Now We Are Six—and a Surprise Announcement!

Mary Jo here, hosting the sixth anniversary celebration for the Word Wenches!  This is a long time for a blog to survive and flourish.  But we’re still having fun, still finding new topics to chat about, and new people to have as guests. 

Today, the Wenches reminisce about how they came to Wenchdom.  The announcement will be at the end.  (And no, it isn’t that we’re shutting down!) So here are the Wenches, and covers of books they published the year that they joined the blog.

Susan King
 
I remember, six years ago, having an email discussion with Mary Jo and Pat about starting up a group blog, followed soon after by a lunch with our shared website guru, Eileen, who brought more ideas quite literally to the table - and the fledgling concept of Word Wenches was born.

At the time, I was writing Scottish historical romances for Avon as Sarah Gabriel, having already written several historicals as Susan King. When I moved to Avon as Sarah, I was secretly hoping to write bigger mainstream novels someday as Susan. Sarah G. wrote two more historical romances, To Wed a Highland Bride  and Highland Groom -- and then Susan K. got the chance to research and write Lady Macbeth followed a couple of years later (these research-heavy books take time!) by Queen Hereafter.

Exploring the differences in writing for hardcover/trade over mass market genre has been exciting and challenging, and I hope I've grown as a writer and historian (certainly I've learned more patience...) . Currently I'm balancing several writing projects at once, so life is a bit crazy at the moment. I'm researching historical novels while converting my old Susan King backlist to ebook (Black Thorne's Rose, Laird of the Wind, and others are now available, with more soon). I'm also writing some nonfiction history, a refreshing change, as it needs a different focus and voice.

Yet one of the brightest highlights of these past six years is the Word Wenches. When I was first published, a very well-known author (I was so in awe!!) told me that the most valuable thing I would find as a published writer would be the friendships. She was right. I feel very blessed and fortunate to be a Wench -- and to be able to call each Wench a true friend. That's part of what makes our little blog so special, I think  -- we truly care about the blog, our readers, our books, and each other.

Patricia Rice:

2006 seems a millennia ago in book terms! I was still writing contemps, Magic Man and Small Town Girl were on the shelves, and my husband had just taken a new job and we'd moved to St Louis. These days, my contemporary romances are on the e-book backlist shelves, the MAGIC series is being reissued, I'm writing about the contemporary descendants of the Magic characters, and producing original e-books and writing urban fantasy. What a long, strange trip it's been!

 

Jo Beverley:

I knew I should blog and started to, but really couldn't keep up with it. Maybe some people love to journal, and others don't, so the Wenches was a great way to do my bit.  When I got Mary Jo’s e-mail inviting me to join the Word Wenches, I said yes immediately.  I really like what we’ve built here, and that we've created a flexible, dynamic group that can adapt to the ever-changing blogosphere.

 

Mary Jo Putney

Like Jo, I thought blogging would be A Good Thing, both for promotion and as a way to interact directly with readers.  I knew darned well I'd never manage one on my own, but with friends?  All of a sudden, an exciting idea took shape. 

Since I knew how busy we all are, I suggested that we enlist Sherrie Holmes, whom I knew from the Regency loops, to keep us organized, a job she's done beautifully ever since, while keeping us wildly entertained behind the scenes. <G> 

Over the last six years, I've changed publishers and added a new genre, YA historical fantasy, and it's all good.  I like blogging, even though it takes time away other things, like writing books.  It's fun to delve into random topics, and it's fun not to have to worry about every word the way I do on my novels.  I also like the chance to interview other authors whose work I admire, like <BLARE OF TRUMPETS!!!>:

Anne Gracie

In May 2006 I was probably working on the last of my "perfect-in-the-title" series, The Perfect Kiss. I was already a big fan of the Word Wenches as writers, but I can't remember exactly when I first started reading the blog. It was pretty soon after they started blogging I think, but in those days I was a bit shy about leaving comments. It was my regular morning ritual — to read the wench blog and all the comments — I loved the level of interesting discussion in the comment stream.

