As I was sitting in the train this morning, getting lost into a book, I suddenly thought about the writer who spent hours putting those words on paper, who may have doubted herself in the process, who may have overcome a lot of hurdles, querying angst and fear on how her book would be received.
I thought about how much I want readers to get lost in my books one day and how I hope my stories will make their commute or whatever else a bit easier if only for a few hours.
And then I wondered why I don’t send a thank you email to the authors of the books I love. Sure, I’ve done it once or twice but not on a regular basis.
As an author, would I want to hear what positive impact my books had? how it entertained people to the point that they missed their metro stop or simply enjoyed forgetting the time?
I think I would.
So…I decided to start a Writer Appreciation Pledge:
I, Elodie, will write an email to the authors of stories I love, even if it’s just to say ‘thank you’.
Who’s with me? I don’t have a button yet and there will be no big commitment or blog hop or anything. I simply would love to spread the word. Because after all who hasn’t already close a book and thought ‘wow’! 🙂
Elodie Nowodazkij 
Fun idea!
Love this! I definitely have a tendency to talk myself out of doing this, because I make all authors out to be giant impossibly busy and famous celebrities in my mind. But I’ve done it a few times, either via email or Goodreads message, and in most cases the authors wrote back and were really happy to hear from me! It’s so easy to forget that all these authors were once where we are.
I love this idea! I’m in.
This is such a great idea, Elodie! I’ll remember this next time I finish a super awesome book. 🙂
That’s a GREAT idea! I mean, I always think about it but I don’t follow through (other than trying to send a letter to Suzanne Collins, who was difficult to track down when I set out to do so a couple years ago). I am with you!!
Definitely joining in on this one. I recently wrote a couple authors thank you notes and they replied back so enthusiastically I was like why haven’t I done this before.
Aww, I love this idea! Yes!
What a great idea! I used to email authors when I read something simply amazing, but I got out of the habit. This is a great reminder. Let me know if you’d like to collaborate on a button … I’d be happy to whip something up. 🙂
LOVE this idea! Count me in!
I love this idea! From time to time I want to write to authors whose books I love, but I never feel like I have enough to say. ‘Thank you,’ however, would be enough. I’m definitely going to do it.
What a lovely idea. I have written a few times, but not for a few years, I definitely need to get back in the habit.
You’re absolutely right, Elodie–and now I feel convicted over not doing this before. For all the times I’ve gushed over CINDER, LEVIATHAN, and other books, I’ve never taken the time to e-mail the authors and say, “That book was amazing–thank you so much for writing it!” And it doesn’t matter how “big” the author is. I’m sure Veronica Roth gets a ton of fan mail, and I doubt she’s able to respond to all of it–but I’m sure she appreciates every last message. I know I would.
Thanks for this reminder! 🙂
I will absolutely do this! There are plenty of authors I’d love to thank for their amazing stories. 🙂