Thank you for being a friend...

[rj_anderson]

I've been thinking lately of how nice it is to have so many loyal readers (some of whom have been here since this journal started in 2003!) who have not only stuck with me as I hopped from fandom to fandom, but even bore with me patiently as I turned into one of those Crazy Author Types who hardly ever talks about anything but writing (and worse, her own writing).

Some of you make yourself known by commenting regularly; others only chip in now and then; and some of you just quietly lurk in the background. But I just want to say to all of you -- thanks.

And speaking of readers, this week I received a very special piece of fan mail:

Dear R J Anderson

Me and my Mum are loving reading Knife together. I want to be a story teller when I'm older.

Megan as Knife
Originally uploaded by rj-anderson

I like your book much better than the books they make for children, Knife has attitude!

I dressed up as her for schools book day and told my whole class about what the story was about. I said that fairy stories didn't need to be all girlie.Mum put talc in my hair to make it white.I could send you a photo.

Thank you for writing such an interesting story that both me and my mum love

Megan Kerridge (8 1/2)
Warrington England

Well, of course I wanted to see the picture! And now, with her Mum and Dad's permission, I'm posting it here in my blog.

This really is the kind of thing that makes an author's day -- no, really, week. So thank you, Megan (and your Mum and Dad too!).

Comments

[reviewerx.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

Ahhhh! Does it get better than this? Congrats, Rebecca.

Steph

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

It might, but right now I really can't see how it could! And thanks. :)

[branquignole.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is incredibly adorable! I think it was great of Megan to do this. :)

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I think so, too.

And also, icon love. I just bought a new copy of The Last Unicorn (the book, that is!) a couple of weeks ago, and my bull-loving son has watched the movie twice already...

[branquignole.livejournal.com]

I'm a huuuuge Last Unicorn fan. I've always been watching it when I was little and immediately fell in love with Schmendrick - I've always been afraid of the bull, though, just don't tell your son. :D

[muggle-prof.livejournal.com]

Wow, I can't think of a better letter for a YA author to recieve.

[imaginarycircus.livejournal.com]

That is completely and heartbreakingly adorable.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

May 1st, your Faery Rebels will finally be shipped. I can't wait. I'd still like to get a copy of Knife though--I love the US version's artist, but that attitude shown by Knife on the UK version rocks.

And THIS totally rocks too--am thrilled for you, and love the little girl's letter! :) Go Megan!

C

[sleepingfingers.livejournal.com]

Aww, that's so adorable. :)

[freneticreader.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

Zomg, that's so adorable. LOVE!

[fpb.livejournal.com]

How wonderful. I have been a bit depressed about work of late, and it is so nice to find that from time to time merit is rewarded. Well done you and well done Megan, who knows that it is important to let people know when they have done something right.

[tree_and_leaf]

Adorable - what fantastic post!

[queenofthefae.livejournal.com]

That was such a nice letter and cute picture!

[kerravonsen]

Wow! Ultra-cool!

[sarah-prineas.livejournal.com]

So, so cool!

Kid readers really are the best.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

I bet you have your share of adorable letters too!

[sarah-prineas.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yes. Mostly written in runes. Which I have, perforce, learned to read.

Got a cute one the other day from a kid in Aus, with photo. He said he's eight and MT was the first "big boy" book he ever checked out of the library and read. Took him three weeks, he said.

Haven't figured out yet how to respond to snail reader letters. Am thinking postcards. Do you have a plan for this? I really need to get on it.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Awww on the 8 yo from Australia. That's great!

I have not thought of a plan for responding to snail letters, myself. I guess I'll cross that bridge etc. (since I haven't received any yet) but postcards do sound like a good idea.

[sarah-prineas.livejournal.com]

Oh, right, the cute fairy picture was via email. Duh! Yeah, the email ones are easy. Harper saves the snail ones and sends 'em all in a bunch. You'll probably start getting them a couple months after release. Some of them are "I love your book and will you send me a free copy?" which I don't feel obliged to respond to, but the genuine ones seem to demand more. I just don't want to commit to cards in envelopes and postage!!

[friede.livejournal.com]

OMG. That is SO cool. *sniff*

[lizbee.livejournal.com]

That's gorgeous! What a great costume.

And pffft, you know we love you. Well, I do.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

*bats eyes at you*

[shoebox2.livejournal.com]

Aaaaaand there's vindication of everything you tried to do, right there in that adorable little package. Congratulations, Rebecca.

PS - The thanks for the friendship is all on my side, believe me. :)

[scionofgrace.livejournal.com]

U can haz FANS!

Awesome. So awesome.

[zakhad.livejournal.com]

Totally cool. That is one little girl after my own heart - forget the cheap plastic costumes from the store, forget the cliches and stereotypes for girls, be a faery rebel!

Still have to get my hands on a copy of your book. Perhaps will order one after moving.

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Not out yet, so you're not even behind! April 28th's the official release date.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Awesome!

[m-stiefvater.livejournal.com]

What an awesome moment!!

[durayan.livejournal.com]

Wow. That even makes MY day, so you must be over the moon!

I can't wait to get my hands on the book...am indescribably annoyed that I can't get the UK version at the moment due to our present anti-credit cared commitment.

Yay, Megan! And Yay, you for inspiring Megan. You completely rock!

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Only a couple of weeks now! Possibly less, as bookstores are seldom known to wait until the Official Release Date to get books on shelves if the stock is in...

And thank you. :)

[shadesofbrixton.livejournal.com]

You know, the past few days I've been trying to remember how we ever friended each other in the first place. And then I realized I didn't mind, because reading about your life as an author is so rewarding, it's crazy. You're the kind of author I want to be when I finally get published - modest, excited, and never taking for granted how amazing it is to have fans like Megan, or how crazy it is to be featured on the endcap of a bookstore. I hope you never lose your sense of wonder and gratitude. ♥

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Oh, good, because I can't remember how we friended each other either! But you just made me sniffle with that comment. *honks loudly into tissue*

[lkmadigan.livejournal.com]

I think I might die from the cuteness.

British Fan!

[(Anonymous)]

Hi Rebecca!
I read Knife, and I found it amazing. None of my friends have read it so it's just me really!! I can't see many of my friends getting into a book about faeries, but I am determined to get some of them to broaden their horizons and read it! It really is a fantastic peace of literature, and I hope it gets recognized over here in Britain as well as all around the world. Thank you for your amazing book-please hurry with the next!!
Your British Fan,
Becky.
(another Rebecca!!!)
x

Re: British Fan!

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Becky! And no fear, I am working on the sequel as fast as ever I can!

[--kali--.livejournal.com]

She really is as cute as a button.

[katinka31.livejournal.com]

That just might be the best fan letter ever. :D

[lilifae.livejournal.com]

Now that is deathly cute - and heartwarming - thanks so much for sharing that!

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

BEST. FANMAIL. EVAR!!

[erinbow.livejournal.com]

Oh, Rebecca! Could there be anything better? Not only is she cute -- she really GETS the book!