Happy 2nd Birthday, Shrinking Violets!

Dear Friends, 

Happy Birthday to us, as in the collective us-- the community we have built with all of you here. We are TWO this week!   I keep looking at the calendar and thinking-- really?  Two years??

Robin and I feel so fortunate to have watched the conversation that started between us:

Me (circa 2006-2007) :  God, I hate book promotion.  I'd rather be burnt at the stake. Naked. On CNN. No, wait, on Live with Jon Stewart.

Robin :  I'd rather crawl over hot coals in my best silk blouse.  Why can't we just write? How can they expect us to do this?  

And from those early conversations, we have grown into this marvelous and gifted network of creative folk.  Wow.  Still amazes me.  And, it continues to be a lesson that visits me regularly, which is-- pay attention to the things that start small.

Because this is a birthday, there needs to be presents!  And, in keeping with one of the main tenets of our SVP philosophy, which is to Turn The Spotlight Around, I think we need to be the giver of gifts.  In the spirit of our birthday celebration, how about buying a book at an independent bookstore and donating it to a child, teen, a shelter, a school or public library?  And, if you can't decide which book to buy, Robin has posted some of our readers' books in the sidebar, as part of our new, ongoing, promotion of our tribe's work.  

And, since we are talking gifts, happy congratulations out to Cheryl, author of the soon to be released YA fantasy book entitled Dragon Speaker: The Last Dragon.  Cheryl was one of our Milestone Monday contributors and her name was selected in our random drawing today. Cheryl, please email me off-line by clicking here and let me know your mailing address for your prize.  I think you will love the CD you've won!

Robin is out of pocket this week, so I will be taking her turn posting this coming Thursday.  I am very excited to be interviewing author Meghan Wier, author of the new book entitled Confessions of an Introvert: The Shy Girl's Guide to Career, Networking, and Getting the Most Out of Life.  And, of course, there will be a contest to win a copy of her new book.  So, do come on back.  

Do treat yourself to a cupcake or two this week, friends.  Thanks for enriching our lives!

*[[['-)    *{[|:-]

Mary & Robin

The Shrinking Violets