How I Handle Fan Mail and Requests, 2026 Edition

I get fan mail, which I think is awesome. Also, in the world we live in, which includes “AI”-generated scams and other phishing expeditions, it’s necessary to set some expectations as to how I handle fan mail and also requests from fans. Here’s how I’m going to manage it going forward. For the purposes of this document, mail from folks I don’t know with general queries (about writing, publishing and other topics) will be handled similarly, even if they are not precisely “fan mail.” 1. I am delighted to get fan emails and if you send one, I’m going to try to send a response! Please be aware I get a couple dozen a week at least and that they are interspersed with all the other email I get, including work email, marketing email and oh so many spam/scam emails, and that when I’m not answering email I have all the rest of my life to manage. This means that usually my response will be brief and occasionally a fan email might slip past me and/or get swept up into my spam queue. I do…