The great thing about writing books for young readers is that they write back to you. I've received mail from every state and many countries, like New Zealand, Canada, England, Guam, Saipan, Australia, and Kuwait. One letter from East Africa arrived with no postage--yet a kind U.S. postal employee saw what it was and made sure I received it.
Readers are very open and honest. Their letters always seem to come when you need a boost or are wondering if anyone out there is reading your books. And then there are a few you wish had gotten lost in the mail . . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Ms. Regan . . . .
"Do you make more money or less money than normal people?"
"Though I read books of other authors like R.L. Stine, Stephen King, Ann Martin, Charles Dickens, and Shakespeare, HOME FOR THE HOWL-IDAYS is still my favorite. I've read it 30 times this year. I almost have the book memorized."
"I liked your speech, except your cat sounds as if he needs professional help."
"I love MONSTERS AND MY ONE TRUE LOVE. Is there really a Monster of the Month Club? If so, I want to join. I can take care of monsters."
"I hope you write lots of stories like the monster books. If you do, I will be waiting for them."
"In closing, it is most imperative to my sense of well-being that you continue writing monster books at a furious rate."
"I'm not even halfway through your book and I love it! I have read 52 books since August and yours is the best--so far. And I'm not just saying that to make you feel better."
"Hi, how are you? You found yourself a career! I found what I want to be. A nurse. I don't want to be an author because it takes a long time to make a book and you don't gets lots of money."
"I read CLASS WITH THE SUMMER BIRTHDAY'S on the way home from the bookstore, straight through, word for word. Take that as a compliment because I only do that with books I can't bear to put down."
"Do people stop you on the street and ask for your autograph?"
"You and Stephen King are my favorite authors."
"I really like your books. They are funny and interesting. Well--in some places they are funny, and in some places they are interesting. They aren't one right after the other. . . ."
"Hey! Try turning your books into movies!" (Me: OKAY!!!)
"Hi. This is kind of weird writing to an author. I don't know why; it just is. Well, anyway. How are you doing? How is your husband? I think you mentioned he plays guitar? Well, if you did, I play guitar, too. So, there's one thing we have in common."
"I loved PRINCESS NEVERMORE. I've read it seven times. You are my favorite author because you have written the best book I have ever read."
"PRINCESS NEVERMORE REALLY NEEDS A SEQUEL!"
"Your book is very good. Our teacher gave US seatwork, while SHE sat at her desk and read it."
"Once I started reading PRINCESS NEVERMORE, I couldn't stop. I'm now going to get to the point of this letter. I was just thinking maybe since I don't have the skills and paper, you could make a movie of the book. I was going to ask for your permission to do that but I can't because I'm busy doing homework. So I was just suggesting that you could do that sometime."
"Are you going to be signing books anywhere near where I live?"
"I was on the edge of my seat, trying, wondering what was going to happen next."
"I really got into your book and all I ever wanted to do was read it. I couldn't stop at any sentence or even chapter! I had to see what happened next. I'm searching for more of your books. Please write another soon and send it to me with the price and I'll even pay you for it!"
"PRINCESS NEVERMORE is better than Harry Potter!"
"Did someone encourage you to write a book someday, or did you just say, "I will write a book when I grow up?"
"Thank you for touching my life with your writing."
And my favorite:
"I think you are one of the greatest authors in the world, however SOME people might not know this yet. . . ."
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