Of Friendships and Foreigners

In August of last year, I stumbled across a website called authonomy.com. It's a site out of the U.K. and sponsored by Harper Collins publishers. Basically, folks wanting to become authors or better writers can upload their manuscripts to this community of writers and readers and get critiques, feedback, support and advice. There are over 5,000 books on the site and new people are joining every day. There's a rating system whereby your book can move up the ranks. If you read and comment on a lot of books, it helps your rating. If you put highly-rated books on your "shelf" it helps your rating. And if a lot of people put your book on their "shelf" it really helps your rating. The prize, as it were, is a chance to have your work reviewed by the HC editorial board. This happens at the end of every month when the top five rated books are given gold medals and removed from the fray and make their way toward the coveted "editor's desk". The site has come under some criticism for books seeming to move up the ranks based, not on the strength of the writing but, on the writer's ability to get a lot of folks to back them; alliances are formed. The other criticism is that not many books actually get published and there are rumors that the site is actually of most benefit to self publishing concerns. I did read recently of a woman who was found on the site by an Avon/Harper Collins editor who was out trolling. I read parts of her book and it was very, very good. She got a three book deal, but she's the rare exception.
Having said all that, my greatest joy on the site has come from the friendships I've made; three in particular. Because this site is based in the U.K., most of the people on the site are, as you might expect, English, which is just fine with me. I am after all, a self-admitted anglophile. All of these folks came into my orbit because either I read their book or they read mine. We struck up a conversation and carried it off the site. Now we email one another on an almost daily basis.
First came David Blackdene (his pen name). Even though I'm trying to break into the chick lit market, I do appreciate a good thriller. I've read all of the books in the Vince Flynn/Mitch Rapp series. I absolutely loved David's book "Don't Look Back." He has created a strong main character and his book has action, suspense and a dash of sex. He lives in Northern England with his family and his book takes place in and around his actual home county. He's not a chick lit sort of guy, but he's seriously funny and off the charts nice. A big hiker, he can be found outdoors most days, climbing the hills around his home with his wife, daughters and border collie, Moss. His wife and daughter Emma have both read my book and been terrifically supportive.
Next I found Lisa Halpin, or rather she found me. She read the chapters of my book that I had downloaded to authonomy then immediately messaged me that I was cruel not to let her read the ending. I emailed her the entire manuscript and then settled in to read her book, "Someone Else Not Me." I could barely put it down. I fell in love with it and her. Though I'm extremely jealous of her talent, I consider her my Irish sister from another mother. We just "get" one another. She sent me a beautiful leather journal; I sent her son a superhero cape. Already, I can tell you I would walk through fire for her. Fortunately, so far her "down" moments and mine have come at times when we were able to prop one another up. She's a keeper.
And lastly, I met Mark Darlington. Oh, Mark. What to say about this fella. I stumbled upon his manuscript, "The Story Maker" (co-written with Abi Burlingham; more about her in a later post) and had never read anything like it. It was somewhat metaphysical, somewhat stream of consciousness and wholey unique. I saw in his bio that he was a photographer and followed the link to his website. He had a beautiful black and white photograph of Tower Bridge in London for sale, so I emailed him immediately to ask if I might purchase a copy. Tower Bridge has sentimental value to me and figures into my second book (a work in progress). From that moment on, a friendship was formed. His emails always bring a smile to my face; he can be funny, deadly serious, irreverent, humble and has a way of looking at the world unlike anyone I've every met. After a recent email, where he went in great detail on the sights and smells of a small shop where he grabbed a bite to eat, it hit me. His words do the same thing as his photographs: they totally captivate your senses and put you right in the moment. They make you feel. He is totally devoid of bullshit and I love him for that.
I've always said I believe people come into our lives for a reason. We may not always know right away what that reason is, but with time it will be revealed. I know these three came into my life to help me become not only a better writer, but a better person.

I've always said I believe people come into our lives for a reason. We may not always know right away what that reason is, but with time it will be revealed. I know these three came into my life to help me become not only a better writer, but a better person.