Dear Friends of Murderati,
April marks seven years since we started this adventure. So much has changed. We’ve lost dear friends. Met new ones. Survived makeovers and transitions. Gotten publishing contracts. Stopped writing. Started again.
The writing industry, publishing, marketing, public relations – all have changed too. So has the way people stay connected and buy books. As the world becomes faster, time becomes even more precious. All of these factors – and many others — have weighed into our decision to say this long goodbye.
During this month, we’re inviting former contributors back for final posts (Naomi Hirahara has already responded!). At the end of the month, JT and Pari will post their final entries. After that, JT is going to work on a Murderati makeover to create a useful archived site so that none of our posts will be lost and all can be used as resources/inspiration for the people we’ve touched –through our words — and will continue to touch in the future.
Most importantly, we don’t want to lose touch with you. You’ve been the driving force behind the Murderati community. So we ask each and every one of you to join our Facebook page where the authors of Murderati will post to share news, new releases, and deep thoughts. That way, too, you can still interact with us.
Many blessings on all of you. It’s been a wonderful 7 years.
Murderati
Hoping this is an April fools joke.
If not it is terrible news, I've enjoyed reading the posts I've read some fantastic books and made new friends.
I will miss Muderati
Martyn
I'm with Martyn—please say this is an April Fool's joke?
If it is, then I'm getting pranked, too.
I get the reasons behind this move, but it still makes me sad.
Hi all,
It's not a joke. I remembered it was April's Fools Day this morn.
No . . . it's just time, alas.
At least we have this month to get used to the idea. And I hope through Facebook and other means, we can all stay in touch.
I hate April first pranks. And if this isn't one, it's awful.
Hey, guys – sadly, this is not an April Fools joke. I know….terrible timing. The post will stay up tomorrow as well – just so you know we ain't kidding.
Bittersweet time for all of us at Murderati. We are so going to miss everyone. It's been an amazing time for me.
Very sad news.
Don't have internet at home.
No facebook, esp on work computer.
I very much enjoyed reading your posts during my lunches.
Thank you so much.
Was really hoping this was a prank.
I will miss you guys
I have appreciated your devotion, your energy, your expertise, your thoughts. Thank you.
Sandy
Changes of this scale are tough. No one will be happy about this, not today, not tomorrow, not next week.
Over time . . . one thing leads to another. Pari, this has been a wonderful, *reliably wonderful* and thoughtful dialog. Can't say enough good things about Murderati. All the great writing discovered here . . . such an enrichment in my life.
I look forward to what you, each and all, do next.
Many thanks.
Hasta la Vista
Sorry to see you guys go. But I completely understand.
Despite the reassurances that this is not a prank… I'm going to keep hoping otherwise, for a while.
Because I'll really miss everyone.
This makes me sad. I don't and won't ever use Facebook so once you stop this blog I'll no longer be able to keep up with any of you. Please reconsider. Even an occasional update/post instead of regular posts would be a way to stay connected to the rest of us.
Hi all, a sad day, for sure. Don't forget that we all have websites and newsletters too, so you'll always be able to connect with us there as well.
I totally get it, but I agree with the rest — very sad. I'm glad the past posts will be archived, though. It's been fun, and thank you all, past and present Murderati members, for all your time spent with us!
Deeply saddened to hear this news – seems like it was just yesterday when you guys launched this terrific site. Best wishes to all, and will definitely keep in touch through Facebook (and other means, of course).
-JB
I've discovered so many new authors to read from this blog alone. I will miss it, even though I don't comment all the time!
Thank you all for your comments. I'll watch this site again tomorrow to make sure people's words are answered.
The decision was not an easy one. And, as JT notes, we're all accessible via our websites and other online venues. The convenience of having us all in one place will be gone for those who don't have access or prefer not to use FB . . . I wish we could meet everyone's needs in that regard.
Thanks also for the kind comments about the quality of this blog. We know it's been filled with gems, but it's nice to hear from readers too!
Sad news. Murderati has been part of my day since I heard Louise mention it at Murder in the Grove years ago and its been a big part of my connection to the mystery community being so far from everyone else. Thanks to all the contributors over the years. I've learned a lot and will keep on touch on Facebook as best I can.
Damn, guys. This is horrible news.
