Like a Book? Tell the Author!

I have been very honored and pleased when a few of the authors whose books I have posted about here have contacted me to thank me for the posts, and in some cases have said how much such encouragement meant to them. I know that I, as an academic writer with the very limited sales that usually come with academic writing, treasure every positive comment about my own books and articles. But I think we sometimes assume that writers of much more widely distributed books of fiction, especially those that have received a certain amount of acclaim and good sales, are very confident and don’t need encouragement. The notes that I have received indicate otherwise. This may not be true for the few authors of huge bestsellers, who probably get bags full of fan mail, but I think it is true for what used to be called midlist authors. I think the need for positive feedback and affirmation is especially present after the initial excitement of publication and the first reviews is over, and perhaps particularly when the author embarks on her/his next novel, short story, or memoir, wondering if she/he can repeat the success of the earlier book. All this is a long-winded way of saying: If you particularly like a book, please consider taking a few minutes to send the author an email or note to say so. You can often find an email address, or a place to comment, on an author’s website, or through her/his publisher’s website, or by Googling. I believe your notes will be much appreciated.