For those of you not in the United States, we have a bizarre annual tradition: On the fourth Thursday of every November, we gather with family to express gratitude (if you’re doing it right), argue about politics (if you’re doing it wrong), and watch American football (if that sort of thing floats your boat). This is all accompanied by a meal of (questionably) traditional dishes most of us don’t even think about the rest of the year. That’s right: This is a post about Thanksgiving.

I won’t belabor the obvious: I am thankful for my wife and sons, the rest of our immediate family, the prosperous lives we live, and the career that allows for it. I am thankful for my LARP friends and my tabletop gaming crew. My family, friends, and coworkers don’t need a blog post to know that, though; they’ll get the message more directly. I thought, since it’s a time to give thanks and this is a place where I post about writing, I’d take a moment to thank my audience.

To my supporters

A select few of you are beta readers who are actively helping me write Relic Tamer. Others are patrons on Patreon. And there’s a lot of overlap with my ARC squad. Publishing my first book has taught me that, “If you write it, they will come,” is not a winning strategy. That’s a recipe for a book to die in obscurity regardless of its quality. Just like villages and raising children, it takes a community to get a book off the ground. Thank you for helping me polish the rough edges, giving me encouragement, and getting the word out. It’s only thanks to you that I was able to start on this journey.

To my fans

Whether you’re a lurker on my blog / Goodreads / Amazon, a subscriber to my newsletter, or a casual reader who left a good rating or a nice review, thank you. I wish I could say I write purely for my own satisfaction, but that would be a lie. Your enthusiasm is fuel in the tank. I read all of it (not always the best habit, I assure you) and it leaves a smile on my face to know that someone is out there enjoying my story.

To my critics

Thank you as well. Not what you were expecting? I’m not saying every critic deserves praise; there have been a few that left less than constructive commentary. That said, I’ve received negative reviews with apt points to consider. Many of them have made me reconsider how I write. At the end of the day, you’re helping me become a better writer and keeping me humble. I recognize and appreciate the value you’re providing, even when it isn’t always the easiest thing to hear. Even a bitter pill is still medicine.