I don't see how someone could dismiss an author simply because you think they're wacko
I agree here. Some of the best writers were crazies.
Others have, to say the least, strident political stances.
- Orson Scott Card, for example, is openly hostile towards gay people and has some serious right wing viewpoints he's posted (to seriously hard feedback, which is why I think his star has fallen reputation wise with critics the past few years). But, he's still a pretty damn talented writer.
- Some of the Sad Puppies crew do write interesting science fiction but are pretty obnoxious online apparently (John Scalzi)
- The Scientology Bible (aka L Ron Hubbard's science fiction book) is liked by some people. There's certainly worse out there if you ignore the creepy fact people actually believe this is the real story of the universe.
- The new 'sequel' to To Kill a Mockingbird (Go Set a Watchman) by Harper Lee has pretty much outed her as a racist of some sort, though the circumstances of this book being published (with the famous author a complete invalid and unable to make reasonable choices about her estate in her current condition) are...questionable at this point. Still, the fact she may or was a racist doesn't take away from the brilliance of To Kill a Mockingbird.
I'm sure you guys can pick out many more examples of crazy or 'bad' folks writing good books.
About the only authors I really took exception to with their political / personal views impinging on their literary efforts are
Piers Anthony, because that guy is pretty much just a pervert; his obsession with young girl's panties as a recurring theme in his books is disturbing.
Terry Goodkind is another author I can't stand who pretty much uses his (later) books to pontificate his version of Any Rynd.
Really, for me as long as the
1) Story is good
2) Writing is good (enough)
3) Weird political / personal views don't stridently manifest into the story itself
then, I don't give a damn about who the author is or what they believe.