A Wenchly Celebration and a Memorial

by Mary Jo

Welcome to WenchLandia!  The Word Wenches blog is now ELEVEN YEARS OLD!  Which is quite amazing in this age of ephemera. Over the years, our membership has changed, but I think the essential Wench spirit of intelligence, kindness, and acceptance has remained true and strong, traits we share with you wonderful readers.

Looking back to our first anniversary blog in 2007, we did a week long rumination on nakedness in history.  Last year, we celebrated our tenth anniversary by inviting back some of our guests from those ten years.

This year, we're creating a bouquet both for our eleventh anniversary, and also as a memorial for our Wench sister Jo Beverley, who died the day after last year's anniversary. I'm starting with a picture of my blossoming chives for Jo because they are pretty, tasty, and a gift from the garden.  And I'll add some of my irises just because.

More thoughts from the Wenches:

From Susan King:

I've been with the Word Wenches since literally the first minute, when a few authors, all good friends, bravely set off to try this blogging thing. Eleven years later, we're a strong sisterhood--our roster has changed as we've lost dear friends and gained new ones, our look has freshened up, our lists of books has grown, we've written thousands of blogs by now (surely it must be!), and we've even written two holiday anthologies as the Word Wenches, a unique achievement for any blog.

And most importantly, absolutely, this blog has become a place for so many readers to drop by, read a bit, comment a bit, share their thoughts and experiences. You all have made this blog what it is, you have given us longevity, you've made all of us laugh and learn and crave the stories you all are reading. We show up every day for you all, and we value your contributions and friendship as much as we value our own. Thank you, and happy anniversary to everyone!  

In remembrance of Jo and her love of flowers, here's the very first rose to bloom in our garden this year, and some pansies on my porch, complete with blue butterfly. I'll always miss Jo and her wisdom, her wonderful stories, and her friendship, and I'll always feel blessed to have known her.


From Andrea Penrose/Cara Elliott:  

Eleven years is an eon in cyber-time, but I hope all of our readers can sense the undiminished Wenchly enthusiasm for history and research, and how the arcane details and fascinating people of the past are a constant source of inspiration for our own stories. I also hope readers sense how much we love  the community we’ve created with all of you. It’s something truly special, and we’re very grateful for that bond.

On a more personal note, I feel amazingly lucky to be part of such a wonderful sisterhood of writers. Though we don’t see each that often in person, we talk every day on our e-mail loop (trust me, we have some pretty  hilarious conversations!) and have become the best of friends. We share laughter and tears, and all the craziness in between. We celebrate the highs together and help each other through the inevitable bumps that Life throws our way. And oh, yes—we occasionally brainstorm ideas and talk about the craft of writing. But first and foremost, the Word Wenches are all about love and friendship. (We are, after all, romance writers!)

Flowers often remind me of a well written story—the subtle range of colors and texture have an intriguing depth and complexity that invite you to forget about all else for the moment and lose yourself in their beauty. No wonder they make me think of Jo, whose magical books will keep blooming season after season to fill readers with a sense of wonder and joy.  Here's a beach rose for Jo since she loved both roses and the sea.

Joanna Bourne:
By choice, I live far away from folks, out in the woods in the mountains. The nearest town is tidy and wholesome and practically a postcard of rural America, but for all the opportunity to pick your own peaches and buy the local craft beer, this is not a hotbed of the cosmopolitan literary elite. I love the peace and solitude on my mountain, but writers are not thick on the ground hereabout. (Deer, yes. Bear, occasionally. Writers, not so much.)  

I would be nearly Romancewriterless without online friends like the Wenches. Sometimes I want — there's no other way to put it — I want to have somebody to gripe to. Somebody to share obscure victories with. Somebody to ask for advice. The support and wisdom and comradeship is very real, even if we go months and years between meeting face-to-face. Wenchdom forever, says I.

I didn't have much time to know Jo face-to-face — this business of being on different continents got in the way. But I'm grateful for the chance I had to know her. She was a woman of sturdy worth. Of great value. Her arrow-straight spirit and brilliant mind shone through her writing. For her, an elegant day lily.

