Thankful Guest Post by author & Pitch Wars Mentor, Brooks Benjamin!

Who am I thankful for?

When I got this question, my first thought was that this would be a cinch to answer. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized my response was turning into a never-ending list of people I wanted to thank. But that’s okay. That’s cool because we all know this whole publishing business is the farthest thing from a one person deal. It takes a team of amazing individuals on both sides of the page. However, even with as many uber-talents as I’ve encountered along the way, I do have a small(ish) handful I’d like to shove out into the spotlight so they can get their due recognition.

1) My wife, Jackie.

I don’t know if every writer reaches that point where giving up seems to be the most logical next step, but last summer I hit it. And hard. My ups and downs tend to be more like heavenly mountain peaks and gutters to hell. So when I found myself in an emotional ditch without the momentum to rise up out of it, I had the towel in my hand, ready to throw it in. But Jackie wouldn’t let me. She pep-talked me, sweet-talked me, tough-loved me, dragged me up onto level land, and shoved my laptop back in front of me. And I can’t thank her enough.

2) Every person who has loaned me a pair of eyes, a suggestion, or a critique.

I’ve been lucky to have some amazing CPs and beta readers—Amber, Jayme, Mel, Ronni, Jean, Karen, Jeff, Marieke, Gail, Dave, Patrice, Genetta, Juliana, Lauren, Sean, and Joy. And I can’t thank them enough.

3) My agent, Uwe Stender, and my editor, Wendy Loggia.

They’ve championed my writing while pushing me to rip it apart so that I can make it the absolute best story it can be. It hasn’t been an easy process, but they’ve never let me talk a walk through an edit blindly. And I can’t thank them enough.

I love you all. Every single person who has nudged me in the right direction. Every individual who’s on my mega list of thankery. You are amazing people. Thank you.