A few years ago I woke up early from a midnight shift and went down to the local mall in Saratoga, NY for a book signing.  To set the scene, it was morning, and virtually no one was there.  I enjoyed the author's work, and had purchased most of his books in hardcover over the years. 

There was no line, so I bought up a virgin copy of his newest novel and walked up, thinking it was a nice day, I'd probably get to tell the man how much I had enjoyed reading his novels over the years.  This particular author grabbed the book from my hand, scribbled "To the one true elf queen" in it and held it out to me impatiently.  All the while, talking to a man about hating book signings and never making eye contact.  As a six foot, 220 pound man, I didn't actually feel like an elf queen, let alone the true one. This man obviously had no urge to be at a book signing, yet was obligated by his publisher, I assume.  His attitude about the entire scene caused me to stop buying his books at retail.. I wait until they are being resold to ensure I'm not adding to his profit.

There is a question here, I swear.  Having never had a fanbase, I am curious about how such things are handled. Do you ever find it difficult dealing with fans? How do you avoid being rude on the days you just don't want to be there?   

Bottom line, here, is that there really is no way to "avoid being rude". "Rude" is in the eye of the beholder. Any fan who does not think s/he has recieved the proper degree of undivided attention can, and often will, create in his/her mind a tale of a professional being "rude".

Having been away from comics during the internet's coming to prominence, and having now returned to comics, I am AMAZED at the arrival of forums such as this one. In the past few months I have had the opportunity to communicate with, thanks to the 'net, several writers and artists whose work I have enjoyed. I have to say it is much better than conventions.

  Yes, JB, I agree that we, the readers, should be grateful to the creators who give some of their time to communicate this way. A few times, I've seen people complaining about your not wanting to do conventions anymore, but as far as I'm concerned, the forum here is preferable. I'd much rather be here than standing in line for an hour for a chance to talk to you or someone else for a moment. With the internet, and this forum and others like it, I can actually think about a question that I'd like to ask you, and even get a chance to comment on the answer. Best of all, it all works at a pace that is convenient for all involved. Much better than cons.

  On the subject of fans imagining a "relationship" with artists, this made me think of a teacher whom I had studied acting with. Years ago she had been ona TV soap. One day, she made an appearance to sign autographs, etc. A woman got to the front of the line and greeted her in a very familiar way. Kathleen (the teacher) thought it souded as if she actually knew her, so she asked, thinking perhaps she just didn't recognize this woman. The woman grew confused and said " Don't you remember me?" Kathleen confessed that she did not. The woman replied with " But how can you not know me? You see me everyday when I turn on my television! You come to my living room every day at 2!"   

JB, I agree that there are plenty of fans who abuse the priviledge of interacting with comics creators, either on forums like this one or in person at conventions and book signings. Fans need to be respectful of both the person doing the signing as well as the other fans in line. Keep it short and keep it civil.

Fans also definitely need to exercise some common sense. Asking for an autograph at convention is fine. Asking for an autograph in the men's room or at dinner isn't. I'm sure some fans go overboard and that's a shame. I wouldn't blame a creator for being "rude" to such an overzealous nuisance.

However, I do believe that it works both ways. Yes, fans should be grateful for chances to interact with comic book creators. But comic book creators should also feel grateful for the chance to interact with the fans who pay their salaries. Without the readers, there are no comic book professionals.

Again, that doesn't entitle the fan to anything except this: If the fan approaches the writer/artist 1. in a respectful, courteous manner and 2. at a designated interaction spot like a book signing or convention, they should receive a respectful, courteous encounter in return. Dave, I can't blame you a bit for not buying this writer's work in the future. I would respond the same way had I received the same treatment.

I'll share a personal story: Several years ago, I had the opportunity to meet author Pat Conroy. The book signing was scheduled for 3 hours, yet Mr. Conroy signed for 5 hours and made sure that every person in line was taken care of.

I was near the end of the line, yet he was just as friendly to me as he was to the first person in line. In turn, everyone seemed to appreciate his effort and respected his time.

