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Email Barry

The "Email me" link has been on this site ever since it's been up and there are no plans to change this. I enjoy hearing from readers, even those with a gripe, and I especially like hearing from beginning writers who want to share their experiences. I answer all non-spam, non-hostile Emails (and, I admit, a few of the hostile ones). Some of you, though, have not been getting answers.

The problem is spam

As I was shoveling through the Ecrap one morning, one of the letters which had no subject, but which had a reasonable sounding name (in two parts) I opened, after first scraping it off into the spam. As it happened, instead of a special deal on Viagra, breast enlargement, or a tearful plea from the wife of the former Nigerian finance minister for my bank account number, it was a thoughtful note from another writer who had read something of mine just dropping me a line to say hello. Nice note, which I answered.

How many persons in the past with "unreasonable" names, or who decided to be humorous with their subject lines were scraped off in the spam and never opened? I don't know. If this has happened to you, I regret the mistake. I answer my Email. I do not, however, enjoy wading through demented tiresome rubbish. What to do?

Getting through the spam blocker

Norton's and my server both are moral and intellectual insects who cannot distinguish between Sea of Glass and See My Ass! Therefore, I am the ultimate spam blocker. If the name on your incoming mail is Pussy Willows, I don't care if you chair the Nobel Prize Committee, you're going to Spam Hell and without being read. I suggest a less suggestive screen name. Single screen names (Frank, Tina, Osama, Lulu) I do not open. Double up.

The best bet with a subject line is to leave it blank. Those are the ones I almost have to open (unless the sender's name is a single or something like I. Wanda Boobies). No priority flags or exclamation marks. Flagged Email goes automatically to Spam Hell.

The above suggestions should get your communications through. bbl