Dear friends and fellow writers,
Today is Sunday, and the three of us are sad because we have decided to close down The Literary Lab. The time feels right for letting go of something that we have put a lot of heart and energy into.
We are so grateful to everyone who has been a part of our community: reading, commenting, guest posting, and sharing your writing. Our hearts and minds have grown because of you. We have built friendships. We have become fans of your work. We thank you so, so much.
Because of you, we've also been able to put together some anthologies that we are really proud of. The energy we felt as we put your work out into the world was amazing. To top it off, we were able to donate money to some cool organizations and give some of you writers well-earned payment. We thank Becca for being our partner-in-crime for all of our anthologies, and C. N. Nevets for being our Tweeter for a time.
On a personal note, I'd like to deeply thank Scott and Michelle for being willing to take part in this with me. Both of them are going places, so I hope you will keep a close eye on them.
Michelle blogs at her site, Michelle D. Argyle, and her next book, The Breakaway, will be officially out on May 1st, followed by Bonded coming out in November.
Scott blogs at Six Words for a Hat, and his novel The Astrologer will be coming out in March of 2013.
As for me, I'm excited about the opportunity to start something new. I'm taking a little bit of time to reflect on what will be most meaningful to me, and if you're interested in finding out what I come up with, you can sign up on my mailing list. I'll be sure to let you know.
I sincerely hope that all of you writers out there will continue to remember what you love and strive to fill your life with those things. We'll probably be putting up a few more updates as we get the blog organized for any future readers who stumble upon it. (We have over 700 posts!) Writing is an amazing art form worthy of everything we put into it.
with love,
The Literary Lab
I just want to write here how incredibly, and deeply, grateful I am for having been a part of this blog. I'm also indebted to our dedicated, fantastic readers who have truly made this a memorable experience I will never, ever forget. I have forged friendships through this blog that will last a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Scott and Davin, for your friendship, and thank you, readers, for sticking with us!
My discovery of your blog (through a Nathan Bransford link) has been one of the highlights of my blogging and writing life. Thank you for what you have done. Your contributions will endure. Good luck in all your future endeavors.
ReplyDeleteJudith, you have been valuable here! Thank you so much for your contributions. :)
DeleteApril Fools?
ReplyDeleteNo joke, Rick!
DeleteNo joke, Rick! So long, and thanks for all the fish!
DeleteThis blog has been so inspiring for me as a writer! Thank you for all you have done and for sharing some of your own personal writing journeys. I wish you all the best!
ReplyDeleteJeannie, you have been around as long as we have been around, I do believe. Thank you so much for all of your support! :)
DeleteI'm sorry to hear this blog is now static. I've learned many things here. Good luck to all of you in your personal ventures.
ReplyDeleteI've learned a lot of things here, as well, through our readers and our own wonderings. It has been wonderful. Thank you for being here as a valuable reader. :)
DeleteI started visiting years ago, when it was just Davin, and this news hit me with a rush of sadness. You've all done a lot of good here, and I wish you all the best. Take good care.
ReplyDeleteAww, you've been around so long! Thank you for sharing this journey with us.
DeleteOops. I tried to subscribe to Davin's mailing list, but the link goes to Michelle's.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Davin will get it fixed. We'll make sure it's ready in our last posts.
DeleteLinda, That's strange. The link works for me. But I will manually add you in. Thanks for doing it!
DeleteThe same thing happened to me. If you could add me to your list as well, that would be great! I'd like to keep up with what you all are writing.
DeleteOh, I'm so sad. You've all contributed so much to the online writing community and to me personally as a writer. I wish you all the best. I will be watching each of you when you hit the big time. Good luck with all your future projects.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, you are sweet. Thank you for all you've done for us and for being such a generous and faithful reader here. :)
DeleteSaddened but grateful.
ReplyDeleteYat Yee
Obviously not grateful that you are stopping, but grateful that I've had a chance to be a part of the wonderful community over here.
ReplyDeleteYat-Yee, you have been amazing here, and we are grateful. Thank you!
DeleteYou will be missed. But I understand. Everything has its own cycle. Most successful blogs last about three years, so you're right on schedule.
ReplyDeleteI can't thank you enough for the part you played in re-starting my career. Before I got my story "The Big Ones" in the Genre Wars anthology, I was about to give up. My publisher had gone belly-up without ever getting US distribution for my 2 novels, and my "poor sales record" had made me poison in the industry.
But one late night I found the Literary Lab through a comment Michelle made on Nathan Bransford's blog. I sent in a story on the spot, not expecting anything. But when it was accepted, it started a ripple effect that led to publishing 5 novels with two new publishers last year--with another book coming out in June.
Thanks Michelle, Scott and Davin--and best of luck in your own publishing endeavors!
Anne, your comment touched me, thank you. It's really great to know we've made a difference. That's what we have wanted. Thank you so much for all you've contributed!
DeleteThis day and age certainly is a time for reflection and reevaluation and for some that might be closing down a blog. I wasn't a super regular reader but I wish you all the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura! We appreciated when you were here. :)
DeleteOH NO! I was just starting to cheer up and I saw this sad news!, Just want to add my grateful thanks to all at The Lit Lab for all the lessons, guidance and inspiration over the years. You've all been a terrific example of what the writing community is all about. Scott, I see I've missed some important news - congratulations on the book coming out! Michelle, I know youRe going from Strength to strength Davin, wishing you & Peanut all the best - I signed up for your newsletter a while ago and hope I'm still on it.
