And On Christmas Day . . .

[I. J. Parker]

. . . I find a fan letter from a soldier in Afghanistan. He says he found one of my books there and ordered the rest, because they help get him through his days there. I cannot tell you how humbling some fan mail can be. And what a gift!

[I. J. Parker]

I'm not much into ego-stroking, but without the fan mail (or the reviews) I might blame myself more -- at least for not being able to judge what other readers like. On the downside, it does make me blame publisher neglect more.
But this letter was special for altogether different reasons.

[B.R.Stateham]

Of late I had two readers send me emails telling me how they found one of my books as a kid, read it numerous times, and fell in love with it. One said his thirteen year old daughter found the book in the closet storage and fell in love with it as well. As a writer, it does stroke the ole' ego some and gives a satisfying glow.