Scathing letter on King's message board

[Randall Flagg]

The following letter was posted on Stephen King's message board:

This site cries out for a Fan Mail forum.

I came here because in one of HIS books, there was something directing me to this site as a way to "contact" King. That has proved to be a lie that keeps me up nights.

Here's how I'd administrate the forum:

1) A sticky at the top, from King, preferably. Something along the lines of how he doesn't have time to respond to all mail personally, but enjoys seeing people's responses to his work. He should also lay out the following two administrative rules for the forum.

The entire sticky can be a nice lie to Constant Reader as far as I am concerned. The point is to create the ILLUSION that people can in some way actually interact with King himself. We buy his lies in hardback, paperback, and on DVD and audiobook. We'll buy this one in cyberspace, too. Trust me on this.

2) EVERY post in this forum will be closed immediately upon posting. The Original Poster may edit their post if desired, but there should be NO discussion. Each thread will be treated as if it were an actual letter.

3) Posters are allowed no more than one post to that forum every 3 months.


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I came to this site hoping to "feel closer" to King and the people who love his work. Instead, I feel cheated and angry...angry enough that it HAS been keeping me up nights, thinking about how to say some of the things I want to say around here without being banned.

One thing I've definitely had confirmed by visiting King's site, though: I've long suspected him of fearing, resenting, and outright distaining his fanbase. I can *understand* his need for his own life, his privacy, and his time...really, I can. I don't think King "owes" me anything...his gifts to "me" and the rest of the Constant Readers are his works and worlds. For those, I am grateful. But this site makes me feel like something dirty, someone unwelcome, a child who has piddled down her leg once to many to be trusted in the ForSpecial Parlor.

Having a forum where fans can at least express their gratitude would go a LONG way toward alleviating those feelings.

I don't expect him to read it, for Pete's sake. But I sure would like to be able to at least write it with the illusion that he *might*.

My questions to you are:

• What if any obligation does King have to respond to his fans?
• What if any obligation does King have to his own message board?

Link

[William50]

I think that SK should not feel obligated to read the message board, but he should respond to his fans.

[jayson]

King [or any other writer/artist] has ZERO obligation to his fans. I for one am grateful he chooses to share his imagination with us. I expect nothing else from the man.

[Matt]

I agree actually. I think he has 0 responsibility to this medium where fans are concerned. I would argue getting out to book stores would be something you wanted to do to sell books but that's his choice.

[William50]

It would be so cool to see him at a bookstore. I would have him sign my DT tee-shirt!

[ZoNeSeeK]

What a selfish irrational idiot.

If King responded to every fan who had something to say about his books then he would never have the time to write another book again. *whispers* he kind of has like millions of readers, i think

So, as logic dictates, you have people to handle your fanmail and they would probably select a certain amount to bring to your attention for whatever reason. And logic also dictates that the only definitive decision a writer of King's popularity can come to when considering interaction with his fanbase is having as little or no interaction as possible, because where would you draw the line?

And there's probably a whole stack of creative process reasons as to why you wouldnt interact with your online fanbase. Internet communities of fans are direct, present and immediate - it would distract or contaminate your thought processes when it comes to your work.

Writers stay writing and fans stay fanning, and leave it in peace.

[Randall Flagg]

I think that his staff that runs the board has an obligation to point him towards posts he should be aware of-and they might already do so.
He really can't respond to someone, as it would create the expectation in others that their post should also be responded to.
Pretty soon he spends all day writing responses.
One day someone asks why he hasn't written a book in 2 years, and King would respond-"I've been here talking with you folks."

[ZoNeSeeK]

I just love the audacity of some people - that they expect or think for some reason that just because theyve managed to read a fucking book that the author owes them some kind of kudos. Awesome, you loved the book. It moved you, or changed your world, or whatever. Go write one of your own.

[TerribleT]

What a selfish irrational idiot.

If King responded to every fan who had something to say about his books then he would never have the time to write another book again. *whispers* he kind of has like millions of readers, i think

So, as logic dictates, you have people to handle your fanmail and they would probably select a certain amount to bring to your attention for whatever reason. And logic also dictates that the only definitive decision a writer of King's popularity can come to when considering interaction with his fanbase is having as little or no interaction as possible, because where would you draw the line?

