Did you ever write a fan letter to a writer?
By GreatMartin
@GreatMartin (23670)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
September 1, 2015 8:47am CST
Tennessee Williams, Maya Angelou, John Rechy are just a few of my favorite writers and high on the list is Rita Mae Brown. I don't often write 'fan' letters but I sent her one and in return she sent me a very gracious letter which I have framed and hung up on my wall. Following is my letter to her:
Dear Rita Mae Brown,
You did it to me again! Another sleepless night! I made the mistake of getting into bed and opening to the first page of your 14th(?) collaboration with Sneaky Pie and couldn't put it down until "Forland does kind of look like a woman with glasses." I mean it--even when I read the cookbook I was up all night.
I believe that is the 33rd night I have lost sleep because of you since I discovered "Rubyfruit Jungle" when it was first published--actually more because I have reread a few of your books on other nights including, "Starting From Scratch: A Different Kind Of Writer's Manual", "Rita Will: A Memoir of a Literary Rabble-Rouser" and "Six of One", to mention a few..
I was never into history until I read "Dolly: A Novel Of Dolly Madison in Love and War" and I wanted more. Your books about fox hunting and the horses (not to forget the old Southern Clubs built around them) were/are so intriguing to this NYC boy, teaching me about subjects I knew nothing about.
Your close relationships with animals, whether they be cats, dogs, horses, owls, etc., makes me believe you really do know what they are thinking and saying.
Your observations about human beings can make me laugh and tear up within one paragraph. They are people I want to know, get to know and do know.
It may sound odd but I am looking forward to many more sleepless nights. Please keep the books coming!
Yours truly,
Have you ever written a fan letter? Do you have a favorite author?
9 people like this
10 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
1 Sep 15
I have never written a fan letter.
That is great that she actually wrote back to you and you have it framed Martin!
The only thing I did was go to see an author (Michael Caine) and had him sign his autobiography for me.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
1 Sep 15
@GreatMartin I did not Martin..I did not know he had one. These last years I have not been able to do any reading.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
2 Sep 15
@TiarasOceanView I have gone from reading 2-3 books/plays a week to reading 2-3 a year!! All of a sudden I am big on magazines!!
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
1 Sep 15
Book tours are grueling but the fact that you were there made it worthwhile to Caine!
PS That was a good biography--did you read his second book?
PS That was a good biography--did you read his second book?1 person likes this
@owstalaga (4825)
• Philippines
1 Sep 15
I have written letters to a few celebrities I admired but I have never been able to send them. 
These days we have twitter or Facebook so I use those when I find their account.
These days we have twitter or Facebook so I use those when I find their account.2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
2 Sep 15
It's like receiving a snail mail birthday card versus a e card--both are nice but the former is better!!
1 person likes this
@glenniah (1197)
• Mandurah, Australia
3 Oct 15
I have never thought to write a letter to an Author I enjoy. Perhaps I will think about that. My son when he was 10 years old loved Garfield and wrote to the author. He received back a personal letter and a variety of books and such. He was over the moon.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
4 Oct 15
That's how a writer thanks someone!! Hurrah for your son! Now learn from him and do the same!
1 person likes this
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
2 Sep 15
I have never written a fan letter to any author. I guess no book has been so compelling to me that I felt the need to write one. Right now, favorite author is Janet Evanovich. I love the Stephanie Plum books. Some other favorites are Debbie Macomber, Beverly Lewis, Dan Brown, and a few others.
1 person likes this
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
4 Sep 15
@GreatMartin You got me there. But I s'pose what I wrote is not compelling enough for anyone to really make a big deal out of what I wrote. 
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
4 Sep 15
@bluerubymoon53 Are YOU questioning MY taste? Why would I read your posts if I didn't think it was compelling?
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
4 Sep 15
How would you feel if no one ever acknowledged your discussions? :O)
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (40037)
• Toccoa, Georgia
1 Sep 15
No, I have never written a fan letter and sent it to an author, but years ago my sister and I sent a fan letter to a music band we really liked and they sent back to us an autographed poster. Each band member had signed it. We were so happy!
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
1 Sep 15
No matter how big--or small--people like hearing from their 'fans' just like people here like to hear from their 'followers' when they post a discussion!
2 people like this
@simone10 (54180)
• Louisville, Kentucky
7 Oct 15
@GreatMartin I really should write a fan letter but how can you find out their email or address to do so?
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
4 Oct 15
Write a writer a fan letter!!
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
1 Sep 15
I have never written a fan letter to anyone famous. I suppose that I've always thought that they wouldn't know me or care much about one of their thousands of readers, so why should I bother such a great and obviously busy person. Actually, I have later learned that most writers love fan mail and very often answer it personally.
I think that your letter was an excellent one and I'm glad that you got a personal answer!
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
1 Sep 15
As a writer who has had 8 books published plus numerous magazine and newspaper articles, columns, etc., I love the 'fan mail' I have gotten (small amount as it was) and I remember how I felt getting my first one and thought why not send letters of appreciation to those who have 'entertained' me. I don't write many but I pat myself on the back for those that I have written!
It's sort of like no one responding to discussions you post--who wants that?
It's sort of like no one responding to discussions you post--who wants that?1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169490)
• United States
1 Sep 15
I have not written a fan letter, but I go through certain "addictions"or fascinations from time to time. Tolkien, Madeleine L'Engle, CS Louis, John Crowell, MC Beaton, Victoria Holt, Mary Stewert, Edgar Allan Poe , Jennifer Chiaverrini. My brain is not working today, I am lifting heavy stuff. I have someone else on my mind and she will not come out. Grrr.
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
1 Sep 15
@GreatMartin Our Queen also hires someone to write most of her congratulatory letters (though she does really sign many of them personally). I saw one recently congratulating someone on their Diamond Wedding anniversary. One can understand that, I think, and it's still a special thing to receive a card from the Queen, even if you know its her office staff that manages it.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
2 Sep 15
@owlwings I thought just the fact that she sent me cards every Christmas and Leap Year was enough! LOL
@silvermist (19701)
• India
8 Sep 15
I had never sent a fan letter.But I have written many in my mind,to many writers, actresses and actors.But never sent even one letter.
1 person likes this
@ria1606roy (2797)
• Kolkata, India
4 Oct 15
I haven't written any letter to an author, but I would like to talk to them if I get their email addresses
I wrote to an actor once 
never got anything back though!
I wrote to an actor once never got anything back though!1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
5 Oct 15
You will find many authors on facebook.
1 person likes this
@ria1606roy (2797)
• Kolkata, India
5 Oct 15
@GreatMartin yeah thanks. I think whatever the author wants to say, he/she says it in the book itself.
