Have you ever received hate mail?

I'd ignore it. Seems like the easiest and safest thing to do to me.

Ignore.

I've gotten a couple "not so nice" email since I started getting published. Mostly senseless drivel written by someone who can't even spell or construct a cohesive sentence. I always wonder what prompts these people to write such hateful letters/email to someone they hardly know.

There's that lovely "Delete" button staring back at me on the screen.

Click.

Done.

Yes, I have. On EZ board, and after a very very dark story of mine was published.

I tried not to repsond, but when I threatened to post the contents of the nasty stuff at EZ board they went away. On the other--I ignored them.

Shawn

Think of it the same as you would spam or junk mail. It's something worthless that's designed to elicit a response out of you, and you'll regret it if you hit "reply".

Especially with hate mail, the writer is looking to get personal, and the minute you respond, you've dignified their letter, and elevated them to the level of an acquaintance.

It can be rough, but don't let people press your buttons... or at least don't let them know they pressed your buttons. No response is always the best.

Yes, and threats.

Yes, I've received hate mail and threats, too. Oh, you mean about my writing! Mmmm, sure.

In fact, a few years ago I was writing book reviews for a local paper, wrote a book review of a mystery novel, thought the book was pretty bad, and said so in a pithily sarcastic review.

The author sent a threatening letter to the editor, said he'd come to our city and kick my butt. It generated a bit of static, since he actually threatened me physically.

I told my editor to let it slide but she passed it on to the cops, as that was newspaper policy. Apparently the local police where the author lived called him up, warned him, and that was all I ever heard of it.

Despite his threats, nothing ever came of --- Wait! What's that noise? What's that shadow at the bedroom window? ---- BANG! Arrrghhh....

Oh, wait. That was the TV. Whew.

I used to write "consumer fraud" articles for a local magazine, and our magazine received regular threats and warnings as a result. These I wrote under a pen name however, for obvious reasons.

I've received some hateful email but what I usually do is to ignore it, or maybe proofread it and correct the misspellings, send it back, or sometimes I'll send this type of reply:

"Dear X -- Some idiot has apparently stolen your email address, and is now sending out stupid, illiterate, and poorly written threat emails. I recommend you change your email address and leave this cretin in the dust. It's sad that these cowards exist, too, but they're insignificant gnats anyway. If he somehow manages to show up at my house, I'll be happy to swat him.
Keep yourself well. Cordially yours, your pal, Sam"

That's a shame.....but small minds do small things.....

I think I would ignore the mail....he has vented and there is no way you could change his mind. Who knows...before your life is over...you may get called even bigger bad things....

.........Love you guys.......Wendy.....

Nothing brightens up my day more than getting hate e-mail (usually from programmers rather than writers, although I've had some) where the author/writer/producer has failed miserably to disguise their name. You see the body of the message full of "I'm a real fan!" and "I have no connection to this company but...", then glance up at the address where the person's not only used their official domain name, but often sent things from their personal e-mail address.

Not even worth the tap of your fingers on the keys. You're above that, just as J.K. Rowling gets death threats for leading children to hellacious doom with her so-called cult-frenzy, witch-loving fantasy. This person might give the impression they hate you, but they also admire and deeply respect you at the same time. That's extreme fandom. Take it with a dose.


Triceratops

There must be a name for this fallacy

Don't you just love them readers what can't seem to distinguish between the author's beliefs and his characters' beliefs?

The thing I don't get is why these yahoos then insist on ascribing the views of the worst villain, or most unsympathetic protagonist, to the author. Presumably they have their choice of named critters to conflate with you; why do they pick the racist guy instead of the saintly old lady (just to pick two not-even-archetypes out of a hat)?

I don't get it.

If its articulate, than I will sometimes thank them for their thoughts and explain a misunderstanding, if there was one. If someone accused me of being racist I would respond to set them straight, even if they are an idiot by not making the distinction I don't want anyone thinking or spreading something like that around. I don't have time for a long debate but I'll give them my viewpoint. However most of them are psychotic drivel. I agree with the above that they simply want acknowledgement from you to elevate themselves. I respond but without giving them that satisfaction. Here's my form letter response:


"Thankyou for your interest in the work of Justin Josephnek Klör. Unfortunately, his responsibilities prevent him from responding personally to the letters and emails he receives. You can find answers to most of your questions at his website, found here:

Again, thankyou for your support, interest, and continued readership."

This really sets them off, because they aren't supporting me they're pissed. The irony of that response amuses me immensly. So they often write back with something even more acerbic and entertaining only to get the exact same form letter as response. Then they give up and disappear.
If, however, they threaten me, which has happened only once, I don't respond at all. I let the police convey my position to them.

i guess i'm lucky that everyone loves me. the worst thing ever said about me is my halo sometimes shines too bright.

y'all believe that, right? right?

being naturally argumentative, i'd probably feel compelled to respond. i particularly like the last suggestion. i can see where that'd get to someone. just the type of person i am, though, i'd probably collect all the hate mail and have a special section just for it for all to read. i have a feeling that in time that may be a pretty big section, lol.

the only thing that truly scares me about hate mail is getting a virus or bomb or something terrible and new that my anti-norton doesn't know to protect against.

regardless of what we write, we don't have any obligations to explain our fiction.

Look at it this way...It means someone is reading your books.

I don't think I could let a misunderstanding like that ride.

I would probably have to respond and explain, in detail, that the character is fictional and his/her opinions/statements do not reflect your own. Was the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird” a racist because some of the characters were? I know that art is interpretive, but I think “Mockingbird” clearly illustrates the horrors of racism. Just my 2 cents.
Sorry about the hate mail.

~Kate

Hate Mail

Since the letter was articulate and thought out, I'd respond, but keep it short and to the point. Then block that guy's address (if it's email).

I've had some derogatory emails, and when they sound like they've had one too many, I hit delete. If they load my inbox with emails, I block their address.

I haven't had any hate mail before, but I did once run across a living, breathing, genuine nutcase who wanted to tell me all about the treatise he was writing in his attic. He was more sad than sinister.

Wow. Some really creepy stuff.

It's not the same thing as feedback from a publication, but I had a similar experience with a large online critique group. One guy critiqued my story saying he was completely offended because one small character had a mental illness. Over the course of a few emails I learned that this guy was a paranoid schitzophrenic! So I guess you have to take everything with a grain of salt. (Even those critiques that say you're the most wonderful writer in the world, they say that to everyone.)

hmm

Well, not yet . . .
Heh
Who knows tho--could be around the bend, this is a weird business!

I write and post fanfiction, and nothing...NOTHING...attracts the crazies like fanfiction.

I've gotten all kinds of angry, weird, and abusive emails.

I'd imagine my first piece of hate mail could be rather fun. After that, probably not so much. Oh well, I think in this day and age it's just part of the package.

Personally, I would ignore the "hate" mail until it tended towards more serious and/or specific threats, at which point I would then inform them I was involving the police. Half of the people who send out emails like that are just trying to get a response (i.e., the troll mentality) and the other half are generally weird and/or crazy so you don't want to get in a shouting match with them and risk setting them off worse. Just my own opinion, though. =)

I'd respond to the accusation of racism with a short, calm response.

Definitely something to be ignored. Guard your energies carefully!