Apparently I missed de-lurk day last month, but I thought I’d call out of you lurkers out of the woodwork to come and leave a comment. Commenting is fun! 3 out of 5 dentists recommend it. I’m pretty sure it cures scurvy.
So…
Where are you from?
Anything on your mind?
Who is Jason going to choose?
Will Jillian be the new Bachelorette?
How’s the weather?
I know, right?
And hey, if you comment here you might even be featured in the San Francisco Chronicle like Vegas Linda Lou.
Come out come out wherever you are!
Anonymous says
I see a large map in your office with little red flags wherever a blogger gives an address. Are you planning to invade? Or just seek world domination? England needs you…where I am feeding blackbirds… and have several thousand words to go.Listening to cricket on the radio.
Ruth says
Hi. I’m from Hershey, PA. I’m mostly a lurker for many reasons.
I still indulge the mini-fantasy when I see your name on the incoming email. “Maybe he changed his mind on my query!” You are my favorite teacher, despite the reality check.
Do you really look like Owen Wilson, or did he just pose for your Curtis Brown picture?
Penny says
I’m from Tennessee, and I really enjoy reading your blog. I’m not a Las Vegas-based comedian, and I’m not one for commenting mostly.
What’s on my mind… I’m currently working on a book that is based on real events in my life, and while the truth is far more complex and interesting than anything I could possibly make up, if I keep the events and change the characters and location, it is still a distinctive enough story that I think I could be sued a hundred times over, and possibly jailed for libel.
Are there any guides out there for a writer’s legal rights in terms of fictionalizing reality?
writermomof5 says
Hi! I’m Shawna from sunny California. Well, it’s sunny as I write anyway. I am not technically a lurker, but as I read this blog before I finish my first cup of coffee, it’s probably better I don’t comment quite so much. Come to think of it, I’m usually anon because the word verification says ‘loading’ when I try my WordPress ID. So maybe I’m a quasi-lurker?
I’ve another cup of coffee on my mind as I just chugged the first; don’t know who Jason will pick, the kids usually take over the TV that night–I have five… kids not TV’s–but I think Jason’s eyes are too close together anyway; no idea about Jillian.
Random question for you: When an agent requests a partial in the body of an email, how does he or she want it formatted? My Word formatting never holds when I copy paste into the email. I fully realize I’m not the most computer literate person out there, but I’m learning.
aubyrn says
Hi Nathan, it’s glad to make your acquaintance, so to speak. Or write. As it were.
My name is Auburn, I’m a Texas native residing in Austin and working as a Publishing Assistant at an independent book publisher and distributor.
I’m an aspiring author. And one day, I’ll find a word that I like more than “aspiring.”
I’ve been reading here for a few weeks, ever since I discovered this blog via the Best Literature Blog polls at the Weblog Awards. Much thanks for all of the news, insight and advice you offer to us all.
Thanks for giving us a reason to introduce ourselves.
The Big Bad Book Blog
https://www.bigbadbookblog.com
Anonymous says
I’m from Mount Forest, Ontario. I didn’t think I’d ever live in a small town but the two church spires that rise from the sparse provide a gateway into imaginations and secret happenings in the dark- the aesthetics engaged me.
I’m exhausted. Being the passionate one while dead leeches suckle at my synapses is a heavy price to pay for companionship.
I’ve left princess behind, have become a queen but I am not so eager to be celestrial- it’s too clean for me.
I think I’ll start a blog with the tagline Southern Ontario Gothic.
Anonymous says
Oh celestial, how you vex me. I type on a keyboard with no lettering left on the keys because the pads of my fingers create delicious friction and I think posting spelling errors on blog comments is hot in that daring rebel way of youth.
My Semblance of Sanity says
Well, you asked for it and you got it! Almost 300 comments later…wonder if you are still reading them:)
I am Michelle, a freelance writer, humor columnist, mommy blogger and author/illustrator.
Maybe I have multiple personalities but somehow I keep it all straight…so much so that I have garnered the attention of the amazing Peter H. Reynolds who has become a big cheerleader and fan of my work.