I do remember when I met Mary Jo and Jo and Pat at my first NINC (Novelists Inc) conference in March 2007 and I made some comment about them changing the blog from a post every day to only 3 times a week —  that was a word wench addict speaking. I do remember their expressions  when I said how I missed the daily dose of word wenchery.  I have to  laugh now, when as a word wench, I look at my calendar and exclaim,  "Another blog? Already?" because it's quite hard to come up with something fresh every fortnight. I don't know how they each blogged  once a week and still managed to write books.

I joined the word wenches in October 2008 and I remember how thrilled  I was when I read the email from Mary Jo inviting me to become a word wench. It's a wonderful group and I'm still very proud to be a word wench.  (His Captive Lady was published that year.)

Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose

Now We Are Six . . . I love that I get a chance to trumpet A. A. Milne’s classic title, as it reminds me that from a very early age on, books were such an important part of my life. And they still are! Six years ago I wasn’t yet a Wench—and I wasn’t yet Cara Elliott or Andrea Penrose! So, much has changed for me personally as well as for publishing in general since 2006. E-readers were still just a flickering diode, bricks-and-mortar stores were still dominating the reading landscape, and I was just transitioning into mass market historical romance.

Things keep moving at cyber-speed, and there are a lot of crazy ups and downs in the book world, but for me, a constant has been the sense of camaraderie and community that comes from being part of this amazing group. I remember very well getting the call from Mary Jo asking if I’d be interested in joining the Wenches . . . and I nearly fell off my chair. Me? Needless to say, I was speechless with shock. And with excitement at the chance to rub cyber-shoulders with such wonderful authors. We’ve all become great friends, and have a wonderful time together, sharing laughter and our love of good books, as well as hugs when there’s a bump in the road.

It’s a very special part of my writing life, made even more so by the fact that we get to interact with such a wonderful group of readers.

Nicola Cornick

2006 was an exciting year! It was the year that my first book for HQN, Deceived, was published. I was working on the follow up, Lord of Scandal, that spring. At the same time I was in the second year of my MA in Public History at Ruskin College in Oxford and was working very hard on my dissertation on heroes and hero myths. There was a lot of writing of one sort or another going on! I also remember wonderful holidays in Norfolk and Wales that year and a memorable trip to Atlanta for the RWA Conference.

I heard of the Word Wenches early on and was over-awed by their combined star power, their fabulous books and their historical knowledge. I dropped into the blog regularly but I never imagined I would ever become a Wench. When Anne Gracie emailed me to invite me to join I almost fell off my chair with shock and excitement. My husband says I didn’t speak for half an hour! I learn a lot from reading the blog and I love that. I also enjoy the fact that the blog has an international feel with Wenches on several continents and I love the discussions with the other Wenches and our readers. It’s wonderful!

Joanna Bourne

Six years ago I'd just come back to the States after many years overseas.  I did all the settling down things you do.  Picked out a dog and cat from the animal shelter.  Put the kid in school.  Bought a house.  Planted peonies.  I was on a roll.

I'd been agented for a couple of months at that point, and we'd begun what would turn out to be a year-long quest to sell that The Spymaster's Lady.  I was working away on Lord and Spymaster, figuring if I couldn't sell a historical set in Napoleonic France, by golly, I'd sell one set in Regency England.

When Word Wenches showed up on the internet, I read them regularly.  Pretty soon, the Wenches were bookmarked because they kept popping up whenever I went searching for some interesting historical material. 

Zip forward a few years.  I met Anne Gracie in person at the RWA National Conference.  What a lovely, funny woman.  Through her, I meet the other Wenches.  I was delighted and very surprised to be asked join Word Wenches.  Leapt at the possibility, though.  Snap.

So here I am, the most recent, baby Word Wench, with a bare two years tenure.  Still, as they say, wet behind the ears.

Mary Jo again. 

As you can see, the theme of fellowship is an important thread here.  It doesn't matter that we haven't all met in person, or that we're scattered across three continents.  (The latter is part of the fun!)

Writing is a solitary profession, and while we’re mostly introverts, we need to spend time interacting with out tribe.  And the Word Wenches—and our readers—are a tribe.

Surprise!

Now for the announcement: we’re publishing a Word Wenches Christmas anthology this year!  MISCHIEF AND MISTLETOE will be released by Kensington on September 25th in a trade sized edition. (The larger size of paperback.) 

