Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
This is the last month where I’ll be promoting a new Legends of Windemere book since the long journey comes to an end. I began outlining in 1998, writing in 1999, and publishing in 2013. Now, it comes to the grand battle and finale in 2017. The long list of people that I should thank includes:
- Family
- Co-workers from various jobs
- Fellow RPG gamers
- Best friends
- Old friends
- New friends
- Author friends
- Blogging friends
- Teachers
- Mentors
- Rivals
- Enemies
- People on TV
- People in Movies
- Cartoon characters
- Random people I’ve talked to
- Ancient civilizations that gave me inspiration
- Voices in my head
It seems like a strange list of categories, but I don’t think I’d have gotten this far without all of these groups. I’ve pushed myself out of so many emotions that I can’t even tell you which one prompted which section. There were times I fought hard to spite those who told me to stop and other times I was driven by my own desire. One of the key points was to always have fun and I’m thankful for all the people who helped me enjoy this path. It would have really sucked if it turned into a ‘job’ in the way that I just went through the motions.
The last page of Warlord of the Forgotten Age will be a ‘thanks’ section. I went through it several times to make sure I got everyone at least in some broad categories considering doing names could be a book in itself. I haven’t really seen this done in other series, so I’m unsure if this is a good idea. All I know is that I feel like I’d be a jerk if I didn’t end with some message.
So . . . What do you think about thanking people at the end of a series? How would you go about doing it?
Legends of Windemere 
A lovely idea, Charles.
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Thanks. 😁
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And anyone else I’ve not hitherto covered? 😄
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I know I’m going to miss somebody or some group. 😭
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😄
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I’ve seen it done, but only as an individual or two. Kind of a “thanks Mom” type deal.
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I’ve seen a few longer ones in older fantasy books. Though, I think it was mostly in re-releases.
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You can never say thank you enough! A great idea.
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Very well said. 🙂
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Good idea, Charles. It would be like the Acknowledgment section of a book, only with no specific names. Christine
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I did put a few specific names like my cover artist and someone who helped me with the editing early on.
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I like the idea. Not sure how people who fit in broad groups would see themselves as thanked but I really can’t suggest another way. As you suggest naming names would be a tome.
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Exactly. Some groups like the original game players could be named. The rest gets rather tough, especially with all the authors and bloggers who have helped me.
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You might do something really out there like type everyone’s name on paper and cut all the paper into name strips. Put the strips into a jar (folded) and take a picture of the Jar. You can label the jar “Legends of Windermere Legends or something. Ask your talented wife to help.You can then do a post with the jar pictured and use the broad headings in the book.
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I’m a little confused. How would people know there are really names in the jar?
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They could see snippets of the names. Anyway as I said it was out there so you can ignore it.
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It’s actually a pretty good idea if you have a mid-sized group. Too small and too big could be issues tough.
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I’d do a general thanks to everyone who has stuck by you throughout the years. I’d do a big thanks to the readers for without them, you wouldn’t have a series to begin with. 🙂
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Those are two of the ‘categories’ that I was thinking of.
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I’ve seen books that thank people, both by name and broad categories. I haven’t seen many lately though, it seems like it’s fallen out of fashion, which is a shame.
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I’m noticing the same thing. Wonder what caused the change.
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I hate to say it, but I think a lot of author’s nowadays are just too lazy to keep track of who helps them.
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Or they’re doing a lot on their own. At least with writing, editing, cover, and publishing.
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Really nice, Charles.
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😁
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🙂
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