Acknowledge!

Have you ever read the acknowledgements page in a book and mentally composed one of your own? For your book that someday might be published?* 

I have. And while I hate, hate, hate to jinx any future publication, I think an acknowledgments post might be a good idea, especially the day after Thanksgiving. Writing doesn't happen in a vacuum. We are surrounded by folks who keep us going. So:

Thanks to the amazing family and friends who have never, not once, mentioned a real job.

Thanks to the mothers who wonder why we aren’t already published.

Thanks to the crit group members who have an idea of why we aren’t published- and help us improve. Thank you, Turbo Monkeys (and Slushbusters!) for reading my best attempts at chapters and giving me feedback that's made me a better writer. Bless you for believing that I could be a better writer. 

Thanks to all the editors and agents who blog about this amazing industry and make it a little less mysterious. Thanks especially for this post. If I ever meet Janet Reid, I owe her a drink. Several. I don’t know how many times I’ve reread this, but I tear up every. single. time.

Thanks to SCBWI for the conferences, for the information, for the community. Thanks to the agents and editors at those conferences who encourage pale and trembling attendees.  

Thanks to the Nevada SCBWI Mentorship Program. To Ellen and Suzy who organized it, the marvelous faculty who staffed it, and Harold who mentored me. You all made the program so special- and introduced me to my fellow Monkeys!

Thanks to Highlights for the way they support and nurture those who love kidlit. Thanks for the scholarships that allow so many to attend their programs. Thanks to Patti for the times she was fierce with me.

Thanks to the writing community in Facebook and on the web– all the wonderful people who encourage us on a daily basis. 

Thank you for following Turbo Monkey Tales! We're so fortunate that you choose to swing through the kidlit jungle with us.  

Now it's your turn: who would you like to acknowledge? And for you published folks out there, who have you already acknowledged? 

*You know, your wildly successful debut novel whose pre-order sales have already outstripped Harry Potter, Twilight, and 50 Shades combined? That book.

picture provided by Wikipedia Commons