Has anyone ever written to an author ?

[HaventSleptForAYear]

Just wondered.

I have considered it a couple of times. I am currently reading Lionel Schriver's "post-birthday world" and am really engrossed in it and very tempted to email her to tell her what I think.

Have you ever done it?

[UnquietDad]

I wrote to Iain Banks via his website but I knew he'd probably be too busy to write back.

[HaventSleptForAYear]

Did you even get an automated response?

[UnquietDad]

I think I did - can't remember!

[BitOfFun]

I sent a print of DP's to Ian Rankin at a book signing I knew he was going to (called and asked the staff to pass it on) with a letter in it saying thanks for all the rebus books and the company it gave me on long nights up with dd with special needs ( his son has a similar condition).

I got the most beautiful handwritten letter back a week or so later, which I will always treasure

OP- I read that book too, but I thought it was dreadful Not the quality of writing, but snooker? It just seemed too chock full of research to me. Hey ho, glad you are enjoying it though....what would you say to her if you did write?

[Litchick]

Yes, I often email authors if I've partciualrly liked something.

But then I'm a writer and I love it when readers get in touch.

[TheNewsMongrel]

What did you write Litchick? I presume it has already been revealed the way you are so frank?!

I wrote to Marian Keyes once, I wanted to know if she had a new book out in Spanish as I recognised that it was a new title, but it turned out it had just been called 'por los pelos' sort of like by the skin of your teeth instead of last chance saloon. Her husband wrote back.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

um, yes,I've emailed one but I knew him from years ago...
,my only other encounter was meeting Armistead Maupin a couple of times and being thoroughly starstruck and talking gibberish

[purplemonkeydishwasher]

i wrote to Bryce Courtenay once. just to ask a question about one of his books. His son wrote back to answer the question. I thought it was quite cool that he did.

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

When I was younger I wrote to Lucy Boston, who wrote the 'Green Knowe' books, to say how much I loved them, and she wrote me a lovely letter back and invited me to come and visit and see her house (the original for Green Knowe)! And then she died before I could organise it! (She was over 90. Wish I'd done it sooner.)

[MaryAnnSingleton]

oh Tolly !!

[sockmonkey]

DH has written to author, and they are now facebook friends... he even sent us a free novel. I wrote to Marian Keyes too... Her DH emailed back. I'm sure they all appreciate knowing you like their work.

[Wallaroo]

I wrote to Harlen Coben once got an automated reply saying he would reply personally. Thought nothing more of it but true to his word a got a really nice reply back answering all my questions.

[HaventSleptForAYear]

Oh dear bitoffun - I see what you mean about the snooker bit - I thought it would really put me off (have been put off other books before because of the over-researched thing).

I think maybe I identify a bit too much with the main character, or actually her partner (the staid one) - I am married to a v. similar man!

[HaventSleptForAYear]

Am impressed by how many people got answers back.

Not sure I had any questions, just a general "thanks for the book," I think.

Will have to think it through some more

[beforesunrise]

I emailed Liz Gilbert of "eat, pray, love" (a great book btw). her book touched so many chords with me and i just wante her to know it. she sent back a very personal and lovely email- i was touched!

[TheMoistWorldOfSeptimusQuench]

I used to go out with a reasonably well known writer. He is an egomaniac and loves being told how brilliant he is , whether by letter, e-mails, Amazon reviews. He is very precious and poncey about "my readers".

[ClementFreudsGreatestAdmirer]

I wrote to Clement Freud last year, about Grimble. received a lovely but enigmatic reply.

[Mercy]

I know someone who wrote to Alan Bennett a few years ago.

And apparently got a personally written and very nice reply

[ohdearwhatamess]

ClementFreudsGreatestAdmirer - how did you find an address for the great man? Did you just write to him c/o the publisher (Penguin?). I would love to write to him about that book - nearly did so last year, or whenever it was, when a few of us were reminiscing about Grimble.

[DumbledoresGirl]

I emailed Bernard Cornwell once. Your email gets put on a wall on his website and a lot of them only get scant acknowledgement or none at all, but he did reply to mine! Mind you, he ignored the bit where I pointed out to him the give-away in his long term plotting!

[ohdearwhatamess]

The only author I ever wrote to was Tony Benn, with questions about his diaries, when I was a very nerdy politics student. He wrote back by return of post with pages and pages of answers.

[Dottoressa]

DS wrote to the author of his favourite book on cathedrals (a man who's also been on the BBC). I looked up the publisher on the internet and emailed one of the contacts that they listed to ask whether they would pass on a letter from a 6-y-o boy. They emailed back to say they would, and that the author would doubtless be delighted...

A week later, DS received a really lovely handwritten letter (and a picture of a cathedral!) The author also emailed me to say how much he had enjoyed receiving his fan mail.

DS was sooooo thrilled, and I was very touched that the author had gone to so much trouble. He is going to be speaking not far from where we live next year, and has suggested that I bring DS to meet him. I think DS might just burst with excitement...

[catweazle]

As a 12 year old I wrote to Winston Graham about the Poldark books and got a lovely handwritten reply. I was chuffed to bits.

As an adult I wrote to Bernard Cornwell and got a reply from him too. I then went to a "meet the author" do at Waterstones and carried on the conversation with him (it was about warhorses!)

I also wrote to Stephen King, and didn't expect a reply. I was very surprised to get a reply from his secretary or publicist apologising that it wasn't from the man himself.

[hannahsaunt]

I wrote to Stuart McBain twice to point out mistakes in his books (he keeps confusing Edinburgh and Aberdeen). He's written lovely replies on both occasions.

I love going to author events.