Thanks to a virus and my less than stellar backup strategy, if you sent me feedback between 12/7/10 and 1/18/11, it's likely been lost, so don't expect a response. If you receive duplicate answers to other emails it's for the same reason. When I had to rebuild my hard drive, the latest backup I had for my email was over a month old.
I was way behind in my replies, but would have gotten to them eventually. Now, it isn't possible. My apologies to those I've missed.
I'll be starting an actual paying job on the first of October, so I don't know how much time I'll have for writing. I'll try, but no promises.
First let me say that any feedback is better than none. There are, however, some things you should know about how I respond to your feedback:
Anonymous feedback, obviously, doesn't get answered, which is too bad in some cases, because some of you have sent me anonymous feedback that's worthy of a dialogue.
If you only send a few words, don't expect to get the Encyclopedia Britannica for a reply. I don't have time for voluminous replies to "good story" and "I liked it." I appreciate the sentiment and will acknowledge it but that's about it. Same for longer replies that state the obvious or make no comment worthy of a response.
Flames may or may not get a response, depending on my mood.
If, however, you offer well considered critique or constructive criticism and do not send it anonymously, or with a bad email address, you can expect a considered response, either to clear up misconceptions, or to thank you for helping to make me a better writer. These are the responses on which I spend the most time, even to the point of opening a dialogue.
Sometimes I'm inundated with feedback and my responses get a little mechanical, but I do not use a mailbot, and I treasure each of your messages, so keep 'em coming.