The Month of Thanks – October 4

Continuing on in my Month of Thanks, here is my letter for October 4th.

To Kerri-Leigh Grady,

I can’t even imagine what sort of reaction you’re going to have to this, and, honestly, I’m insanely nervous writing it. You and I, we’re not the ALL THE FEELS types. We are snark and humor and a touch of bitterness, but we are not huggers. Well, maybe we were facehuggers in a previous life. I could totally see that. Podmates? LOL

But I would be severely remiss if I passed up the chance to let you know how much your friendship has meant to me the past few years. You’re not only a compatriot in the battle against pearl-clutching, Kool-Aid drinking, and always-have-a-smile-on military spouses, but your influence on my career path is unmistakable.

We met because our husbands knew we were cut from the same cloth. It might have been luck or by design that their paths crossed, but I am thankful for it every day. Our first meeting was one of those awkward blind date type things, with neither of us really sure how to handle our husbands “setting us up”. Well, at least that’s how I felt. The more we talked, the more I realized how much we have in common. That you were a writer as well cemented my opinion of you. That you are a better writer than I am elevated you considerably.

And this is how you slowly began to influence where I am today. You convinced me to submit my steampunk to The Sandy, and even though I hesitated up until the last moment, I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you kept on me to enter. You even helped me hone my entry when I learned I was a finalist, and I can safely say that, without your assistance, I would not have taken first place or met any of the fantastic folks at the Crested Butte Writers Conference last summer.

But that isn’t where it ends. While you were busy getting your MFA from Setton Hill, I was plugging away at my graphic design degree. This past January, you gave me the chance of a lifetime when you brought me in as a designer for Entangled Publishing. Working with you on those projects was a dream, and the easiest projects I’ve ever worked on thanks to your clear communication and specific expectations.

Those are the biggest things I would thank you for, but not all of them. You regularly answer any questions I ever fire at you regarding writing or publishing, effectively earning your place as my own personal Writing Yoda. You know ALL THE THINGS and humor me whenever I hit you with a question or inflict my own self-doubt and whining upon you. You are easily one of the smartest, wittiest, strongest women I know and I am of the firm belief that you don’t get half of the credit you deserve.

If you were to need my help with anything, know that I would drop everything in a heartbeat to do so. Because you’re so awesome, I feel like I never get the chance to return the constant support I get from you. Maybe if you were just a teensy bit less self-sufficient and brilliant, I might get the opportunity, but as said awesome is so strong with you, I have my doubts. That being the case, I give you this post. It’s only a fraction of how thankful I am to have you in my life, but know that it is heartfelt and (hopefully) free of typos.

Because how embarrassing would it be to send a Managing Editor a typo-riddled thank you note?

Next lunch is on me.

Ever Grateful,

Starla Huchton