An essay I wrote will be included in the book PEARL GIRLS by Margaret McSweeney due out in July of this year.
I am working on a few picture books and a couple chapter books – one with a boy protagonist with anxiety disorder.
And I am glad the oh-so-annyoing Tatiana was voted off of Idol last week! She bugged me!
Vicki says
Hi, I’m Vicki from Sunny Florida. I have no idea who’ll Jason will choose, but I can tell you all about my hero and who he chooses.
The weather is great (Sunny Florida).
On my mind? Wondering why you pay the post office and sign a release so the editor your sending to, doesn’t have to sign for said manuscript (full, of course), only to check the tracking and see the PO left a notice. Yep, a notice. Don’t bother calling the PO, they’ll tell you it doesn’t matter what you sign, it’s still up to the postperson delivering to leave it or not.
Sorry, that might have been a little more than you asked for…;)
L-Plate Author says
Hi Nathan, I am a lurker but I have posted a few comments now and then.
I live in Stoke on Trent, England. It was better known as the Potteries but as more names such as Wedgwood, Beswick and Spode go to the wall, I fear we will lose the title.
I found your blog as soon as I started using google reader and thought it was meant to be as I had my script being looked at (a full) by an agent in Curtis Brown, London. I got quite excited about meeting you if I ever got to the US (well, I can dream!)but I don’t think you are the same Curtis Browns 🙁 (if you are the same please feel free to let me know over on my blog!)
The agent still has my manuscript, I have tightened it and rewritten bits at her request twice now and I am on a final draft for typos but still not a definite yes. But I do live in hope….
Mel
irishoma says
I’ve posted here a few times, so I don’t consider myself a lurker; mostly I visit to read your sage advice.
To avoid being labeled as a lurker, I’ll chime in:
Where are you from? Missouri, the “Show Me” state, which is a good place to be from if you’re a writer. BTW – Is there a “Tell Me” state?
Anything on your mind? The really bad hair cut I got on Monday. I wrote about it yesterday on my blog, Donna’s Book Pub.
Who is Jason going to choose? Who?
Will Jillian be the new Bachelorette? Again, who?
How’s the weather? Chance of thunderstorms today–but it was lovely yesterday. It’s the Midwest; the weather is always a surprise here.
I know, right? Okay.
Anonymous says
Well, if it cures scurvy…
I’m Wendy and I live in Eugene, OR where it’s very rainy…
I’m enjoying reading the blog–what’s on my mind is that I have to teach some 5th graders today (I’m student teaching) and be videotaped for my own “edification’ which is a little terrifying. But I have to try to do something while I’m receiving rejections. Ironically I am teaching reading. They are smart little guys and they are getting it, though. I just hope the videotaping isn’t my fifteen minutes of fame, because that would just be sad. 🙂
I don’t know who Jason and Jillian are either, but I beg ignorance since I’m in school and trying to still write and occasionally read things other than school work.
I write fantasy when I am not consumed with school, and often when I should be consumed with school (it’s an addiction, I think). But this is my last term (I hope).
I will try not to lurk so much and to contribute something interesting to the conversation. Lurking is easier and appeals to my dark side.
Martin Willoughby says
If someone comments today to ‘de-lurk’ themselves, and then doesn’t comment again, have they re-lurked?
Marcus Brotherton says
Hi Nathan,
I’m a lurking, multi-published author who received a rejection notice yesterday saying (very literally): “Sorry, we’re only publishing SURE THINGS” these days.
So, that got me to thinking about what might be a SURE THING these days in the world of publishing.
Let me suggest a few titles SURE to fly in publishing these days …
1) “My Commitment to Abstinence,” by Bristol Palin
2) “Travels With Steven King,” by Stephenie Meyer
3) “Kleenex I’ve Sneezed On,” by Barack Obama
4) “Attention All Writers: I Will One Day Decide Your Final Destiny,” by Oprah
5) “Yet Another Ole’ Memoir About My Hopelessly Messy Life,” by Augusten Burroughs
Craven says
Hi, I’m from the great Northwest. It’s snowing again, a rare thing here, but not this year – we know nothing of this global warming phenomenom, and would happily pay for some. I don’t watch the bachelor – sorry, don’t know what’s wrong with me. I follow your blog closely, lurking most of the time, posting once in a while. I’m currently finishing a SF manuscript and will probably query you in a few months. Until then I will be editing, editing, editing, and following your blog.
