A comment on my blog, posted yesterday, on my February 2026 post about the television show “Sofia the First” and my opinions of the program:
Reader and commenter Kay writes:
“For a so-called “author”, your writing is horrendous! You just sound like a guy trying to sound relevant by writing about a popular Disney show.
This is such a weird attack.
First, the “so-called author” comment doesn’t make any sense.
I’m not calling myself an author. I’m not claiming unearned territory. I’m not elevating my status beyond reality.
I am an author.
It’s a simple fact.
I’ve published six novels in the past 15 years — two with Doubleday and four with St. Martin’s Press.
I don’t mean to brag, but those books have been translated into more than 25 languages and published worldwide.
One of them is an internationally bestselling novel.
Two are optioned for film.
I’ve also published three books of nonfiction with New World Library.
One is a bestseller.
My tenth book — my first middle
grade novel — publishes in January.
I’ve also written a column for Seasons magazine for nearly a decade, plus essays in various magazines and newspapers nationwide.
I’m very much an author.
Not “so-called.”
I just am.
My writing can’t be that horrendous. Right?
And I re-read my “Sofia the First” post. You don’t have to agree with my premise or opinions, but the writing itself is clear, sturdy, and has a definite point of view. It’s not going to win any awards, but it’s solid prose.
But it’s the second part of Kay’s insult that baffles me the most:
“You just sound like a guy trying to sound relevant by writing about a popular Disney show.”
Does the tragically distraught Kay really think my path to greater relevance is via a blog post about a Disney show targeting ages 2-7 that hasn’t produced a new episode since 2018?
Am I missing something here?’
Could this post somehow hold the secret to boosting my career?
Does Kay know something that I don’t?
I also find it perpetually baffling how someone like Kay would take the time to publicly insult me about a post on a blog when she could’ve been doing so many more meaningful things:
Taking a walk.
Baking a key lime pie.
Adopting a cat.
Learning to juggle.
Why take the time to scold me online? When she clicked SEND on her scintillating comment, did it make her feel better? Did she pump her fist in victory? Celebrate with a glass of lemonade or a shot of whiskey? Call a friend to recount her moment of glory?
Did Kay think the comment from a random person on the internet who would take the time to fire off an odd and indiscernible attack on me would impact me in any way?
Actually, I guess it did.
Happily, she gave me something to write about, which I deeply appreciate. I adore amplifying the insults of trolls who spend their precious time calling people names on the internet as if their ad hominem attacks and attempts at cruelty have any value or meaning.
I’m going to email this response to her with a note of thanks for reading my blog and taking the time to occupy my tiny corner of the internet, even if what she wrote was incomprehensible and mean.
I take readers of every shape and size, even if they think I’m a so-called author who writes horrendously and is seeking fame and fortune via canceled children’s shows on Disney Plus.