It was difficult enough, watching individuals move on over the years, but this— this is losing an entire community.
So sad.
I'm sure the decision wasn't made lightly. Got to respect that. Best wishes to all of you for future endeavors, those who write posts as well as those in the comments. Much gratitude for everything shared over here. I'll miss every single one of you.
Damn.
I'm not going to say I understand.
I have loved you all.
It is your business.
Of course.
And it sucks.
I realize that it is my personal circumstances that make the end of Murderati such devastating news, but I want you all to know how much it has meant to me. Newly retired with a chronic pain condition and then struck with a mystery illness that made me unable to sit, stand, walk or drive for months, my world narrowed fast. When I stumbled upon Murderati it felt like a life line. Real authors talking about writing and books in witty, clever, and interesting conversations with other writers in my favourite genre! This blog has been a big bulwark against the pain.
I loved the topics, the range of opinions, the genuine sense of good will and good cheer to other writers. I have been informed, entertained, and educated about the writing life in ways I never could have imagined in my circumscribed circumstances.
I am deeply grateful for the time I spent here, the writing and thinking you have all shared, and the conversations that have so enriched my narrow little rural life. Thank you so much to everyone–writers and commenters–who made it possible for so long.
Dee
Love you all for your hard work building this community. See you in the ether, in print and at the bar. I'm buying.
To contributors present and past:
Thanks so much for so many, many wonderful posts, sharing your feelings, thoughts, and insights.
The internet will be a darker place without Murderati.
Stephen
I've just read this today. Very sad news. But thank you all for the wonderful posts, through the years.
I'm not on Facebook and have no plans to sign up, but I'll certainly continue to follow your progress through your websites. Best wishes to all of you.
Oh this makes me so sad. I appreciate the comments and the thanks. It's my sincere hope that we can build community in other ways as well. For those on FB, it'll be easier. Some of us will write blogs in other forums. I'm thinking of keeping up the practice on a weekly or more frequent basis. We'll all post our blog addresses before the end of the month . . .
But Murderati as an entity is special and there is nothing that can replace this community in the now. We all realize this and that made the decision that much more difficult.
I'll miss Murderati terribly.
But I get it. It takes tons of time to write the posts, respond, and dialogue like you all have for seven years. So thank you all for making that effort for so long!
Oh, I'm going to miss Murderati! It's been great to be a part of the community, and I've appreciated the insightful, moving, and humorous posts.
I'll see you over on your Facebook page. It's weird–I feel like I've become friends with many of you, and I hope we don't completely lose contact.
I too will miss you all.
I have not been a frequent correspondent, but I have enjoyed getting to know all of you so much. I wish all of you, all the best.
Murderati has been something special, and all of you are so very special. Thank you for the time and the thoughts and the love you have shared with us.
See you on FB.
Always,
Ed
It is sad…we're all very sad too. And it's so touching to read these comments. Thank you everyone.
I just posted this message on Phillipa's last blog post and while I intended it especially for Phillipa, I realized it would be appropriate here, as well, to the community of Murderati bloggers and commenters. I wrote this, because Phillipa, and you, are more important to me than your words:
Dear Phillipa,
I don't know what happened, but I am upset about losing this community so abruptly. I realize that we all have our own lives. I am very aware that the bloggers of Murderati are not my neighbors or family. Yet… I have strong feelings for you and all the Murderati bloggers, past and present. Perhaps my feelings are stronger than they deserve to be, but they are my feelings. I only write this to you now, because I am hurting at this loss.
The love of reading and writing brought me here. This relationship, whatever it is, has meant the difference between connect and disconnect. I just want you to know.
xo Reine
You will be greatly missed. Even though I don't have FB, I will do my best to keep up with each of you. Thanks for all you've done.
As someone who has run a blog and posted new content on a frequent basis, I can say it's a cubic buttload of work. Thanks for doing the work.
Hey all,
Thank you for the comments. I hope we can weather the transition and that we'll be able to stay in touch, in one or another, in the future. For now, we've got April.
I plan to use it well . . .
Mruderati specialty is the genuine, extended and substantive dialogue that gets going around posts. I can see how much work it is from being in one myself, so I understand. But all of you – 'Ratis current and past – set a high standard for what a group blog can be.