My Mail Bag

What Real Readers Say About My Work.
Feel Free To Send Mail To Me.
Good Or Bad, I Love To Hear From My Readers.

Dear Joan Popek

Hi!

I am a non-fiction writer based in India. I just finished you free ebook "Ten Twisted Tales: A Collection of Short stories By S. Joan Popek". They were fantastic!

I am crazy about horror genre, particularly short stories and flash fiction (longer ones generally kill me; you should see me after finishing a novel by Stephen King or David Morrell - I'd practically be wearing cross signs in my forehead and mumbling incoherencies in my sleep)

I especially loved the suspense in BUTTERFLIES and the sorrow in SOUL SEARCHING and ICE MOUNTAIN. I am terrible fiction writer, if someone is sick in my house, I wd'be urged to write a story and read it out (so that they can have a good laugh). But thankfully, my reading powers are ok, I thrive on short stories. Your stories were short and sweet, the ultimate science fiction chocolates. Thank you for
making them into a free ebook so that poor sods like me can read it (I haven't graduated so I can't even own a credit card :-[ )

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Cheers,
Radika,

Dear Joan

I bought your e-book [Jump Start Your Writing Career With Electronic
Publishers] a few days ago, and I just finished reading it this afternoon, as we have a snow storm in Montreal, Quebec, and the school where I work is closed.
I loved your style, your sense of humor, and the fact that each page is not filled with "buy THIS and I will gladly tell you THAT as long as you buy right away something ELSE that will be as useless as what I told you so far!"
What I got from your book is good advice that I can use to publish in French as well as if it were in English.

Thanks again for a grrrreat afternoon of learning while laughing.
Marie

Hi Joan,
Thanks for adding me to your e-mail list. I also want to thank you for the CD "Sound the ram's horn". You don't know how much I enjoyed reading it. It made me cry, and made me think!! I hope to be able to read some more of your writings. You have a gift, don't lose it!!
Phyllis

About my most recent article in the October, 2001 issue of Writer's digest:

Hi Joan,
My first time to meet you...picked up a copy of Writer's Digest at Barnes and Noble...only bought it because of your article --"8 Ways to Build a Buzz About Your Book." Yes, I've written my first novel entitled The Honest Liar. Now my challenge is to market it (you know all that stuff...the Product, the Price, the Promotion, The Channels, Positioning, etc.). So, I just read your article as I sat drinking a strong cup of coffee in front of my laptop. Great article.
Ray Geaney

Dear Joan,
Your article in Writer's Digest, October 2001 issue, has shown me many new ways to promote my book. The Legend of Barjo Restaurant - The Life Story of Josephine McAllister Stone. ....I am honored to be listed on your web page and am sure that I will be able to learn many things from your website information.
Your writer friend, Emily Foster

Just read your article in the October issue of Writer's Digest! Great, and I was so proud to tell the librarian you were a friend of ours!
Hal & Eileen Banks

Jo, congratulations on your October Writer's Digest article publication. I'm behind as usual, but want you to know how proud I am for you!
Priscilla

Hi All,
Our very own Jo Popek has a great article "Ways to Get a Writing Buzz Going" in October Writer's Digest. Way to go, Jo! It's obvious by Jo's success that she follows her own advice.
Mary

I read the article just yesterday. Lots of good info.
Juanita McClellan

Congratulations, Jo! What an accomplishment to have an article in WD!!!
Can't wait to get my copy.
Linda Slater w/a Marion Marshall
2002 Eppie Coordinator

Jo, great going! That's the big-time, Lady! Congrats. You deserve it.
Lynn

Jo -- Congratulations on the fine article in October Writer's Digest. Way
to go! Wow! You make some valid points and you are living proof it works.
Mary

Good article, Jo. Glad I got to read it....
Darrell

Hi, Joan,
I just wanted to say that I read your article in Writer's Digest, "8 Ways to Get a Writing Buzz Going," and really enjoyed it. Then I went to your website and browsed around for a while. Great website. I posted a link on your "free link" page to my website, http://www.patballard.com, and then added your site to my writer's page, as I think you have some great "help tools" for writers on your page. Thanks for all the helpful information.
Pat Ballard

It doesn't surprise me Jo has an article published in Writer's Digest. She writes fantastic articles. I let my WD subscription lapse but I'm going to buy a copy just to read her article.
Congrats Jo!
Bonnie

Hello, Ms. Popek,
I saw your article in the October 2001, Writers Digest, I liked it very much, & I have been doing many of your suggestions, and in keeping with not being modest, my novel Becoming Angel is available from my publisher through my website.
Thank you!
Jim Cherry

Dear Jo,
I just read your article in October Writer's Digest. In April, 2001, Adventure Book Publishers published my science fiction e-book, The Light: An Alien Abduction. The ideas you related in your article should help me in promoting it.
You can visit my web site at: http://www.suite101.com/myhome.cfm/HOME2002 ( A little self promotion taught by an expert, suggested this.)
There you'll find my recent project and a link to Adventure Books.
Again, I enjoyed your article.
Sincerely,
Michael Thal

This next message was one of the letters I received when I announced my departure from Millennium Science Fiction & Fantasy Magazine. I cried when I read this. Thank you, Ray (Who is, himself, a talented and award winning author whom we have featured in Millennium. You can find some of his work at Planet Magazine)

Dear Jo,
Hark, what was that big crash that rolled around the globe? Oh, no, it was Jo Popek stepping out of her Millennium shoes to resume life as a normal human. Her influence on sci-fi has been and will remain huge. The authors and readers in this genre are better off for the countless hours Jo devoted to making Millennium the best.

She has left ripples around the world.

