Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Calling All Lurkers


We are interested to know how many people who started reading our blog back in November 2006 are still reading today. We've made a list of the names of 45 folks who posted comments in November 2006. If you are one of those first people, we want to hear from you this week. Leave a comment by Sunday the 13th. Monday we'll do a random drawing of all names that were among the first posters and give away 4 Barbour books. So give a shout out if you are still there.

And, if anyone is so inclined, give us some future blog topic ideas. What questions about publishing and Barbour would you still like to see discussed?

Have a blessed day!

UPDATED April 14:
Only 11 of the 45 first bloggers came and commented on this last week, so the chances of winning one of 4 books was pretty high. I used random.org to pick winners. And they are:
Lena Nelson Dooley
Jeri Odell
Rhonda Gibson
Christine Lynxwiler

I'm sending copies of our "Life's Little Book of Wisdom for. . ." gift books in the areas of women, mothers, and grandmothers.

Thanks to all of those who read regularly.

27 comments:

Marjorie Vawter said...

Can't believe I'm first to respond to this. I am still reading, though I comment rarely. I appreciate getting to know the people at Barbour and the behind-the-scenes peeks at what goes into publishing a book. Plus I like keeping up with my friends. :)

Mary Connealy said...

I like the baby pictures. :)

I like the book posts.

I also like personal glimpses of your lives and the way you tie the posts back to writing skills.

And the bios of Barbour employees. Just keep going the way you're going.

I should give you ideas for NEW STUFF????

I'd kind of like more Barbour history. Barbour used to be in New Jersey??? Why's that? What's changed? I mean, you never had to personally chisel a book out on stone, right? But I'll bet it's come a long way.

Beth Goddard said...

I don't remember exactly when I started reading and posting! Sorry. But it has been a while. I finally discovered the rss feeds and since before Christmas I think, I have the Edit Cafe fed onto my google page, that and the Barbour main page and best sellers.

Plenty of your articles have helped me. I love to hear how an editor thinks. I was especially intrigued by Susan Downs' article regarding first lines and hooks. After I read that article I changed the first line on my proposal before I sent it. LOL

Blessings!
Beth

Lisa Harris said...

I've been visiting the blog almost every week since 2006 I'm sure. :-) It's been very interesting for me to have an inside glance into how the publishing world works.

As an author I put hours and hours into each manuscript, but it's important to be reminded that so much goes into a project after it's "finished." Writing is a team effort and I'm so thankful for all your hard work!

Lisa

Christine Lynxwiler said...

Surely I commented, even though if you look in the dictionary under lurker, you'll probably find my pic. :) (Unless I was lurking the day the photographer was there.) I read The Edit Cafe blog faithfully. It's wonderful!! Keep up the good work.

All three of you bring a unique charm to "your day" to blog. I've loved getting to know the Barbour gang better thru your recent posts, Susan. Thanks for doing those and for sharing tidbits about the mystery club. (and from your life!) JoAnne, keep the baby pics and stories coming. And telling us what's going on with Heartsongs. Becky, I love reading little slices of your life tucked into wisdom about editing and writing. I like your book introductions and wouldn't mind a recipe occasionally tucked at the bottom of a blog entry. :) Mostly just keep doing what you're doing, all three of you!

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

I'm more of a lurker on the blog, but I enjoy seeing what information you put up.

I think I may have been one of the first 45 to leave a comment.

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

I have a question. When I sign up for other blogs with FeedBlitz, the posts are sent to my email. I tried to sign up for a feed with the ATOm thing at the bottom of the page, but it didn't let me tell it where to send the feed. Is there a place where I can do that?

Janet Spaeth said...

I've been reading since the very beginning, but I wasn't a poster; Blogspot was being cranky or (I suppose this might be true) maybe I didn't know what I doing.

I check the blog daily. Perhaps that indicates that I really should do something about a social life but I think it has more to do with the great info, the interviews, the insights, and of course, BABY PICTURES!!!

