Hey everybody,
After I posted about getting the contract to publish MFA Thesis Novel I received a FLOOD of comments and messages from people saying congratulations, that they were happy for me, that they couldn’t wait to read it, and more. Some came from people I hadn’t talked to for literally years, and getting back in touch with them felt really good too. I took the time to reply to everyone individually (and if I missed yours I sincerely apologize!) because that kind of personal response is important to me.
In the meantime, though, I also wanted to say a collective thank you to everyone who sent messages, commented, replied, Liked, or otherwise reached out in support—it means a lot, makes me SUPER optimistic about getting MFA Thesis Novel into the world, and provides a genuine confidence boost that helps me keep going.
I wrote a while back about the difference between complimenting someone’s achievements (like signing a novel publication contract) and complimenting someone’s actual art (like the novel itself). While I hope that many of you reading will enjoy the actual novel because it’s fun and has a bunch of jokes in it, I’m not under any delusions that every single person will read it, and that’s OK.
Though having someone appreciate your actual art ultimately means a lot more, I still think it’s incredibly valuable to encourage creators when they achieve something, particularly if you know them personally. Creative work can be discouraging, lonely work, and hearing from anyone, for any reason, makes it just a little less so.
So again, thanks for reaching out, thanks for keeping in touch, and thanks for reading this blog as it nears its four-year (!!!) anniversary. Here’s to many more ahead.
As one of the lucky ones who have read it- let me say those that don’t are missing out on a good time. There’s so much in it to relate to! Even parts that make you laugh at yourself in a good-natured kind of way