Tanzey Talk
April 2004
Well, this is it - time to bid a fond farewell to the Old Book Barn Gazette. It has been such a spectacular experience and totally awesome adventure for me that I find it hard to put into words. I know you probably find that hard to believe, that I could be at a loss for words, but it does happen occasionally. However, good things do come to an end and other opportunities and challenges present themselves. One must be receptive to change and embrace it with enthusiasm and commitment, as has been done before and is being doing now. Yes, we’ll shed a few tears, but most of them will be tears of joy and laughter as we recall the fun and fond memories this experience has provided. When I look back through the past issues of the newsletter, I’m reminded of how it (and we!) have grown and changed.
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Here’s a photo taken of Cheryl and I when we met for the first time on my visit to the store in the summer of 1993.
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The history of this publication started in April 1992, when it was a mail order newsletter called Heartland Gazette. At the time, it consisted of four pages and didn’t have reviews. Cheryl was assistant manager of Old Book Barn and in charge of the romance section. I became acquainted with the store through their ad in the back of the Romantic Times magazine and called to place an order. Cheryl was the person I talked to, and we had a wonderful, lengthy chat. Through subsequent phone calls, she and I became good friends, and she asked if I’d submit some reviews for the expanding newsletter. The first reviews I wrote appeared in January 1994, we attended our first Romantic Times convention together in Nashville in April 1994, and things took off from there. I started to help Cheryl compile and edit the newsletter in November of that year. In 1995, the name of the publication was changed, since there was another review publication using a similar name. Old Book Barn Gazette came into being in June 1995. By then, I was also doing all the editing, as well as the typing and layout on my computer. The process continued basically the same through the years, just becoming larger and more time-consuming as more publishers and authors heard about the Gazette and sent more of their ARCs to be reviewed. Cheryl was promoted to store manager, eventually becoming its current owner. Many developments and evolution have occurred through the years, and as Cheryl recently said, “The Internet has had a tremendous impact on the book business - so much has changed. That’s life and we all have to change with it.” I couldn’t agree more.
But take heart. You’ll still be able to find Cheryl (and husband Larry), Sue and the rest of the gang at the store in Forsyth, Illinois, recommending books, answering all your many questions about what’s good to read, and filling their customers’ orders in person, by phone and via e-mail and the Internet. Make sure you have the store’s address, phone number and e-mail address in your files for use in contacting them to make your purchases.
And you’ll still be able to read my “Tanzey Talk” column each month at http://writerspace.com/tanzey. I’m totally delighted that all the publishers I’ve worked with in the past will continue to supply me with a variety of ARCs for reviewing. You can find these reviews posted at http://TheBestReviews.com. Be sure to check this site on a frequent basis for your favorite reviewers and their comments.
Here’s to all our future endeavors - may they be as much fun as those in the past!
Tanzey
Tanzey Cutter
Editor of the Old Book Barn Gazette
Readers Comments:
Reviewer Lenore Howard: Well, I guess it is now official. I’d just like to say that I have enjoyed not only reading the Gazette for many years, but being a reviewer, as well. At one of my first RWA conferences, an author came up to me and told me how much she appreciated my reviews of her books. What a thrill! But beyond that, I’m so happy that I’ve gotten to know Tanzey, Cheryl, and the Old Book Barn staff. I’m sure these friendships will last for many years after the last issue of the Gazette is printed. Thanks, Tanzey, for all your hard work and dedication!
Author Lisa Plumley: Oh, Tanzey, I’m so sorry that the Old Book Barn Gazette won’t be published anymore! It’s been around since I began writing, and it was like an old friend for readers. At least your “Tanzey Talk” column will keep going strong. That’s a nice resource for readers, not to mention writers.
Author Susan Grant: I’m sorry to hear of the demise of the Gazette, Tanzey. I know you’ve been such a tireless supporter of the genre all these years. I’ve read your “Tanzey Talk” column and enjoy it very much. I think you’ll find a good home at Writerspace.com. Here’s to much success and pleasure for you in this new endeavor!
