My side is good. real good. I can honestly say, knocking on wood, I have never received one weirdo email, and certainly no nekkid pictures. I have had to say, I can’t read for folks. I used to do it, and well, i did get burned by a person who didn’t like the fact that I found some issues with her work (and I was very constructive and nice). she had been an avid fan until then. so even if my agent said “Do not read unpublished work!” I wouldn’t. Instead, I judge contests.

I also totally agree with giving an author a break. Yes, I’ve read books by a favorite that I’ve been disappointed in … but I generally try to give her another shot. You’re right … perhaps life got in the way and for whatever reason, the book wasn’t what it should have been.

Terrific post, Karin. Thanx.

Then there was the time I was signing at Borders and this nice gentleman wearing a sweater walked in and engaged me n conversation, and I’m thinking: it’s the CNN guy! He was the military analyst for CNN, and we became fast friends. Turned out his own book was just coming out. He’s helped me so much, particularly with all things military. And I hope I’ve helped him.

I guess people are as you find them, just like that box of chocolates.

i can’t tell you how many men give me the ol’ raised eyebrow, “so you write *that* kind of stuff.” wink wink looks. of course they don’t do it when Officer Friendly is present. the last time a guy did that to me i politely let him finish up with his whatever the hell it was he was attempting and said, “So, do actual intelligent words come out of your mouth?” i got the bambi in the headlights stare. I smirked and said, “I thought not.” then walked away.

The thing is, if he’d bought the book, he could have opened to the “acknowledgments” and there was her name right there.

But of course, he wasn’t about to buy any book, even an inexpensive one. No, he wanted a piece of my good name an reputation to use for himself, because he thought somehow it was owed him.