It contains eight Christmas novelettes, one by each current Wench, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.  After reading the proposals, I was struck by how characteristic they are.  Whatever themes Wench a writes in her full length novels is right there in short form. <G> 

The anthology came about rather like the blog itself.  I think it was our web goddess Eileen Buckholtz who first suggested the possibility.  (She's a born marketing genius.)

We kicked the idea around for quite some time until we agreed on what we wanted to do.  Susan organized our short synopses into a proposal, we sent it off—and lo!  Multiple offers!  I was amazed.  But delighted. <G>

Win a copy!

So—come October, a copy of Mischief and Mistletoe will be sent to one commenter on this blog between now and midnight Thursday.

In addition, last summer regular Wench reader Jane Irish Nelson suggested that we should do an anthology.  We didn’t say anything then, but we think she deserves a book for figuring out what we were up to. <G>  Jane, remind us in October if we forget!

So there we are: six years of Wenchdom.  Of history and humor, learning and laughter, philosophy and fellowship.  Nothing is forever, but we're still going strong.  We hope you'll continue to enjoy the journey with us.

Do you like anthologies?  Holiday anthologies?  Any comments on our six years of blogging?  Please share!

Mary Jo, Susan, Pat, Jo, Anne, Andrea, Nicola, Joanna, & Sherrie the Cat-Herder

 PS: It's been suggested that links to Barnes and Noble and Amazon would be useful for those of you who want to preorder.  So here you go!

 

Comments

[LilMissMolly]

I love anthologies! My favorite one and one of my first was a Season in the Highlands and I discovered two authors that I immediately glommed onto - Jill Barnett and Jude Deveraux. I am so excited for your anthology and look forward to reading it!

[Jenny]

Congratulations on your six years of wenchley blogging. I love anthologies, especially Christmas ones. I'm looking forward to reading your coming one (I have already ordered it!).

[donna ann]

congrats on 6years! enjoy reading all the interesting tidbits on the site & hope for many more years of them :D

[Janice]

i've loved all the regency Christmas anthologies from Zebra, Signet, et al and I believe I still have most of them. I have really been missing having new ones each year. I am really looking forward to this. Well done!

[Annrei]

Six years old! Congratulations! I don't always comment, but I've been reading since the beginning and it's definitely one of my favorite blogs because of the combination of books and history.

You know, I've never read a Christmas anthology, but am definitely looking forward to this one!

[Louis]

Congratulation on your Sixth! Doesn't seem that long ago that I found this blog.

Christmas anthologies are great.

[Laura Resnick]

Congratulations on 6 years of Wenchdom! (Where does the time go?) As an official Honorary Wench, I am delighted to be able to raise a glass (albeit of tepid decaf) to toast your honor and endurance!

And what a great surprise the Christmas anthology is--and a great unifying theme: Christmas and the Word Wenches. How cool! I really look forward to its release.

[Louise Reynolds]

Congratulations on your six years anniversary. It certainly is a long time in blogdom. As someone who only started following you a couple of years ago I enjoyed reading how it all started and what brought you all together. I love a good Christmas romance. There's something so special about that time of the year and if the gods are smiling and there's romance in the air, it's just heavenly. I'm really looking forward to this anthology!

[Maureen]

Congratulations on six years! It is quite an accomplishment when you think of blogs that have come and gone over that time. Maybe there should be blogs years like there are dog years. I do like holiday anthologies and they are probably the type of anthologies I read the most.

[Betty Hamilton]

Congratulations!!! What a wonderful idea the anthology is!! I will love reading it!
MISCHIEF AND MISTLETOE is definately on my list to pick up!! But it would be even better to win a copy! Thank you for the opportunity.

[Dee Feagin]

Usually I don't choose anthologies to read because I prefer more time with characters I like and honestly, not every writer can successfully write a story limited by so few pages but....it's the Word Wenches! How can I go wrong? I read all of y'all's posts and enjoy every one. Thanks for the chance to listen in to your thoughts in this cozy world we call the 'Net.

[Melody May]

Congrats for being around for six years that's so exciting. I love anthologies especially Christmas ones. During that season I'm always looking a good holiday romance.

