While searching for some legal documents associated with my novel Marvin & Tige, I discovered a large envelope containing over a hundred pieces of fan mail. I had completely forgotten about this aspect of my fifteen minutes of fame. There was only one time that I even recalled receiving fan mail and that was because the letter had been sent with only my name and Atlanta, Georgia written on the envelope. Someone at the post office forwarded the letter to me. All other letters were sent to me via the publishing company, my lawyer or through some of the publicity channels I had been involved in.
I didn’t bother to go through all the cards and letters again, but I opened a couple dozen and decided to share the contents of a few. Most were simple thank-you or congratulatory notes, but there were many that spoke about how my novel had touched their hearts.
From Mrs. J. of Manchester, Connecticut:
I don’t know when I have been so impressed with an author’s first book, nor when there was a time my eyes kept filling with tears during the reading of it.
The characters of both Marvin and Tige have been well defined so much so that I feel they are still living down there in Atlanta!
You certainly have the knack of bringing characters to life. Your style is fluid, warm, humorous, and believable.
Certainly, I look forward with anticipation to your next book.
From Mrs. H. of San Luis Obispo, Ca.:
I have just looked at the clock and with surprise noticed the time. I’ve read Marvin and Tige in one sitting and suddenly felt the desire to write you. I was a little hesitant at first having never written an author before, but I concluded that your talent should be commended.
You enable me to identify with characters unlike myself, enter their visions of the world and in essence achieve the truest objectivity of all, which is to see what the other sees and feel what the other feels. I felt all of Tige’s and Marvin’s emotions; the frustrations, the compassion, the sense of understanding, and ultimately the love.
Again, a highly commendable piece of work. I hope another novel of yours greets me on the shelf soon.
From Mrs. G. of East Liverpool, Ohio:
Thank you for writing MARVIN & TIGE. It is so honestly and beautifully written that I enjoyed every minute of its reading. As a librarian, I work with an unlimited access to all new books, my taste gets a little jaded at times. But your book was like a fresh breeze and aroused enthusiasm not only in me but also in the others here at the library.
Tige is so believable a character and so real and lovable a little boy and Marvin’s strengths and weaknesses both are so skillfully drawn. In short, it is a delightful book and I am grateful to you for having written it.
From Mrs. P of Dayton, Ohio:
Thank you so much for the great pleasure you have given by writing “Marvin & Tige”. When I finished the book, it was with much reluctance to give up the feeling that these two people were personal friends of mine. I envy you your terrific talent, especially at the age of 22. I’m looking forward very eagerly to many more books from you.
From Mr. M. of Walla Walla, Washington
I just finished reading your wonderful book, Marvin & Tige, and I loved it very much. I wish to congratulate you for writing this excellent book and I look forward to reading more of your works and hope you write another book. We need more writers like you. God bless you and thank you for brightening my life with your book.
From Mr. R. of St. Albans, West Virginia:
I’m an old man…in my seventies…and not too many more years to push along ahead of me. I’ve just finished your book “Marvin and Tige” and want to thank you for a memory of “loving kindness” to take along the way. Thanks again.
From Mrs. M of Honolulu, Hawaii:
This begins to read like a commercial, “I’ve never written before but….”
I just finished your book Marvin and Tige. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve enjoyed anything as much as this book. I had to let you know how good it made me feel — good is so inadequate — it made me feel fantastic! I was thoroughly disappointed when I came to the end but had already made a mental list of friends I would pass the book along to. Hmmmm, let me clarify that, I was not disappointed with the ending. I was sorry because there was no more to enjoy.
I would have to go grab my little Roget’s thesaurus to find the right words and as it’s already 2:00 am, (I couldn’t put the book down) I won’t wake the family with my sounds of ransacking the drawers — but — thank you. Thank you for this book and this gorgeous feeling I have. I shall go smooch my own kids and snuggle into bed with a grin on my face. Please write another book soon.
From Mr. S of St. Peters Village, Pa.
Just finished Marvin & Tige (2 Kleenexes) and felt I must write to congratulate you.
The jacket blurb says “with no formal training in writing… America’s promising young black writer.” They should eliminate “young & black” as they have no bearing what so ever on your talent. You’re a damned fine writer (any age or complexion).
Don’t worry about your next book or the next fifteen. At 22, you can even afford an occasional flop. Just keep on writing — I’ll buy everything you publish. What a movie this would make! Wouldn’t Art Carney be great as Marvin?
Keep up the good work.
P.S. This is my first fan letter!
While I enjoyed reading these letters, it bothers me that I let my fans down. They thought that they had found a writer who would gift them with many more years of wonderful storytelling. I sincerely wish I could have done that. I’m saddened to think those people were faithfully waiting and hoping to see my name on a book cover again, unaware that I had long since given up trying to make that happen.
It’s taken a very long time for me to get back into writing. I have a completed manuscript that is in the querying stage and some other ideas on the back burner. I feel that getting Marvin and Tige republished will help jump-start my writing career, or at least give the grandkids of my earlier fans something heartwarming to Tweet about.