From Nicola Cornick:
 I've chosen an English country garden in spring for Jo because when it gets to this time of year I am reminded particularly of the beautiful seaside garden Jo created on the south coast, a perennial beauty, as fresh and bright and wonderful as her writing.

Susanna Kearsley:
As grateful and happy as I am to have been welcomed to the Sisterhood of Wenches, I am always very much aware of who passed on and left this space for me to fill. I know Jo loved roses but I’m going to go to the fields for her tribute and gather some cosmos. When I was fifteen I moved with my family to South Korea, where the cosmos grew wild by the side of the road as in this picture a parent took, and for me it’s a mingling of memories and journeys, of treasured old friends and the new ones to come, and the roads that lead on to adventure.

Patricia Rice:

The Wenches are my true soul mates, the ones who understand the horror of a broken wrist when on a deadline, the ones who laugh when I explain how my character ran away and died, the ones who band together in happy times and sad. Our readers over the years have become part of our tribe as well. Happy Anniversary to us all!"

Roses, daisies, gerbera, statice, remembrance. May your bouquet grow in Heaven, Jo.

Anne Gracie's words:

I'd followed the Word Wenches as a reader almost since the beginning. It was my favorite blog. I met Mary Jo and Jo and Pat in person at a couple of small conferences.  Then in October 2008 I joined the Wenches. We talk every day via email -- encouragement, commiseration, chit-chat and fun. We're scattered in different parts of the world, but we're still a tribe.

My last memory of Jo in person is from a wenchly gathering in my room at the San Antonio RWA with Jo, Mary Jo, Nicola, and me. She was sitting back with her feet up, drinking wine and telling a story. I don't think any of us has yet become accustomed to Jo's absence. She's still a star -- she has a new book out next week, on May 30 -- and I hope she's still "Flying into the Mist."

I'm sending scented, old-fashioned roses, above.

Mary Jo again.  I asked Jo's husband Ken if she had any favorite flowers.  In true English fashion she loved roses, but she also had a special fondness for double petaled poppies and here she is in her garden by the sea, with blooming poppies in a color I've not seen before.  

 

 

 

 

To celebrate our anniversary and memorial, we'll be giving away Word Wench books to readers who comment between now and midnight Thursday.  The giveaways will include both print and ebooks, so please specify if you have a preference. 

Mary Jo & the other Wenches offering a floral toast to the past, and to the future.

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll end with this lovely picture of roses from Ken Beverley:

Comments

[Kareni]

What a lovely post both in words and pictures. I wish you all a happy 11th birthday while joining you in remembering those who are no longer with us.

[Karen W.]

I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. I'm a bit stunned to realize it's already been a year.
To her family and friends I send my warmest hugs and if I could also post a picture here it would be of some of the gorgeous spring blossoms we had this year.
And thank you to you all for the endlessly fascinating stories you write and the fabulous blogs.
Happy Anniversary to all the Wenches; past, present, and future.

[Christina]

From the way all of you wrote, I can tell how close you are to each other. More like sisters of the heart than colleagues. Your grief is still apparent but I can tell you are slowly healing. I love the mental picture of her comfortable with her feet up, sippinging wine, and sharing stories. Blessings to all of you and Jo's husband and family.

Seeing the picture of Jo reminds me that I noticed my ex-husband has these huge weeds growing in his garden which should come out. He thought so too but found out this evening they are poppies which are almost ready to bloom. They were not there last year and he does not know where they came from. It will be interesting to see what color the flowers will be.

If chosen, I prefer your books in print.

[Michelle Athy]

Eleven years for the blog! I've been rambling on my blog for 8 years and that's practically ancient by Internet standards, but to maintain this wonderful blog and write all your wonderful books is truly an accomplishment. I've been reading Word Wenches since the beginning and you've all introduced me to so many authors and the discussions on books, writing, and history is absolutely my alley.

I loved Jo's books and I'm still sad we won't have more, but I'm glad the next one will be out soon--plus, there are a couple of hers I haven't read, so I still have those to look forward to reading.

