Saying farewell to a good friend and hello to a new adventure. . . .

Five years ago, I was privileged enough to have my debut novel, Playing for First, published by Blue Feather Books. Four novels would follow, usually within a year of each other, longer if "life" issues made an unwanted appearance.

In 2008, on a "hunch," I contacted Jane Vollbrecht. Over a series of emails, we discussed my manuscript and whether it would be a good fit for Blue Feather. In September 2008, I submitted the first draft to Emily Reed. In the interim, Jane returned a critique of Playing for First. Along with the typical newbie author mistakes, Jane included this little missive: Your three main characters are cardboard stereotypes and if you don't fix this, your novel is doomed. I remember when I read those words, I leaned my elbows on my desk, grabbed my head, and said, "Oh. My. God." When I told my wife, in her typical, optimistic Phyllis Manfredi fashion, she said, "Oh, that will be easy for you." I think my voice hit a new high that day when I launched into a diatribe on just how much work this would entail. A few weeks later, Em returned a similar critique. Although she didn't use Jane's exact words, it was clear I had some work to do. After much rewriting, pulling of hair, cutting out of the 327 uses of "smile," "laugh," and "grin," I resubmitted the manuscript. On December 9, 2008, Playing for First was accepted for publication. Thus, began one of the greatest experiences of my life.

With the publication of each release, I learned more about the craft of writing--first, under Jane's steady guidance. Then, after Jane's departure from Blue Feather two years ago, I worked with the amazing Nann Dunne. Both women have taught me so much about the nuances of the craft. Like all authors, reaching the next level in my writing is a never-ending goal, one that I strive for with each publication. Jane and Nann have instilled that desire within me, and I'll always be in their debt.

I'll be embarking on a new adventure with To Love Free, my next release due out in September. With this release, I've decided to try my hand at self-publishing. While it's a little scary, it's also exciting to be "dipping my toes" in uncharted waters. But I wouldn't have reached this point without the invaluable experience I gained with Blue Feather Books.

Emily Reed is a remarkable woman. Along with her busy, full-time job, she ran and maintained a publishing company that released quality books each year. Jane Vollbrecht later joined Blue Feather and became a partner in running the company. Blue Feather authors were finalists for Lambda Literary Awards and almost every year, Blue Feather authors were finalists and winners of Goldies. This week, Blue Feather closed its doors. Just as I had a difficult decision to make in whether to go indie, Em also agonized over her decision in closing Blue Feather. There's a deep sadness, a sense of loss, but there is also an overwhelming belief that Blue Feather will always be remembered as a place authors could call home, knowing their books would be treated with infinite care by Em, Jane, and Nann. Jane told me in 2008, "Blue Feather Books is a family." She was right, because I feel that way about the author friends I've made at Blue Feather. We're a family and we always will be.

Emily was much more than a publisher when she emailed me each week to ask how Phyllis was doing in her cancer treatment, how my father was doing as he fought Stage IV lung cancer. Jane was much more than my editor and publisher when she called me each weekend to check in on Phyllis, my father, and my ailing mother. Em and Jane were there for me, just as they were there for the rest of the Blue Feather family. It wasn't about selling books. It was about how you were treated as a human being. Their actions spoke volumes about who they were and who they are still to this day.

Blue Feather Books may no longer be in existence as a publishing company, but it will forever be in existence in my heart. I am friends and will remain friends with Em, Jane, Nann, and all the Blue Feather authors.

With Blue Feather Books as my foundation, I hope to build upon everything I learned there as I start on the next stage of my writing career. But just as Emily said to us this week... I will always be "a Blue Feather author." It's something I will take with me for the rest of my life.