This is a good time to thank those who help you in your writing\/publishing career. Who am I suggesting that you thank? And why? All of those individuals who have given you a leg up, provided help\/information when you needed it or in some other way supported your success as a writer\/author. <\/p>\n
We tend to take kindnesses and gifts of time and expertise for granted. Oh, we may really appreciate the gesture at the time and even thank the person who reached out to us. But how many of us follow up with a report on how the information, material or experience ultimately played out? Here\u2019s my suggestion:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tAlways thank a magazine editor who publishes your article or story. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tSend gracious thank yous to folks who provide quotes and material for your article or book. If I quote an expert in an article, I always send them a copy of the published article. I send books to those who provide a lot of information and material for a book and I\u2019ll discount the book to others. I often get a free copy of books I edit and a discount for any books I wish to purchase.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThank your book editor with a signed copy of your published book and a note. Send periodic announcements with regard to your book sales and promotional activities.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tSend a thank you to your publisher and the editor assigned to work with you once your book project is completed. (I\u2019m not sure I would apply this to the pay-to-publish companies as they seem so impersonal\u2014there is typically no relationship there.)<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThank the author of a book that helped you through the process of producing a book or establishing a freelance career, for example.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tSend a thank you to a particular speaker who gave you the information you needed at that time.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThank the writers\u2019 conference coordinator for a well-organized conference.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tPersonally thank those in your writers\u2019 group who provided the information and\/or support you needed.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThank the leaders of your favorite writing\/publishing organization for providing those things that benefit you most.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tLeave comments on those blog sites you like\u2014those that give you the most encouragement and pertinent information.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tAnd thank you family for putting up with your weird writing hours and your occasional spacey-ness when you\u2019re working through a plot. It\u2019s not always easy living with a writer.<\/p>\n
Thanks by email is okay in most cases. Some sentiments, however, call for a written note sent through the mail. I like to use seasonal cards to express my thanks\u2014Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, spring, for example. And some expression of gratitude are best done by phone. <\/p>\n
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for visiting my blog site. I know that some of you are regulars and I truly appreciate you taking the time to visit. Thank you to those who are visiting for the first time\u2014please come back often.<\/p>\n