The problem with not being able to do my Murderati farewell post until late in the month is that much of what I would normally say has already been said. At the risk of repeating at least a portion of what others have written, I owe JT a debt of gratitude for asking me to be a part of something great…something that has become an institution. And to the rest of the then current member—most prominently, Pari—my undying thanks also for backing the idea of asking me to join.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted here. I believe the last time was last summer when I guest posted about my jump into the independent publishing world. When I first started with Murderati, I was a traditionally published author with, I believe, two books out. My career was looking up and I was just about to take the step into full time writing. Actually, the span from my traditional publishing life through the independent phase of my career clearly demonstrate the vast changes in the publishing industry Murderati has been around to witness and report on.
Looking back through all the post here—and by no means am I talking about just mine—is like taking a walk through living history. The ups, the downs, the highs, the lows, the triumphs, the uncertainty, the just plain excitement of being published. It’s all there. And I am so grateful for having been able to be a part of it.
Of course, the most important part of Murderati has never been those of us who were writing the posts. It was all of you—the readers and commenters who helped create this wonderful community. I personally want to thank you all so much.
I’m glad to hear an archive of the Murderati posts are going to remain up and accessible. If nothing else, some future grad student could use the info found here to write a pretty damn good research paper. Hell, maybe even a book. Not that we know anything about books here.
As I write this, I have a glass of beer beside my computer. Really, I do. Let me take a moment, raise it in the air, and say, “Thank you Murderati, every damn one of you. To remembering the past, while forging ever forward!”
You'll be missed from this page Brett but I'm glad that we'll be able to chat about your "Rati experiences soon!
Best,
Pam Stack
Host
http://www.authorsontheair.com
Brett – you and Murderati are synonymous to me – this is where I found you again after our twenty-year separation, and this is where I joined you when I was published. You were a great R.A. back in college and you were a great mentor to me during my debut year. It's the end of an era, bud, but, as you've proven over and over again, the beginning of something even better. You've helped change the discussion – you're one of the innovators. Thanks for coming around for a final lap.
Brett, you give me hope that this blog ending is a good thing. Your productivity, which was always impressive, has been nothing short of astounding since you stopped blogging. I've had to put an entire series of yours on my wish list due to budget concerns. Don't worry, I'll get to it eventually. Then again, I'm sure you'll have written three dozen more by then.
Speaking of remembering the past, hands down, this was my favourite post of yours over here:
https://www.murderati.com/blog/2010/2/11/floundering-in-the-digital-morass.html
That was back when I was still commenting as "BCB." I think that's the most fun I've had in a comment section, ever. Thank you for that.
Great to 'see' you here again, Brett! And Stephen's right…you are an innovator and an inspiring one at that. And what a wonderful final post.
I love this comment of yours about the living history of Murderati: "The ups, the downs, the highs, the lows, the triumphs, the uncertainty, the just plain excitement of being published." I think this really captures the Murderati spirit and content.
Funny thing is, for some reason I felt much more liberated to share some of the downs as well as the ups here (as opposed to the blog on my website). I'm not sure why!
Murderati certainly is an institution and I hope our archiving and Facebook page keep it somewhat alive.
Brett,
Sorry to have come to the party — and that toast — late. What a joy it is to see your words here again. You're right about the value of this blog and its archives for future readers and writers. You're also right about the incredible importance of our readers and commenters who have built this community into something truly unique.
Thank you for your part in all of this. Thank you.
Brett,
Whoever had you post on the weekend has a cruel sense of humor. I remember how frustrated you would sometimes get because you posted great stuff (it really was, great and helpful and entertaining), but for whatever reason, sometimes folks didn't engage. And so here you are, a weekend post on a blog that has been, for the last year, only weekedays, and folks like me have gotten out of the habit of checking weekends and don't see this one from you until today, Monday. That's just plain mean.
You have to admit, it's a little funny, too, but mean mean mean.
Anyway, I'll raise my own glass (belatedly) with no beer in it (it's 7 am and I'm at school) and join you in a toast. Thanks for all you brought to the blog, Brett, and may your career move ever upward!
Thanks for making the time to stop back by, Brett! Good to see your words again.
Clink. Here's to it. You gained at least one reader (and I'm sure many more) and provided like the many authors here the kick in the butt needed for the other of us out there writing. Here's to more cold beer in the future, as well as lots of books. Thanks so much.