[NinaP]

Congratulations, Word Wenches! :-)

[Kelly Hunter]

Congratulations, Word Wenches! Here's to many more years.

[Jenny]

Happy anniversary to you all. I know it is a bittersweet time this year, but we all know Jo is still with us because she is in our hearts. The roses, of which Ken Beverley supplied a picture, are absolutely glorious and the double petalled poppies are fantastic: I don't think I have ever seen them before. Here's to another eleven years, ladies.

Regards,Jenny
PS I much prefer print books

[Quantum]

Life is wonderful but alas ephemeral. However, a writer like Jo can achieve immortality through her books.I feel sure that she is now entertaining the angels (and others!) with stories in her new heavenly abode.

After admiring all the lovely flower pictures in the blog I wandered around my garden and sure enough there is a double petalled poppy in flower!

I love e-books and am hoping/praying that some publisher will eventually produce audio versions of Jo's books.

[Andrea Penrose]

Thanks for all the lovely comments, everyone. We feel very lucky to have you all as part of our wonderful Wench family!

[nighsmusic]

It's appropriate that I'm watching a robin in a bird bath surrounded by my David Austin roses (which haven't bloomed yet) while reading this. Jo was always so kind and patient with me and is still sorely missed.

I don't know how long I've followed you here. I've known Anne a long, long time now and think I found you through her. I'm not sure. But however I did, I'm so grateful for it. You're a wonderful family who welcomes strays like me with open arms. Here's to another eleven years and then some.

[theo]

I wish I could edit that nightsmusic comment. It's me, theo! Typepad already had me signed in and I didn't pay attention yet again. Sorry :(

[Mary T]

I found this blog about a year ago and I just love it. Whether the subject is mundane or profound, you ladies make it so interesting. I enjoy reading the other responses also.

Happy anniversary ... and many more!

[Tina Steele-Kersey]

What a wonderful write up. Jo's books are really good. What a lost. Her memory lives on in her books. Word wenches carry on. Love paperback it brings me closer to the story. Hang in there Ladies. Y'all are great.

[Katie malik]

Beautiful thoughts and love the flowers pictured. Would love a print book. Thanks for a lively blog post

[Diane Peterson]

Happy anniversary, Wenches! What a lovely tribute to Jo Beverley. I am happy to say that I still have a few of her books that I have not read yet so the enjoyment continues. You are all some of my go-to authors and I love the things you share on the blog. If you have any spare ebooks send them my way!

[Messy Joseph]

Congratulations word wenches and Happy Anniversary to all the Authors. The pictures of all the flowers are gorgeous. I enjoy reading your Blog . If chosen would love a print book. Wishing you all the best for more prosperous years ahead.

[Jessy]

Sorry it's Jessy oops typing mistake

[Kathy K]

I been mostly lurking but the tone of this group is so welcoming that even a shy flower can join in. Thank you all for your work and especially for suggestions about new authors and books to try. If chosen I'd like an Nook Book. Thanks!

[Sue McCormick]

I rejoice in your anniversary. I wasn't a "daily" follower at first, but I have become so. The warmth of all of you have made me feel a friendship. Friendship flowing from the authors to the readers, and friendships among the readers.

I felt such a friendship with Jo. It is more remote than the loss you Word Wenches had and much more remote than the family has had, but I mourned her for a period last last year before I could return to her books.

Your individual books are great to read. The fellowship here is a different and very special creation.

[Kantu]

Congratulations on your anniversary.

Your camaraderie is so fun and heartfelt. We all need that in our lives.

Loved the beautiful tribute of a bouquet of flowers. I am sure that we readers are missing her too. I loved her books. Looking forward to this new one now. Will there be any more?

Kantu

[PJ Ausdenmore]

Happy Anniversary, Wenches! Though I don't comment every day, I have been here from the beginning, enjoying your posts, your comradery, and your wonderful books.

I fell in love with Jo's books many years ago and was fortunate enough to meet her in person at conferences over the years. Such a gracious, lovely lady. She is deeply missed but her spirit lives on through her words and her friends.