WitLiz Today says
De-Lurker stats as of 11:29EST
WHERE FROM?
States not represented (unless I went blind in the middle of doing this, which, since all I see is black now is a good possibility):
New Hampshire, Wyoming, Nebraska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Mississippi, North and South Dakota, Arkansas, Iowa, Alaska
Countries represented:
Canada 19
New Zealand 5
Australia 8
Slovenia 1
Kosovo 1
Germany 1
Switzerland 1
India 3
Iceland 1
Scotland 2
England 3
Dubai 1
Other places of origin
NeverNeverLand 1
Internet 3
Someplace empty 1
Mother's womb 1
De-Lurkers who did not specify WHERE FROM 35
State with the most De-Lurkers CA 17
Other Interesting Facts about De-Lurkers
Hungry 5
Cute Dog sounds 1
Wtf? 3
Pest 1
Trapped in Sou CA 1
Scurvy, some have, some don't
World Travelers, or 'By Way Of' 2 or more
Cave dweller 1
Feral 1
Home Alone 1
Hypochondriac 1
Perfect Teeth 1
Eavesdropper 1
Flying Haw 1
Bad Haircut 1
Publishing De-Lurkers
Authors 4
Editor 1
Aloha 1
'Standup' Comedians 270 (add one to that every ten minutes)
WIP
NF 2
Memoir 2
YA 4
Fantasy 3
SF & F 2
MG 1
Now the important stat concerning the questions about the Bachelor, well, I went blind before I could address that. Suffice it to say, some watch it, some really, really don't.
And as far as acuracy for thes stats go, well, somatime I no good adda up da number. Sory. Plusa, evertime I try to prevue my worka, more stuffs come in. Sory.
Ice Charades says
Hola Nathan!
I’m a huge fan of the blog and mostly a lurker currently residing in Mexico City. The weather is great here, if you can get past the pollution. It’s pleasant in the afternoons, 70-80 everyday.
I’m slaving away on a figure skating novel, which I think is novel in itself.
And – you read it here first – ABC is looking to cast a figure skater as the next bachelorette. Perhaps trying to compete with NBC and all of the figure skating they’ll be hyping in a run-up to the Winter Olympics.
Sooki Scott says
Holy Toledo! 270 comments ahead of mine. Odds of you choosing me, better than publishing, worse than seeing Elvis in the building.
From where? Snowy (uh huh) Seattle.
Anything on my mind? My 401, which should tell you how depressed I am.
Jason’s choice? Pleeeeessssseeee. Sooki no care.
Weather? Strange.
Confucius says; man who drive like hell, bound to get there.
nona says
Anything on your mind?
It is now legal to sleep in a tent on the beach in Laguna Beach, CA. I just may move there with my laptop. Oh yeah, I don’t have a laptop.
Crimogenic says
Good to see some lurkers come out of hiding.
Hi Lurkers! 🙂
jnantz says
I’m not a lurker. I don’t lurk. I’m just a neighbor who doesn’t stop in as often….
MommyJ says
Okay. I almost didn’t do it, because seriously… with 276 before me, do I REALLY need to delurk? But you asked so nicely…
love your insights, appreciate your encouragement and your awareness that there are many, many gifted writers out there who have no clue where or how to begin when it comes to publishing…
and I use this dot dot dot thingy… way too much…
The Geeky Quill says
Oh, am I late for your late De-Lurking Day? It figures.
I’m Amanda from California.
On my mind… Well, just wondering if I have time for another cup of coffee.
No idea about Jason or Jillian. If their not on Discovery, I’m not likely to see them. (My husband has control of the TV remote.)
It’s raining. Yippee! Puddle stomping day. 🙂
Jaime Theler says
Hi, I'm lurker Jaime and I may be sabotaging my possible chances by admitting I've never watched The Bachelor. *ducking* I do read the blog, though. (Hopefully that will redeem me.)My addictions of choice are reading & writing, and when I go too long not doing either I start to get "twitchy."
