What do authors owe their readers?

Jun 03 2009

Whenever I read news stories about reclusive authors, like the famous J.D. Salinger, I usually just shake my head. Salinger is again in the news because another author wants to publish a sequel to the classic The Catcher in the Rye (aff link). So, in typical Salinger fashion, he’s suing to prevent the book from being published.

However, that’s not what I’m really worried about. I have no problems with an author trying to protect his work (even though sometimes they go too far). What I do have a problem with, however, is iconic authors like J.D. Salinger, who have obviously had a huge impact on the American literary scene, shun their own fans.

Growing up I was a huge fan of the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip series. Reading those comics over and over again took me to a different world where carefree childhood lasted forever. And to me, the comic’s creator Bill Watterson was a hero. Here was a guy who created this entirely new universe with Calvin and Hobbes and it really inspired me that I could do the same with writing. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that Watterson is also a recluse. He shuns his fans. You can read about Watterson’s reclusive ways in this revealing article.

What do authors owe their fans?

The obvious answer is a good story, a good book, or in the case of Mr. Watterson, a good comic strip. But what about engaging with fans? After all, if it wasn’t for the countless number of people who bought and read Salinger’s book and other works, he wouldn’t be anywhere close to the enigma he is today. Same goes for all famous authors.

To me, when authors become reclusive to the point of absurdity, I feel like I’ve been shunned and that the author doesn’t care whether or not I buy his/her book. Maybe that’s true and they don’t care. But they should. It’s the fans who have supported them and made them famous. Doesn’t that mean anything?

Privacy still matters

I concede that privacy is something most of us value. Famous authors are no exception. However, if someone takes up writing as a career, there should be at least a little acceptance that if he/she does ‘hit it big’, they should be prepared for the fame and attention that goes along with it. Fame is the price paid for writing great books (in most cases, anyway).

I’m not even advocating that a famous author like Salinger opens up his entire life to the public. Not at all! I am advocating though that he at least give his fans a few interviews. Maybe a lecture or two. What I’m saying is: “We’ve supported you all these years and admired and studied your work. The least you can do is talk to us a little.” I don’t think that’s asking for much.

Can an author today be reclusive?

For a hip, young author today, it’s probably a lot harder to become reclusive. With the internet, social networking, blogs, Twitter and everything else we have, I’d guess that if an author tried to be reclusive, they’d fall off the public radar and their book sales would drop like a rock.

Luckily for us readers though, reclusive authors are rare. Most authors enjoy interacting with fans and being available for interviews and so forth. In fact, if I read a good book and I can find an email address for the author of that book, I’ll usually send a quick note saying how much I enjoyed their work. And I’m not surprised if I get an email back from the author. Most love hearing from readers.

On a different note…

The Salinger lawsuit I referenced in the beginning of this post is interesting because it does force the question: Who really owns these characters? I found an interesting article Who Owns Holden Caulfield that asks the same question:

So who owns Caulfield — or Elizabeth Bennet or Ishmael? That’s an interesting question, particularly in light of the recent hit Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which has triggered a rush of like-minded supernatural sequels to literary masterpieces.

I only find this interesting because of my earlier post about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Funny how all this stuff is related.

So my question to all of you is simple: What do authors owe their fans? A good book? A few interviews? Opening up their lives for public examination? Their left kidney? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

2 Responses

Authors owe us nothing. If someone puts words on paper and I enjoy them, I expect nothing more than that enjoyment. If an author I like chooses to tour, chooses to sign, chooses to interview, I will happily participate in these events. But I do not expect it. I do not demand it. Writers are not celebrities, and writing is typically a rather isolated activity. If Salinger, Pynchon, etc. want to stay completely out of the public eye, let them be. You’ve enjoyed their *work,* you’ve read their *words* which is incredibly personal. And you have no right to demand any more than that.

Lindsey 8/29/2009 7:28 pm
I completely agree with Lindsey. J. D. Salinger and Thomas Pynchon are two authors that I admire and respect and love to read. If they want to live their lives in a forest or in Mexico City, they are entitled to their privacy. They probably would not have to go to such lengths if fans would ease of, though, but that is not their fault. Like voting for the president, you don’t read an author because you feel you could drink a beer by their side, you read them for the words they communicate.

VAnne 12/7/2009 3:48 pm