A reader

June 5, 2002

I am so excited that I took the time to look DP up on the internet. Mr.Pinkwater I must tell you that Fishwhistle is the most fun I have ever had reading a book, I laughed so hard I was crying….I read the part about the little played out green chili’s and your near death experience to anyone that would hold still long enough to listen, It is one of the funniest things I have ever heard. You have brought so much happiness and laughter to my life I cannot thank you enough. I can’t close without mentioning “The Snarkout Boys and The Avacado of Death”, I don’t care if it’s a kids book…….I loved it and I think you are the very best

Cyndi R. Huttman

June 1, 2002

HI

SO GLAD TO BE ON THIS SITE. CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enid Cloyed

May 31, 2002

Dearest Daniel~

Per your advice, I managed to hold my own in Advanced English 10 this year, and have you to thank for that. I was the bothersome girl who asked for advice on how to be a writer. No need for the motivational spiel, it worked already. I have received so much extra credit thanks to you that I should have weighted English classes for the rest of high school. I noticed in none of your books to freshman receive unkind treatment, because you never really distinguish. Well, I just became a sophomore today, and will now be able to torment the unlucky freshman; something I never got to relish in while reading your books. You have been and inspiration, and upon recently visiting New York, and New Jersey, (for the first time ever) I suddenly see the secret appeal you capture in your books. However, I have to ask, what gave you the inspiration for Beanbender’s Beer Garden in Lower North Aufzoo St? it is so subtly delightful, and is my favorite mental image. I have you to thank for everything. It is your own fault this is so long, you gave me the will to write.

Eternally Grateful (and jabbering…)

Enid Cloyed

Sriraman Chathapuram

May 31, 2002

hi daniel,

i’ve been searching for the casio twin-graph AE-20W watch for the past 9 years & finally found details about the same in ur website.

do u still have that watch or have u sold it 2 tony??

do reply back in ur free time.

😀

A Fifth Grader

May 30, 2002

hello this is a 5th grader and i chose u 4 my project i have a ? how did u start writing get back 2 me as soon as possible like 2morow please

Sincerely,the blue moose lol

Xavier Garcia

May 29, 2002

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

I recently sent you a postcard, which resulted in your sending me this e-mail address. First, I want to thank you for resonding to my query; it’s very gracious of you considering I’m a total stranger. Anyway, by way of brief introduction, I am a high school teacher in Fairmont, WV. I taught theatre for many years, and have written a few short plays. I really like your books; my wife introduced them to me, and now that I have children, I get to read some of them all over again. I especially like Lizard Music.

Which brings me to the question I referred to in my postcard: I know that there is a film version of the Hoboken Chicken Experiment, and a stage version of Lizard Music, but has there ever been a film treatment of Lizard Music? I think it would be a great movie, a natural for a young audience. It’s got a great premise, and the visual elements would be really terrific. How do you feel about this idea? Has anyone ever approached you about such a thing? What would be your response?

I would appreciate any response, though I don’t deserve it, seeing as how I’ve intruded upon your private life. Thanks for your work!

Xavier A. Garcia

A Prospective Dadaist

May 25, 2002

my friends and I were very impressed by the ideas in your young adult novel. we decided to produce a conspiracy. we printed up 500 business cards with thin blue circles on them. we were also going to draw lots of blue circles on the ground of our high school with chalk, but they couldn’t be seen unless you were standing on top of them, so we didn’t. we (me and about four other people) started distributing the business cards around the campus: first in the bathrooms, in little piles; then in windows; then on door handles and poles. after a few days we found evidence of them being noticed because of smiley or angry faces drawn in some of them.

after a few days two of my compatriots brashly put up some cards in front of some administrators, who (luckily) only reprimanded them and told them to stop. it was fun while it lasted. thank you very much for the idea, and for making school bearable for a few weeks. we also love your books.

Jan Chozen Bays

May 24, 2002

Dear D. Manus P.,

We have moved into the new monastery buildings and are ready to receive guests. We would like to invite you and Mrs. DMP to visit us at Great Vow Zen Monastery any time you are able. We would be delighted, honored and surprised if you came to Clatskanie. We will have a “float” (read pickup truck with red, white and blue bunting and some of us playing marimba in the back) in the Fourth of July parade in town, followed by the third annual Pan Buddhist picnic. nO Buddhists in the pan, but hot tofu pups and garden burgers on the barbeque —- how can you resist?

Hoping,

Jan Chozen Bays

Sue & Nathan

May 23, 2002

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

My 9 year old son has finally discovered someone who writes books that are not “boring” or “stupid.” It seems the libraries are stuffed with reading material that can only be described with those two adjectives, as far as he’s concerned. But “Blue Moose” and “Fat Men from Outer Space” have brought us reading time that is not punctuated with “how much longer???” every five minutes. Tonight he actually pleaded to stay up late to finish a chapter.