[Carla (@CassiaDeWarren)]

I started being acquainted with your blog only few months ago, but I'm a faithful reader now. I like posts about history and society and, of course, reviews of new romances.

I never read romance stories taking place in Christmas, so I'm curious what they are like.

Congratulations for the anniversary and best wishes!

[Faith Freewoman]

I have found most of my favorite historical romance writers by reading old Christmas anthologies even though, strangely, I don't celebrate Christmas myself,. I love the essence of goodwill that is in all those stories.

I discovered two Wenches, in fact, in thr anthology A Stockingful of Joy - Mary Jo wrote The Best Husband Money Can Buy, Susan, The Snow Rose. That book remains on my small Keeper shelf.

When I read the announcement I literally got goosebumps and was poised to raid Amazon to see if I can pre-order yet ... But had to stop and thank you and, of course, enter the contest.

The Wenches, original and many of the honoraries, have brought so much joy to my life, and excitement, and drama, and danger, and romance, and sensuality.

I just lovelovelovelove you!

Cheers, Faith

[eli yanti]

Congratulations for 6 anniversary, wow 6, wonderful :)

i love anthology, great recommend. i have to read MISCHIEF AND MISTLETOE :)

[Cynthia Owens]

Just returned from a short stay in the hospital (emergency appendectomy) and read this news? What a wonderful lift! I LOVE Christmas anthologies! My favorite will always be MJP's Christmas Revels, which I read every year about September, just to get me into the Christmas spirit! :)

I'll always remember what I was doing six years ago because I was awaiting word on the fate of my first manuscript - which eventually became my first published novel!

Congratulations to all the Wenches on a wonderful six years, with many more to come!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thanks to everyone for the congratulations and joining the party!

LilMissMolly, one of the reasons that anthologies were first created, I think, was so that readers could sample different authors and maybe find new favorites. We authors love doing the stories for a lot of reasons, and one is that we can write stories or characters that may not suit a full length novel.

And we can be sillier sometimes, too!

[Patricia Rice]

This is like walking into a party of old friends! Hi, everybody--so glad you could stop by! Cynthia, ow on the appendectomy, but isn't it amazing the changes six years has wrought?

It's good to know our readers haven't grown bored with Christmas anthologies. Ask us sometime about all the other possible anthologies we debated before settling on the easy one. It's a good thing we're all friends. "G"

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jenny--the Wenches, our anthology editor, and Kensington all thank you for pre-ordering the anthology! If it does well, maybe we can do more in the future. I'd love to--we had such fun working this out.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Maureen--

LOL about the idea of blog years as dog years! In blog years, we're senior citizens--but sprightly ones!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Faith--

Thanks for the lovely note. Very cool that you discovered Susan and me through A STOCKINGFUL OF JOY. I'm glad that you continue to enjoy us and our chat here. One doesn't have to celebrate Christmas to enjoy the stories of the season. Our beloved and much miss Wench, Edith Layton, wrote some of the best Christmas novellas ever and she was Jewish. It's the emotion and celebration that resonate.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Cynthia--

A serious YIKES on the emergency appendectomy! I'm glad you're home safe and recuperating. So six years ago you were awaiting news of your first manuscript! It's been a good six year, hasn't it? *G*

I'm glad that my CHRISTMAS REVELS puts you in the holiday mood. I really love writing Dhristmas novellas, and I was delighted when Berkley was willing to put them together in a collection. Now the stories are all available in e-book form, too. (I think--there might be on to post still.)

Take care of yourself till you're all better--

[Mary Jo Putney]

Janice, Louise, Melody, and others--I think a lot of the appeal of Christmas anthologies is the sheer, raging, over the top emotion and sentimentality. *G* I'm awfully sentimental at the best of times, so a Christmas story allows me to really pull out all the stops. Lost lovers reuniting, lonely people finding love, orphaned children finding families--I love them all. *G*

[Karenmc]

I was so happy to see that anthology cover! Congratulations on six years of intelligent talk. I always learn interesting things at WW.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Thanks to everyone for such lovely comments!So glad you enjoy the posts—I always learn such great things from my fellow Wenches, so I am an avid reader too, as well as an occasional contributor.

