanks on behalf of all of us attempting to be novels.

Lit Vision

Once upon a Manuscript said...

oops, ... novelist ...

Sarah Hilary said...

Many Happy Returns of the Day! And thanks for the opportunity to join you in celebrating the Blog's Birthday.

Maggie Dana said...

Happy birthday, blog. Am almost ready for trip, and will be in the UK next Sunday with a bit of free time, so if I can figure out how to work my friend's PC (I'm a Mac person) I'll log on and help myself to a slice of cake. You ARE having cake, aren't you?

This is a great blog. You do a marvelous job, Jane. It's always interesting, often provocative, and I always learn something, for which I'm hugely grateful.

csmith said...

Hi Jane,

I have a possible post idea but it links in with something else on my blog. Would that be acceptable?

Thanks. And Happy Birthday. Am very glad you've decided to continue posting!

Chris

Nicola Morgan said...

Yay and happy birthday to your blog! (And if that's all that's keeping me from world domination, then I am sure many people will be urging you to continue, including me. But dabs off my boots, Smith.) I probably can't join your pitch party as I've got a slightly mad week+weekend but I'm sure I'll take a look and see what's going on.

Keep up the fantastic work!

Loren Eaton said...

Congratulations and much more happy blogging to you!

Helen P said...

Congrats Jane on being one..'at one', 'number One', 'the One'? Which ever you prefer!

Nik Perring said...

Wowsers! A whole year - already! Happy birthday, blog!

Nik

Derek said...

Maggie, I read your comment too quickly and thought you were doing a Randy Jackson ("Happy birthday, dog").

Maggie Dana said...

Jane:

Am about to shut down computer and head off to the airport. I'll be in UK tomorrow, first time back home in almost 7 years. Will check in with the blog (even the dog! Haha, Derek) soon as I figure out my friend's PC.

Maggie

Dan Holloway said...

In the words of one of my (ex - have you HEARD their new album?) favourite bands, The Enemy:

"Happy Birthday, Jane"

I look forward to sending you something scurrilous for your Sunday post :-) Then again, I've been working on a piece on "voice" for a while that I was thinking of making the jewel in the crown of my June blog, and I couldn't think of a better way of showing my appreciation than to send over the best I've got to offer :-)

Administrator said...

Happy Birthday! Love the blog. Congratulations on your success.

David Burton said...

Happy Birthday!! This is one of my "must follow" blogs!

HelenMWalters said...

I love blog birthdays. Will definitely drop by on Sunday.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday HPRW. God bless it, and all who sail in it...

Anonymous said...

I am not just saying this in order to procure a larger slice of birthday cake, but this really is my favourite literary blog. Thanks for your efforts over the past year, Jane. Here's to the next one. Now where is the champagne?

Jane Smith said...

All those lovely comments make me feel a bit like the Queen: my blog and I thank you for them. As for the Champagne, Donna, if I were to hiccup right now would that give the game away?

:)

catdownunder said...

You are a very precocious one year old! Happy Birthday!

David Dittell said...

Wow. Congratulations and, more importantly, thank you. I've found this site to be a great resource and have learned so much in the past couple months of checking it out. The highest compliment a reader can give is to keep coming back, and it should tell you something that that's exactly what's happening.

Daniel Blythe said...

A belated happy birthday. I shall continue to enjoy reading, blogging, and making silly puns about the word verification offers.

Barry Walsh said...

Happy birthday and congratulations

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary :o)