Let the Author Know

I recently posted here about Beth Hoffman's wonderful new book, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. I had sent Ms. Hoffman an email letting her know about the post and about how much I enjoyed her book. Well, not only did she take the time to comment on that post, but she also sent me a gracious email, thanking me for my kind words. I've printed her email, and her note joins others from authors such as Khaled Hosseini, Markus Zusak, Gayle Forman, Jennifer McMahon, and Carla Buckley.

It got me thinking about how easy it is to send a quick note to an author or to leave a comment on their blog, telling them how much you enjoyed their book or their story. Who doesn't like a compliment? I know I do, and when I receive comments on my published work, it means a lot. It means someone, somewhere, "heard" me. It means my words, those characters, that story, touched someone, moved someone enough that they took a few moments of their precious time to let me know just that.

Have you been blown away by a book recently? Have you been stunned by an amazing story? How about taking a few minutes to let the author know? I know it would be appreciated. Trust me.