I'm shopping my current WIP to agents right now, a middle grade fantasy that started as a bedtime story to my son. It's as far from Harry Potter as you can get, with nary a wizarding school in sight. There are also no complex games bigger than football, no broomsticks, and I'm sorry to say no one thinks my villain is dead even though he's really alive and just needs some of my hero's blood to regain full power. There *is* action, scary creatures, disgusting food, weapons, and hurling fireballs, however. It was loads of fun writing it.
Thanks for all the good info. Just perfect for us lurkers.
Emily Breen says
I live in glamorous Chelmsford, England – a twenty minute train ride from the heart of London but a whole other world, a world in which the landscapes are green and the tans are a rich tandoori orange.
On my mind today is the outcome of the second season of The Gilmore Girls; anxiety that they may not screen the third, and further anxiety that I care. I became addicted when I had the flu and my immune system was low, there is no such excuse for watching it all over again. Except that it is on. It is my televisual Field of Dreams!
I’m thinking about The Gilmore Girls to not think about the proofs of my latest column – for local mag – which once again have been ‘ladded up’ to make me sound…blonde.
(I realise that I am blonde but it makes me sound blonde-blonde).
I’m thinking about rising above and going to my happy place, which is stocked with toast and honey and old episodes of Midnight Caller. I will never watch Midnight Caller again as I am aware thirty-two-year-old me might not love it as much, but I enjoy enjoying it in retrospect.
Not allowed to watch The Bachelor, self-imposed ban for mental health reasons – I have enough pressure on me worrying about Heidi’s wedding and Tyra’s singing/dancing/gurning. Not allowing any more reality TV into my life. (Unless The City turns out to be really worthwhile…)
I’m English, the weather is always *sigh* problematic.
Totally.
mab says
Ok, you caught me. I’ve been lurking since November.
So. . . I have a screenplay, my first, that has won a film festival as Best Thriller and recently placed as a finalist (top 30 out of 750) and have received some interest from a film company. Since I knew the story worked, I did the write your first novel challenge and by February had a 70,000 word manuscript. I have given it to a few well read friends to read and they, instead of tell me to go back to my day job of a film/theater costume designer, told me to send it to publishers. But, this is all very new to me. I thought, agent first.
As a designer, I run everything through my agent– as protection and she is a better negotiator than I. Actually, my agent wants to start a literary wing, but I feel the need to keep things separate. (I also do not bundle my utilities, so why agents, right?)
So my questions are:
Which comes first agent or publisher?
If you have a screenplay and a novel both of the same subject do you look for an agency to rep both or keep it separate?
Also, have been researching agents that a) rep first novels by women, b) rep books that I love and c) have books that have become films. Right?
Ok, have stopped lurking, feel better, exhaling loudly and slurping coffee.
Michael W Lucas says
It sounds like NB wants to know who’s reading his blog. So:
I’m a network engineer and tech author from Detroit, Michigan. I’ve had six nonfiction books published, more on the way. The books have been translated into a dozen languages and have gotten some nice reviews, so I guess I’m successful there. Unfortunately the books are all on obscure topics, so I’m only famous among a very small group.
I’m considering jumping back into the fiction side. After writing several novels, I’ve finally gotten good enough where one might sell. If the last novel I wrote cannot find a market, the next one certainly will.
I’m here a couple times a week. NB almost always has something well worth reading.
Tyra Lamar says
Wow, this is the first comment I’ve ever left. I have been an avid lurker of this blog since summer 2008. I will most likely continue to do so. But today, I feel a stirring, a rare prepossessing boldness that compels me to type what I am thinking rather than chat amiably with the computer screen. Wow, this comment is length already. Do you see why I lurk?
I’m a 20 year old from Atlanta, and my absolute passion is writing. I guess that last part’s pretty obvious, so…um…how about those Sox? (Always wanted to say that!)
Heidi says
I’m such a lurker, I often wait until the next day to read blogs and comments. It’s like being a voyeur of shadows.
