I have discovered so many wonderful books through y’all – and many of them “last year’s news.” So for me, if you found a great book at the library, that would be cool to hear about. But I completely understand.

If there is a way we can continue to keep your voice in the community, count me in. We’ve talked about one idea offline, and I’ll follow your lead on that.

There are lots of new folks who haven’t heard Mark’s interviews and your book discussions. They NEED to know who you are.

I really value your ideas and all that you do for the world as podcasters, as reviewers, as parents, as members of the world community. Thanks, friends.
Hugs! Terry

Thank you so much for listening over the years and for your kind words. It sure is fabulous to receive such great feedback — it can be a very lonely feeling sending content out into the ether three times a week and receiving in return almost exclusively requests for more free promotion work.

Having created 3 episodes of JOMB every single week for 3.5 years, the absence of JOMB this past 2 weeks has felt extremely strange. When we read great books, I *want* to shout and share and sing the praises of the brilliant people behind them (which is why we created JOMB in the first place) and Lucy and Bayla (and Mark!) are just heartbroken at the thought of losing JOMB.

We’ve spent a lot of time trying to think of strategies to extract the hurtful parts and keep the parts of JOMB that our family loves. It’s tricky but my now that I’ve had 2 weeks of distance, the feelings of indignation are subsiding so I’m hoping for a happy ending.

Thanks again for your support and for all each of you do to promote great children’s books and a love of reading.

Andrea

You will be missed, but I totally respect you guys regrouping and trying to find a way that this will be fun again.

THANK YOU.

I know all things come to an end eventually, but it’s very sad that this is the reason why.

I’m absolutely blown away by the sheer volume of wonderful review and interview content that you two have put together over the years. What a wonderful accomplishment! I’ve really loved listening to the podcast. There have been some wonderfully enlightening and informative interviews from the bright side of the publishing world and I’m thankful that those came to be through your tireless and generous work.

Mark, I was honoured to be included in one of your interviews along with two of my fellow Vancouver kid lit creators. Even though the sight of a microphone is enough to send me diving under the table, you turned an interview into an extremely lively conversation about books which is a testament to your considerable abilities as an interviewer.

Thank you both so much for sharing your passion for kid lit with the rest of us!

Andrea and I been talking about JOMB *a lot* lately. We’re still venting our frustration so it’s hard to determine what the future will be at this time. If anything happens, we’ll post it here.

It’s still too early to tell what will unfold. We need to take time out to get over the frustration and re-energize before we can give this serious thought. Whatever the case, there will be changes. I really take all of the thoughts and suggestions seriously not just because they’re good suggestions, but because I can tell that what we do is appreciated by so many people.

In the meantime, we have some great interviews queued up including Aaron Zenz and his children (all contributors to our Love of Reading Gallery) and Jeanne Willis. So, we’ll still be delivering amazing content for another little.

I hope that retreating and regrouping create a way for you to make JOMB work with your lives, however that might be. But I echo Jen’s sentiments: much as I’m grateful for all that you’ve done for children’s literature, the two of you must put yourselves first in this equation.

Very sad, indeed, particularly since it comes from an industry I have been proud to be part of….

Thanks for introducing me to many wonderful books and authors and illustrators. And introducing me to the two of you! JOMB had the greatest influence on us starting our own blog. Thanks for that too!

So sorry about the effects of thoughtless, self-centered people. How draining. They obviously recognize the Best when they see it. Too bad they don’t then treat you like the Best as well.

I know that JOMB has been a member of your family. It also sure seems (I’m sure to a far lesser extent) like a member of mine! After listening to your voices weekly for years, there’s the feeling (illusion?) that I know you guys, that you’re friends. I know that’s silly, and one-sided (obviously you haven’t heard my voice in return all those years!). But know that I care about you guys and want the best for you.

Love you guys and thanks!
Aaron

Jacquie Pearce

We absolutely love JOMB, we love singing the praises of books we love, we love JOMB being part of our family and, as you of all people know, even a tonne of work is not a problem if the net result *feels good*.

Trouble is, maybe with the publishing world being in a panic, the build up of the aspects we *don’t* love, have just passed some critical point.

I wish we could rework JOMB so that our efforts and personal financial investments didn’t line the pockets of anyone and never resulted in me feeling completely taken advantage of when I later learn that the author/illustrator/publisher/publicist related to a book I love is pushy, arrogant or just plain thoughtless and thinks I work for them, don’t have anything better to do, and doesn’t appreciate the time I put into that tag line, single summary, or all the submitted books I had to read before I got to the book that makes it to the show.

As you can see, I’ve reached some point and really should retreat and regroup!

Thanks again!
Andrea

Thanks so much for dropping by and taking time to leave a note.

Let’s see, what rhymes with Tim? and can I work in “Weeeeeeeeeee!!” ? I’ll work on that in time for PAB10

Thanks for your encouragement.

All good things must come to an end.

I don’t want too be hasty and I’d like to see if I can remove the publishing-industry factor completely but, unless we promote only books created by deceased authors, illustrators and publishers, books which are no longer for sale (library access only) or books the sale of which benefits only guaranteed-nice-people (!), there is always the potential for us to be punished for our volunteer efforts.

And this camel’s back (as flimsy as it may be) has been broken and re-broken.

We’ve had a few suggestions that just might work, but we’ll be off the grid for a while (as soon as we’ve honoured our existing interview commitments) and will think very carefully before making our next move.

Thanks again for listening and for your support