Writers Should Be Cautious About Revealing Their Contact Info Online

Hi Angela –

I read with interest Diane Craver’s good article today, and I’m afraid it’s not just romance writers who get letters from strangers. More than five years ago, I wrote a book on financial education for women, as part of my non-profit work, Money Order: The Money Management Guide for Women, 2001. Even though the book is now out of print, I still get several letters, calls, and e-mails each month with requests for money, business advice, loans, how to hire a detective to find out whether a husband is cheating and where he keeps the money, etc. Some of these letters are real heartbreakers, and I do respond to all legitimate queries. When you are a public figure – and yes, all published writers do fall into that category – welcome and unwelcome contacts are part of the territory. I always have had an unlisted phone number, but with the newer search engines, privacy seems to be a thing of the past. Sobering, isn’t it?

Best,
Gail Shapiro

WritersWeekly Whispers and Warnings

Dear Angela,

I just read your posting on why you no longer allow postings in Whispers and Warnings, and to be honest, I was completely horrified! I simply cannot comprehend the number of sick and twisted people that you have had to deal with! My very heart goes out to you! I find your reports on these people just terrifying! Excuse my language, but what the hell is wrong with these people??? We are just writers, nothing more, nothing less. I can understand someone getting upset over libel or slander or even plagarism, perhaps, but even then, making such hideous, violent threats and such? Dear God, what has our world become?

I thank you most sincerely for opening my eyes to the fact that there are innumerable whack-jobs out there, and I will be much more vigilant on whom I choose to have a business relationship with! God bless you for all of your hard work for us writers! I do not know if you hear it very often or not, but thank you!

Sincerely, Patty W.