I’m from La Crosse, WI. The weather isn’t bad, by mid-west standards.
My novel “Faker” has been complete and lurking in my hard-drive for 8 years. I have written a second untitled novel, and am now working on a third.
In my “real life” I’m a graphic designer. I’ve always used work as an excuse for not being published. I quit my job last May so I could quit making excuses.
Now if only I could quit lurking.
AC says
This is a day late, but I’m delurking anyway. I’m here in Alabama (I actually did Ctrl + F to find other Alabamians because I don’t think there are as many of us who blog as there are, say bloggers from Washington state. Or New York. Or Utah.)
Duh Jason will totally pick Melissa. She’s been perfect for him since Day 1 but they had to create the “he didn’t meet her parents” fake drama to draw attention away from the fact that he’s in love with her and they’re going to get married and have lots of babies…
Jillian would make a great next Bachelorette and I’m so glad Jason didn’t pick her–she’s too good for him.
And, uh…no, I don’t watch too much reality TV. Not at all.
Anonymous says
Lurk is such an ugly word. I prefer to think that I lurp. I’m from Washington, D.C., and I intend to bole you over with my new fickshun novell I’m writing. I’ve already made a list of which actors will play what roles in the movie.
Unfortunately, the writing process is taking a bit longer than I thought, because I procrastinate. Too much passing the time by reading blogs, if you catch my drift.
Keep it high and hard to ward off the wimps and push the pros.
Later.
Fred
jjhoutman says
Hi, I’m Jacqueline from Wisconsin.
I’m a science writer/editor by trade, but I also write sciency fiction(not science fiction)for kids. My first MG novel was acquired this summer, then the entire imprint was promptly laid off. After six months of limbo, I’m now awaiting (the first round of) revisions from my editor.
Nathan, yours is one of a handful of blogs I check daily. I’m only posting a day late because it took me that long to work up the nerve.
It’s precipitating liquid water here in Wisconsin, but I fear a drop in temperature will cause a change to the solid phase.
Courtney says
I’m Courtney, from Texas, and if you actually need to ask how the weather is down here, then you haven’t been paying attention to the weather channel, ever. I write dark urban fantasy, when I’m not trying to tune out my computer science professors.
Currently, I have Prolog on my mind, because some strange man at the front of the classroom is insisting that I need to know it. I believe I’ll keep browsing through this blog instead. 🙂
Anonymous says
I’m Sandra. I’m revising a novel that is waaaaaayyyyy too long. I’m from South Carolina–weather has been cold this year, but not bad overall. So glad I don’t live in, say, Chicago (just talking about the weather, not the greatness of the city).
I don’t watch reality TV, just Battlestar Galactica. And, no, I don’t like bears or beets.
I’ve enjoyed reading your posts as I revise my novel (no, this isn’t a query, so relax Nathan) and polish up a children’s story.
Keep writing.
EMC07 says
Hi Nathan,
I’m a day late here, just checked my google reader and you had 2 posts I missed!!
I’ve been following your blog for a few months now. I love it, and thank you for putting it all out there!
On to the questions…
I’m from West Michigan; Kalamazoo to be exact. However I long to be somewhere warmer as I am tired of the eight month winters… okay, maybe four months, but it seems like eight.
My novel is always on my mind. I keep changing who the killer is, and I have to keep re-writing the story… I think I got the right one now, thankfully.
I don’t watch the Bachelor, but do watch a lot of reality tv and love it!
I also post on absolutewrite.com as well, so thank you for your posts there. They are always helpful!
Hope it is warm where you are. I will try to slink my way out of lurkerdom… it is fun out here.
Francesca says
Darn it. Not only must I delurk but I must do so a day late. Alas that it is so.
Although only a lurking newcomer, rather than a long-term, committed lurker, I have been enjoying your blog very much — and would like to now return to my regularly scheduled lurking, thankyouverymuch and good night.
lilyanne says
De-lurking requires a good deal of internal conversation- first to decide if you care, then to decide what if anything you want to say and then moving from e-mail to blog site. Definitely a commitment. Now I am tired and forgot what I wanted to say.
