What is interacting with readers like for a writer?Most of Utsudo’s interactions with readers happen online. She’s had a reader who sends little cards and snacks on holidays, discovered a Bahamut reader who also lives in Chaozhou, and even had a reader become a close friend thanks to shared interests. Since starting the Ghost Island series, she’s also met more creators and readers interested in the writing profession.

Translated from Utsudo’s original Chinese column.

Chances for interacting with readers directly

　　Only after publishing some works and holding a few events did I get chances to interact with readers directly.

　　Naturally a lot happened along the way, and I met some interesting readers. But human memory is limited, so what I mention below is what my goldfish brain remembers XD

　　By the way, since I live super far south and haven’t held any private fan meetups, it’s mostly not very deep — it’s mainlyonline interaction。

Readers who left an impression on me

　　There’s one reader — I don’t quite remember which book started it — I only remember that after they won one of my prizes and got my address, they’ve occasionally sent little cards and snacks on holidays. I got some this Christmas too — so heartwarming XD

　　I also unexpectedly found that a Bahamut reader was from my hometown — but only after knowing each other for years, when they recognized Chaozhou train station in a photo I posted on Facebook. That’s how we learned we lived in the same town~ They’re working in another county now, but I hope we get a chance to meet someday QQ

　　There are also cases of readers becoming friends.

　　This person happens to be a writer too, and besides writing, also a reader. Their book purchases have done their part for Taiwan’s local creative industry, and their shelves are packed with books, so I go borrow from them hehehehe (hey!! go buy your own!!

　　↑I do! I’ve bought plenty of BL too CC (shy wiggle

　　We’ve known each other for years now, and since our thoughts and tastes are so similar, we became good friends. The key is they don’t live too far, and their schedule is flexible, so we can meet up often XDDD

　　Those are the ones I can think of right now…

　　What, that’s too few?

　　Are you discriminating against me for being a loner, or for my goldfish brain ˋ皿ˊ

　　Both?!?!

　　Fine. Deeply wounded, I’ve decided to end this chapter right here, hmph~ (X

New friends made through the column

　　Ahem. Since I started serializing the Ghost Island series, I’ve met more creators, and of course readers interested in the writing profession. Compared with my usual work, there’s been more overlap and discussion. I imagine that as the series grows, more creators will gather around?

　　Come chat with me — and get written up as Ghost Island material, hehe (?

FAQ

Further reading (in Chinese)

• Previous: #44 (in Chinese)
• Next: #46 (in Chinese)
• Start from the beginning: #01 — Utsudo’s debut
• Column introduction
• Utsudo’s books

About the author

Utsudo is a Taiwanese light novelist and novelist VTuber with more than ten years in the industry and 40 commercially published print books. Her novel 《遺失的情書》 received a 2022 Ministry of Culture youth creative award. The 《嘿！聽說妳在鬼島當作家》 series records her experiences as a novelist in Taiwan.

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