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With JoAnne on maternity leave and lots of work on my plate, this blog has just seemed like just an extra thing to worry about. I've easily let it slip to the bottom of the to-do list.
But JoAnne visited the office with Lilly yesterday, and we discussed the blog and what future it should have.
At the heart of our ponderings, we wonder what difference this blog makes among all the traffic on the WWW. What can we offer to you that other, very eloquent CBA publishing bloggers can't?
So, we ask you:
Are you still out there?
Do you still care about this blog?
What do you expect or wish to see here?
Should we keep it alive?
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Have a great weekend.
Becky
31 comments:
I LOVE checking the EditCafe each day, seeing if there's a new posting. I especially like posts about the inner workings of Barbour/Heartsongs publishing, updates on what you're looking for in particular (like when the states were posted), and author interviews, and news of your daily lives and families. I hope you'll keep the blog alive! :)
I'm still checking in on you guys. I'd love to hear more about what you look for in new authors. What pulls ms out of the slush pile :-)
Reading the comments from other aspiring authors and published is great.
I'm still out here and still care,LOL!! ~ And I agree with what Barbara posted (especially receiving updates on what you're looking for in particular). And I always enjoy when JoAnne posts pictures of her little ones, and Becky posts her farm animal pics!
Blessings, Patti Jo :)
I'm still here. I like reading about other authors, the inner workings at Barbour, plus knowing what you're currently looking for.
Oh, and book giveaways! :D
I'm a fan of many of your authors and like learning about them, projects Barbour is working on, and upcoming new releases.
I love the Edit Cafe and check the site at least 3-4 times a week. You offer personalized information and blogs not found elsewhere. It must take a lot of your time to keep it running, but it's worth it and we want you back. :-)
Beth
I have enjoyed this blog & check it frequently. I look forward to learning how Barbour/Heartsong functions, what you are looking for in manuscripts & changes in guidelines. I enjoyed it when you answered questions and love seeing the photos-babies & animals-love 'em :-)
I have The Edit Cafe in my blogroll and love coming over to visit whenever there's a new post.
Favorite posts from the past:
Interviewing people at Barbour who work behind the scenes, marketing, design, etc.
Pictures of babies and animals...or baby animals.
Insight into what editors are looking for, what they definitely aren't looking for, and what happens when they come across both those scenarios.
I check Edit Cafe every day, and to be honest, I was very disappointed as the weeks rolled by and it wasn't updated. I've loved getting to know the people at Barbour and what they do for us, and also Feedback Friday has become a favorite of mine. Hearing how these books touch readers' lives is a blessing! Other highlights have included seeing how covers are made and learning here which authors were chosen for awards. I love Joanne's posts about what she looks for in Heartsongs and her favorite "fights" and other topics that she's noticed in stories. Interviews with authors who have new trade releases are also very interesting. This blog is like no other because it's personal and it's about the Barbour books, staff, and authors.
I love this blog! I check it everyday in my cycle of authory-type blogs. I love the interviews and the giveaways and just everything about it!
I check this blog about once a week to see if there has been any change to submission guidelines. Since you're asking for opinions, I personally would like to see one day a week/or month set aside for potential authors. Hope you keep the blog up and running, even if it's just one or two postings a month.
I'm still here. I check often and love to hear what is happening with Barbour and Heartsong Presents, what direction they are going in, and about you and JoAnne and what's going on in your lives. Hope you decide to keep it going, although I have a hard time keeping my own webpage and blog updated, so I'm sure it isn't easy with all you both have going on.
I love the Edit Cafe and feel that it helped me get published in the Heartsong line. I felt like I knew the editors, knew what they were looking for, and knew what they didn't want to see. I love the personal aspect.
I check it daily and am always disappointed when there's nothing new. Lately, I've been disappointed a lot, but understood completely with half the team on maternity leave.
When the state focus was going on, I loved the updates. I love when you or JoAnne list things you've seen too much of lately. I love the inside workings at Barbour and the behind the scenes people features.
After my son started school and I had to leave him home for the first time, while I attended ACFW, I felt like my arm had been cut off. Through the blog, I knew JoAnne was in the same boat, only worse since Jodi was a baby.