Author Holly Harte (Arlene Hodapp): Tanzey - what a surprise (and disappointment) to learn that the Old Book Barn Gazette will be ending, but I can certainly understand the decision. I’m thrilled that you’ll be continuing your column on Writerspace.com. I also wanted to let you know that my next book, Wild for You (Zebra), is set for release in November under a new pen name, Suzanne Gray. This fun, hot, sexy romp will be my first contemporary. That’s the reason for the new pseudonym, and why I’m giving it as much early exposure as possible. Best of luck in the future!
Author Pamela Clare: Tanzey, I’m sorry to hear about the Gazette halting operations. What a shame! I know it was valued by authors and readers alike. In the meantime, I hope Writerspace.com will be your home for a long, long time.
Author Gayle Lynds: Tanzey, I’m glad to hear the store is still going strong. And you can bet I’ll still keep checking your column on Writerspace. You write terrific, insightful reviews that really inform readers about books.
Author Elizabeth Boyle: Thank you for all your years of support! I’m sad to see the Gazette end, but appreciate all the hard work it’s taken!
Author Tina St. John: Wow, Tanzey, I just read your column and was very sorry to hear about the final pages of Old Book Barn Gazette. How sad! The romance market will not be the same without it, that’s for sure. Please pass along my thanks and best wishes to Cheryl, Sue and the rest of the staff.
Maxine Misso, Australia: Sue, I was reading Tanzey’s column over at Writerspace.com, and I must say I’m very sorry that the newsletter will no longer be published. Even though it has been years since I last subscribed, I remember how much I looked forward to receiving my copy every month. I just wanted to say thank you to all at the Old Book Barn.
Johanna Graff, Illinois: Tanzey, I am sad to hear that the Gazette is to be discontinued. I enjoyed the newsletter very much and relied/depended on the reviews and your column. Since I don’t have access to a computer, I still need to keep up-to-date on new releases and reviews. I do subscribe to Romantic Times BOOKClub magazine and enjoy reading other reviewers’ comments that helps me in deciding which books to buy. The Gazette, as well as RT, has done this for me. It’s been interesting to read all the reviews. I wish you continued success on your online endeavors.
Joan Bartram, England: Sorry that you are to stop publishing the Old Book Barn Gazette. I’ve liked reading your newsletter, and I must thank you all for the enjoyment you’ve given me. I wish all of you good luck in whatever you endeavor.
Electra Kontalonis, Illinois: I am soooo sorry to see the end of the Gazette. It was always one of my best sources for new books and authors, in addition to “Tanzey Talk” and readers comments. Thanks for all of the time and effort that went into this wonderful publication.
Patti Feller, Ohio: Sue, I keep putting off this note. I’m sure it’s because I don’t want to accept the fact there will be no more Gazette! I sure hated to open the last one and learn the bad news. However, I’m sure readers understand the reasons. I relied very much on the Gazette for its informative reviews and interesting information. I truly looked forward to that “plain brown envelope” every month and will miss it very, very much. I’ll try to keep up with Tanzey’s column at Writerspace, as I always looked forward to reading it. Much continued success to the Old Book Barn. You’ve come through for me so many times for illusive books. Thanks to everyone for all the hard work over the years. I enjoyed the effort so much and will really miss the Gazette. Darn, darn, darn!
Heide Cloninger, Germany: Dear Tanzey, from one booklover to another, I am still mourning the loss of OBB Gazette. Although it is the run of the world and we have to change our habits as the world changes, I’m a reader in the first place and an Internet user only occasionally and by force of the progress of communication. I print out everything because I want to really read it, not to follow it on the screen. That’s why I hate E-books. I remember when you helped me sort out the difference between “mainstream” an all the other categories of fiction. And I’ll always remember your column in print. Although I understand the decision to end the Gazette, I don’t like it. But I thank you for your excellent work.
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