Yesterday morning, I received an email from Dennis Merritt, an author who lives in my village: “Hi Joan, Check out the Recorder today.” When I did, I discovered a well-written and entertaining review of The Swanson Shuffle,a novel I published this year,. The headline? Joan Livingston’s book offers a journey into the lives of eccentric characters. Here’s the link.
Frankly, it was a great way to start my day.
Dennis, who is part of a writing group I lead, had told me he planned to submit a review to the Greenfield Recorder, a daily that covers a good portion of Western Massachusetts. I was once its editor-in-chief.
As I read his review, I began thinking of the oh-so-many ways authors have helped me navigate this crazy world of publishing. Some I know personally, like Teresa Dovalpage, who I met in Taos, and Fred Fullerton, who I’ve known since college, and Frederick Reiken, a fellow journalist a long time ago, but there are others.
It’s amusing how many helpful author friends I only met online. Author Joseph Lewis, who writes thriller/suspense novels set in the Southwest, comes to mind.
I would say they were all pen pals in the truest sense of the word.
So many have been willing to recommend me to those in the business like agents and publishers, offer reviews and advice, and have friendly conversations about it all.
Not only am I grateful, I’ve been happy to reciprocate.
When I signed with darkstroke books in 2007, it not only published 11 of my books but gave me access to so many authors who were trying to get the word out about their writing.
To back up a bit, darkstroke was based in France. Its owners Laurence and Steph Patterson moved there from Scotland. Amazingly, the Pattersons weren’t shy about taking on writers from around the world — including the UK, France, Portugal, Israel, US, Canada, and even Australia.
Despite the long distances, the Pattersons maintained a community by encouraging us to know each other. We communicated via Zoom sessions, a Facebook page, and email. When an author had a new book coming out, people volunteered to give reviews or to feature it on their website or blog. I was happy to do the same, even running regular features like Character Traits and 6Ws. I contribute still to blog tours.
Sadly, darkstroke closed last year, but I remain in contact with several of its authors.
Recently, I sought advice when a query for my most recent book, The Unforgiving Town, was rejected. After getting over my disappointment, I reached out to a few author friends. Yes, each gave me helpful advice and words of encouragement.
But back to Dennis. I met him when he started coming to the writers group I hold monthly at my son’s Floodwater Brewing. For those one-hour sessions, people bring a piece of writing to share or to listen. Dennis recently published Alice at Plum Island and Other Stories, Threads & Magic: From the Life of Dennis C Merritt, which Ireviewed on Substack and my website.
Well, Dennis took it upon himself to send that review to the local newspaper, and I’m so glad he did. Thanks friend.
PHOTO ABOVE: That amazing orchid, a gift from my son Nate several years ago, keeps flowering. This is the orchid’s most recent creation. Already I see another shoot coming. Such a wonderful plant.