And there's probably a whole stack of creative process reasons as to why you wouldnt interact with your online fanbase. Internet communities of fans are direct, present and immediate - it would distract or contaminate your thought processes when it comes to your work.

Writers stay writing and fans stay fanning, and leave it in peace.

Well put!!

[TerribleT]

I just love the audacity of some people - that they expect or think for some reason that just because theyve managed to read a fucking book that the author owes them some kind of kudos. Awesome, you loved the book. It moved you, or changed your world, or whatever. Go write one of your own.

How does that reasoning apply to athletes? Music stars? Movie stars?

[Ruthful]

• What if any obligation does King have to his own message board?

Personally, I think the idea of creating an official message board was a blunder on his part. Maintaining a quasi-interactive Web forum with his imprimatur requires a level of scrutiny and oversight that, by definition, destroys the very purpose of creating an online community in the first place. I think this was just another concept he greenlighted after some crony floated it, but which probably should have been left on the cutting room floor.

[ManOfWesternesse]

To answer Matt's question: SK has no obligation whatever to respond to fans in such a way - and even less than zero obligation to the cretin who penned that crap.

[jhanic]

I agree. King has absolutely NO responsibilities toward his fans, except to continue to amuse us with his writings as long as HE wants to! One of his problems may be in the forewords and afterwords he includes in many of his works. This gives the illusion that he is talking to his fans individually (or at least, that's the way of the "less-intelligent" among his fans see it). He doesn't keep the distance between the author and his readers that a lot of other writers do.

John

[Ruthful]

BTW, I happen to agree with her point that King does exhibit a certain disdain for his fans-although, I don't think it's something he tries to mask with a veil of insincerity, which I can appreciate. The only thing I would say in his defense is that he doesn't really have any obligation to his fans other than producing quality work-to me it's rather irrelevant whether or not he has a high opinion of me as an individual.

[ZoNeSeeK]

I just love the audacity of some people - that they expect or think for some reason that just because theyve managed to read a fucking book that the author owes them some kind of kudos. Awesome, you loved the book. It moved you, or changed your world, or whatever. Go write one of your own.

How does that reasoning apply to athletes? Music stars? Movie stars?

Well, it doesn't entirely, because reading is an individual experience, whereas watching sports or a film involves multiple people, on either side of the creative line. People take reading a little more personally.

If you mean fame in general, its the perogative of the person who is famous as to how they interact with their fans and how they conduct themselves in the public eye - acting / sports / movies is much bigger business than writing overall so theres a higher public demand. People automatically assume that actors, for instance, are constantly interacting with the fans and public - this isn't true. There's a percentage who are definitely in the public eye so it seems like acting and celebritydom go hand in hand, when its really a minority of actors who are in the tabloids regularly. Famous people have choices to make when it comes to censoring themselves in public view, most manage this and maintain a level of privacy.

[TerribleT]

If you mean fame in general, its the perogative of the person who is famous as to how they interact with their fans and how they conduct themselves in the public eye - acting / sports / movies is much bigger business than writing overall so theres a higher public demand. People automatically assume that actors, for instance, are constantly interacting with the fans and public - this isn't true. There's a percentage who are definitely in the public eye so it seems like acting and celebritydom go hand in hand, when its really a minority of actors who are in the tabloids regularly. Famous people have choices to make when it comes to censoring themselves in public view, most manage this and maintain a level of privacy.

The reason I posed the question is because I have a certain expectation of athletes that they'll make themselves available for autographs and what not. So, while I agree with you regarding King's obligation to his readers, I kind of think maybe I'm being a little hypocritical.

[Daghain]

Well, being an actor/writer/musician/author is a LOT different than being a celebrity. You can be the first without being the second, provided you take the pains to keep your private life private. It has been done before. Look at Britany and Lindsey Lohan for instance - not much on the acting/singing skills, IMHO, but they sure are attention whores. And when's the last time you saw Robert Redford or Matt Damon out bar-hopping for attention? See, it can be done.

