[ChrisW]

Just wondering what fantasy authors you know of that take the the time to respond to emails/letters fans send them.

J V Jones and David Farland are the only two that i've emailed and both responded.

Oh and do you think its a good idea for authors to take the time to write back or would you prefer that they spent all their time writing the next book?

[Rob B]

Authors I have corresponded (i.e. I e-mailed them and they responded) with via e-mail:

John Marco
Matthew Woodring Stover
Robin Hobb
Kristen Britain
James Barclay
David Farland (though that was primarily for the interview I conducted for this Web site)

I find that they are responsive especially if you are letting them know how much you have enjoyed their work.

It only takes a couple of momemts to respond to an e-mail, but if the author gets a lot of e-mails, then that can really add up.

[Warewolf]

I've received very friendly replies from Margaret Weis and Steven Brust.

To answer your second question, writers can't write 24/7. They need time to unwind, too http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Hans]

I've only ever emailed two authors, and they both replied.

Steven Erikson
Juliet Marillier

[Elan Morin Tedronai]

I think that Jordan has an email, but what is it...dunno!

[Louis]

I corresponded with Tom Arden, a British author for a few months. He was very nice and down to earth..

As for RJ, I know of one person who wrote to him for a school project and got a reply about a year later. I guess it's better than nothing, but not really what you'd call quick either..

Louis

[hclark]

I've never written to an author myself, but I know that many frequent news groups. Like Terry Pratchett comes on and posts with people on alt.fan.pratchett on occasion. I'd say that that's just as good as answering fan mail if not better!

[Warewolf]

Oh yeah, almost forgot...

I once got an angry e-mail from Carole Nelson Douglas after I wrote a negative review for one of her books on Amazon. She had some idea that, just because "professional" reviewers had given her book a good review, I didn't have a right to post my opinion on the internet. She then went on to say that Amazon's allowing people to post reviews was ruining some author's careers and that authors didn't like this practice. What-EVER! Talk about whiny senseless drivel! I laughed out loud when I read this and wrote her back and told her so. Never heard back... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[AuntiePam]

Dan Simmons was kind enough to answer a question I had about the ending of the Hyperion series.

And George R. R. Martin -- although it might not be considered "correspondence." I bought a copy of Sandkings via his website, and we communicated about the transaction. I think I said something nice about Songs the Dead Men Sing and he said "thank you."

Anyway, now I have a tattered pb of the Sandkings collction, with Mr. Martin's autograph. Cost me $7 and it was worth every penny. !! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Elan Morin Tedronai]

Well congrats Auntie!
I hope that some day I will send my WoT to RJ so that he makes an authograph!