tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post6671855933508818324..comments2023-04-06T04:37:39.726-04:00Comments on Wicked Writers: Thank-you Notes? No ThanksUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-37195347111620723472011-03-10T06:42:11.941-05:002011-03-10T06:42:11.941-05:00Wow... just love the (good natured) controversy su...Wow... just love the (good natured) controversy such subjects raise! George’s argument is compelling. Greg, I’m with you – never thought about thank-you notes (and you got C.J. laughing! always good value). I am inclined to agree with Sharon and J.D.: the idea of receiving one would sure make my day! So perhaps I’d better consider it… Since I don’t read too many books each year, I should be able to cope with a few letters :)David Sartofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02925919930070976747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-70423189308305707582011-03-09T23:44:01.148-05:002011-03-09T23:44:01.148-05:00Aww, Greg. You're seriously telling me a note ...Aww, Greg. You're seriously telling me a note from a reader saying how much they loved reading your book doesn't brighten your day?<br /><br />Well, it sure as hell makes ME happy. In fact, that's how I met one of my best friends (okay, so she's also a writer). Call it a stalker if you want, but I call them fans and I'll always love my fans.<br /><br />When I was younger, I used to write fan mail to celebs I admired, including authors. Funny thing, the authors never wrote me back, but my favorite musicians did. At the time I was disappointed. Now that I know what's like to be an author, I realize they were probably just to busy to get back to me. LOL. I would write back to my fans as much as possible. I write fiction for myself, for my own enjoyment, but I publish for them, the readers.J.D. Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01848555338136682070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-82893589163386175282011-03-09T22:12:58.717-05:002011-03-09T22:12:58.717-05:00Love you, George! Yes, you made a GREAT case for w...Love you, George! Yes, you made a GREAT case for why we should write to fellow authors with kind words. I took the negative slant with my post b/c I just don't "get" the people who feel they have to piss on someone's day.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01534284446634705363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-74575786235813416942011-03-09T22:01:30.816-05:002011-03-09T22:01:30.816-05:00WOW - I am so surprised by the negative reactions ...WOW - I am so surprised by the negative reactions to this weeks topic!<br /><br />For the past three years, I have wrote a note to EVERY author I have had the "pleasure" of reading their books. Out of the 200+ authors I have written, I have received a personal reply from almost 90% of them. <br /><br />The more famous they are, however, the less of a chance of receiving any reply what so ever. And it seems e-published and Indie authors are MUCH MORE in tune with their readers than regular print published authors - even mid-list.<br /><br />The authors who have replied back thank me, answer questions I had about their story (or writing in general) and some will even ask if I want some swag sent my way. Of course, I always say yes.<br /><br />I contact the authors either with e-mail via their website or a msg at face book. Those who were 'too good' to slum on face book (and their websites don't accept mail over 500 characters), got a note sent via their publishers. <br /><br />And while I'm at it, if the book has really impressed me, I send a note TO the publisher letting them know I enjoyed the book and want to see more books like this... Doing the math, I see that nearly every indie and e-publisher I sent a note to, telling them I really liked such and such a book and would like to see more like it or more from that author - answered me.<br /><br />None of the big publishing houses answered. Hmmm. And you would think they would have a department for that. Maybe that is why the print industry is going to hell in a handbasket. They are out of touch with their readers.<br /><br />IMHO, I think it's only common decency to let an author (or an artist or an actor) know how much their hard work has touched your life; made you think, made you smile, etc. <br /><br /> I mean, come on! Who DOESNT want to know their hard work has made some sort of impact - even if it was a few hours of escape...? And who doesn't get a kick out of a small note that states - "Loved the book - have recommended it to all my friends and picked up a few for Christmas presents..."<br /><br />And it takes no time at all, to bless an author (or anyone, for that matter) with a random act of kindness.<br /><br />Go a head and call me an unpublished amateur - but I would love to hear (but don't have great expectations) from my readers. <br /><br />In fact, when I wrote fan-fic, I kept the over 2,000 responses to my stories from 2007-2009. The majority of them were positive, encouraging me to go deeper, higher, better.<br /><br />Yeah, some of the comments to me were nit-picky -- but you know that was okay -- everyone's entitled to an opinion. The negative reviews never bothered me (much). It's just the way it is in life and you go on.<br /><br />Oh, and for the record, out of the 2,000 responses, I had no cyber stalkers. (*grin)<br /><br />Now on that same token - I don't write to authors whom I think suck. Nor do I write to authors whom I couldn't finish their books because the story was dead. I am a firm believer in what my momma taught me: If I can't say anything positive, don't say anything at all.<br /><br />It just surprises me, in this day and age, with everything so easy-peasy, to hear people say they don't write encouragement or let their voices be heard.<br /><br />Then again, not everyone is as opinionated and anal retentive as I am.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-35961154615477781752011-03-09T00:03:41.866-05:002011-03-09T00:03:41.866-05:00Maybe I just should have said that I'm too laz...Maybe I just should have said that I'm too lazy to send notes. Thanks for reading, you two.Gregory Marshall Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046473659340557062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-59233656249910405722011-03-08T17:44:43.600-05:002011-03-08T17:44:43.600-05:00I'll tell you in 10 years if it was a good ide...I'll tell you in 10 years if it was a good idea to use my real name. <br />Don't think it hurts to send a note when something resonates with me. But as a writer or even a judge in a contest, kind of nice to get them. But I don't expect them. And you're right. Don't think we should.Sharon Hamiltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09733653906932403080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8198581514056172349.post-6044508133354895292011-03-08T10:09:10.638-05:002011-03-08T10:09:10.638-05:00LMAO!! Ahh... no respect, I tells ya, no respect.
...LMAO!! Ahh... no respect, I tells ya, no respect.<br /><br />Hey, I think the topic said "note" not necessarily a "thank you note". But, it could just be my lack of a full name and only using initials that makes me more aware of the printed word.<br /><br />Oh - and off topic, I'm sending you an email in a bit. Should brighten your day ;-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01534284446634705363noreply@blogger.com