Marja McGraw

Authors Supporting Authors

When I started writing there was no doubt in my mind about what I would write. There was nothing I enjoyed reading more than mysteries, so why would I go in any other direction? What I didn’t know or expect was how many friends I’d make in the process. Mystery writers are a unique group of women and men.

I have two friends that I share a unique… Well, I have more than two friends, but for purposes of this comment, I’ll stick with two. When something good happens to any of the three of us, we have a very simple conversation. It goes like this: “I just received a contract for my new book,” and the others say, “EEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!” Now how’s that for support? (Can you tell this conversation takes place via emails?)

I’ve met a few of the Big Girls, and by Big Girls I mean the ones who sell a lot of books. I’ve met many less well-known authors, too, but I can’t stand a name-dropper so I’ll leave it at that. They were all memorable. Now that’s funny because most of these women wouldn’t remember me, but the point is, I remember them because they were pleasant and friendly, and took the time to be sociable.

I may never be one of the Big Girls, although one can always hope, but I do have a relatively nice fan base. When I wonder if I should be doing something other than writing, my mysterious friends remind me about that fan base, or a fan letter I received, or a good review. If I do something right, they’re right there to tell me, “Ya did good, kid.” Okay, so they don’t call me kid, but I’m sticking with that tag. I’ve seen these writers constantly support each other with writing, marketing and promotion ideas, and with comments on what a good job each of them is doing. They’ve even offered their homes to authors when they were visiting from another area. It doesn’t get much more personal than that.

It’s a two-way street though. If a mystery writer needs something from me, I’ll do it if I can, no questions asked. If I can’t help, I’ll try to offer an alternative suggestion. I’ve joined several groups made up of mystery writers, and I’ve never regretted one moment of time spent with them. The happiest moments are when I have the opportunity to meet these friends in person.

I’ve never met a group of people with so much in common who are always there for each other. Mystery writers rock! (Do people still say things rock?)

I’m just a simple person with simple needs, and every so often I want to say Thank You to a great group of “co-workers”, because in many ways that’s what we are. If it takes a village to do anything, then I hope that village is inhabited by mystery writers.

Thank you for inviting me to visit today, Chris.