Coincidentally, today's post at my blog is about Jo Beverley, with a beautiful tribute written by Janga and remembrances written by Manda, Santa, and myself. She touched many hearts.

(Print)

[Margaret]

I don't have a clue when I started reading your dispatches. I know it wasn't 11 years ago, but I know I've been eagerly opening your emails for several years now. As a reader, I am so very grateful for all the books you yourselves have given me and for all the countless books you've led me to via your columns and the comments you so warmly welcome. As a struggling writer, I'm buoyed by your personal stories and your honesty about how you, too, struggle. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all you share, and Happy Anniversary!

[cheryl c.]

Happy Anniversary! This was a lovely post in pictures and words. This blog has always been entertaining, informative, and enlightening. Thanks for the time and hard work that you put into creating this blog. If I should be so lucky to win one of your prizes, I would prefer paperbacks.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thank you, Kareni.

[Mary Jo Putney]

You're welcome, and I wish I could see some of those gorgeous Canadian spring flowers, Karen W!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Christina, you're right about the sadness, and the slow healing. As for those huge weedy things that are apparently poppies--maybe Jo sent them!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Michelle, I'm glad you've enjoyed the Wenches, and eight years IS ancient by internet standards, especially if you've been doing on your own, not as part of a group! The reason we Wenches keep going is because, quite simply, we enjoy it. You must, also!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thanks, Nina! You're one of the ones who has been with us for a very long time. Your corset blog is still one of our most popular ones. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Kelly, thank you, and I hope you're right that we have many more years.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jenny, Ken supplied another rose picture--he's a wonderful photographer--but I could use them all, alas! Yes, Jo is still with us and if she's in heaven, I'm sure she's created a garden of glorious flowers.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Quantum--so you have a double petalled poppy! I never heard of them till Jo showed me this picture, but they're glorious.

AND you're in luck--a lot of Jo's books are available in audio. Go to Audible.com and search her name--there are lots. You like in the UK, don't you? In the US, if you buy an audiobook on Amazon, they'll often offer you the e-book version really cheaply at the same time. Perhaps they do the same in the UK. (You have the deepest sympathies from all of us on that horror in Manchester.)

[Mary Jo Putney]

LOL, Theo! When I saw the "nighsmusic," I thought someone must be very, very subtle, but typos are much easier to understand. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thank you, Mary T! I'm glad you enjoy our varied posts, and the more others like you comment, the more interesting it all becomes.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thanks so much on all points, Tina. I'm with you on like paperbacks--they have a reality pixels done, though a great story is a great story no matter what the format.

[Mary Jo Putney]

You're very welcome, Katie. It was difficult not to put in lots more flowers, but I didn't want to overwhelm anyone's device!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thanks, Diane! You're lucky to still have unread Jo Beverley books. And if you're REALLY lucky, you're the sort of reader who can enjoy rereading favorites. (I do that regularly. I'm lucky!)

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thanks so much, Messy Joseph, from a frequently messy Mary Jo, especially when on deadline. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Jessy--if you make typos, you're among friends here. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Kathy K, all the Wenches are also shy flowers, so you're very welcome in our garden! Though admittedly when we get together, we can be quite a chatty bouquet!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Sue, I'm so glad you've become a regular here (and on FB.) I always enjoy your posts. And though your loss is more distant than her family's it's nonethe less real because as a reader, you did know Jo.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Kantu--sadly, I don't think there will be any more books from Jo. We're lucky she was able to finish MERELY A MARRIAGE as one last gift to her readers.

[Mary Jo Putney]

PJ, it was lovely to see you again at Barbara Vey's. Could you give us the link to your today's blog? I'd love to read it, especially since it was written by so many of my favorite people.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Margaret--believe it, we STRUGGLE! I'm glad that we're helping you on your writer's journey, too. I think our "What We're Reading" monthly feature is about the most popular things we do, because what book addict doesn't want more books to read? *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thanks so much, Cheryl! We do work to make our posts interesting, and since we're such a varied group, the results are equally varies. *G*

[Carolyn C.]