Hope you have as much fun reading the anthology as we did in putting it together. There were lots of Wenchly laughs and quips as we worked out the idea and short outlines.We look look forward to celebrating the Season of Good Cheer with all of you.

Many thanks for all your wonderful support.

[Nicola Cornick]

Isn't this a lovely celebration party! Thank you so much to everyone who has dropped by and for all the enthusiasm for the anthology. It's exciting to be a part of it and wonderful to belong to a blog like the Wenches with so many fabulous readers. The sun is over the yard arm here in the UK so I'm raising a glass to everyone!

[kate]

I have loved to read and watch the challenges you have placed for yourselves over the years. I do like anthologies especially Christmas ones. It gives me the chance to read great stories but still do all the things that need to get done for the holidays. I read one and then have to complete some task before reading the next one. Great for making sure presents get wrapped BEFORE Christmas Eve. LOL Happy Birthday!

[SusannahC]

Congratulations, Wenches, on your sixth anniversary. I don't remember exactly when I began reading the blog, but it was early on. I didn't work up the courage to comment for several years.

I love Christmas novellas, and I'm looking forward to reading the Wenches' tales!

[Maria D.]

Happy 6th Anniversary! I do like anthologies and especially Holiday Anthologies so this is very exciting news. Congratulations!

[Susan/DC]

I loved the old Signet Christmas anthologies and would search the aisles at my local Borders in late fall until the books were released. Now both the Signet trad Regency line and Borders are gone and much missed.

It's nice to know, however, that there will be a new Christmas anthology this year and that all of the authors are ones I've read and enjoyed. I'm glad MJP mentioned Edith Layton, as she too is missed. I'm sure that the spirit of joy and commitment, of renewal even in the darkest part of the year that she captured so well, will be found in all of the Wenchely stories.

[Anne Roller]

Thanks, ladies one and all, for years of entertaining and thought-provoking blogs. I have a shelf of Christmas anthologies, and pull them out annually to reread - in July, as an antidote to Philadelphia's humid summers. Can't wait for yours!

[Susan]

Happy anniversary to all of us - six years of Wenches - and Wench readers too!

We're delighted that you're delighted about our anthology news. September 25 is a little while to wait, but it's just the other side of the summer. The stories are all going to be wonderful - and what a great cover Kensington gave us. We are all looking forward to the release.

And thank you all so much for being such loyal, interesting, supportive, clever and individually wonderful readers. We love your comments and ideas - keep them coming!

Susan

[Janga]

Congratulations on reaching your sixth anniversary, Wenches! That's a lot of blogs, and I've read most of them. I can still remember how excited I was to find so many authors whose books I loved in one place. I've mourned departures and celebrated additions. I told a friend in those early days that this was a blog where I learned something new with every visit, and that's still true six years later.

The official publication announcement of Mischief and Mistletoe (love that title) is a great way to mark the occasion. I look forward to adding it to my collection of Christmas anthologies.

[Diane Sallans]

I adore Anthologies! Just finished one. It is so much fun to get to the HEA quicker (sometimes I just crave that). I just found out about book blogs last year, so I missed a lot of your posts. I really appreciate all your hard work to put this blog together - so glad you are still having fun with it.

[Leah Weller]

I really enjoyed reading all of your thoughts on the last 6 years and Happy Anniversary, or you could call it a Birthday! :) It speaks volumes on all of your writing for the blog to be as successful as it has been.

I like anthologies. Like someone mentioned above, you can sample new to you authors that way and also, a lot of authors use the opportunity to write about a secondary character from previous books that may not have had their own story otherwise. It's always fun reading about people that you may have come to enjoy in previous books.

Congrats, Ladies :)

[Diane P. Diamond]

Congratulations on 6 wonderful years of being Wenches ladies. I only found you last year, but have discovered some wonderful books/Authors through your postings.

I, too adore Christmas Anthologies. I love anything to do with the Christmas Holidays, and seeing the books really puts me in the mood to start my Christmas shopping.

Congratulations on the anthology. Looking forward to reading it. :-)

[Marlo H.]

Congratulations on your 6th year anniversary! I have been reading for the last two years and very much enjoy what I have read. I love all the research that you share with us. There are so many amazing things to learn. The tidbits of history are my favorites.

