Why do I answer every email from readers? Back in the day—at the dawn of the Internet and long before social media existed—I was a working investigative reporter. 

For nearly two decades, I worked at a daily newspaper, chasing leads, combing through dusty archives, and persuading reluctant sources to talk. I spent weeks—sometimes months—building stories meant to expose wrongdoing, uncover injustice, or shine light into bureaucratic corners where truth had been buried.

I believed deeply in the public’s right to know. The First Amendment wasn’t an abstract concept to me—it was a compass.

The Frustration of Writing Stories That Disappear Into the Void

Sometimes, those investigations made a difference. A few launched official inquiries. Some prompted reforms. A handful made the world a little safer or more just.

But more often?

They landed with a thud.

A few angry or congratulatory phone calls. Maybe a letter to the editor. And then the story vanished into the next news cycle.

It began to feel like launching satellites into deep space—hoping for contact, only to receive static.

That growing sense of futility was one reason I stepped away from daily journalism. I still wanted to tell stories. I still cared about truth, justice, and human nature.

But I needed a different way to connect.

From Investigative Reporter to Mystery Novelist

One of those new paths was writing mystery novels.

And what a different experience it’s been.

Through the Cordell Logan series—including the most recent installment, Deep Fury—I’ve discovered something I rarely experienced in the newsroom:

Immediate, passionate reader feedback.

Why Reader Feedback Makes Writing Fiction So Rewarding

Readers don’t hesitate to email me.

They tell me what they loved. They tell me what confused them. They point out timeline inconsistencies, aviation terminology slips, weapon details I might have missed.

To all of which I say: bring it on.

Truly.

Because unlike my old newsroom days—when I often felt like I was typing into a void—writing novels has connected me with a real, thoughtful, responsive community.

You’re out there. You’re paying attention.

And you care enough to reach out.

That means everything.

Why I Respond to Every Email From Readers

When I was a kid, I wrote letters to my favorite authors.

I sent them in care of their publishers, carefully crafted, revised repeatedly, and always accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.

I waited.

And waited.

Not one of them wrote back.

I don’t regret sending those letters. Even then, I understood that writing is an act of connection.

But I do wish someone had reached back.

Which is why I make a point to respond to every message I receive.

How to Contact Your Favorite Author (Including Me)

Today, connecting with authors is easier than ever.

There’s no need to track down a publisher’s mailing address. No need to buy stamps or include a return envelope.

Most authors—including me—have websites with contact pages or direct email links.

And if you write to me, I promise this:

I will read your message personally.
And I will reply.

Why Author–Reader Dialogue Matters

If you’ve taken time to read one of my books—whether it made you laugh, think, cry, or simply pass a few hours on a long flight—that’s a gift.

If you then take the extra step to write and share your thoughts, that’s an even greater one.

The least I can do is respond.

So tell me what you liked. What you didn’t. What worked. What didn’t quite land. What you’d like to see next for Logan.

I’m listening.

Know more: The Fireballer Book Review

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Writing, at its best, is a conversation.

And unlike those letters I once mailed out into silence, today’s dialogue doesn’t require stamps, envelopes, or patience measured in weeks.

Just a few keystrokes.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

—David