Meeting an author who lives nearby without being creepy?

[Autotelic]

I live a very short walk away from a famous comic book author. Today my dad met him (without recognising him) and I found out where he lives.

I'd really like to meet him and maybe get his autograph, but I don't want to do so in a way that would infringe upon his privacy or disturb him in any way.

Any advice on how I could do this would be really appreciated.

 

[EeveeElectro]

Tricky... because you live so close, you're bound to bump into him one day.
He might be at the shops when you are one day and you'll get the chance to get an autograph or a picture.
Is he Stan Lee level, or kinda well known or more Indie?

It's best to just hope you'll bump into him on the street one day and you can strike up a conversation. They should be happy a fan lives close as long as you don't barge in. I suppose if you're really brave if you end up striking up a friendship of sorts wit him you could invite him over for a meal or out for a coffee. I'd personally love to spend time with any fans I had as long as you aren't being intrusive and creepy.
I can't really think of anything good because I haven't been in this situation before. They're a stranger right now and you should respect that. Hopefully he'll be okay with you wanting a friendly chat with him.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

How famous exactly are we talking?
If he's more local or indy, you could try sending him a message on a social network, or an email. You'd be surprised at how many authors love talking to fans. If you have any comic conventions near you, and he happens to be attending, you could also attend and meet him that way.

 

[JimB]

Define "know where he lives." If you know where his mailbox is, you could try leaving him a short, polite letter saying what a big fan you are, how close you live (and I'd provide details about your address if I were you, as a sign of good faith), how your father met him back under whatever the circumstances were, and how you'd love to meet him for an autograph. If his schedule permits it, I'm sure he'd be happy to meet a fan.

 

[Jamieson 90]

If you know their address and don't feel comfortable meeting them then send them a letter, one that explains that you're a fan and with perhaps a request for a signed photo/autograph of some kind since most authors are happy to do this, though understandably less are comfortable with meeting fans in public unless it's at book signings and such.

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

If we're talking Minnesota and Neil Gaiman, you and I should probably just go kidnap him. You know, lean into it.

 

[Autotelic]

Those of you who have been asking how famous he is - he's not just a local author, he's internationally recognised. He has done a lot of work for DC comics, he's received a huge bunch of awards and there have been hugely popular films adapted from his work. Yes, I do know his address, and I would know his house when I saw it.

Writing a letter seems like it would be a good way to go, I'm just not sure what I could actually say.

Thanks for all the ideas, though I'm still open to suggestions!

 

[william12123]

I understand how you feel. I've been a fan of LRR for years (since before they came to the escapist) and I recently got an intership for the summer in their hometown. I'd love to meet them, but, yeah... I can understand that fans can always seem creepy... The letter suggestion might be good though. So few people take the effort to find a mailbox these days, it could be meaningful.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

Those of you who have been asking how famous he is - he's not just a local author, he's internationally recognised. He has done a lot of work for DC comics, he's received a huge bunch of awards and there have been hugely popular films adapted from his work. Yes, I do know his address, and I would know his house when I saw it.

Writing a letter seems like it would be a good way to go, I'm just not sure what I could actually say.

Thanks for all the ideas, though I'm still open to suggestions!

Now you just have me curious to know who it is and how lucky you are.

 

[OpalEssence]

A letter seems pretty safe. I wonder though if he might be taken aback at fan mail sent directly to his home address than through other channels. Maybe you might want to see what the word is on how fan-friendly and/or private he is.

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

Now you just have me curious to know who it is and how lucky you are.

My money is still on Gaiman!