I once knew a famous author, but for complex reasons I lost the privilege of his acquaintance. In trying to begin a writing career concerned with many of the same subjects as his work, it occurs to me that he might not be the only person of his ilk that I could ever hope to meet, and that what I'm after is simply some personal acquaintance, some counsel, some support.
How can I write to a big-name essayist or poet whose subjects I have something serious to say about? Any tips? And first and foremost, how do I find out where to send my letter? Is it best to just send it to the publisher asking them to forward it, or best to track down the individual's mailing address?