on 4/16/01 3:30 PM, Leanne Milway at leannemilway@hotmail.com wrote:

>
> Hello.

>
> I am always doing this, saying I will I shall I must write letters to
> authors I admire. And TODAY I am starting this tradition by writing to YOU
> and saying
>
> 1) congratulations on the Pulitzer. Man oh man you've hit the big time.
>
> 2) I love your work. I picked up "Wonder Boys" at some large and well-lit
> chain store a few years ago, based solely on the book-jacket blurbs and the
> little in-staff note of reccommendation. And I _loved_ it. I have passed the
> novel on to others and they, too, have _loved_ it (I'm always worried that
> the pot-smoking angle had an effect on me, but I'm not going to talk about
> that right now).
>
> Anyway, long story shorter: I also read "Pittsburgh" and "A Model World"
> before hearing you read a selection form "Kavalier & Clay" at last year's SF
> Books by the Bay (it was called something like that, maybe?). You were one
> of the first readers -- the person I set out to see -- but because it was
> early on a Saturday by the bay, not many people were around. The reading was
> great; I liked your floppy hair; I was too shy to get my book signed (and
> no, I have NOT read K&C. I wait for paperback. I am not a dotcom
> millionaire, tho I dream of writing stories about them. You think?). I like
> to imagine that many writerly-types are fearful of book signings. But maybe
> I imagine such things as a weapon of self-delusion.
>
> Oh, yes. And that's okay.
>
> Oh, yes, well then.
>
> I love your work; I'm thrilled you won the award.
>
> Take care now, you hear.
>
> yours truly,
> Leanne Milway
> Bay Area resident, avid reader
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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>
Dear Leanne,

Thanks for your great message and your readerly support--coming out to the Books by the Bay, in that wind, what a trooper. I wish I could reply at the same length but I have a big ol pile of emails here and I must alas press on.

Regards,

MC