Happy Anniversary! I may not comment often, but I enjoy all the Wenchly news and the endless interesting topics. I especially like the historical ones. I am looking forward to Jo's last book and appreciated your memories of her. The flowers were beautiful .

[PJ Ausdenmore]

It's always wonderful to see you, Mary Jo!

Here's the link to today's blog: http://bit.ly/2qgDPr8

[Laura from Rome]

How much time passed! I don't know I much years I've been following this blog, for sure I owe everything to Jo Beverly, in fact I fell in love with her Malloreen series so much that I started searching about it and the author on internet and so I went to wordwenches blog even if at that time I didn't understand English so much, for me it was like an enchanted place where stories took place, I can't describe my emotions while starting learning English and then being able to comment about the topics, and the emotion when Jo answered me... really! I love you all! I m very happy you are continuing the blog, I imagine it could be not so easy to have to post every now and again, I wonder if sometimes you are tired to go on writing, anyway I'm grateful to all of you, love all of you

[Faith Freewoman]

So many tears and smiles while I read this! Thank all you Wenches for the beautiful pix and the memories.

Following up on the recent Mary Stewart e-book availability discussion, I emailed her UK publisher this morning, and noticed while I was on their site that they have a relationship with Hachette for children's books, which could be A Clue. Just know I am in pursuit of e-books for us US readers, and have now launched an epic pester.

And if I happen to win, an e-book, please.

Thanks for all you do, Wenches & fans!

Cheers, Faith

[Annette Naish]

First - Happy Anniversary. The fact y'all are still here for me is a big deal. Many of the groups whose blogs I have followed have disappeared.
Second - the flowers blew me away. I have a patio with pots of plants, and not a one looks as lovely as the pictures of all these lovely flowers. My chives are green if that means a thing.
Third and most importantly - I know the loss you all have faced and I realize that it has been a difficult year for each of you. There is nothing that can be said except a reminder that you have wonderful memories of Jo and that is quite an amazing gift. Memories are gifts the past holds for us. Take care and may we see you 11 years more and then some.

[LindaB]

Lovely, but sad, too.

I started reading the Wenches blog, but then stopped for many years. Now I'm catching up, going backwards through your archives. I'm at December 2012 now.

There are so many posts by Jo Beverly. Reading them, it's as if she's still here with us. I love Susanna Kearsley's books, and I'm happy that she's here, but too bad Jo can't be here, too. RIP, Jo.

(Print.)

[Janga]

I've been with the Wenches since the early days of the blog, and I still remember how excited I was to find so many of my favorite authors in one place. I don't comment on every post, but I never miss reading one. And I never leave without having learned something. Congratulations on your first eleven years. I look forward to many more Wench posts.

As PJ said we have a tribute to Jo at The Romance Dish today. She was a favorite for many of us, one of the authors over whose books we bonded early in our friendship. All the flowers are lovely. I believe zinnias symbolize endurance and say in memory of a friend. I'll add a bouquet of mixed zinnias to the collection, and I will remember Jo and be grateful that she touched my life each time I reread one of her books. There is a J. M. Barrie quote that was used at a friend's memorial service recently that seems appropriate here: "God gave us memory that we might have roses in December."

[Linda Manwiller]

Dear Ladies -
It is hard to believe you have been blogging for eleven years! I have only been with you for a few of these, but I find this is the one blog that is a 'must read'! It may be because you are Regency writers, it may be because you all love the Glorious Heyer and Mary Stewart, it may be because you always have such wonderful suggestions of whom to read. It may be because you are erudite and gracious and funny. Whatever the reason...I love your blog and wish you many more years of writing success.

[Vicki L.]

...
I love this blog. Pure and simple. It always makes my day better when there is a new post or a post catches fire and a long discussion takes place.

The back and forth between every one chiming in with different viewpoints on so many different topics is wonderful.

I haven't been a WordWench follower since the beginning, only for the last 3 or 4 years (though maybe longer since I can't remember when I did start reading the blog.)