ReplyDeleteThe very best of luck to all of The Lit Lab - three cheers and thanks again!
Hamba Kahle
Judy Croome
South Africa
Aww, don't be too sad! We're all still around, just not in one spot, hehe. And you can always come read our old posts if you miss it much. Thank you for being such a great reader here.
DeleteJust a note to everyone - I'm not sure why Davin's newsletter isn't working. We'll be sure to keep you updated on how to sign up for it.
ReplyDeleteWell this sucks. How dare you live your own lives?
ReplyDeleteGood luck you three. I'm still hoping this is an April Fool's stunt.
LOL @ Thanks for all the fish.
We're doing it to spite everyone! Haha, not really. It's just time for us to move on. Thanks for all your involvement here!
DeleteWell, I certainly wasn't expecting this... You guys are so awesome, and if this isn't an April Fool's stunt, then the Literary Lab will definitely be missed. I've learned so much about writing here.
ReplyDeleteSorry to see LitLab go (even though I haven't been around much lately). You've always been intriguing and interesting and pumped a lot of energy into the world of blogging writers. Best wishes to each of you!
ReplyDeleteaww..that makes me a little sad- but if it makes sense for you then that's all that really matters..I've really enjoyed getting to know you all and your writing(writings?) . Thanks much!!
ReplyDeleteLavanya
Good luck to all of you :)
ReplyDeleteI am deeply saddened by this news. This was my one place I really checked in on, one of my favorite blogs, every time I opened up FeedDemon or gReader app on my phone and tablet. I came here right at the beginning of Michelle's tenure and this place will be sorely missed. I learned about how to make my character want something and not achieve it in each scene, here, at the Lab. It has vastly improved my writing and the first draft of my novel. Thank you so much for this blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight, generosity, entertainment, and sense of community. And for the forum youve given me and other writers to show our work. This blog has been an impetus for more experimentation for me, which has been very valuable to me. Best of luck and success in your future endeavors!
ReplyDeleteThanks you guys! You've all been a huge inspiration and encouragement to me! Hate to see you go, but I know you will all go on to do amazing things. Thanks for all your sharing...
ReplyDeleteI will always owe more to the literary lab and to you three as individuals than I can ever express appropriately. Anything that ever happens in my writing career will bear the stamp of each of you in some way, and of this amazing community you created.
ReplyDeleteThanks you, so much.
Wow. This is the end of an era for me. The Lit Lab was one of the first places I ran into when I first began this blogging journey. I have thoroughly enjoyed and learned from pretty much every single post you three have tossed out at us. I've had the honor of reading your works and seeing how "it's really done". I'll have to take a moment to reflect on this. I understand why you're all making this choice however, and I hope the best for all of you. Take care, and know that this place will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's been a real pleasure. May your words live for ever.
ReplyDeleteThank you all, so much, for everything.
ReplyDelete<3 bru
Thanks, everyone!
ReplyDeleteI'm a tad older than most of those who meet here so bear with me when I say that the first thing through my head when I read this post was "What a revoltin' development this is." That's a tagline from an ancient TV show called "Life of Riley". I hate it that you're closing the shop but I wish you well in all you do. Now I must go put it in the wind, my cure-all for whatever ails me. Peace out.
ReplyDeleteWill miss you guys! Thanks for the wonderful blog posts.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for the archives!
ReplyDeleteSo...this isn't a joke? Really? You're at 699 followers. Don't you think you should stick it out to 700???
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear this, guys. You all gave me a much needed writing boost, and I'll always be grateful for it.
ReplyDeleteGodspeed in all your endeavours.
Davin,
ReplyDeleteYour writing list is still Michelle's to which I'm already subscribed. Do you have one? If so, I'd like to be on it.
Yeah, me too.
DeleteYvonne, I just checked and you're all signed up. jbchicoine, I'll add you in. Thanks to both of you!
DeleteDavin, I was just over here in early March to congratulate Scott on his book deal.
ReplyDeleteI know I have not been around as much, but I did not know you were closing down shop. *sigh*
I signed up for your mailing list, but it said I signed up for Michelle's. I want her list too, but particularly want to receive yours.
You are a wonderful friend and I do NOT want to lose touch. In other words, HELP! :-) I'll miss you three. But especially you, Davin. (((hugs)))
Hi Robyn,
DeleteI just checked, and you are on the list. If I do start another blog, I'll let you know. I don't want to lost touch with you either!
I'm only just starting to read through the articles here and I'm grateful that this resource is still available. Sad to see you go. All the best your future endeavors.
ReplyDeleteDoes C E stand for Mighty Reader?
DeleteCharlie, CE is not Mighty Reader, no. But it's cool that people are still reading these posts. I hope somebody finds them useful.
DeleteAlso, I miss the Lab. There, I've said it. Michelle, Davin and I were in constant contact then. Now we're all so busy leading separate lives. I'm getting teary-eyed.