The name “Roland Smith” is somewhat common. One person with that name writes fiction, generally intended for young-adult readers. He also has a blog and a web presence at http://www.rolandsmith.com/. Doing a Google search on “roland smith” shows a link to Google Checkout (to buy his books) in the #1 position, his web page in the #2 position, and my weblog in the #3 position. In spite of that, occasionally I’ll get an email from someone wanting information about a particular character, suggestions for plot lines, or requests for telephone calls … like this one:

i really like your book “Peak” it is so cool. i love the part after chapter Blink how peak says he saw sun-jo over the top of the hill, he looked like a raged guy but he looked ready to climb. aftrer that i yelled woo. so the whole resone why i am sending this email is because i’m doing a book report on the book Peak and i need to now things about you for it. so if you can help me do that and talk to me that would be great. My email does not work but thats an old one so just call me at 530-xxx-xxxx and you could tell me the things i need to know for my book report if you want to. talk to you later i hope.

The person was right. The email did not work so I wasn’t able to let him/her know he/she was contacting the wrong person. So I went to Roland’s web page, clicked on his “email me” link, and forwarded the email. I hope the requester will get the telephone call…. Notice that we have the same barber, though.

I wonder what readers will do when I publish the Great American Novel?