I got a surprise when I checked my email recently. I wrote an Amazon review of "The Spanish Game" by Charles Cumming and when I checked my email in Edinburgh last week, I found an email from Mr Cumming himself, thanking me for my review. I suddenly felt guilty about criticising the endings of his last two books!

We've exchanged another email since then and he seems to be a really nice guy. Very chatty and personable. I'm planning to send him my copy of The Spanish Game for his autograph.

Isn't it nice when an author takes time out from their busy schedule to acknowledge their fans? Unlike Martin Cruz-Smith who rudely rebuked me when I emailed him and asked him for an autograph. His reply was "you want my photo? Buy one of my books then - my photo is on the back page!". Very condescending and rude. Since then, I haven't felt very inclined to read any of his books. His bad attitude left a sour taste in my mouth.

But like Mr Cumming, some authors really make the effort to connect with their readers. I've had some very pleasant communication with Ken Follett and Frederick Forsyth. Jack Higgins was very charming at a book signing back in 1997. The now-deceased Spike Milligan was an absolute riot at a book signing in 1998.

I think I might start trying to get in touch with some authors and see if they can be bothered to write back. I may start with John Connolly and Dan Brown.