The Great Madeline Caper of 2012

TL;DR

Author recounts a heartfelt story about a young fan's review mix-up.

Transcript

hello welcome to um my office um so uh I haven't done a video in a while figured I should um sorry I look so unkempt um had a long weekend and a long week ahead and but I wanted to take some time out because I got a uh um okay it's not a fan mail it's an apology in the um in the mail today and I want to explain this I've been dying to tell this sto... Read More

Key Insights

• The author shares a personal story about sending a free book to a Facebook friend, celebrating round numbers, and how this led to a mix-up with Amazon reviews.
• An 11-year-old girl named Madeline wrote a review on Amazon, mistakenly thinking she was the 2000th reviewer, leading to a heartfelt apology from her mother.
• The author decides to send Madeline a signed book as a gesture of goodwill, acknowledging her love for round numbers and innocence.
• The author receives a letter from another young fan, Noah, highlighting the joy of receiving handwritten letters in the digital age.
• The author expresses gratitude for the support of his readers, mentioning his book's success on Amazon and in the Goodreads Choice Awards.
• Despite being a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards, the author humorously downplays his chances of winning against more popular authors.
• The author encourages readers to vote for him in the awards, likening it to voting for a third-party candidate in an election.
• The story concludes with the author expressing his commitment to writing and wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

Questions & Answers

Q: What prompted the author to send a free book to a Facebook friend?

The author decided to send a free book to his 2000th Facebook friend as a way to celebrate reaching a large round number. He later realized that he could have celebrated a non-round number, such as 2001, which has significance in science fiction, referencing '2001: A Space Odyssey.'

Q: How did the mix-up with the Amazon review occur?

The mix-up occurred when two reviews were posted simultaneously, leading to confusion about which was the actual 2001st review. An 11-year-old girl named Madeline wrote a review thinking she was the 2000th reviewer, prompting her mother to send an apology for the mistake.

Q: What was the author's response to Madeline's apology?

The author was touched by the heartfelt apology and the innocence of Madeline's actions. He decided to send her a signed copy of his book with a note expressing that there were no hard feelings and acknowledging her love for round numbers. He also sent the book twice due to a mailing issue.

Q: What does the author say about receiving handwritten letters?

The author expresses a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for handwritten letters after receiving one from a young fan named Noah. He reflects on the beauty and personal touch of handwritten communication, which is often lost in the digital age, and commits to writing back to Noah.

Q: How does the author feel about his book's success on Amazon?

The author expresses gratitude and amazement at his book's success on Amazon, noting that it reached the top 100. He thanks his readers for their support and acknowledges the impact of their enthusiasm and reviews on his book's visibility and success.

Q: What are the author's thoughts on the Goodreads Choice Awards?

The author is thrilled to have made it to the finals in the Goodreads Choice Awards for science fiction. Despite being up against authors with larger followings, he humorously downplays his chances of winning and encourages his readers to vote for him, likening it to voting for a third-party candidate.

Q: What does the author encourage his readers to do regarding the awards?

The author encourages his readers to vote for him in the Goodreads Choice Awards, even if it feels like a 'waste of a vote.' He humorously compares it to voting for a third-party candidate in an election, acknowledging the slim chances but appreciating the support nonetheless.

Q: What are the author's plans for Thanksgiving?

The author plans to enjoy Thanksgiving by feasting on turkey and spending time writing, as he is a day behind in his writing goals. He wishes his readers a happy Thanksgiving, encouraging them to indulge and enjoy the holiday without restraint.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author recounts a story about sending a free book to a Facebook friend to celebrate a round number, leading to a mix-up with Amazon reviews. An 11-year-old girl mistakenly thought she was the 2000th reviewer, prompting her mother to send a heartfelt apology.

• Touched by the girl's innocence and love for round numbers, the author sends her a signed book. He also receives a letter from another young fan, Noah, which reminds him of the joy of handwritten letters in the digital age.

• The author expresses gratitude for his readers' support, mentioning his book's success on Amazon and in the Goodreads Choice Awards. He humorously downplays his chances of winning and encourages readers to vote for him, likening it to voting for a third-party candidate.