So what is Love a Happy Ending exactly? An online community, a marketing venture, an author network? Even when I had bought my ticket for the Summer Audience (just up the road in picturesque Tetbury and £25 a ticket with lunch – I mean, what’s not to like?) I’m not sure I could have told you. Having spent a day in their very convivial company, it’s still hard to put into words except to say it’s all of the above but with an energy that makes it more than the sum of its parts.
Here’s the deal. Members fall into two main groups – authors (by invitation only and restricted to around 30) and associate readers (currently 15) who support authors by posting reviews on their established book blogs (look out, some members are in both groups!) From among these there are a handful of hard-working editors who keep the lahe website fresh and interesting by posting regular columns on writing and publishing topics. There may be more I haven’t discovered yet, but bearing in mind that some of these members are professional publishers, editors, artists (and artistes) as well as writers, we are talking strength in depth. Maybe it’s a business model for the brave new world of pubishing. If so, it’s working well; several of the featured authors have recently won publishing deals.
I was originally cautious about how/if I would fit in (if given the option!) because of an initial impression that this was for chick lit and genre romance writers rather than mainstream (?) types like me. But today brought ample proof that the group is widening its appeal with an ever bigger variety of writers ( ahem, there are even men!) And today, dear readers – this is the TADA bit – I was delighted to find I’ve been selected to join their ranks, i.e. I have a bunch of new friends and a host of new opportunities all in one go. Result!
In fact today’s speakers, workshops and readings sparked off so many thoughts (you know how it is when the solitary writer gets out) that I now have ideas for a shedload of blog posts and other activities. But something else occurred to me, possibly not before time. I stood in that hall yesterday by dint of being a writer, and writing is what I should be doing. So although you’ll still be seeing me here, there and everywhere, I shall also be knuckling down to a bit of serious keyboard-bashing of the solitary kind.
Meanwhile, it’s time to raise a glass to the good people of lahe, with an extra glug in honour of Tricia Jones whose excerpt from Bull at the Gate (unashamedly raunchy romance) won the best book comp and also to the two other writers admitted to ‘the fellowship’ on the day (aagh, in my excitement I missed the names). I do hope I’ll get to know everyone better soon.
Ali Bacon / Books and Other Things 
Yes, great day wasn’t it, Alison? Very inspiring and motivational. And welcome to the LAHE family. It’s a great place to be and everyone is so supportive and encouraging. You’ll fit right in.
Thanks for the ‘honour glug’ – I was thrilled to win the extract comp, especially when up against so many talented fellow LAHE writers.
Glad to hear your plans for more keyboard bashing. It’s so easy to get distracted with all the other interesting and fascinating jobs we authors have to embrace. Happy, and successful, writing.
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Thanks Tricia – hoping you and I will also have the chance to se/hear more of each other soon!
Ali B
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Congratulations Ali, making me feel guilty about my lack of endeavour! Though I do have a rather lovely vegetable patch that I have been working on!!
Carol
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Thanks Carol – a lot to be said for veg in the hand …!
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A great post that really sums up the energy of the day. I was so pleased to meet you in person, Ali. Congratulations on being selected to join the group as a featured author. Exciting times!
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Congratulations, Ali! This sounds like a wonderful group. 🙂
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Thanks so much Cathie – I think the benefits are already obvious!
Ali B
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Fully agree it was a great day and thrilled you are now one of the family. Onward and upward. Now, if only I could find some time to bash the keyboard – it’s feeling a bit neglected. Good times ahead!
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Hi Ali! So great to meet you at The Summer Audience and delighted you are to join us at Loveahappyending. It was such a fantastic day on Saturday that I’m still on a ‘high’ from it all. Exciting times indeed! xx
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Hi Ali – I am one of the ‘other writers’ admitted to the fellowship – I too did not get all the names but found you via LAHE on Twitter
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..oops – bit keen on the the send button there. What a fantastic day it was on Saturday and, as you say – so wonderful to meet other authors, it certainly feels less lonely out there now we are part of LAHE! Hope to see you around the sites and to be helpful if I can. Best wishes Emma x
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How terrific of you all to pitch up here today and apologies for being otherwise engaged. I hope you’ll all forgive me for typing a joint reply.
Janice great to meet you and hear about how you came to writing – so harsh how they treated your first work of fiction!
Helen – yes, great to meet at last and already enjoying being ‘one of the gang’.
Emma – thanks for introducing yourself – I shall pop over to your blog soon as I touch down, as it were.
Also thanks to Harriet, Kit, Mandy and those others who have been in touch. I am busy catching up with my following and friending.
🙂
AliB
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Well, what a busy week you’ve had … you are going to fit right in and once the party atmosphere from last weekend has died down, all will be revealed! It’s pure madness really, but we love it!
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