Love in Dark Settings

I really, really shouldn't complain. I mean, I know authors who are weeping for reader response, while my stories are reviewed so often that I subscribe to Google Alerts to help keep track of the reviews.

The problem is, though, that most of the feedback I get comes from readers writing comments at their own blogs and sites, who are then startled - and perhaps a bit intimidated? - when I swoop down and say, "Hi! Wow, thanks for the nice rec!" Whereas what I'm mostly looking for is a chance to get to know my readers. Not just in threads like this (though I would die and go to heaven if my readers started babbling that much about my characters). What I'd also like is a chance to hear what my readers think on sundry topics, regardless as to how direct a connection the discussion has to my stories. You know, like this thread.

I really can't figure out how to encourage that type of interactivity, so I thought I'd ask you folks: Is there anything off-putting about my blogging method that discourages people from talking back to me, either here or by e-mail?

(Or maybe you're all sweet, shy readers who are in total humility before my awesomeness. Let me just live with that delusion for a while.)