This is a Thanksgiving post. There are others like it but this one is mine.

  
Several readers of this blog live in other countries – Canada, England, and Australia, to name a few. I obviously don’t know what American Thanksgiving looks like from your perspective, but from here it looks something like one of these four scenarios:

1. Yay, food!

2. Yay, football!

3. Extended family…yay?

4. Yay, Christmas! Because there are people who have been celebrating Christmas since Labor Day, but now they’ll stop being publicly shamed for doing so.

Of course, this being THANKSgiving (as opposed to Foodgiving or Footballgiving), we try to reflect on things for which we are thankful.

And I have lots to be thankful for. 

1. Readers

Readers of the blog and readers of the books, I am abundantly thankful for you. If you didn’t find my occasionally useful and sometimes coherent babbling worth your time, I wouldn’t have been able to assume the role of Full Time Writer. Because of you, my debut novel broke all the rules, spending more time on best seller lists and selling more copies in ten months than any of the experts would say is possible. Seriously, you are all awesomesauce.

2. Reviewers

I don’t just mean those of you who rate and review books on Amazon, Goodreads, or other outlets (though those are important). I mean anyone who talked to someone about a book they read. That’s a review! There is no greater compliment to an author than when someone recommends their book to a friend.

3. Writer friends

I met some of you in the critique group, some on Twitter, and some in the blogosphere. You’ve taught me how to improve my craft and how to market. You supported me through the sting of lousy reviews and the monotony of writing a blurb. You’ve read my stuff and attached your name to it with reviews. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.

4. Real life friends/family

Yes, you are different than writer friends. You knew me before I started this writing thing, back when I was a teacher, a student, a band geek, and in the case of a few of you, an infant. You’ve filled the roles of beta readers and proofreaders and available shoulders to cry on when things got frustrating. You put up with me talking about books on Facebook and even shared my posts with your friends. There aren’t adequate words to describe how much I appreciate you.

On that note, I wish all of you who celebrate Thanksgiving a relaxing day filled with food, fun, and the people you love.