Thanks for the Memories
How do I even begin to do tribute to what the Vagabonds have been? We began nearly three years ago, on October 27, 2006, a rag-tag band of aspiring writers trying to learn the craft, share our thoughts on the genre, and make a home for ourselves in the online community. Since then we’ve made 994 posts, hosted more than 160 guest blogs, attracted 13, 160 comments. That’s a lot of learning, a lot of discussion, and a lot of memories to choose from. I looked back through our archives, thinking about favorite posts and discussion, our best guest visits and events, trying to come up with some of my favorite memories. But what stood out to me wasn’t so much the topics or the content, but the community we built here, and the people we shared it with. We’re touched by the outpouring of support on Janga’s closing announcement, and it’s a poignant reminder that the past three years haven’t just been about us, but about all of you. I can’t pick favorite memories, just favorite people.
Thanks to all our readers. I may not remember each and every comment posted on my blogs, but I’ll always remember the joy of getting comments and the triumph of getting a lot – of knowing I’d started a discussion that resonated with people. I’ve always loved seeing readers delurk and been secretly thrilled when authors pop by.
Thanks to the authors who’ve been so incredibly generous with their time and knowledge. I still remember our excitement and surprise when writers like Eloisa James and Anne Gracie were willing to join us back when we were just getting started. I’ve learned something from absolutely every visiting vagabond we’ve had, and I think it was these thoughtful and informative discussions of writing that set out blog apart.
Thanks to our fellow bloggers – Pirates, Mavens, Vixens, First Editions, all. It’s been great to share the blogging experience with you, to learn from what you were doing and to create a larger community of aspiring writers. Kudos to those of you who are continuing to keep the spirit going.
Thanks to our FanLit and Vanette friends. You’ve all been our inspiration and our support. It’s been such a thrill to extend the friendships than began in FanLit, and amazing to see the success within the group. I wish we could keep the blog open long enough to celebrate all the 2010 debuts and beyond, but we know each and every one of you will find your audience.
Thanks, most of all, to Elodie, Manda, Azalea, Tiffany, Elyssa, Fran, and Janga. You’ve all given so much of yourselves to this blog, and that’s what truly made it a success. I’ll remember not only our discussions and celebrations on the blog, but also all the behind-the-scenes efforts and emails and late-night chatter that fueled everything we did.
Thanks to everyone who hopped aboard the caravan for this wild and crazy ride. You’re all Vagabonds in spirit, and though our tribe will scatter, our relationships are lasting. We’ll look forward to seeing all of you on Twitter, at conferences, and generally around the interwebs.
What are your favorite Vagabond memories? Share them below – I’ll be drawing three winners to receive a selection of assorted books.
I just love the topics here. The discussions and books recs. This is the site where I first heard of ‘The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie’ by Jennifer Ashley, and its now one of my all time favorite books. And while I didn’t comment much, I checked in everyday. Thanks so having such a great site!
I liked all the book recs and author features, many of my favorite authors. Another that comes to mind is the recent post on paperdolls, brought back memories. I was a child of the 50’s and played with them all the time. I remember Cinderella and Prince Charming and a cardboard castle, my first start into romance dreaming about Prince Charming, young as I was, lol.
just like romance blogs and the aouthors here who cam e and talked about theri books
good luck everyone sorry to see n u go
I love discussing which of the RITA nominated books we read and who would win. One of my favorite recent topic was talking about which author we missed because they haven’t had a release a long time.
Thanks for dropping by, all. It’s so great to hear what you all enjoyed the site.
Chelsea, I still haven’t gotten around to reading the Jennifer Ashley – how terrible is that? I need to move it to the top of my TBR.
Pam, I’m so glad our site brought back old memories for you as well as created new ones. I had moments like that, too.
KH, I loved those author visits too. Even with the numerous visits we had, it never stopped being exciting. I’m just a fangirl at heart.
Yes, Jane, the RITA book discussion! I always wanted to do more with that – like Entertainment Weekly’s Oscar feature. Maybe someday.
I didn’t get to stop by a lot, but I guest-blogged with the Vagabonds a number of times, and this had become one of my fave places to do that. I always knew there would be lots of feedback and a welcoming atmosphere – all an author can hope for when visiting a blog. So a big thank you to all who were part of that!
I enjoyed your discussions on romance novels and guest authors. Good luck to all of you.
Aw, Toni, we loved having you too. And I give the Vagabonds partial credit for our friendship, since it was Tiff who really pushed me to read you, and your plans to guest blog with us that made me decide to go to the booksigning where we first met.
Thanks, Maureen! It’s been great to have readers like you join in the discussion.
This has been a lovely site. I enjoyed the discussions and recommendations of new books and old classics. I have made a list of the Georgette Heyer books and the Christmas books that were recommended here recently. Good luck to all of you in your future endeavors!
My favorite memories? Well, there was the clown trumpet erotica–didn’t that start here? And of course, there was the gorgeous Vagabond picture that was drawn of me and sent to me (I still have it)–I *LOVE* it. And there was the fact I had the awesome opportunity to write with you guys. I did my first “writerly” blog with you guys–so a girl always remembers her first time, right?
