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Maria V. Snyder | Unexpected Gifts
May 21, 2009
I’d like to first thank Fresh Fiction for inviting me to blog on their
wonderful site – Thanks so much! I’m so lucky to have such great support from the various book websites and
review sites throughout the Internet. It has been one of many unexpected
surprises when I became a published author. Another happy and unexpected result
has been reader emails. Now some of you may be thinking, of course you’d get
emails. But I had been so focused on getting my story published; that I hadn’t
really considered what would happen once the book hit the shelves.  I’ll never forget my very first email from a reader who I
didn’t know or who wasn’t related to me in any way. ;) It was October 2005, and
the woman had found my book, Poison Study in an airport bookstore and picked it up. She had
been so enthralled with the story, her flight just flew by (pun intended ;) I
was thrilled that she took the time from her busy life to email me. Me! A brand
new author no one has heard of. I emailed her back right away to thank her for
her kind words.
Flash forward four years, four books, and approximately two thousand emails
later… You might guess that I would be jaded by now, not as thrilled to get
reader email, and would have no time to respond, but you would be wrong. I
answer every single email – it might take me a few days or a week to respond,
but I make the time to do it. Why? Each email from a reader is a gift – I enjoy
reading their encouraging words and stories about how they found my books. I
love hearing they were inspired to start writing or to take kickboxing classes
so they can defend themselves like my heroine, Yelena. A few of the people who
emailed me have become friends and I’ve met them in person. I found it very
interesting that their “in person” personalities match their “online”
personalities so well. Reader email is also a remedy when I’m having a bad day. When I’m depressed and
believing my writing is horrible or I read a not-so-great review, I just need
to go to my reader folder, read through a few emails and I’m feeling better.
Another bonus – when I need a name of an inn or a minor character, I frequently
go to my reader folder and find a great name to use. And, by the way, I have
saved all two thousand emails! I have to bite my lip when I hear other authors say they’re too busy to respond
to emails. I do understand as I also have deadlines and family commitments. My
mother always said people make time for what’s really important. And, to me,
communicating with my readers is of the utmost importance. Maria V. Snyder
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Comments
18 comments posted.
Re: Maria V. Snyder | Unexpected Gifts
Hi Maria,
Congrats on your new book! I am a reader not a writer, and any time I really enjoy a book I try to email the author with what I loved about the book. Glad to know that you read them, and can be a pick me up on bad days :)
(Carrie Divine 7:20am May 21, 2009)
Same as Carrie. When I enjoy a good book I go to the author's web site (if they have one) and send an e-mail or comment on their blog. I have met some very interesting people that way! :>)
(Karin Tillotson 1:26pm May 21, 2009)
This was lovely to read. Many times I have wanted to e-mail a writer when I love a book, but I always felt it would be intrusive. Nice to know I was wrong. :)
(Michelle St. James 1:43pm May 21, 2009)
I absolutely loved Storm Glass and can't wait for Sea Glass. I'm on pins and needles waiting to find out what happens next. You have the best imagination! Thanks for sharing it with us.
(Zita Hildebrandt 2:56pm May 21, 2009)
Any mail is good mail in my book!
Kissa Starling
(Kissa Starling 3:43pm May 21, 2009)
Maria - I LOVED your study trilogy! They were my favorite reads from last year. I listened to all three on Audible but then I wanted the books for keepers! I was sorry when the series ended! Now I have to get the Glass books. Thanks for writing and being responsive to readers!
(Martha Eskuchen 3:49pm May 21, 2009)
Only had one author not respond back to me! They are such a great bunch of people! Since I was not endowed with a gift for art or writing, I tend to hero worship those that do either. I will drive an hour to meet an author and pay to have a signed book shipped to me but cannot say I would exert the same energy for an actor or politician.
(Sally Gawne 4:17pm May 21, 2009)
Congrats on the new book! I always send a little note to the author after reading one of their books to let them know how much I enjoyed it.
(JoAnn White 4:19pm May 21, 2009)
It's nice to hear from someone who loves to read messages from the reader! Thanks for appreciating us.
(LuAnn Morgan 4:31pm May 21, 2009)
Maria, congratulations on your new book! Summer is a perfect time to read a new author. I am looking forward to trying your latest offering.
(Rosemary Krejsa 5:11pm May 21, 2009)
Glad to know emails get through, get
read, and are appreciated. Have
gotten a few from authors. It is a nice
way to ask questions and give
comments. Not everything needs to
be in a public blog. Writing is a
harder job than most people realize.
Enjoy it and keep up the good work.
(Patricia Barraclough 10:36pm May 21, 2009)
So many popular authors never
take the time to write back.
You put them all to shame Ms.
Snyder!!! Plus, you're books
are wonderful too :)
(Jennifer Lalley 1:05pm May 22, 2009)
I love it when authors respond as well. It
shows that the author cares about
his/her fans.
(Bridget Hopper 6:29pm May 22, 2009)
You must have been thrilled with your first fan mail. I love throwing my opinion into the mix adding to your list of admiring writers and fans.
(Alyson Widen 5:37pm May 23, 2009)
What a nice message. I belong to a listserv that is heavy with authors and I have never NOT received a reply back which is always nice as a reader. Many of them are friends of mine on FB and I enjoy interacting with them in that forum as well. Congrats on being such a stand up author and realizing that those people sending you emails are the same ones spending their money on your books. A nice lesson for those authors that "just don't have the time."
(Shannon Jensen 11:00pm May 23, 2009)
I still remember my first email with an author. I enjoyed your Study series and bought the last two as ebooks.
(Robin Greene 11:06am May 24, 2009)
I'm a reader and I have to say I really
like your books I originally got them
because the cover art caught my eye, I
have never got a reply from an author
either but I haven't sent out a lot of
mail either, I have got your next on on
my wishlist, can't wait.
(Amanda Mabbett 1:27am June 1, 2009)
I do always put a note at least on Goodreads.com when I read a new book so the author or others will know I liked it and why! I hope to be able to read your new book!
(Brenda Rupp 7:22pm November 10, 2009)
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