Stephanie Gayle

Every now and then some kind person emails me to say that they enjoyed my book or a reading I've done. It's a nice surprise. Sort of like when you find a marshmallow Peep that you hid for Easter five months earlier, only less likely to break your teeth. Some time ago I got an email that began "I just finished reading your book." Aha! I thought! Peepish joy! Fan mail. But the end of that sentence confounded my expectations and the next sentences left me open-mouthed with amazement.

This was not fan mail. Quite the opposite. This reader did not enjoy my book. Oh, and this reader? Hated that other readers liked my book.

I thought, "Who takes the time to write to tell someone how much they hated their book?" I had never considered such a thing. Several friends expressed similar surprise. At best it's a cathartic exercise (you get to say 'I hate your story') but honestly? Why not stop reading? Wouldn't that save both time and frustration?

I got different feedback from people about this. Some pointed out that by inspiring anger, I had surely touched an emotional wellspring within the reader, and that was great. Others thought that I should send the reader a form email that read, "Dear Fan, I am so glad you enjoyed My Summer of Southern Discomfort. I would be happy to add your name to my mailing list so that you can be informed of the publication date of my next book. Thanks for your support!" That one gave me pause. Just snarky enough to appeal to me.

In the end, I let it go. There was nothing to be won by engaging said reader in conversation. The email contained questions but it was clear to me that no answer I gave would satisfy, except perhaps "Gosh I'm sorry I wrote such a terrible story. I promise never to do it again." And I sure as hell wasn't going to write that. Besides, I've heard and read horror stories of authors who got involved with angry readers. They never seem to end well. (Misery, anyone?)

Maybe getting the opposite of fan mail in my in box is exactly like finding a five month old Peep. No good can come of chewing it over and over.