Writers say many true things about their own experiences with publicity and promotion.

In her youth Teresa Nielsen Hayden served as a page in the Arizona House of Representatives. In June 2008 a controversy on Boing Boing concerning the "unpublication" of all articles that mention Sex-Columnist Violet Blue has generated criticism of some of her moderation techniques including disemvowelment. The two of them were active members of science fiction fandom and collaborated on various fanzines including the Hugo-nominated Izzard.