I look forward to your anthology and will deffinately buy it! Christmas ones are my favorites to read. Not just because of the season, but like so many, I get so busy that I can read a short story without feeling guilty about taking time out of a crazy schedule. :)

[LynneW]

I love anthologies! I frequently suggest them to readers new to an author or a genre, because it gives a nice assortment of stories and they're shorter (and therefore not as much time was invested if they're not to the reader's taste). Have scribbled down this one on my ordering calendar personally and professionally - thanks for the heads-up!!!

And mega congratulations on the 6-year anniversary; it's truly an achievement.

[Hannah Lee]

Happy Birthday, Word Wenches!

I'll pre-order the anthology, because I love Christmas stories, even though I'm not of the faith. I think it's because the themes of love, hope, and faith itself are universal ones.

[Ann]

Happy Anniversary! Or why not birthday? I have fond memories of Christmas anthologies. Do believe I discovered MJP via Signet anthologies.

[Wendy]

I love love love Christmas anthologies...I buy at least 2 every year...this will be one of the 2012 books ;). I have been reading the wenches blog for years and look forward to it every day!

[Jane]

Wow! I can't believe it's been six years! I look forward so much to reading the blog as well as many of your books. I can hardly wait to read the upcoming anthology. Thanks so much.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Susan/DC--

You're so right about Edith Layton--she had a matchless wit and warmth, and we really miss her, as do her readers. I was so pleased when she agreed to join us--we got to see more of her for three years.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Anne--

I love the idea of reading Christmas anthologies in July to counteract the hit of a hot, humid Philly summer!

It's nice that so many people enjoy the Christmas anthologies. They really are a delicious treat at a very busy time of the year.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Janga--

I'm so glad that you continue to learn interesting new tidbits every blog. Certainly you've added an enormous amount to raising the level of discourse here!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Leah--

You're right that one of the pluses about writing novellas or novelettes is that we can give a happy ending to a secondary character who isn't complicated enough for a full length novel--but we do want them to live happily ever after!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Hi, Lynne!

I'm glad the anthology appeals to you both personally and professionally. *g* It certainly offers library patrons a chance to sample a whole basket of authors quickly.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jane--

We all had a good chuckle when you suggested that we do an anthology. But we figured it was best not to announce it untill actually publication was on the horizon. Just four months now--not TOO long a wait!

[Kanch]

OMG - This is such AWESOME AMAZING and FANTASTIC news. I am so happy and grinning from ear to ear as I type this. I remember how much I looked fwd to the Signet regency christmas collection each year, and I anticipate this will be just like that, except I wont have to wait till X'mas to buy it. I truly hope this is a start of a new tradition and something I can look forward to every year now :)

[Jana]

Congratulations on six years! I discovered you about three years ago and have enjoyed your blog ever since! I'm so excited about your Christmas anthology, Christmas ones are my favorite. Like another commenter, I too discovered Mary Jo through Christmas Revels. I can't wait for fall!

[Karin]

Happy anniversary! I read most of the wenches' books before coming here, but I did discover Cara Elliott and am now working my way through her backlist. I look forward to the anthology.

[LouisaCornell]

I am jumping up and down at the prospect of a Wenches Christmas Anthology !!!! What a fabulous idea!

I have learned so much and accumulated so much research material from the Word Wenches! And I've had so much fun as well!

And I will never forget the trip to Lady Jane's Salon in New York on the subway in the company of the Word Wenches. It isn't often you get to do something so mundane with so many of your idols.

Christmas Anthologies are one of my favorite Christmas traditions. I have an entire shelf of them and I pull them down after Thanksgiving to read myself into the Christmas spirit.

[Sherrie Holmes]

Sherrie here. Happy anniversary to us! This is so much fun! I may be a little prejudiced, but this is my favorite blog, not only because I learn so much from each post, but because of the wonderful, intelligent, insightful comments from our readers.

Thank you, Wenches and readers, for 6 awesome years. The frosting on the cake is the Wench anthology. I can't *wait* to read it!

