Home › News › Website Anniversary …. Thanks to all of you for logging on

Website Anniversary …. Thanks to all of you for logging on

News 97

Christian reminded me at 4.00 A.M. EST this morning that today is our anniversary – no, not his and mine, but the website’s anniversary. This is the day that we moved the former blog to this new website, and what a year it has been.

So much has happened, but most important is the fact that all of you from all over the globe decided to make this your second home on the Internet. Many of you have told me via email that you check out this site first thing every morning and during the day to find out what’s new in the world of M/M romances and gay fiction. I can’t thank you enough for supporting the site, especially during those dark days when everything that could go wrong did, and look at us now – we’re rolling.

Over 30,000,000 hits have been recorded along with almost 2,600 posts, over 50,500 comments (we could do with a lot more) 🙂 and 18,000 spam comments 🙁 (I could do with a lot less of those). According to the counter on the site, almost 706,000 of you have visited, WOW!

How can I say thank you? I know! I’m sending each and every one of you a six pack of virtual Canadian beer. For those of you who don’t drink you have my undying gratitude.

How can I express my appreciation to all the guest reviewers? There’s absolutely nothing I can say that would truly reflect how I feel about them. I think Aunt Lynn was the first one who dared dip her feet in the water and show her faith in a fledgling blog. Thanks Lynn for all your help, friendship and technical support. My friend Christian Otto who became first a guest reviewer, then my Webmaster, (this is all his fault because he was the one who suggested that we move from the blog to a website since the blog could not cope with the increasing volume of traffic). Now he answers emails from me at all hours of the night, whether he’s partying at clubs or on holiday. Thanks C. Kris came next with her weird Aussie sense of humour and she warned Jenre not to listen to me when I told her that she would only have to write occasional reviews. Kris’s warnings went into that big black hole that BP are now trying to put a lid on and I thank the gods every day that Jenre is still here, doing a fabulous job. Kris, when are you coming back? I miss you. 🙁

I have to thank Erastes for the great job that she did over the past year with her weekly columns spanning topics from buttons on gentlemen’s apparel to advice on writing. 🙂 Not to be outdone, Kassa soon joined us after Jen and has contributed greatly with her wonderful incisive reviews, despite a tough work schedule. I can’t thank the other guest reviewers enough because they helped make this site what it is today – Tam who writes all of those fun posts from what to do with used condoms as presents to your friends, to hairy men. 🙂 Go Tam! Val Kovalin who has been a great asset in the reviewing department and has also written a few blog posts; Leslie, who in addition to reviews, also helps out with posts; Lily and Alexi who are becoming well known for their incredible reviews; and John our lone male reviewer who brings a unique perspective, sometimes a bit more unique than I would like. 🙂 I would also like to thank M.L. Rhodes, author, who writes movie reviews when she has time between her killer schedule. Of course, it goes without saying how much I appreciate veteran and well loved author Victor J. Banis for writing reviews and blog posts that blow my mind. Victor you’re an amazing writer and person and I bow to you. Guys you’re all my friends and I love you.

My sincere appreciation to the M/M authors who support this site by writing posts on a number of topics from How to Write M/M to our series for new M/M writers where many experienced authors have volunteered their time by writing insightful posts to help their newest colleagues expand their writing knowledge. Guys you’re fabulous to take the time to do this!

Thanks again everyone. You rock!!!

Author

Admin

Related Posts

97 comments

  • WHOOOT! Happy anniversary! 😀

    And thank you too, Wave! This site wouldn’t be what it is today without the huge amount of work and dedication you’re putting into it. Thanks! 🙂

  • Good golly, Miss Mollie…congratulations, kiddo, though I confess, somehow in my mind you’ve always been here. I guess it’s just cause I feel so at home. Sincere thanks to you for all you’ve done, for me personally, and especially, for a genre near and dear to my heart. Time was when I thought its day was past – you’ve helped prove me wrong. Fashions may come and go, but hot men are forever…

    • Hi victor
      Thank you for all that you do to help on the site by writing those wonderful posts and reviews, and always being there to offer advice.

      I appreciate so much the time that you give us, especially knowing what an incredibly busy schedule you have.

      Did you see the hot man on the cake Victor? 🙂

    • Henpecked????? Well Victor is also a male reviewer and when Christian gets tired of being Webmaster he may return to reviewing, but only if I send him historicals. 🙂

      I treat you as well as I do everyone else but you don’t appreciate me. Instead, you send me pictures of naked men and you know that the Church forbids looking at naked bodies except to procreate. LOL

    • Chris
      Thanks very much. At times I wonder if it’s worth the time and effort but then a day like today rolls around and it’s all even. 🙂

    • Leslie
      Thank YOU. Without you guys I couldn’t do this so the guest reviewers deserve my sincere thanks. Have a piece of birthday cake and maybe a candle of two. 🙂

    • Simsala
      It hasn’t seemed like a year to me and it took Christian to remind me. Thanks for always dropping by and commenting.