Just kidding, you are fun and interesting and occasionally wise and someday I’ll send you my book to read. Once I get it up to your standards. And my daughter’s.
Anonymous says
Okay. Cross Wyoming off the list. I’m an un-de-lurked lurker.
Lily Cate says
Hi. I’m Lily.
I’ve posted before, I think, once or twice.
I’m from Wisconsin by way of Wisconsin, which seems to put me in the majority, at least from the first dozen comments or so. (are there more? I have to get back to the writing.)
Don’t watch The Bachelor, or Ette. Sorry. I’m a Dirty Jobs kind of girl.
The weather here right now is pouring rain, expected to turn into thundersnow. Which is real. I heard the weatherman say it on the news, and meterologists are, after all, professionals.
What’s on my mind? That I read this post a day late. And I have to decide weather to take my son to Seussfest, or the model train show at the library on Saturday… hmmmm.
EJ Griffin says
Hey, hey. Once again, I am late with my lurking as I am often late in my everyday life. I still pretend it’s part of my charm. I don’t think I’m fooling anyone.
I’m an aspiring YA writer, trudging through the proverbial WIP. I’m prone to extreme self-criticism and thus, a slow progression.
I teach 7th grade English, but I despise the system. At the end of the term, I plan to defect from the regime and pursue an MFA in Creative Writing.
Last night, I dreamt that my car was stolen and I was running around everywhere like crazy looking for it. Then a friend sat me down and said it had been impounded…two years ago. I couldn’t remember a single detail of those years. What? Crazy.
I’ll be lurking you…
Jeff Carlson says
Too late to de-lurk?
Nathan, this blog is awesome and informative, and I check it weekly, skimming through for points of interest. The round-ups are especially great. Keep it up!
s.w. vaughn says
I am only a part-time lurker, so I’m late to the party.
Where am I? I’m on ur blog, reading ur commentz.
If a lurker comments on an old post in the woods, does anyone care?
Meh. Thought now. 🙂
Nat says
I have a look every week or two. Your posts are great. Thanks!
The Literature Club of Hastings on Hudson says
This invitation to think up clever literary clerihews is our de-lurk:
Literature Club of Hastings on Hudson created this blog in February 2009 because we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the club.
We hope you will submit Clerihews for our Centenary Clerihew contest. The first prize will be an online subscription to Literature Today and a gift certificate in the amount of $50 to the venerable riverrun bookshop. $30 and $20 gift certificates will be awarded as 2nd and 3rd prizes.
There’s quite a bit of glory involved in just entering, prize or no.
Stay tuned for other 100th anniversary events and festivities.
send clerihew entries with literary subjects to: litclubofhastings@gmail.com
Court says
De-lurking…
Salutations! I’m Court from Everywhere: born in the USA and grew up in Germany, in a town called “Darmstadt,” which translates as “Bowel Town.” No, really.
On my mind: Huge thanks to you, Nathan, for blogging so much about query letters! I’ll be tackling that challenge soon, and your blog has been the best source so far of query how-tos.
I don’t watch Bachelor or Bachelorette. Please don’t hold this against me if I send you my query letter. ;o)
It’s chilly. If the outside had a thermostat, I’d crank it up to ‘summer’ and bask in the results.
Yea, verily!
Camels & Chocolate says
I’m Kristin. I’m from San Francisco. I like bubbly and sweater-clad chihuahuas (preferably experienced simultaneously) and was rooting for Jill. I can’t decide if I’d rather have Mol or Mel win on Monday. Maybe even Dee.
52 Faces says
For my senior thesis at Harvard, I put on an autobiofictional play called, "Like a Nuprin: Little, Yellow, Queer." (There goes my "anonymous" blog identity.)
I'm from NY, but I lived in L.A. for half my adult years and I now smile too much for a Gothamist.
Currently revising my novel to shop to agents. I got my money on my mind. No I really do. I have like none of it anymore. #($& you Bush!
Whoops, where did that come from? (Probably from poverty…)
Katrina Stonoff says
Here I am, very belatedly responding to Belated De-Lurk Day.
I have commented a few times, but not lately (especially since I tend to read every week or so, and catch up, rather than every day).