[Judy]

Congratulations! An event worth celebrating. It's fun reading through your different experiences in coming together. Yes, love anthologies, especially Christmas anthologies. It's such a busy time of year, and being able to take a short break is easier than trying to snag a block of time. Headed over to Amazon. :-)

[Beebs]

Congratulations on six years of blogging!

I love anthologies, the short stories are great for a quick fix when you're short of time and it's a great way to discover new authors too.

[PhyllisC]

Happy 6th Birthday! Congratulations and here's to many, many more. What a fantastic group of authors and all in one place. How lucky can a reader be. :)

I love anthologies, especially holiday anthologies, actually any book by any of the wenches on here is a plus. Now the hard part will be waiting for the book to be published.

[Cara Elliott/Andrea Penrose]

Thanks again to all for the truly lovely comments! We Wenches feel incredibly fortunate to have such a great, enthusiastic group of readers who enjoy books and history as much as we do!Your support and thoughtful comments are why we're here here celebrating a sixth anniversary. So, a cyber-toast to you all!

[CateS]

I love anthologies [where someone I've read introduces me to a new author], holiday ones in particular. But wow!! I'm so thrilled you Wenches are publishing one!! YEA!! Congrats on your 6 years and we hope for many more.. as you can tell from the number of comments already posted here!!

[Kathleen Henderson]

Congratulations!! That is one awesome Christmas gift.

[CrystalGB]

I like anthologies, especially Christmas anthologies. They are great to get your romance fix during such a busy holiday season.
Congrats on 6 years. Love your posts.

[CateS]

I love anthologies, especially holiday ones! Congratulations on 6 years! I've found some wonderful new authors thru anthologies! This makes me thrilled to know that there's one coming from the Wenches.. Congratulations on 6 years!

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1544509004]

Congratulations on attaining your 6th Anniversary as Word Wenches! I'm looking forward to reading the anthology.

[Agnes Gawne]

Congratulations on a wonderful 6 years! I am delighted that you are publishing a Christmas Collection and I look forward to reading it. Carry On the good work.

[Lesley-Anne McLeod]

I remember when you began your blog, with the inimitable Sherry, and it is wonderful that after six years you are still entertaining your readers! I hope you enjoy many more successful years. I'm looking forward to your anthology; it will be a must-buy. Thank you for your books and your blog!

[Cynthia Parker]

Thank you all for the joy you have brought into my life! The past 6 years have sent some serious losses my way. You are all auto buys for me. They immediately pick me up and take me out of the doldrums. Reading one of you right now with 2 others in my TBR pile to read next.
HUGS, LOVE and CONGRATULATIONS to all of you!
Cynthia

[Mary Jo Putney]

Cynthia, I'm sorry for the losess you've had, and glad that our books can brighten your days.

I love all the interest in our Christmas anthology. I that means we get to write more of them in the future!

[Sylvia H]

Congratulations on six years! I love Christmas stories - and especially enjoy Christmas anthologies. I grab most every one I can find. About mid-November every year, I start reading through the books I've amassed during the year, placing my favorites on the shelf for re-reading. There are several anthologies I read every year, including Wish List, Gifts of the Season and the Regency Christmas books, especially volumes 1 and 2.

[Sue P.]

Happy 6th. Love you guys so much, it will be awesome having you all together in one book! Can not wait!! Keep up the great work you guys. CHEERS!

[Lynne Colter]

Congrats on 6 years!

I can't say I've read books by each of the Word Wenches, but several of you are on my auto-buy list. (And I'm trying to complete my libraries of books by a couple of you. Some of those backlist books are awfully hard to find!)

I enjoy anthologies to find new-to-me authors - so, when this comes out, it will give me a chance to sample the writing of the Wenches I haven't read! Must go add this to the to be bought list....

I enjoy reading your blogs.

[Margot]

Wow, managing to stay around for six years is pretty impressive. Most blogs die long before they get anywhere near that. Congratulations!

I've only been reading this blog on and off for the past year or so (and commenting even less,) but now it's one of the sites I always check.

I am certainly looking forward to the anthology. Exciting!

[Anne Gracie]

Coming belatedly to the party as usual, and sitting here grinning and nodding as I read the comments, mentally waving to some of our "true blue" readers from way back when -- so lovely to see you're still with us -- and smiling as I recognize some of the newer regulars. This is a lovely group.

