Posted by Rob Swiatek on February 24, 1998 at 19:46:49:
In Reply to: Jack... we hardly know ye! posted by Paul Martin on February 02, 1998 at 20:02:20:
: Does anyone out there communicate with Jack Vance? Does he answer letters? Does he even have a known address? Here is a mind who has had a profound impact on so many others, yet it's all one way. Letters to his agent may reach him in some circuitous manner, but it would be fantastic to reach the man himself. Anyone have any suggestions?
My brother and I used to periodically call Mr. Vance (from extension phones in our house) in the mid- to late-1980s. If he were around, his wife would call him to the phone and we'd chat for some minutes. He seemed less interested in talking about his oeuvre than in asking us about our interests and occupations, and he usually had some comment about current affairs. We'd get a few questions in about Cugel or the Lyonesse series or some such, but generally limited our talk in this area so as not to bore him.
On one occasion that my brother called on his own, I recall Mr. Vance invited him to stop by for a beer next time he was in the area. However, inasmuch as my brother lives on the East Coast, he's not yet been able to take him up on the offer. . .
We haven't bothered him lately, feeling it would be unfair to interrupt his work and home life any more than necessary.