Jo, time will heal the wound of your departure. Go forth and feel good about your new life, and it will indeed be a new life as you rearrange the priorities that surely have overwhelmed you week after week. Be sure to devote some of the newly free hours to spoiling yourself. You've earned the indulgence. Kick back and chill out, Editor Emeritus Jo. We love you!

Ray Dangel
Centennial, Colorado

From The Houston Writer’s Conference, 2000
I must say, that one of the best contacts I made at the conference was you. I have a photocopy of a check posted on my wall, written by you in payment for a short story. At the top I've printed in big letters, "MY FIRST SALE." Hope all is going well with you, in business and in life.

About my writing:

Jump Start Your Writing Career With Electronic Publishers (Atlantic Bridge Publishing)

Congratulations Jo! I'm sure this book will be a really good seller. Good
cover graphics and music as well.
Rita

I love the cover by Duncan... It really catches your
eye....the music by Luke fits nicely...This book should sell like hot cakes,
the timing is great....everyone is interested in this subject. Best of luck,
Joan, hope you sell bunches.
Betty Sullivan La Pierre (Author of Mystery & Suspense)

Congrats Jo! Looks like not only a 'must read' but a 'must have' for
aspiring authors etc *grin* Great Cover, Duncan & beautiful theme music, Luke.
Wendy Laing

I really, really like your cover! Looks a great book, and now I'll know what
to recommend when folks start asking me questions.:-)
Lynn

About Sound The Ram's Horn (Coming soon from Hard Shell Word Factory)

I've read Sound The Ram's Horn and would like to recommend it to everyone in
the entire universe. It is an incredible book. It is far better than
Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End--bunches better.
Patricia L. White, Award Winning author of "A Wizard Scorned"

Now this is a very intriguing book! Congratulations Joan. As usual a lovely cover by Tracey. And the music is perfect!
Best of luck in future sales!
Rita

Congratulations to Joan (the sample chapter was very intriguing), to Tracey
on a beautiful cover and to Tom for the stirring music.
Tom E. Sechrist, Jr.
Author of "The Devenshire Chronicles"

From Tracey Palmer, the cover artist: This ranks up there as one of my personal favs... the pic on the front is NOT a stock photo... I was standing IN - I repeat - IN a herd of big horns on the North Fork by Yellowstone. This old buck was watching me as closely as I was watching him... *soft chuckles* Ok, so I tend to do STRANGE things to always get the shots I want... hehe~ The signs of a true photographer I guess... *S*
I'm glad to be able to have made good use of the photo, Thanks Jo!!!
Your book does the pic PROUD.

Congrats again on Sound the Ram's Horn! Tracy really did a wonderful job on
your new cover! Outstanding! Looks like a great book!
Lynn

Terra-4-U (In The Administrator Collection)

I liked your story very much. It has a nice flow to it, that isn't so easy to do. The technical stuff had me rolling on the floor! Being in that kind of business I could picture the whole thing. The robot wailing that it was useless had me laughing out loud! All in all, a delightful tale.

“Yes We Have No Virgins Today” (In The Administrator Collection)

I absolutely adored this story! Both the dragon (the most alive one I've read since Grendel) and the wench were absolutely genius! And who wouldn't love a bagel with cream cheese and a pina colada over a virgin or pig any day? Well done!

“The Administrator (The Book)”

Anyway, just keep on writing those terrific stories. I was absolutely blown away by the unique twists and turns in your writing, and the skill you've obviously honed with a lot of practice. Writing like yours doesn't just happen...that's coming from a 50 year old who's been writing professionally since about 1971. It ain't easy, but…it's a great life, isn't it?

“A Changing Roswell” (Southern New Mexico Online)

I was reading about Roswell on the internet recently, and was lucky enough to come across your essays. I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed them, particularly "A Changing Roswell -- what was 'The Incident's' purpose?" It presents such a positive 'take' on the whole phenomenon, and I have to say, I was so incredibly moved by what you said about the miracle of neighborly love. I find it so heartening to think that we could welcome extraterrestrial visitors with open arms--it gives me some hope that we can eventually work things out with our fellow humans here on Earth, as well. Anyway, I *really* loved your essays about Roswell (oh! And that wonderful one about writer's block, too!! A topic I can *so* relate to... <g>). Your site was a wonderful discovery on my tour of "virtual" New Mexico. :)

“Beauty's Bargain”
I don't know what to say. I've just finished reading your story... It is truly AMAZING! Jo, you deserve every award and honor they've given you and more. You're very talented.

“Flashes Of Brilliance”

Dear Joan; I saw your article on flash fiction in the new Writers' Digest. Congrats, bravo, cheers, and also hurray! You are fast becoming the guru of flash fiction, and it couldn't happen to a nicer person.

“An Author For The Millennium”

You don't know it but you're one of my heroes, so it was nice to discover Dave Richardson's article about you in The Denver Post on Sunday, Dec. 12. (As a retired Post copy editor, I chuckled at your name being spelled Popeck, but the article was great.)

“Joshua” (The short story, Now it's a book, Sound The Ram's Horn)

Dear Joan; "Joshua" is posted now on Anotherealm. It is our Christmas story. You really outdid yourself with that story. It is a gem. Thanks again so much. Best wishes and happy holidays, -- Jean

“Joshua” (The short story, Now it's a book, Sound The Ram's Horn)

Joan,

I happened onto "Joshua" and loved it. Thanks for the sensitivity and optimistic tone on such heavy stuff as racism. Also, it happens I have a 99th percentile I.Q. and had to hide it regularly to avoid ostracism of various sorts. So I identified strongly with the "different" children.