Love that the blog is so international in scope also. Historical events are perceived so differently depending on where you are and how important it is to the culture you are in.

Definitely love the What We are Reading column as well. As to whether I would like print or eBook...if it is a brand new book - print. If it is an older book eBook.

And lastly...loved all the flower pictures. I can look at flower pictures until the cows come home . I do miss Jo's posts.

Congratulations on 11 years of successful blogging, friendship among each other and with us.

[Teresa Broderick]

I can't believe it's a year since Jo passed away. I remember being very sad when I read the news because even though I didn't know her, I KNEW her from this blog. I love the blog. I check it everyday just to make sure I haven't missed anything. I'm a stay at home housewife and carer, even though that's starting to get better now, and only for this blog and my friends on GoodReads I would be totally isolated. I thoroughly enjoy the post ye do on 'what we're reading'. I've discovered some fantastic books this way. So I wish ye all a great anniversary and prayers for Jo. Keep up the good work.

[SusanL]

I love the Word Wenches blog, which I have been reading since its inception, and I miss Jo, whom I met and chatted with at number of RWA conferences. I didn't realize until reading this column that she had a book out this year, so I'm happy to know that.

[Wendy]

I've been following this blog from the beginning (I think 😉). I don't comment often but I read them all. Today's post was one that I had to comment on. I've read Jo's books and love how she told a story. And the flowers are a wonderful tribute and memorial for her.

I read ebooks and "traditional" books, but I prefer the paperback versions for special books and books that I want to reread.

Thanks for a lovely and entertaining blog and happy anniversary Wenches.

[Susan/DC]

I was struck when I read the JM Barrie quote, for it is the one my son used at his cousin's funeral. It is poignant and apropos, whether used for a young man who died far too young at 23 or an author who loved flowers and who also died too soon for those of us who loved her and her books.

I don't remember when I began to read this blog, but over the years it has introduced me to so many new authors and their books, not to mention those of the Wenches themselves. There are books by each of you on my keeper shelf. And I want to add a remembrance of Edith Layton, who is also sorely missed.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thanks, PJ! It's a lovely blog.

[Jane]

What wonderful remembrances of a wonderful lady! I loved every single one of her books, and am waiting with bated breath for the new one. I've been a follower of your blog since the very beginning, and have learned many interesting things reading it. Thanks for an amazing 11 years!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Thank you, Carolyn C. Only a few more days now till the book comes out.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Laura from Rome, you English has become very good! I'm glad you can read and post here.

Yes, doing the blogs is work, but it's fun to chat about different topics now and then.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Happy hunting, Faith!!!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Annette--yes, the memories are a gift. As for the chives, mine are greet for most of the year, but they always bloom like this in late spring. So pretty!

[Mary Jo Putney]

LindaB,I'm impressed that you've gone back into the archives! So nice to know that they're used. Lots of good stuff there. Yes, we'd all love if Jo was still with us--but Susanna Kearsley is a worthy successor. And like Jo, she's Canadian, thus expanding the Wenchly empire. *G*

[Mary Jo Putney]

Linda, thanks for saying so many lovely things, I estimate we've done about 1600 posts, which is pretty darned impressive now that I think about it!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Vicki L, I'm with you on loving to look at flower pictures. So joyous.

One of the things I love most about our blog is that it is international, not only the Wenches but readers from around the world. Lovely!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Teresa Broderick, I'm so glad that our blog brings sparkle of pleasure into your life when you're so often isolated. Sending a hug as well---

[Mary Jo Putney]

SusanL--

Trooper that Jo is, she managed to finish that book despite her failing health. That makes it extra special.

[Mary Jo Putney]

You're very welcome, Wendy. Read long and prosper!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Susan, you've been a lovely part of this blog for years. We haven't forgotten Edith; in June, we hope to have a post from her daughter describing the backlist books that are being released so we can enjoy them all over again.

[Mary Jo Putney]

You're very welcome, Jane! We offer so much interesting magpie knowledge. *G*

[Lynn Folliott]

What a lovely post to celebrate your anniversary and pay tribute to your dear friend Jo!

