![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
So, in the course of running the website JamesAxler.com I have had occasion to have email contact with several writers for the series. The most prolific, Mark, is not only an excellent writer of High Adventure, but he has also become a pretty good acquaintance over the years. I wouldn't quite go so far as to call him a friend, but we are on a first name basis and he has sent me several autographed copies of things. That being the case, I also happen to know exactly where he lives since he has included a return address on the books he has sent. Of course, I would never actually do anything with it (aside from sending him a wedding announcement when Kris and I got married).
Another author I have been interacting with lately is "Alan Philipson". I use the name in quotes because I know full well it is not his real name, but actually the pseudonym he writes under. Which is, in and of itself, kind of funny since all of his books (that I am aware of) have been published under the James Axler house name, so he is hiding behind a name hiding behind another name. So yeah, he's a little bit secretive. He is also more than a little insane. Based on the style of his online newsletter, plus his general style in personal correspondence, I have this mental image of him being that crotchety old uncle who is smart as a whip but likely to go off on a tear at the slightest provocation. At one point I asked him where he lived, on the off chance I might be able to buy him a drink if I am ever nearby. He declined to respond, and made a bit of a game out of it. Recently he let slip that he was in the Pacific Northwest. I pointed out that I would be in Seattle at the end of the month and would be more than happy to buy him dinner if he was available, and he begged off saying that Seattle was too far away and he didn't get there very often.
Bear in mind that it is almost always him that instigates an email conversation with me. I have sent the occasional question, but by and large it is him writing to get my opinion on his latest book, or to find out what I think of a particular cover or some such thing. This morning he sent me an email asking for my address so that he could send me an autographed copy of his latest book. I replied with my mailing address, and commented that I assumed the package would arrive with no return address. This is a portion of the email I got from him a few minutes ago (and I don't think he would mind at all my sharing this):
I actually did a spit take when I read that. *g*
So I guess the final compromise they arrived at was that the package had to have a return city and zip code, but an actual street address was not necessary. I was quick to point out that I would be able to stalk him pretty well with a zip code.
Of course, knowing him he probably drove three cities over to get to a post office away from his home town...
Another author I have been interacting with lately is "Alan Philipson". I use the name in quotes because I know full well it is not his real name, but actually the pseudonym he writes under. Which is, in and of itself, kind of funny since all of his books (that I am aware of) have been published under the James Axler house name, so he is hiding behind a name hiding behind another name. So yeah, he's a little bit secretive. He is also more than a little insane. Based on the style of his online newsletter, plus his general style in personal correspondence, I have this mental image of him being that crotchety old uncle who is smart as a whip but likely to go off on a tear at the slightest provocation. At one point I asked him where he lived, on the off chance I might be able to buy him a drink if I am ever nearby. He declined to respond, and made a bit of a game out of it. Recently he let slip that he was in the Pacific Northwest. I pointed out that I would be in Seattle at the end of the month and would be more than happy to buy him dinner if he was available, and he begged off saying that Seattle was too far away and he didn't get there very often.
Bear in mind that it is almost always him that instigates an email conversation with me. I have sent the occasional question, but by and large it is him writing to get my opinion on his latest book, or to find out what I think of a particular cover or some such thing. This morning he sent me an email asking for my address so that he could send me an autographed copy of his latest book. I replied with my mailing address, and commented that I assumed the package would arrive with no return address. This is a portion of the email I got from him a few minutes ago (and I don't think he would mind at all my sharing this):
Ron,
I just mailed the book. The postal clerk gave me a bunch of hassle about "no
return address, violation of airline security regs, etc." I showed her the
package, and you could plainly see there was nothing inside but a paperback.
She dug in her heels, so I told her that I suspected you were a dangerous
stalker and that I didn't want my home address in your dangerous hands
because I feared for my safety. She asked why then was I sending you a book?
I replied, "Because he's my only fan."
I actually did a spit take when I read that. *g*
So I guess the final compromise they arrived at was that the package had to have a return city and zip code, but an actual street address was not necessary. I was quick to point out that I would be able to stalk him pretty well with a zip code.
Of course, knowing him he probably drove three cities over to get to a post office away from his home town...