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Emails from readers
One of the great perks of being (self) published is receiving emails from readers who have enjoyed my books and want to let me know. It's so kind of them to bother, and so encouraging to know they like my writing. I always answer - when the sender has typed his/her email address wrong and I can't it distresses me. (Trish who wrote today, I tried to reply but my email kept bouncing back - and I did start a sequel to Remix, but wrote Replica instead.)
Way back in the early eighties I thought about writing an appreciative letter to Mary Renault, one of my favourite authors. I'd have had to send it via her publishers, I wasn't sure they'd forward it to South Africa where she lived, I didn't want to be a nuisance. I never wrote. Now I wish I had, as I know from my own experience it would have given her a cheering moment.
So here's to all readers out there who not only buy books, but write and thank their authors. Thank you.
That must be so encouraging. And I'm with Trish on the interest in a Remix sequel.
ReplyDeleteK(who's hoping she remembered to email Lexi to thank her for the stories!)
Nice blog, and it's a heartening thought. I resolved this year to leave more Amazon reviews for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean to reproach anyone who doesn't review or contact authors - I seldom do myself - but it does give one a glow when it happens :o)
ReplyDeleteStrange, it never occurred to me to try writing to authors whose books I've enjoyed. I always imagined it would be so far beneath them to communicate with the Great Unwashed from the heights of their lofty studios :) This post reminded me that there's another side to the equation.
ReplyDeleteIts a huge buzz to get 'fan' mail and yet I've never thought to send it myself. Great advice
ReplyDeleteYes, and do it quickly before they go and die on you :o)
ReplyDeleteI've just read Nick Hornby's Juliet Naked which covers the subject of fans and the effect they have on a singer/songwriter. I enjoyed it - perhaps I should tell him so...
Most of my fave authors tend to be erm.. deceased! Or rather, running free at the Rainbow Bridge! LOL!
ReplyDeleteBut I thank the great and gold they existed at some point to pen their words I enjoy today!
Take care
x
It would be great if Jane Austen could know that her books are more popular than ever so many years after they were written.
ReplyDeleteIt's odd, authors who are the most popular in their lifetimes sometimes don't last the course (Walter Scott, Galsworthy) while writers less successful in their own time go on to lasting fame.
Couldn't agree more - when someone I don't know, and will never meet, takes the trouble to write about my book - that is just the best feeling ever!
ReplyDeleteJo, maybe one day when you are a famous author and do the odd book signing, you will meet some of them :o)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Lexi, there's something very gratifying getting emails from readers. I've also had actual letters, sent via Hodder, which were particularly pleasing. Funny how such a small thing can mean so much!
ReplyDeleteG
So publishers are quite reliable at forwarding letters written to their authors, then? That's reassuring.
ReplyDeleteI have sent "fan letters" to Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Tanya Egan Gibson ("How to Buy a Love of Reading"), Dave Barry, Christopher Moore and Brad Meltzer. No responses from Pratchett, Gaiman or Barry, but Mr. Moore responded within minutes to an email I sent years ago, and I have exchanged several emails with Mr. Meltzer and Ms. Egan Gibson. And then, of course, there are the wonderful authors I am privileged to know on at least a slightly more personal level, from Martyn Bedford and Phil Whitaker to Douglas Jackson, Guy Saville and, of course, Lexi. I hope all of these wonderful writers know how much I appreciate what they have brought to my life. Seems to me I ought to make it a practice to say "thanks" to more authors whose work I have enjoyed. Just finished "Jaywalking with The Irish" by David Monagan and enjoyed it very much. I should look him up and say so.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of authors whose faces you have brought a smile to, Alan.
ReplyDeleteBoy, I just cannot wait to write a book so I too might perhaps receive letters and e-mails from appreciative fans. I know it will mean a great deal to me.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I plan to ignore them all...
Perry, why not a collection of your articles? Humour does well on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really good idea, actually. Can I have a small percentage of your earnings for suggesting it?
Spot on, Lexi! My mum loves it when someone tells her they have enjoyed one of her books. Someone stopped her by the baked beans in Sainsbury's the other day to tell her they liked her book about me. She came out of the shop all glowing. I'm sure big, famous authors also like to be told they are appreciated. You might try giving them a biscuit - that could work, too.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, that's impressive. I don't think any of my readers would recognize me. Easier to spot an author with her dog if it's the dog she wrote about, but no dog sets paw in Sainsbury's.
ReplyDeleteMy mum muttered something about being a moderately sized fish in a relatively small pond, but there aren't any ponds in Kimberley so I don't really know what she meant.
ReplyDelete