[Anne Gracie]

Christina, I had those big weedy-looking poppies grow unexpectedly in my garden one year, too. They're beautiful once they open. I assumed birds brought them.

[Anne Gracie]

Quantum, can I suggest the you and others who want e-books write directly to the publishers and ask for the audio-books to be created? More and more are being made these days.

Or it might only be a simple legal deal. With you being in the UK, it might be only a matter of regional rights being sold. When I passed on UK readers' concerns at not being able to buy my audio books, the Berkley rights department got onto it and Lo! my audio books were made available in the UK.

[Anne Gracie]

Mary Jo, I always assumed the ones that popped up in my garden were opium poppies.

[Anne Gracie]

Theo, you were one of the first readers who wrote to me -- you, and also Janga -- and I cannot tell you how much those letters meant to me. Thanks for being part of this wonderful community. Not a stray, but a much valued member.

[Anne Gracie]

Laura, I really love it that we have readers from all over the world. And that reading our blog has helped your English.

As for writing the blog, I know I often look at the calendar and go "Oh no, blog time already!" LOL.
But the truth is, it's quite satisfying to write a short, complete blog piece.
I might have been struggling unsuccessfully all day with a scene from a novel, but when a blog post is up and done I feel I've achieved something for the day.

[Anne Gracie]

Faith, best of luck with your epic pester! Publishers need to be nudged sometimes.

[Karin]

I really enjoyed reading your tributes to Jo, and looking at the flowers. I tried and totally failed to grow oriental poppies, like the one she is standing next to.
And I'm excited that Jo's new book will be coming out on my birthday! I guess I know what I am getting myself as a present.

[Patricia Rice]

Jo has one more book coming out at the end of this month, her last gift to us. Scroll up to Mary Jo's link above and take a look!

And thanks for being there with us all these years.

[Juanita Decuir]

Thanks, Anne, for sharing this post...I was pondering on Jo's passing and couldn't believe it's been a year... Gorgeous flowers and photographs.

[Karin]

And I forgot to add, an e-book is fine.

[Patricia Rice]

Hi, Theo! Given that Typepad would only let me in through the backdoor this evening, be glad you even got in. ;)

My David Austin rose is blooming now. I should have taken pictures but Ken's image was too glorious.

Our readers do become part of the family-- a blog where everyone knows your name!

[Patricia Rice]

The struggle never goes away, so enjoy your freedom while you can! We've all been there, fighting for recognition among the hordes. So you're in good company here.

[Patricia Rice]

I'm in CA, the land of fruit, nuts, and flowers . Your green chives are even edible. Hope you continue to enjoy us as we move into our twelfth year!

[Patricia Rice]

we were hoping we could persuade Typepad to allow readers to add flowers, too, but alas, they're not set up for it. But zinnias are a lovely contribution, thank you.

And the quote is perfect! May we all have roses in December.

[Patricia Rice]

I think there is a nice niche of readers and authors who sort of "grew up" together. We have the same interests and tastes and it's like hanging out at the neighborhood pub with our friends. So thank you for being with us!

[Glenda]

Happy Eleventh Anniversary, Ladies! Your memorial to Jo brought tears to my eyes. I can't believe it's been a year that she's been gone.

[Mary M.]

What a lovely anniversary present to us, a "bouquet d'auteurs." Thank you, Wenches!

I can't express how happy I was to find the WW blog several years ago, only sorry I'd missed so much until then. It was like finding home for this hardcore Regency reader. To this day, I look at my TBR shelf (shelves! piles!)and think, the one for the Classics book club, the one for Contemporary Lit, a fascinating memoir, non-fiction ... nah, I need to read another Regency--fairly likely, it's one of yours--and I'm off again to my favorite world and time.

I actually go back to when Heyer and Cartland were the only Regency choices available to me, but it was on the cusp of the Regency publishing explosion and I quickly accumulated every one that I could find. It wasn't hard, the book stores had a separate book case for them ('80s, early '90s), set apart from all the other jumbled-together romance novels. Jo, Mary Jo, Edith, and others saw me through some rough times in my life in those years. And I still have them and take turns rereading them with a friend. Love the newer ones, too, when they're the real deal.

