[An Unthank You is for an event I wasn't thankful for at the time, but I'm grateful for now in hindsight.]

I hope this list is received in the spirit it's been written: Lighthearted and sarcastic. We all encounter bumps in our life and career. I wouldn't say I handled these 3 "unthank you" events with any sort of grace or wisdom in the moment, but they all made me better personally and professionally in time. 

With that disclaimer in place, here is my "unthank you" list: 

1. COVID. 

I'm sure we ALL have an unthank you (or other choice words) for COVID. But the dip in the economy and supply chain issues contributed to a lull in the publishing world.

At the time I was a staff writer for a large publishing company. When they asked me to do 50% MORE work for 30% LESS pay, I finally left the "safety net" of the W-2 world and started The Story Spark. 

2. My first literary agent. 

When I left that partnership, this person's words to me were: "You're going to end up being someone's secretary." 

Less than a year later, my new agent discovered me on LinkedIn™.

[Irony, that first agent was sort of right. Since starting "The Story Spark," I am more or less my own secretary. HAHA! But I own my business, and I wouldn't have it any other way.]

3. All the people who have hated on LinkedIn™.

Honestly, I believe LinkedIn™ is the most highly underrated of all social media platforms. When people hear I built a business there, they typically look at me sideways. But I also believe [and the numbers tell us] that LinkedIn™ is on the rise - both in use and in reputation. 

If you haven't started posting yet, I challenge you to start before 2026. It's getting more crowded every day, and it'll never be easier to stand out!  

Go and Do