Debby Mayne said...

I'm with Janet on the baby pictures. My own children are grown, and I haven't been blessed with grandchildren yet, so I get excited when I see the babies of people I know. Pictures of Jodi always make me smile.

The posts I enjoy the most (besides those with pictures of that precious baby, of course) are the ones that offer a glimpse into the day-to-day publishing world and the lives of the editors. I also like Mary's idea of learning more about Barbour's history.

I started reading the blog as soon as it began, but I didn't post right away. It's one of my favorite blogs to read!

Becky said...

I use Bloglines to keep track of several blogs that I enjoy reading. I don't get email from it. I only have to check the site to see what blogs have been updated. It even tells me the number of blogs I have yet to read. It has been a while, but I think it was really easy to set up.

Rachel Overton said...

I didn't know about the Edit Cafe until February of 2007, but I've been faithful ever since. My computer doesn't like to let me sign into my google account very often (today is a fluke!), so I don't comment often.

I like it when one of you waxes philosphical--then ties it to the world of publishing. I've enjoyed getting to know each of you better. I also like your gentle hints and reminders on how to make manuscripts better and cleaner.

And, of course, watching Jodi grow up is a joy! :-)

Mary Connealy said...

I think I signed up for blogline, too, now that you mentioned it, Becky. Now I can't remember and I don't think I know how to go check.

Me and technology. NOT a comfortable marriage!!!!

Green Gables Chick said...

I'm still reading! And learning a lot!
~Aisha

Lynette Sowell said...

I'm still here, but I can't remember when I first posted. I know it was early. :)

I enjoy the employee profiles. I also like hearing a "day in the life of an editor" type of posts. Anything that will help make all of our jobs easier.

Jeri Odell said...

I'm definately a lurker, but never miss a post. I've read everyone since the onset. I love glimpses into each of the lives. Thanks for sharing.

JoAnne said...

Aw, thanks to those of you who said you love the baby pictures. I enjoy posting them. :)

JoAnne said...

Does this mean I don't need to write anything on Fridays? I could just post a couple of Jodi pictures? That would be quick and easy! :) haha

Jennifer Johnson said...

I started reading it way back when and I still read today.

Anonymous said...

The behind-the scenes peeks are informative. Personal glimpses into you as PEOPLE are good, too. Any topic to help grow us as writers are always welcome.

Anonymous said...

I've lurked from the beginning blog, but didn't learn how to post until later. Although I have little to say, I love to read and learn about the publishing side as well as the helpful hints to the authors. I'm still learning to write so can use all of those you have. :)

Janet Spaeth said...

There's an interesting article at the MSNBC site--apparently blogging is habit-forming!

We all kind of knew that anyway, right?

Rhonda Gibson said...

I'm a little late on this. I'm still reading and enjoying the posts. Keep up the great work!!

Crystal Laine said...

I can't believe you have been here that long! It seems like you just started. I have been reading since the beginning and even linked you.

I am with Mary C in that I like just about everything you have blogged about--even personal things.

I REALLY liked Becky's blog about what she is seeing too much of and about brainstorming and how to pull out a new idea. Before, we would have to wait until a conference with an editors' panel to find out what you see too much of and what you are looking for.

I'm a long time reader of Heartsongs and love the new cozy mystery line, plus the Barbour main fiction books, too. (Just got Carol Cox's.)

I like the publishing house employees' profiles and loved the author profiles, too.

Keep up the good work!

Becky said...

Okay, I'm going to work on the drawing and see who we get.
Thanks!

Cara Putman said...

Okay so I check in once a week and missed this. But I love the blog and do come in at least once a week.

Katie Hart - Pinterest Manager said...

I'm not sure if I'm one of the first posters, but I'm a regular reader through Bloglines, which nicely keeps track of all the posts I miss when live gets busy. I do miss cool contests like this, though! Keep posting - I love this blog!

Lena Nelson Dooley said...

I just noticed that I won a book. Thank you.