I'm another one who enjoys the Christmas anthologies, and I can't wait to see this one on the shelves at last.

[Peggy]

I have enjoyed you ladies for years. I've followed your series quite happily. Your talent is highlighted with each new book. I enjoy anthologies when they are connected the most because I like a long read. I enjoy easedropping on your friendship here. And sometimes a reread is the best book of the day. Thank you. Congratulations on your 6th, and wishing you many more.

[Julie Poorman]

Like so many posters, I loved the Christmas anthologies - one of my favorites was "Sunshine for Christmas" by Maryjo - I was so pleased that a character who played a pivotal role in the "Rake and the Reformer" got to tell his own story. Pulling six or eight of them off the shelf and re-reading used to be a part of my Christmas tradition!

I haven't visited the site for a while and really enjoyed the posting on "must reads" that you all have not read. (thank you, I am so glad so many intelligent, articulate and well read folks have skipped some of the same!).

I read the Dorothy Dunnetts because Jo Beverley mentioned them in an afterword. I still have them all but doubt I will re-read. Great adventure stories but I wanted to smack Lymond upside the head! I started my 'self education' when I was about 13 with Dicken's "Great Expectations" because I saw a television version on PBS and thought it sounded interesting. I waded through many books I was 'supposed' to read before I decided I no longer had to endure tragedy or melodrama. Currently reading "Cast of Characters"! Thank you all for MANY MANY happy hours!

Julie

[Mary Jo Putney]

You're welcome, Julie!

As for unread classics--there are so MANY classics. Life is too short to waste precious reading time on any book that you're not enjoy and is not assigned reading. *g*

[Willa Blair]

Congratulations on six years. That's awesome. Here's to the next six!

[LouisaCornell]

Blogger obviously ate my comment! I wanted to wish you all a very happy SIXTH BLOGAVERSARY! I have learned so much and had so much fun with the Wenches! Countless of your posts are in my research notebooks.

And I'll never forget the New York subway trip to Lady Jane's Salon with so many of the Wenches. What a great and memorable evening with so many of my writing idols!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Louisa--

Your comment did come through earlier, but you know how cyberspace is--maybe it isn't show up on your computer. But thanks so much for the congratulations. Riding the subways to Lady Jane's with with Wenches definitely qualifies as An Adventure. *G* I'm sorry I missed the trip--I had something or other else I was supposed to be doing. But I know those of you who went had a GREAT time!

[Chris Bails]

Congrats on the 6 years. I discovered you a couple of years ago. I love anthologies because it gives you a chance to check out the other authors that wrote stories for the book. I have found some great authors that way. Thanks for the giveaway.

[Fedora]

Wow, six years is an eternity in the cyberage ;) Congratulations to all you Word Wenches and double congratulations on that Christmas anthology--definitely going on my TBB! I adore anthologies, and Christmas is a favorite theme! Wishing you as much excitement and wonder in the six years to come!

[theo]

I'm late, I missed the contest of course, but I'm pretty sure I'm not too late to wish you all congrats on 6 wonderful years! I've laughed with you, cried with you and learned a ton.

Thank you, Wenches.

Can't wait for the anthology now :)

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thea--

It's never too late for good wishes! Many thanks, and I hope you enjoy the anthology when it arrives.

[Carol Luciano]

Congratulations on 6 years. I love this blog and all the posts. I don't always comment (more of a lurker) but I wouldn't miss it. Look forward to reading the Christmas Anthology which I think is an awesome idea. :)
Carol L.
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

[Laura]

Congratulations on six years of Word Wenching together - Yay! Obviously I'm one of many readers who are thrilled about it.

I love Christmas anthologies. Just right for getting into the spirit. And with you eight - even more fun!

I see I'm late to the party - was away with limited email - but I'm delighted I found this post :D

[Binnie Syril Braunstein]

I love anthologies and plan to pre-order the Word Wenches anthology from my fave bookstore, The Bookrack, this coming Monday. I currently own at least 100 anthologies, including the ones from Signet, from Harlequin and Silhouette, and those that include novellas by the various Wenches. Christmas anthologies are among my favorites and will eagerly await this one!