  • Happy Anniversary Wave! Thank you sincerely for all that you do for your readers. And of course thanks to all of the wonderful reviewers, contributors and commenters (and web guru Christian). You’ve created something very special here, that we all appreciate.

    • TJ
      It’s my pleasure. I never realized when I started a small blog just over 2 years ago how it would mushroom. Thank you for being one of our most loyal ‘regulars.’ I appreciate the fact that you not only visit but comment all the time as well. 🙂

  • Happy Anniversary! This is certainly one of the places I visit every day :). And judging from the amount of reviews I’ve uploaded to the Wiki – and that’s just YOURS, personally, which you have to fit in around all the other web-mistressy things – I can see how the site has grown and grown. Here’s to the next fabulous year and many more!! 🙂

    • Clare
      You’re a trooper for not only supporting the site, but also helping someone like me who is technology challenged by posting my reviews on the Wiki. 🙂 You don’t know how much I appreciate you.

      The work is hard but well worth it. Thank you again Clare. Keep writing those wonderful books. I’ll be posting Blinded by our Eyes as a free book later this week. 🙂

  • Happy Blogaversary. 30 million hits? *falls down dead* I think I’d say you’re a success hon. I’m so thrilled to be a part of it all and to have gotten to know all of the super people I’ve met here.

    Yes, yes, I know I owe you a post but with vacation just over, house guests, job frustration and vacation about to start again in 10 days I’m kind of overwhelmed. 🙂 (excuses excuses) I promise in August I’ll be back in the saddle. 🙂

    • Tam
      I miss you. I haven’t seen you around except occasionally and those used condoms are going to waste. 🙂

      I understand the holiday thing, however how many holidays can one afford to take every year? Three so far and counting Tam, and then you are going to Yaoi/con in Cali. I would like your life for just a few months. 🙂

      Looking forward to your fun posts when you’re not as busy and thanks for all that you do.

  • Happy, happy blogiversary!! May you always have books to review, polls to take and men to goggle. 😀

    • Wren
      Thank you for all of your help in putting together the Readers’ Favourite Gay Romance post. I appreciate you so much for everything else that you do and for commenting whenever you can.

      I look forward to your new release whenever you’re ready. (That’s a little push to get going). 🙂 Have a beer. 🙂

  • Happy Anniversary!

    You know I love your site and it was quite an honor to be invited to review here. Thanks! Looking forward to another great year. 🙂

    • Lily
      Thank you for always supporting me, first on the blog and here on the site. Inviting you to be a reviewer was the icing on the cake for me. I remember when you and MaryM were the only visitors to my blog when I started so it’s doubly pleasurable to have you here.:) Have a beer.:)

  • Congrats. Though I don’t post much it’s a great site and it’s helped to introduce me to many new authors and books.

    • Hi Jeffrey

      >>Though I don’t post much it’s a great site << I was going to ask you about that. 🙂 Kidding aside, thank you for visiting - all of the guest reviewers and I appreciate the fact that you check out the reviews. Now about those comments ......

    • Hi Kathy
      Thank you for dropping by and I’m glad that the guest reviewers are helping you to make great choices.

      Don’t forget to take your beer with you. 🙂

  • Happy blogaversary! I just discovered this site recently, and already it’s made my life richer and my wallet poorer, what with all the great reviews, posts, and comments. 🙂

  • Jessica
    Thank you. Everyone complains that we empty their wallets but we think it’s great when you buy a book we recommend and love it as much as we do. Don’t forget to take your beer with you. 🙂

    • Hi Val
      Thank YOU for all that you do, especially recently when you have tackled so many of the tedious tasks that I have been avoiding, but you just take them and do a fabulous job.

      Isn’t it wierd how these things happen? I remember saying to Lynn who commented, probably for the first time on a poll, when someone brought up the topic of fisting, (I guess she couldn’t remain a lurker when her favourite topic was discussed) 🙂 that I was very uncomfortable talking to someone whose pseud was “Aunt” Lynn about fisting. 🙂 And a great relationship was born.

      There’s a side story to most of the relationships on this site and we have remained friends.

      • You’re very welcome!

        And this,

        “I was very uncomfortable talking to someone whose pseud was “Aunt” Lynn about fisting.”

        now that you mention it, I remember you quoting that before — great story! Very funny. 🙂

    • Thank you Lady M. I appreciate you so much because you not only visit but you comment all the time. We all thank you and for this I’m sending you 2 cases of beer. Salud! 🙂

  • Congratulations and thanks for the beer. In addition to indulging myself, I’ve been sending other people here. The happiness is spreading! Plus, yesterday was the anniversary of my first fiction posting, so I’m all about celebrating.

