Recently, an outside scholar inquired about a hymnbook in the Creamer Collection found nowhere else, not even at the British Museum. Recently, Alice received a small reward for her selfless devotion to the Creamer Collection. While reading the journal, The Hymn, she rediscovered the work of her great-aunt Clara Tear Williams, a late nineteenth century hymn writer in Ohio. There was one author whom I personally wanted to meet very badly, and all our communication was by fax, letter or voice message. He was unable to accept the invitation to the benefit, but I had been able in the course of contact to express my appreciation for what he had added to my realm of interest.
Authors love to know their audiences, and especially their reactions.
Most authors no longer write in absolute isolation, and many are writing to elicit a reaction. Not every author wins a Pulitzer or a National Book Award, but very many writers provide something for us. Not all authors are honored or acknowledged for what they have done, a reality that is perhaps the driving force in drawing the authors to Drew to be recognized at our fundraising event. We all like validation of our efforts. If I were to write a note to every author who has made an impact on me, I'd probably be the poster person for the US Mail service.