Three years ago, six talented, good looking and verbally adept authors started up a group blog called Kill Zone. It was to be a place that talked about about writing, books, the book business, and whatever else was living in their heads at any particular time.
Not much has changed, save for the addition of five more writers. Along the way we have gathered a nice following and have had a rousing good time.There have been heated moments, moments of levity and, I daresay, a whole lot of great writing tips for those who share our passion for storytelling.
So today we are popping the champagne and opening things up to you, our readers, for anything you’d like to tell us. We’d love to hear from you. Know this: we appreciate each and every one of you and thank you for stopping by on a regular basis.
Here’s to another three years!
Happy Anniversary! My favorite blog, and actually I think it’s a perfect example of a great writing blog that writers can look to when trying to figure out how to strike that balance of useful material, fun and antics, marketing and building community.
Keep up the great work!
BK Jackson
http://www.bkjackson.blogspot.com
Awesome, grats! Kill Zone is definitely one of my favorite blogs, and I especially like the group participation concept. Definitely one of a kind!
We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, and thanks to Miller we’ve learned more about chickens than I ever thought humanly possible. I feel very fortunate to have been included in such a great group of talented writers and terrific people.
It’s an honor to be associated with my amazing and talented Kill Zone blogmates, and to have the opportunity to get to know so many of our visitors along the way. Special thanks to Kathryn, our founder, for getting this buntch together in the first place. And an extra special nod to Miller’s fowl, our unofficial mascots.
Happy Anniversary Kill Zone and all who write in her 🙂
Special thanks to EVERYONE who follows, contributes, and shares here. I’ve learned so much about writing, trends, and the industry because of all of you generous people, our TKZ family.
And I’ve learned more than I needed to know about chickens from Miller. Trying to figure out if that’s a good or bad thing. Damn, Joe, a chicken as our mascot, really?
Congratulations, Kill Zone! Here’s to many more anniversaries!
An anniversary! Another excuse to tip one tonight. I shall do it!
Happy third anniversary, KZ. And may you have three more.
Happy 3rd Anniversary, Kill Zone!
A huge thank you and shout out to my fellow contributors who let me play in the sandbox with them and for the readers who come back day after day and week after week. You’re the best.
You’re my favorite blog, as well – Happy Anniversary! Not only do I find great wisdom in your posts, but I’ve also checked out all your books from the local library for hours of entertainment. Thank you for the great work!
Wow. I must have stumbled onto TKZ right after it started, as I know I’ve subscribed for about that long. Well done. I’m still here, have no idea of leaving anytime soon, and hope to meet at least a couple of you at Bouchercon next month.
Yay! I come by 3 – 4 a week and catch up on posts and comments. Thank you for being part of my week!
Terri
Do you guys have any idea of the value of this blog?
As I learn this craft, hammer out my weekly word count, organize myself, try not to torture my poor literary agent, write more because you inspire me, and watch this industry change right before my very eyes – you guys let me in and let me see how your minds work (especially Basil, I mean, wow :)…, and provide, as mentioned, hours of entertainment with your own works.
Thank you…
I’m honored to be allowed to read and participate.
Happy Anniversay TKZ!
You guys ROCK!!
(Does anyone have a picture of the Chicken Mascot?)
Paula–I don’t think chickens live long enough at Miller’s to get a photo op, unless it comes on the dining room table. Miller takes it very seriously that “Chicken make no good house pet.”
Sweet, Jordan.
I’ve got a great recipe for Southern Fried Chicken…
We could send it to Miller 🙂
Well happy anniversary, guys! I’ve only been around for about six months, but I’ve enjoyed every minute. Keep it up!
Happy Blogaversary, KZ! I subscribe via RSS feed and look forward every day to reading what’s going on. I don’t often comment (I feel so out of my element!) but I never close the link without having learned something from each of you as well as learning something more about each of you.
Here’s to another three years . . . and more!
Paula–I think you should post your Southern Fried Chicken recipe here–forever immortalize it. I know Miller would appreciate it, but I was shocked to hear how many TKZ authors had past connections with CHICKENS. We shared crazy stories via email not long ago, so I know we would ALL love to get your recipe. My mouth is already watering.
Paula–Can you imagine in the years to come when people pass down their favorite family recipes, someone might actually say, “I got my best recipe off THE KILL ZONE.”
Yeah I’ve read and quit reading many blogs but for some reason I always keep coming back to this one. I guess it must be because the blog is great.
I’m not a big blog follower either, Taylor, but this one has the right mix of industry discussions, trends, and craft that keep me interested, even as a contributor. I feel so lucky to be a part of this one. And TKZ has the best followers who add so much to the conversations, it feels like a family. Thanks, ya’ll.
I love following the conversations on this blog. You each of such distinct personalities and voices that I think I could figure out who is blogging if you didn’t sign your name.
I’m grateful for your expertise, sense of humor, and willingness to share your knowledge.
Happy Anniversary!
Jill
Late to the party (as usual), but wanted to chime in. Happy anniversary to TKZ and the great people who post there. Long may you wave…er, type…I mean, post. Well, you know what I mean.
It’s been a great three years. I hope to be here in three more years. I have chickens, true, but I also have a Catahula Cur/ Australian Shepherd named Critter.
Happy Anniversary to you all! If I hadn’t gone to my first Writer’s Conference, I wouldn’t have gotten this blog address from James Scott Bell, I wouldn’t have purchased “No Legal Ground”, “Fresh Kills” and “Threat Warning” and I wouldn’t have thought to pick up “Conflict of Interest” by a good friend in Tallahassee. 🙂
All great material!
Being a part of the Killzone is one of the great honors of my professional life. I harbor dreams of one day assembling all of the bloggers and participants in a single room for one really terrific party. The virtual friendships that have grown from this site feel very real to me.
I raise a glass to us all. Here’s to many more great years.
By the way, on the subject of Miller and his chickens, be forewarned that it’s possible to to crack and egg and get a bowl of bloody yolk. I’m just sayin’ . . .
John Gilstrap
http://www.johngilstrap.com
yeah, it does feel like a family. All the authors are so good about responding and keeping the dialogue going.
Sometimes I think this blog exemplifies what all these experts describe as building an interactive platform.
Wow, has it been that long? Seems like only yesterday that I first found you guys and started traipsing about in here as if I belonged. I feel like I know all the originals to a degree of familitude as if we all had reunions on my grandpa’s farm every year since Moses was a toddler.
Here’s to another three years followed by time immemorial. Tipping a glass of Alaskan Smoked Porter to you all. God Bless.
OMG, John. Bloody yokes? Oy!
Yeah Kill Zone. The only blog I follow too. Keep up the good work!
Happy Anniversary! I haven’t been here long, but I’m learning a lot!
Happy Anniversary! I love this blog.
I wouldn’t normally do this but I am going to plug a contest going on at my blog for unagented mystery/thriller writers. So if you are looking for an agent and have a complete novel, come on over and see if you’d like to participate.
Here! (hiccup!) Here! So glad to be part of the celebrashuns . . .(hiccup!) I’m a newbie, but I’m all for feeling happy to(hiccup!) be a part of this great group!
More shhhampagne please!