Here's a bit of historical trivia to ponder or recall: I had (still early '90s) an author friend who wrote Western romances. She told me that Regency authors were paid less than other romance authors (the books were also much shorter, often under 200 pages) and she pointed out that the author's name on the front was always smaller than the title, whereas for other romances, the author's name was larger than the title. Funny, considering Regencies got their own book case, but true. Also, at the library (no separate book case) I had to go through shelves of romances hoping to find a Regency, but seldom could--the few they had were always checked out.

Times have changed. Regencies now are mainstream romance, author's name bigger than title, books longer and stories more developed, some of you hitting best sellers lists. The special book case has disappeared, but thank goodness for online shopping and e-books from libraries (and search engines, yay).

Maybe one of you would wander down memory lane about how the industry has developed? I'd like to read that. In the meantime, thank you for remembering Jo so delightfully and for sharing your lives with the rest of us.

[Aly P]

This was an amazing post! Happy blogoversary and I hope many others will come. I'm a huge fan of most of you writers and I love reading about your day to day lives. Thank you for creating so many lovely worlds.
PS: I am from Romania and I love to read both paperbacks and ebooks

[Quantum]

Mary Jo, My poppy is white with red streaks and a massive flowering head. Very beautiful but doesn't last very long. Each year when it flowers I will now remember Jo :)

I had a look at Audible.com and was really impressed with the number of books by favourite authors which are available but sadly missing from the Audible UK selection. I have now written to both companies to try to remedy this. Seems to me that it just needs a signature from the copyright holder to extend publishing rights.

I will also try writing to the Berkley publishers with regard to Jo's books ... many thanks for emailing a copy of comments.

Thanks also for the sympathies over the Manchester atrocity. The country is now on the highest state of alert with armed police and soldiers on the streets as threads of the Libyan connection and the terrorist network are gradually uncovered.

Thank heavens for romance authors and their worlds where good prevails over evil and there is always a HEA!

[Quantum]

Thanks for the comments Anne. I just finished the first of the Chance Sister audio quartet which I really enjoyed and am now starting the second one (Winter Bride).

I have written to the two Audible companies and will now follow your advice about approaching publishers. Hopefully the publishers will be as concerned as authors about reader's interests :)

[Nicola Cornick]

We have them too! Apparently wild poppies will only grow where the ground has been disturbed by building, planting etc so often you can try to grow them and they stay dormant, popping up unexpectedly. Which is rather lovely!

[Nicola Cornick]

Thank you, Lynn! We're so glad you liked it.And rather beautifully, I noticed that the first roses are blooming in our garden today which could not have been better timed!

[Nicola Cornick]

That would be a fascinating blog post, Mary, especially as the UK and US Regency publishing industry developed separately but in parallel. I love your perspective as a reader on what it was like discovering the books and how times changed.

[Nicola Cornick]

Aly, it's great to hear from another international reader! One of the things I love about the Wenches is the worldwide nature of the blog!

[Anne Gracie]

The memorial post to Jo on The Romance Dish is beautiful, Janga.
As for roses in December -- that's normal in Australia. :)

[Anne Gracie]

Thank you Quantum -- so glad you enjoyed The Autumn Bride. Best of luck with giving publishers a nudge. Sometimes they forget that there's a whole world of readers (and listeners) outside the USA.

[Anne Gracie]

I've just been reading through all the comments so far, and I have to say -- and I wish I'd said it in the blog -- that one of the things I've always loved about the WordWenches blog -- as a reader and as a writer -- is the thoughtful and intelligent commentary we get in the comments stream.

Thank you!

[Amaya]

Still find it hard to believe it's been a year. I started reading Jo's Company of Rogues at one of the lowest points of my life (my family were struggling to care for an ailing grandmother) and her stories carried me through. Like my twin says, "It's hard to come out of her world after reading Jo Beverley". Thank you for sharing the lovely photos♡