From the Mail Bag
by Barb, last post from Key West for the year. We’ve had a lovely time.
Most of the email, FaceBook messages, web contact form responses, Instagram messages, etc. that I get are absolutely lovely. Many people enjoy the Maine Clambake Mysteries. Some people wonder what happened to Jane Darrowfield. Others send corrections, note typos, and so on.
Then there are some like this one.
First Draft of ResponseI have just finished “Hopped Along” and enjoyed it. I am a 71 year man who grew up reading lots of children’s book. I even took a College course in Children’s Lit. Your story had Major Error which was confusing. I’m surprised it was published. Your friends and editors don’t do you favors by allowing your Mistake!!! The old man in the Top Hat was like “Uncle Wiggily” by Howard R. Garis; Not Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. You need to make a Public Apology in your talks, newsletters, and website.
Dear Xxxx-
I am a 71-year-old woman who is Tired of Being Corrected by Old Men, particularly for sins I have not committed. Though your college professor from 50 years ago would be proud of your recall, your first grade teacher from 65 years ago must be weeping in the Great Beyond at your inability to read. I Never Wrote Anywhere that the old man in the top hat was Peter Rabbit. Julia’s nephew calls him the Easter Bunny. The Tales of Peter Rabbit is indeed a clue in the story but an entirely separate clue. I therefore Decline to Apologize on my website, newsletter or talks.
Yours Very Sincerely, etc., etc.
Too much?
Actual Response
Thanks so much for writing! I’m so glad you enjoyed “Hopped Along.”
Happy reading–
Seriously, don’t rush to reassure me. I’m not upset. I find these things funny. It’s not unusual for people to read things in the books and novellas that aren’t there. OR to say things that have actually happened to me are impossible and could never happen. OR to say people in Maine would never, ever say something I have heard people say many times. And (spoiler) when Julia broke up with Chris…Oy! I still get mail about that.
In reality, I’m glad people are moved enough and care enough to write. Even Mr. Uncle Wiggily above. And the truth is I am glad to have the mystery solved of who was the bunny in the top hat because I googled like mad many times and never found him.
And, as I said above, most of the mail I get is absolutely lovely. In fact, I got a beautiful email this week about the book coming in April that makes up for this one times 100.
Readers: Do you write to authors? Do you send corrections or is it fan mail or both? Writers: What is the most “interesting” piece of mail you’ve received?
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I like to mostly keep my interactions with authors to social media. Sometimes I ask a question (most often is if there will be more of their work to look forward to!), other times it's just encouragement and praise. If I have any criticisms at all, I try to leave it in my review because an author can decide whether or not they want to read reviews of their work, but whenever possible, I try to make my criticisms be about me and not the author (such as acknowledging that maybe a particular book or series just isn't meant for me and here's why). If I truly found an error that I felt needed brought to the attention of the author, I would like to think I would send them an email that was polite and put my perceived error in the best light possible, and I would certainly back it up with evidence if it required it, but there is a way to handle this sort of thing gently and respectfully, which would be my aim.
Gently and respectfully--good words for how we should all strive to treat one another.
I have only contacted an author ONCE when the synopsis on the back of the book said the main character's first name was ***** but in the actual book it was ##### so I let her know about this error and I heard back and she was very grateful! There are oftentimes spelling, grammar, content errors .. that's the fault of editors I would think but, hey, no one's perfect, we all make errors! Love your books! I was a bit upset about Chris, but like the "cop" too .. life goes on! Will miss the clambake stories if this new one is indeed the last .. thank you for them .. my sister and I read them all, even the novellas in the trio books!
I'm so glad you are enjoying the Maine Clambake Mysteries. I love it when readers write to me and I don't mind at all if they point out mistakes--as long as they don't demand apologies for things I haven't done!