I don't think King, or any author, owes his public a thing. If he WANTS to interact with them, fine, but there's no reason he HAS to. That letter writer sounds like he's one self-centered little PITA - he believes he is owed something (although he tries to say he doesn't) and he wants to make sure we all know it.

Stupid should hurt. A LOT.

[ZoNeSeeK]

BTW, I happen to agree with her point that King does exhibit a certain disdain for his fans-although, I don't think it's something he tries to mask with a veil of insincerity, which I can appreciate. The only thing I would say in his defense is that he doesn't really have any obligation to his fans other than producing quality work-to me it's rather irrelevant whether or not he has a high opinion of me as an individual.

I don't think its disdain - well, there would be disdain and irritation with demanding fans who expect things from him - but generally I think he loves his audience but just doesn't want to get personally involved with individuals. Its a form of self preservation that I think most people here would tend towards if they had a similar amount of attention from people they dont know.

[TerribleT]

Stupid should hurt. A LOT.

This is one of my favorite sayings of yours..LOL!!!!!!

[Daghain]

There are just far too many crazy people out there - if I were famous, I would be extremely careful as well. You never know if the next person you smile at is going to be your future stalker.

Just sayin'.

[Randall Flagg]

Hardly relevant but the letter writer was a female.

[Daghain]

Okay, SHE then. Still an idiot.

[ZoNeSeeK]

If you mean fame in general, its the perogative of the person who is famous as to how they interact with their fans and how they conduct themselves in the public eye - acting / sports / movies is much bigger business than writing overall so theres a higher public demand. People automatically assume that actors, for instance, are constantly interacting with the fans and public - this isn't true. There's a percentage who are definitely in the public eye so it seems like acting and celebritydom go hand in hand, when its really a minority of actors who are in the tabloids regularly. Famous people have choices to make when it comes to censoring themselves in public view, most manage this and maintain a level of privacy.

The reason I posed the question is because I have a certain expectation of athletes that they'll make themselves available for autographs and what not. So, while I agree with you regarding King's obligation to his readers, I kind of think maybe I'm being a little hypocritical.

No, you're not being hypocritical - athletes and screen celebrities make their fame and fortune on camera in front of millions of fans. Their publicity is real and apparent as soon as any idiot knows who they are. The bulk of their income is not from their ability as actors or sportspeople (although this is what gets them there), its from their "star power" - their ability to be a brand name, to pull fans, to attract sponsorship, advertising, anything to make John Citizen spend a dollar because their face is attached to the label. Certain actors get paid $20,000,000 for a movie because having their name on the poster will automatically generate revenue.

Authors (like musicians, but even moreso) work in intense privacy. They probably dont write even in front of their families. Publicity will kind of creep in eventually but it probably starts off like that idiot who posted that note on the messageboard - letters sent directly to the author with "ME ME ME WHY WHY WHY YOU SUCK" in there. Without the publicity numbing that goes on with the other fame groups it'd be harder not to take it personally and get shat off.

[Randall Flagg]

There are just far too many crazy people out there - if I were famous, I would be extremely careful as well. You never know if the next person you smile at is going to be your future stalker.

Just sayin'.

You are 100% correct. Years ago I spotted this van at the Berkely Marina. I asked the guy what was going on and he went into this incredibly detailed-but obviously psychotic ramble about King murdering John Lennon.

Contrary to all reports about a lone drifter named Mark David Chapman who allegedly shot John Lennon in the back December 8, 1980 you’ll find ample evidence in the back issues of Time, Newsweek, and US News and World Report magazines to suggest otherwise. Namely, that John Lennon was, not only politically assassinated, but that Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and, you’d better sit down, horror novelist Stephen King are the three people who can be proven guilty of the crime. King being the real murderer and Chapman but a look-alike, paid actor misleading you with an absolute hoax, the media in tow.

The guy-Steven Lightfoot is a psycho who truly believes King murdered John Lennon. He drove this van to Maine, and paraded around Bangor searching for King and King had to get a restraining order against him.
Fortunately he lives in Santa Cruz-not far from Patrick.



Psycho website

[ZoNeSeeK]

Maybe Lightfoot should look up "Ockam's Razor"