I loved the writing themed blogs…and the blogs that recommended books I hadn’t heard of, but soon loved; and I loved the authors you guys would score onto your blog. You always had the best guests. Oh, and the blogs that featured the videos for books–those were hilarious. I think my favorite of those was the Charlies Angel looking one for a Regency set of books…Lord, which series….
I’ll have to second the clown trumpet erotica moment. That was a burst out laughing moment I won’t soon forget.
I would also like to add my thanks to all the recs I’ve received from the Vagabonds. Not only on certain books, but new to me authors and genres. I know I found Toni Blake here along with Marianne Stillings. I never would have tried Marianne without your glowing recommendation and Toni has turned into an autobuy author for me.
This was also a place for great, thought provoking discussions, not only about books but about life. A lot of insightful, more often than not humorous, but intelligent observations on a variety of subjects. You made commenting fun and easy. Thank you all!
What I remember most? Is when I was part of RV and we were first starting out—I had e-mailed Eloisa James to ask her if she wanted to guest blog and she said yes, and how we were all so excited about EJ coming to guest blog simply because EJ BB was where it all started.
And of course, I remember all the g-chats I had with Lindsey, where besides talking about RV, we gossiped about the serious subjects. Such as our Secret Plan for RWA, which involved a seduction and then a secret baby. Oh, too bad Secret Plan never actually happened but the LOLs it brings.
But on a serious note, RV is where both Tiffany Clare and I started with you all. It was where I learned how to network with authors, and we built a great community here. I know everyone will move on to bigger and greater things from RV. Best of luck to you all!
Aww, I haz a sad now. So many great things have come to me because of this blog. It’s where I first started thinking of myself as a writer. It’s where I got to *meet* so many of my author heroes. And who can forget clown trumpet erotica? I mean, you can’t make that up! It’s going to be sad not knowing we all have a place on the net to call our own, but I’m excited about all the new things on the horizon. Thank you so much to everyone who has made this a community! Hugs!
Clown trumpet erotica will endure as a memorial to RV. LOL!
One of the many things I will remember is all the fun we’ve had with romance conventions–the title contest, the reading challenge, the buzz word post when Julie found all the buzz words in Mary Balogh’s titles.
I loved the discussions going on here, recommendations of books, and last but not least the giveaways. Found a lot of great authors from you. I checked your blog daily and you will be greatly missed! Thanks
I’m sad to see you guys are going your separate ways…good luck to you all. Hope to see you all on your respective blogs soon!
I think my favorite part of visiting has been learning about new authors and the great interviews.
Aww, it’s so wonderful reading such wonderful memories. Wonderful and bittersweet. It has been a great adventure over the last few years and there have been so many lovely memories that I don’t know if I could just pick one of them.
But, yeah. I have to say that clown trumpet erotica is the most memorable! We certainly left our mark on the romance world with that one!
Smiles,
Élodie
“Kiss today good-bye and point me toward tomorrow….”
I won’t nather on here but the RV was a pushing off point for so many of us. I’ve made some of my most treasured friendships here with the gypsies. We’ve tooted that trumpet clown’s bawdy horn many a time, lol. All those fabu authors. All the insights into this marvelous genre we love to read and into the crazy part of this romance business we all love to write.
“Can’t forget, won’t regret what we did in love.”
(Kindly forgive the paraphrasing but the sentiment is from the heart.)
Viva la romance.
Vive le vagabonds!
The thing I loved the most about RV was its sense of community. I always felt welcome here. It was a great place to learn about new writers and their books. A wonderful place to reconnect with the back catalogs of established authors. I loved the lively discussions. I loved the humor.
My Most memorable moments were: When Madeline Hunter was blogging about a nasty email that she received from a nasty man. He was upset because she used “his name” for a less than noble character. J Perry Stone posted a comment about a pus filled abscess on a dog’s arse …. ‘cept she didn’t quite use the word pus …
I got a call on that one. I got a call too about a rather interesting gentleman. A rather formidable gentleman He had posted under a blog written by Santa. It was her first, I believe. And I had been looking forward to reading it … “Unfortunately,’ I told the caller, “my son had been in a car accident the night before. Totaled out his car … things have been to hectic for me to even find time to turn on my computer…” I was tired, distraught over my son. I didn’t get the opportunity to read Santa’s blog until later that night. But that blog … that Post! OMG! I can still remember my very first thoughts upon reading that gentleman’s post.
It was “Oh myyyyy … he only listed men? That Man had a Premature Evaluation.” That random thought was the catalyst for my post.
Poor Q! That’s short for Quantum. An interesting gentleman And a good sport. Even if he did call me a Red Herring. Whatever That is.
And SANTA! Don’t get me started on SINGING!
I’m going to miss you guys so much! This was on of the first romance book blogs I started reading and have read every time a new post was posted.
I loved when there were guest authors. Enjoyed reading the interviews, always fun
Good luck in the future!!
I enjoyed how everyone was so friendly and fun here. Always good karma, which is appreciated. We will miss you!
I’ve really enjoyed for instance the interviews.