Hello TNBBCers!

[Marisa]

Hi everyone,

I'm another TNBBC newbie...Everyone seems to start with a little introduction, so here's mine:

I'm the Marketing Assistant for Graywolf Press, a publisher based in Minneapolis. In my previous lives I've been an English major, a Barnes & Noble bookseller, a law firm copy girl, a publishing intern, and freelance book reviewer (not necessarily in that order). It probably goes without saying but, like the rest of you, I read voraciously.

I've been on Goodreads since 2008, but have only been seriously active in the last few months. I don't know what my problem was back in '08, but now I seriously can't get enough! I probably spend more time on Goodreads than on Facebook, Twitter, and Formspring combined. I think my wishlist has easily tripled in the last few months.

I'm so impressed with what I've seen of this group so far. I can't believe what a huge community you are! I can't wait to join in on some discussions and monthly book groups and the rest. (And your quirky polls are fantastic--I think I've already taken all of them!)

Many thanks to Lori, your absolute Super-Mod, who extended the kind invitation for me to join. I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of you!

Marisa

[Who?]

Okay Hi my name is Shaniah, i am still 13 and i love, love, love to read and i write my own personal books, basically my own fantasy worlds. Im on here majority of my time, writing reviews and discussing irrational topics. Anyways what you have done seems remarkable and i would love to know how you accomplished all those professions/jobs.

[Lori, Super Mod]

Hi Marisa. Thanks for joining! Sorry I couldnt welcome you earlier, my laptop is being finicky and I couldnt log on for two days! I was freaking out :)

Im happy to see you joined the group. And thanks for the compliment. It really is a great place to hang out and chat about books. We have an awesome group of people here!!

Hi Saniah - welcome to the group. You are my sons age (oh my goodness!) I wish he loved to read as much as you do. He likes to buy books, but never wants to sit down and read them - sigh!

[Alan]

LOL Lori! My 14 year old daughter is the same way! I'm also new to the site and the group. Very much looking forward to joining in some of these discussions!

I'm 44, single dad, graphic designer and someday soon, writer :)

[Lori, Super Mod]

Alan, welcome to you as well! Nice to see you are an aspiring writer. Being a Graphic Designer must be a cool job!

[Alan]

It's a great job when my clients like things : ) When they don't, well it can be a little frustrating =:o

[Marisa]

Shaniah wrote: "Okay Hi my name is Shaniah, i am still 13 and i love, love, love to read and i write my own personal books, basically my own fantasy worlds. Im on here majority of my time, writing reviews and disc..."

Hi Shaniah,

I have to be a bit corny and tell you that if you keep doing what you love, the rest will fall into place. I started working at a bookstore because I loved books, studied English in college because I loved books, and on and on.

Also, perseverance works: I applied to my local bookstore three years in a row before I hit the right moment when they were actually hiring, applied to my publishing internship two seasons in a row before landing it, and toiled away at a law firm for a year before a publishing job in my city even opened up post-internship.

My best advice would be to just keep reading, keep writing, and keep doing whatever else you love to do, and be on the lookout for opportunities to collect all sorts of exciting experiences where you can continue to do those things.

I warned you I was going to be corny. :)

Marisa