Candy's BookTalk story

This is CSPAN's BookTalk.

And today we're talking to TJ Simmons, famed children's fiction writer. Mr. Simmons, we hear on the news that you've come under criticism for having a bad attitude toward your fans? What do you think about this controversy?

~Hello, I hope everyone understands things were blown out of proportion and I'm really a lovable person and I have respect for every single one of my fans.~

Wonderful Mr, Simmons. Because we have a couple of letters from fans we'd like to read for you today.

~Letters? I wasn't told there'd be questions.~

It's very short letters from the local elementary school.

~Short, huh? Oh I guess there's nothing wrong with a couple of letters from some of my wonderful fans.~

Our first one is from Sally Jones, she's 14 years old "Dear Mr. Simmons, my teacher says your stories have no character development and you rely too much on monsters to fill in the gaps." What do you think about that Mr. Simmons.

~Ah....Hello Sally. First off, tell your teacher to....ah...precious child....Would you tell your teacher I've given that bug up her ass a name. I call it Fred. So, walk right up to her and say TJ Simmons calls the bug up your ass, Fred.~

You see how that was rude don't you?

~I love my fans. I didn't say anything about my critics. What's your other letter?~

Our other letter is from Timmy Hall, he's 10 years old "Dear Mr. Simmons, your last story was scary. You had the creature crawl out of the bed and ate the little boy. You are a very bad man". I remind you Mr Simmons Timmy is 10 years old.

~Yeah, Timmy...my book was scary. You know what else is scary?...HIGH SCHOOL. Timmy, when you get to high school everybody is going to hate you. They're going to point at you and you're not going to have any friends. You'll make one after high school, though. And one day he will ask you to call him Susan.~

How is telling him that going to help him?

~I just realized I'm on CSPAN and nobody's watching this garbage but a bunch of old farts with 12 cats all named pickles. Look, buy my new book....or don't...I cashed the check already. How do I get outta here?~

This has been CSPAN BookTalk.