    • Thanks Dilo for logging on and spreading the word and sending your friends. Congratulations on your first fiction posting too. Get drunk on success as well as the beer. 🙂

  • Happy Anniversary!
    I have said it before and I will say it again:
    This is truly the best site evah! We get reviews, funny, insightful and thoughtful posts, the chance to win free books, peeks at amazing authors, and purty, purty boyz to look at! Who could ask for anything more? Thanks to everyone who contributes, and mostly thanks to Wave for giving me the courage to say what I think, and never making me feel bad for thinking it;)

    I love it here *sigh*

    • Hi Elaine
      Thank you. What nice things to say. I’m so happy you feel at home here. We all try to make this a safe place for everyone to speak their mind, and most authors and bloggers alike beat up on me weekly when I do my Friday posts. But I don’t care because they have a right to speak their mind.

      Take a case of virtual beer with you when you leave or John will drink it all.

  • Happy Anniversary! (from a campsite in Bryce Canyon) Many happy returns of the day. I always look forward to reading the blog,
    ZAM

    • Hi ZAM
      Thank you so much, for the lovely birthday card and now this. I’m impressed! You’re actually commenting from a campsite? WOW must be some expensive campsite if it has wi fi.

      A bit of news. I’m reading Cooking Up Trouble and so far I’m loving it. Look for the review this week. 🙂 The beer is on its way.

    • William
      Thank you so much. I don’t see you here much recently. Why have you deserted us?

      I hope to see much more of you in future with or without clothes. Your beer is being deliveredright now by a RCMP officer who I chose specially because he’s so hot. Enjoy both. 🙂

  • Thanks Amanda for the good wishes and on behalf of the readers thank YOU for all the print books. The beer is on the house.

  • Happy Anniversary!

    Thanks so much to you and to all the contributors to the site. I very rarely buy a book without first checking here for a review, and you’ve pointed me in the direction of some terrific reads over the past year or so. And, of course, there are all the other great posts too!

    Here’s to many more anniversaries!

    • Hi Chris
      Thanks for the kind words. I know that the reviewers appreciate knowing how much you value their opinions because they work hard on your behalf.

    • Hi Val
      Thank you. The reviewers love to hear statements like yours which makes them know that their hard work is appreciated.

    • Eve
      Thanks for dropping by and I’m not even reviewing a JL book. LOL

      You and I both want to marry the site but I’ll settle for a beer and I’m sending you a case.

    • Ethan
      Thank you and how wonderful to see you on a day when I’m giving away beer. Yours is on its way. 🙂 Don’t drive after you’ve had a couple cans because Canadian beer is much stronger than American beer. LOL

  • Congrats and happy anniversary, Wave! I can’t believe it’s only been one year, but I for one am very grateful and happy that you do what you do. Here’s to many, many more!

    • Thanks Rick
      You know you’re one of my favourite people as well as one of my fave authors.

      Even though we’ve been here on this site for only a year we were on the blog for just over a year, so we’ve been around for a couple of years. 🙂

      I’m still loving being a blogger.

  • Congratulations on your anniversary!

    I’m a newbie to the whole genre, but finding your site has been a great education for me – not only do you point me in the direction of books worth buying, but you’ve provided some really thought provoking articles that have got me thinking more about my own writing – and even sparked off the idea for a recent short story. Thank you so much!

    • Hi Josephine
      Thanks for logging on. I appreciate your spirited comments on many of the discussion threads and I hope that the posts, polls etc. are helpful to you in your writing.

      I look forward to your short story. Please send me a copy when it’s published – I love shorts.

    • Hi Nastassia
      Thank you for becoming a ‘regular’ on the site. I appreciate it and am very sorry that the drink of the day is beer rather than rum or something equally delicious. 🙂

  • Has it really been a year – wow, how time flies.

    What a great achievement this blog is and proof of how hard you work for us m/m readers. Well done, Wave, you deserve to have such a popular site.

    • Jen

      It’s not just me but all of us reviewers that do the heavy lifting to make the site as popular as it is. Belatedly I do apologise to Kris who told you that you would get sucked in. 🙂 However I hope that writing reviews for the site is fun for you.

      Do you realize that you have been reviewing for both the old blog and this site? It’s been quite a while that we’ve been together. 🙂 Thank you for all your hard work and don’t forget to take the beer home with you and a Mountie or two. LOL

  • Congratulations on a fabulous site, your one year anniversary, and having such high traffic. Small wonder Gay Romance Org is so popular; I love it here. So much eye candy, excellent reviews (and reviewers), and priceless information for readers and writers. Bravo, and here’s to many more years to come. Love the pic, btw….