Maybe to take the load off, there could be more author features. Kind of like the Heartsong Connection, only with the longer book authors too.
I'd be very disappointed if you dropped Edit Cafe. I like keeping in touch with JoAnne and her little ones, Becky and her many activities and the current needs of Heartsong and how the market is doing. Please keep up the good work.
P.S I understand how life can get too hectic at times but I'm glad to see you back.
I check The Edit Cafe almost every day. I enjoy learning about the specific publishing process at Barbour and appreciate the editorial insight. I joined the Heartsong Presents bookclub after reading the blog. Feedback Friday is a favorite of mine. I also enjoy getting to know the other readers/authors who comment regularly on the blog.
I check you guys often, too. It's my link to Barbour. I know it's crazy out there, but we'd miss you terribly if you left. :-)
I still check this blog several times a week.
I enjoyed your posts on what you are looking for in future projects.
For a writer it's always interesting to know what goes on behind the scenes in a publishing house. Manuscripts are submitted via email, who is the first reader? Does it go through several editor's and/or marketing before a contract is offered? Since it seems to a writer, they are waiting and waiting and waiting to hear about their submission, knowing how it actually works may put the time frame into perspective.
I think this blog is great! As someone who enjoys reading the books you post about here, and who would one day love to be a Heartsong author, I really appreciate knowing what you all are thinking. I also like knowing more about favorite authors and books you are excited to see coming. Please keep up the good work!
Becky,
As you know, I'm working overtime right now on a book, and have been limiting my internet time to almost nothing. BUT every time I sign on, I click on the Edit Cafe link on my desktop to see what's happening. As much as I love looking at beautiful Lilly, I was starting to get worried about my favorite bloggers. :) Even if you just update once a week, I enjoy keeping up with Barbour through this blog! Unless it's a real time drain for you, I wish you'd keep it going.
I agree with everyone else! I have missed reading the EditCafe blog. A year ago or so, you had guest blogs from some of the other people who work at Barbour. It was interesting to see what happens at a publishing house. It's also good to know what the editors are looking for in the book club as well as full-length fiction.
Donna
I read it. Like Susan, I love meeting some of the Barbour folks. I hope you'll keep it going.
Yes, I enjoy it. Please keep it up.
I'm still here! Keep the blog alive!!! Can you focus on some recent novels that you've contracted? Maybe let people know what prompted you to contract certain novels? That way, those who want to get a contract with Heartsong will know what you like when it comes to submissions?
I love to check in. I do so about once a week. I enjoy the author spotlights. I also love to hear what you all look for and don't want to see. I love feedback Friday. :)
I actually check the blog more days than I don't. I loved the last schedule you were working with with each day offering something different. I do understand work loads, though, and of course will support whatever needs to happen.
I check in a few times a week to see what's going on at Barbour--and also to find out what Becky and JoAnne are up to outside of work. So I hope you'll keep the blog going! And as one of your authors, I'd certainly be willing to do a guest blog every now and then if it would help you out--and I expect many others feel the same way! :)
I would hate to see Edit Cafe fall to the wayside. I've enjoyed following you both and hearing all the latest news, personal and Barbour related. If it is over taxing you and you must give it up, I understand. But, like everyone else... I would miss you both terribly.
Writers and authors do like to see beyond the transom! I try to check in as often as I can, so I hope you find you are able to keep the blog going with whatever subjects pop up and interest you two.
Everything takes time--our most precious commodity. I'm sure prayer will bring you to the best decision for you and I hope it's a continuation of this blog.
thanks for all the work and time you have been able to devote to it in the past!
I love Edit Café! Love hearing what you and Joanne are up to, what's happening at Barbour in terms of direction and excitement. I love the diversity and openness Barbour has, and I think that's part of what makes the blog popular!
I agree with everyone else. I enjoy reading the blog. Pics of babies and farm animals are my favorites. I also enjoy reading about other people in the Barbour office.
Forcing yourself to blog when it's not your personality to blog is only prolonging the pain of having to blog.
Solution? You have a good readership. Is there someone else in Barbour you can bring on board to make a good solid team and cover the five days a week you blog?
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