Looking through my image files the other day, I unearthed my oddest fan letter ever—and, believe me, there’s been some stiff competition over the years.
Click on the image to see a larger image.
This arrived in 1981, shortly after my first published novel , White Light. I’d crafted a subtle tale about the 1960s, higher infinities, and the afterlife. And having read my book in a prison library, some guy smeared ink on his foot, stomped on a piece of paper, and sent me the results. In his mind we were literary peers—and I should collaborate on a book with him.
A book about the wrinkle on his foot.
June 20th, 2011 at 8:47 am
That is actually a pretty awesome footprint. I wonder if mine has a star?
June 20th, 2011 at 9:24 am
“My oddest fan letter” would make a great website if anyone had the time. My favorite was a postcard that said, “You are just making that up. 2028 has not happened yet.”
June 20th, 2011 at 9:42 am
This could easily be worked into some transrealist fiction.
June 20th, 2011 at 10:04 am
So where’s the story you co-wrote with him then?
June 20th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
So Jesus Christ did return after all.
June 21st, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Justin, I did in fact write a transrealist novel, Saucer Wisdom, with an opening rather similar to this blog post—a professor/writer character called “Rudy Rucker” is approached by a fan with strange ideas…
June 21st, 2011 at 4:04 pm
John Barnes, I’m proud to have a comment from an intrepid SF pro like you! A fellow Martian king.
June 28th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
So, if he hasn’t perished in the meantime, somewhere there’s a cat with a star on his foot, a police record, and a headful of theories about destiny. Perhaps he unlocked a portal with it and vanished from his cell? Maybe tiny imps emerge from the pentagram every time he leaves a damp footprint and scuttle away into dark corners? Perhaps agents from another dimension are still seeking their lost Dauphin, but never coming close to the prison?
July 2nd, 2011 at 1:37 am
The guy who has sent his footprint on the paper telling that it was in the form of star.I think he was little bit superstitious, because if any one look their feet, u will find some image because of the lines.Do not think that is a wonder. It is common to everybody.
___________________
Steve
July 5th, 2011 at 5:45 am
I checked my footprint and it said ©1954 down by the heel.
November 6th, 2012 at 2:10 am
This is actually an amazing one, the prints are too awesome and it has a great and epic story behind it.