To me, it is not a respect issue.  I don't expect or demand respect because that needs to be earned.  I do expect and require civility and common courtesy, and most people here have been both civil and courteous which is far more than I can say about most sites on the net where most people seems to be in a perpetual attack mode.

Here's how I currently sort of see it...

The wavering hot dog fan cries out: Hear my prayer Oh Lord and unfold thy grace and mercy upon me for I have seen them making the hot dogs and can no longer enjoy them. And that famous "Nathan" bastard is awfully suspicious! Make me desire hot dogs again oh Lord...surely Hebrew national and Oscar Meyer are to blame. Maybe if I made the hotdogs myself oh Lord?...then...What if the hotdogs were made by rock stars Lord? What if they were shiny and collectable like fine wine? What if they were "sophisticated" like the roast duck with the mango salsa? I still like jelly donuts...maybe if I could find a way to morph the hot dog into a sort of jelly donut/hotdog hybrid and bring in the donut crowd...why aren't people buying my hot dogs Oh Lord? I did what you told me to do! Well the stores aren't ordering my hotdogs anymore but I can open my own hot dog stores! So what if sometimes miss a shipment! People can buy old hot dogs in my hot dog store!

God responds via many voices and faces: Does your supermarket not have anything but hotdogs? Why are you so obssessed with hot dogs? Have you tried hot pockets or TV dinners? Maybe tamales? On a stretch you could maybe go up to the meat counter and buy some real meat? Hit the barbecue place? Have you tried Chinese Food? A lot of people seem to like that! Maybe people just don't want hot dogs anymore. I don't think it would be a good thing if I went around overriding the human nervous system to make hotdog sales pick up.  Signed: Your very busy pal who hopes you somehow work this trifle out before you hurt yourself, God.

The wavering hot dog fan cannot hear God or perhaps chooses not to: Oh God why don't you answer my prayers? Since you refuse to fix hotdogs then you must take the responsibility of ruining them. YOU ruined hot dogs! But someday you'll be sorry. People WILL buy my hotdogs. I'll put freakin' drugs in 'em or something. I'll breed them with similar things like bratwurst and bologna! You'll see! I'll breed a race of atomic super hot dogs and then you'll be sorry you ever dared to laugh at MY GENIUS!

God: Hoo boy. TAXI! TAXI! Yes, I'm going uptown! Thanks!

Kirk: Why does... GOD... need A TAXI...to go uptown?

God: Nice....uh.... Seinfeld impression? Gotta go!

Star Trek Fans: ZOMG! Spock has a brother?! WTF!!1! LOLZ!1!

John Milton : I am absolutely NOT writing an epic poem about this. Forget it. Stop looking at me.

And that's why fans are crazy.

Are you one of those people who tells a cop he can't give you a ticket because your taxes pay his salary?

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Are you one of those people who tells a cop he can't give you a ticket because your taxes pay his salary?

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Not at all. However, I do expect police officers to treat the people who pay their salaries with courtesy and respect.

And it's far from a perfect analogy, Thom, because we have no choice about paying taxes. Also, police officers have a legal authority in this country.

Buying comic books, on the other hand, is a completely voluntary transaction. Fans have plenty of other venues in which to spend their discretionary income and are under no obligation to buy comics. Comics creators should treat fans like the customers they are.

I do speak from first-hand experience on this. I was a newspaper reporter for 10 years and received thousands of phone calls and e-mails from readers. I felt an obligation to at least listen to the readers (as long as they weren't abusive), because without them, I wouldn't have had a job.

I can't speak for many professionals but since I read and respond to this forum almost exclusively, John Byrne is very consistent and very fair all of the time.  The fact that he responds to questions and comments and the sort speaks volumes over all of the negative stories that come out about him.  If he was such an a-hole, why would he respond to us low-lifes?  And there is no doubt that fans should be thankful when given the chance to interact with creators, because as John said earlier, letter columns used to be it as far as conversing with creators.  I for one am grateful.