It’s always good to know there are so many people out there to help us all stagger along.

xo-LR

Jessica - I think you and I were very polite to let Karen post that totally unflattering photo of us on the panel, don’t you?

billie - I like how you can get something so quickly from the site, even if you’re brand new or a lurker. That’s not the case with most writers communities I know.

Carolyn - Bravo to you and Lauren for so much help with the Monday surprise!

Lee - I’m with you about Huck Finn! There’s a new, dictionary-sized version of Huck Finn with a million annotations in it that’s fascinating - but too heavy to take on a plane or a subway ride.

Robin - Zoetrope was absolutely pivotal in my life when I found it, and I think it caters more to literary fiction writers. In my opinion, it’s best for finding who you’re compatible with for story critiques and for the making connections in the private rooms. It definitely doesn’t have the organization or the focus on career building that Backspace has.

Karen - I’m glad you spelled that out more clearly, Karen, because that’s the thing I notice most about Backspace: people join and then a few months or years later, their careers have very much moved forward.

Okay, my parents are coming to town today and I have a lot of laundry to do. See you Friday for the Weekly Wrap.

As for Backspace, I really had to exercise restraint in answering Sue’s questions, because I didn’t want this interview to sound like one long commercial.

However, I do want to say something here about Backspace’s members, because they’re the REAL reason Backspace works so well. Members join because they want to give AND get. They give each other blurbs, they help refine query letters, they answer questions, they feature each other on their blogs and share market tips and go to each other’s booksignings and turn members’ books face-out at bookstores.

Every month when I assemble the content for the Backspace newsletter, I marvel at all of the announcements that have been posted at the discussion forums of short story placements, novel and non-fiction sales, awards won, interviews posted, book reviews in national magazines, starred reviews in the trade journals, Booksense and book club picks, and on and on. In three years’ time, members have watched dozens of Backspacers sell their books, work with their editors and publicists, do book signings, go on tour — even hit the New York Times list. And on top of that, we have monthly question and answer visits from industry insiders: literary agents, editors, publicists, book reviewers, and best-selling authors.

It’s an incredible education. Everything I know about publishing, I learned from these good folks, and that’s the truth. I think this is a large part of why Backspace’s success rate is so high. At Backspace, we EXPECT members to succeed, and they do!

I love how you got the news about your novel sale while you were actually in a bookstore. That’s pretty freaking incredible and a story in itself.

Carolyn - I was actually at the bookstore buying a Lonely Planet Guide to China as research material for my new novel. I think I should have my first book-signing/book launch party in that store, don’t you?

Billie - There are all kinds of writers communities, of course, serving all kinds of writers’ needs. Chris and I are just happy that in making the kind of site WE wanted, others are finding it useful too!

Jessica - I agree: Sue’s a rare one, indeed.

~Lee

Karen’s learning about her book sale while browsing inside a bookstore is literary synchronicity.

I have tended to avoid online writing communities (with the exception of one very private email list that I have been on for years, which seems to have a very special mix of people who make it work) but lately have been feeling the need for even more writerly energy. I looked around and immediately took to Backspace. I knew a few folks there and knew they wouldn’t be there unless it was truly a good place.

And of course, it is.

Thanks to Karen (and Chris) for making it happen, and to Susan for showcasing it here!

Your generosity begets generosity. Thanks for orchestrating this stunning tribute! We all benefit from it.