Journal Archives

Review Archives

Russell Kirkpatrick's Journal

Viewing By Entry / Main

Fanmail

 11-Jun-2008
Posted At : 11:04 AM | Posted By : Russell
Related Categories: Reviews and Interviews
Mood: Amused
Now reading: Kim Wilkins

 

Many authors hate fanmail, but I love it. Hearing personally from readers is one of the great things about being an an author. Of course I enjoy the praise: yes, I do occasionally get praise from misguided or sheltered individuals :) But I enjoy the critical emails just as much.

Now my first series is available in the US I get a lot more of the latter, funnily. Those stateside sure don't mind giving me an earful if they don't like my work. I'm intrigued by such gems as:

'I've read all three of your books. I hated the first one and the other two aren't any better.'

The sort of chap who sticks his finger in an electrical socket a second time, perhaps? Did it really hurt that much? Ow!

Or: 'I read your first book and it's crap. I want a refund!'

I replied: 'I'm eating a Big Mac right now with the proceeds of the book you bought. Sorry, but you wouldn't want the refund.'

I've had emails from peope demanding reimbursement from improperly bound books. One castigates me for my 'terible writing [sic]'.

Others, however, have made good points. I even had a reviewer point something out about my first book I hadn't seen: the Company all act as loners, there's no real bonding. On reflection I think she's right.

Keep the fanmail coming. 

Comments (8)

Comments

Oh dear! He went back for more. He must be a fatalistic optimist!

Posted By Donna Hanson / Posted At 6/11/08 3:41 PM

So you like it when we're critical of you??? ...oh wait, you meant the books, didn't you... *grin*.

How is your mother-in-law? Hope she is recovering well.

Posted By Jo Kasper / Posted At 6/11/08 6:53 PM

Oh the joys of the internet!
I have my own little gripe. After being given some spends for my birthday I set out to buy your latest book. Living in Pirongia, I set out to Te Awamutu and was dissapointed they didn't have it in Whitcoulls. Next stop the base (Whitcoulls again), no luck there. Off to Chartwell again, Whitcoulls yet again came up short, so my last chance - Pennys' or Penny Lane or whatever it's called....
Joy at last they had several copies and I even managed to get an autographed one YAY.
I loved the book but can I get a refund on the peterol I used to obtain it?

Posted By andrew / Posted At 6/16/08 12:27 AM

You've been unlucky, Andrew - most Whitcoulls have at least a couple of my books. The problem in NZ is that Whitcoulls dominate the market and do so by maintaining a ridiculously narrow selection. We let them get away with it by giving up too easily. I'm pleased you kept on and found it.

As for the petrol refund ... sure. Just drive in to Penny's and I'll make sure you get it :)

Pirongia. eh? Nice place. Nice golf course too, though I've never been able to finish it. Once the Waipa River was n flood and a hole was underwater, and another time a storm came off the mountain.

Posted By russellk / Posted At 6/16/08 4:05 AM

Aloha Russell, I am currently in Maui for a few days on a break from Honolulu :-) AND your first series is in all the bookstores! Way to go, there are almost no English authors on the shelves, and only one Kiwi, so good on you!!! I talked my sis-in-law into buying the first in the series, so she can then buy the rest.

Posted By Linda / Posted At 6/20/08 3:09 PM

You're a champion, Linda. Hope your Hawaiian adventure is going well, and you are behaving yourself.

As if.

Posted By russellk / Posted At 6/21/08 11:42 AM

yea I don't see me paying for or reading a whole trilogy if i didnt like the first book

Posted By Whitetrash / Posted At 7/3/08 2:09 AM

Man I love your books so much as you know i started a fan forum for your books its driven me crazy haveing to wait a whole month to buy your next book Thanks for the great seires and wonderfull reading. well worth the money

Posted By Whitetrash / Posted At 7/3/08 2:13 AM