Holiday Gratitude

by Tammy

(Simon and I will be taking this Friday through the New Year off, so this is my last post for 2011.)

Yesterday I spent some time putting together a montage of photos from this year's travel and events, and doing that made me incredibly grateful for the experiences I've had this year and the friends I've made.

I've gotten to see some incredible racing and share my book with drivers and racing pros, such as Andrea Robertson (right) of Robertson Racing, who ran regularly in the ALMS last year and, in June, was the first woman to stand on the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in some 60 years. I've had industry insiders tell me "you got it exactly right, and I'm going to give this book to my wife to explain to her what I do for a living." And I've had strangers tell me they'd never read racing fiction they liked, until my book.

Every one of those moments thrilled me. It's been a long year of learning what it means to "be an author" and more, to be a promoter of myself and my book. And it's been hard to balance blogging, traveling, promoting, and speaking with a day job and a home life. But I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who's helped me and encouraged me along the way ... those of you who comment on this blog, Simon who partnered with me here in the first place, Steve our honorary blog partner, the reader who told me my book inspired him to apply for a library card again.

Thanks to my fellow racing fans, especially the ALMS Chicks, Barb K., Kevin and Mike, and many others. Every time you include me in a tweet, I smile and remember meeting you. (See you at the GPLB 2012!) I just can't tell you how thankful I am that you believe in me and Kate and want to help me spread the word. Writing is a solitary activity, but racing (especially fandom) is such a community, and I love that something outside the racing norm (I mean, mystery fiction?!) can be embraced by you all.

I wrote Dead Man's Switch because it was the book I wanted to read. And mostly, as I look back over the adventure that was 2011 and my debut as an author, I'm simply glad that other people want to read it too. Here's to a lot more racing fun in 2012! (And Simon, maybe we'll actually see each other next year....)

Thank you, happy holidays, and best wishes for 2012 to one and all.