To see him so delighted with stories he can read himself is a great pleasure, and I offer you my heartfelt thanks for writing them.

Gratefully yours,

Sue & Nathan – new fans

Jevon the Tall

May 22, 2002

Dear Mister Pinkwater.

I’m not four hundred pounds, but I’m closer to 250 and 6’7″ of tall silliness. From what I gather you’re a shorter heavier version of brilliance. I wanted you to know your stories were good for a laugh at just the right time – my Mom thought you were pretty funny too (she’s the real critic!).

I’ve got a pretty popular site (last time I checked my counter I nailing about 8000 hits a month – heck the site is more popular than me – that just ain’t right!) of music / book reviews and short stories (shameless plug – Hubris run amok?). I’ve taken the liberty of posting a very gushing review of 5 Novels which I thought you might like to see – as opposed to a drop dead and go away review. www.banophernalia.com/reviews/books/authors_p.htm

Jevon the Tall

“Who Knows What Silliness Lurks in the Hearts of Men.”

Dena Weiss

May 17, 2002

Dear Mr.Pinkwater,

Ever since I can remember I have loved your books.

At the present time I am 11 years old, and have read so many of your books that it is hard to keep track of them all. You are definitely my favorite author.

Earlier this year, my school did a mural on books and reading. I chose Spaceburger, and drew a picture of the android at the restaurant. Spaceburger and Fat Men from Space are probably my favorite books of yours.

I hope you keep on writing until you can write no more. Thank you very much and always a fan.

Thank you again,

Dena Weiss

John Ethington

May 16, 2002

I would like the Pinkwaters to know that I just recently discovered their wonderful books. I found a book at my local library for my two grandsons, 5 & 7, and I just had to go back for more.

I’m spreading the gospel and the silliness of their books to all the people I come across with children.

Although I claim to have gotten the books for my grandchildren I really enjoy them myself. Looking forward to reading more.

Thanks for the entertainment.

Just to let them know, I have also purchased three of their books.

Ted Bielawski

May 13, 2002

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

I have absolutely no idea how I got to your web site. I own the above watch and it died (not batteries) and I’m trying to get it fixed.

Is there a connection between your web site and this watch or have I entered the “Twilight Zone”?

Sincerely,

Ted Bielawski

David Friedman

May 7, 2002

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

I have been a fan of your work since I read Alan Mandelson as a fourth grader some 15-or-so years ago. It introduced me to more of your work (in print and radio), and I’ve re-read it every few years, and even loaned it to friends and acquaintances, spreading the Pinkwater fandom.

Recently, curiosity lead me to learn about Scientology (not in a “Maybe I should become a Scientologist” sorta way, but more in a “What the heck is all this Scientology stuff really about anyway?” sorta way). As I researched, I could not help but notice similarities between Scientology and the story of Alan Mendelsohn the Boy From Mars.

The parallels are so strong that I would find coincience unlikely. I considered that I might be looking into it too much, but dismissed that as the least-interesting explanation. It seems to me that it is probably parody. If so, I wondered what portion of the reading audience gets it.

So I did some digging. I thought, “Perhaps this is an already-discussed topic, and Daniel Pinkwater has commented on it before. Maybe I’m late on the Klugarsh-as-Hubbard bandwagon.” But my search on the internet found nothing.

(I did learn, though, that a guy who used to write Saturday Morning Cartoons saw fit to introduce Scientology concepts into episodes of Muppet Babies, Superfriends, and Dungeons & Dragons.)

So I decided to write and ask you: What is the parallel between Alan Mendelson and Scientology? Are you a scientologist? An anti-scientologist? Has this topic been discussed or addressed anyplace? Have you addressed it anyplace?

I understand that the topic may not be suitable for the “Talk to DP” public forum due to some people’s sensitivity to discussing religion, but a personal reply would suit me just fine. I assume, of course, that you’re open to answering such questions.

Thank you. Always a fan,

David Friedman

William Jarvis

May 6, 2002

Mr. Pinkwater,

I was just wondering about your opinion of the Melvinge of the Megaverse books. I enjoyed reading them as a kid and I still find them great material for thought.

What ever happened to the concept that you originally had? Was it just a thought, or a scene? And now that the books have come, aged a decade, and become mostly impossible to find, do they really even matter? I can find no comment by the authors, and little by you or any other party.

Not sure if any of this was a real question, but basically, if you can shed any light on the books’ origins or their place in your creations, any information concerning them all, I’d be much obliged.

Sorry for the streaming consciousness, if it can even be called that.

William