ALMOST LIKE CHRISTMAS

The anticipation. The longing. The excitement of waking up early on the long-awaited morning to find...

Alaskan Authors and 49 Writers have merged! No, it hasn't happened yet, but it will in just two more days. More scoop and heads-upping tomorrow, but today Andromeda suggested we share the results of our reader survey (her reader survey, really - I just begged and pleaded with you to hop over there for a moment to share your thoughts). So here it is, copied with permission from 49 Writers, No Moose:

Your favorite features are about Alaska books (95%), as well as personal musings or commentaries (90%), though the numbers were fairly well spread out, which tells us you like a mix, and that's what we'll keep doing. You also appreciate the sense of community fostered by the blog (75% said that).

You want more events and opportunities listings and a reliable calendar that can become THE go-to place for Alaska readers and writers. Heard ya' -- doing it! And we'll need your help to keep the listings current. Please send all announcements after Jan. 1 to Deb Vanasse, who will put them into the Friday Alaskan Authors Roundup; we'll both keep a calendar of listings running at the bottom of the blog.

You don't care that much about contests. (We'll still try to do one every few months, but thanks for giving our wallets a rest.)

Other comments that warmed my heart included:

You are just fine as is. Would hate to see you become like someone else.

You're great the way you are--an original and fun-to-read and informative blog

I like opportunities for lots of folks to weigh in on writing issues/questions, because I like to hear how other writers are dealing with some of those issues.

It's a super blog, and one I find myself checking several times a week. Just keep it up. You have a good mix of material, and you're great at updating it regularly. I wouldn't mind more recommendations about other websites, blogs etc. in the publishing industry, but I do enjoy the ones you already recommend. Thanks!

You're doing a great job, Andromeda, keep it up. And congrats on getting some blogging help, to prevent burnout (I hope).

Yee-hah and amen! (That's Deb talking.) Thanks to Andromeda for putting this all together.