    • Thanks for the good wishes Eden but we know that you mainly come by for the eye candy. 🙂 Whatever the reason we appreciate you.

      Isn’t the birthday boy handsome? Love that candle. 🙂

  • Happy Anniversary!
    *
    Due to RL turning to crap, I don’t spend as much time here as I used to, but I love reading all the posts via RSS feed on my LJ.
    *
    Thanks so much, Wave and Christian, and all the other contributors, for making this such a great site. *hugs*

    • Gaycrow
      You don’t visit any more. I hardly see you – the Friday Guys miss you too.

      thank you for the good wishes and I hope that RL improves so that we’ll see you more often. Don’t forget your beer on the way out. 🙂

    • Kris
      I’ve been waiting and waiting all day for you to thank you both for being such a wonderful reviewer, and also for not telling Jen the truth about me. LOL

      You know how much I love and appreciate you and I can’t wait for you to come back into the fold. In the meantime have some Canadian beer – it’s good for what ails you. 🙂

    • Hi Nichem
      Thank you for dropping by today to wish us all a happy birthday. The guest reviewers thank you, Christian thanks you and I thank you. The birthday boy is going home with me at midnight so that we can have our own private party.

  • 30 million hits? It boggles the mind. Yay, Wave!

    Here’s a “If Today is Your Birthday” for your site!
    “With the Sun and Moon in a waxing semi-square at the time of your birthday this year, the period ahead is one of new initiatives and action. You possess quite a bit of energy, but you must be aware that emotions color much of what you do this year. It can be hard to be objective as a result. ”
    Much more here:
    http://www.cafeastrology.com/birthday/july14_2010.html

    • Hi Jordan
      Aren’t those numbers awesome? I love the people so the 706,000 visits mean a lot more to me. 🙂

      So the site now will be able to check out its future from an astrology site? What a hoot. Thanks J.

      Your beer is on the way.

    • Hello Lex
      Everyone has been awesome and I keep telling them how wonderful the guest reviewers and Christian are.

      Thanks for your kind comments and we’ll try to keep the site going as long as we can. 🙂

  • It’s been a year already? I remember just the other day having a mini panic attack when I thought I could not access the website while in the Middle East…
    I am a daily visitor and always have a good time… I will never forget “the dueling penises” funniest thing evah!
    Congratulations and thanx for all the free books you have given us.

    • Hello Suzi
      If you remember the duelling penises you must be rolling in the aisles laughing.

      The old blog was around for a little over a year and then we moved so this took a little longer than a year but the time flew by. I’m glad you’re back in the US.

  • Happy Anniversary from an avid lurker. And thanks so much for the six pack. I’ll supply the munchies, Doritos and Timbits for everyone!

    • Hi Darwina
      I wish you would come out of lurkdom more often. 🙂 It’s much more fun when you comment – you could win stuff.

      Thanks for the Timbits, Doritos and other munchies. Your six pack is on the way to your house. 🙂

  • Wow, those are some awesome stats. Happy anniversary, Wave!! I can’t believe it’s been a year at your new site. Great job to you and your gang of contributors.

    • Hi Sloan
      Thanks for dropping by. It’s fun watching the numbers climb and I hope they continue to do so 🙂

      When is your next release?

      • Wave,

        I hope your numbers keep on climbing too!

        No release date yet, but I’ve signed with Loose Id for Breathe and sent in first revisions. Hope to know more soon. Thanks for asking!

        • Sloan
          Email me when you have more definitive information. I really liked More and am looking forward to your next book.

    • Erotic Horizon
      Thank you for your good wishes. I, too, wish for more time, maybe another year – I’m not very ambitious for the site, I’ll take it a day at a time.

  • Wave,

    Congrats to you Wave! Happy Anniversary! It is amazing to see the statistics of how many viewers and hits come to this site..Just amazing! U are so vital to the M/M community, and what I love is that you are just as much a friend off the blog (thank you so much for your e-cards they have meant a lot to me) Here’s to you and many more anniversaries!

    Love,
    Ozakie

    • Hi Ozakie
      Where hae you been? Are you now lurking? 🙂 You know how I hate that.

      Thanks for the good wishes and those numbers are so incredible I have a hard time believing them but Christian assures me they are correct.

      Take care and I hope to see more of you (no, not nekkid) 🙂 on the site.

  • Happy Anniversary, Wave, and congrats on what you and your team have accomplished!

    Thanks for all the work you put into this and I’m looking forward to many more anniversaries. 🙂

    Lilli

    • Thanks Lilli. Everyone works equally hard to maintain a high standard and we love it when you guys appreciate the effort.

      I’m not sure about many more anniversaries – this is tough, but I’ll do my best. 🙂

Comments are closed.