A letterhack is a fan who is regularly published in magazine and American comic book letter columns.
Writer Mark Engblom describes the phenomenon this way: Chosen by the title's editor (or, in some cases, the writer), a few lucky fans would get the opportunity to share their opinion with not only the creators, but a captive audience of fellow fans as well.
In fact, some of the most prolific fans had letters printed almost every month in a variety of titles, becoming minor celebrities in their own right.
[citation needed]Kurt Busiek, Mary Jo Duffy, Mike Friedrich, Mark Gruenwald, Fred Hembeck, Harlan Ellison, Tony Isabella, Paul Levitz, Ralph Macchio, Dean Mullaney, Martin Pasko, Diana Schutz, Beau Smith, Roy Thomas, Peter B. Gillis, George R.R.
Martin, and Kim Thompson are just a few of the many comic book professionals who got their starts as young letterhacks.