bobd@zaphod.UUCP (Bob Dalgleish) (03/21/85)
> Bob Dalgleish == > > > [Ignorant and misspelled remark] > > But what could be wrong in getting people you're friendly with to favorably > recommend your work? Come on, what are you supposed to do? This is the first > publication of this book--we can't have blurbs from some reviewer on a random > newspaper like the Cleveland Plain Dealer (for whatever THAT's worth). This > kind of thing happens *all the time*, and it's the type of recommendation I > trust. My apologies. I was always taught that distance breeds objectivity. The Cleveland Plains Dealer reviewer is far more qualified to judge the worth of a book in the fantasy genre (:-). I wish I could have put the original remark in small type suitable for skipping over at first glance and forgetting at second. None of the following flames apply to this book - let me iterate (and then I will reiterate :-) - I liked the book. It gave me a good feeling in the pit of my stomach, I hated to set it down, etc. I want more, more, more ... I feel the same way about Brust. I shall apologize by going and reading some of Patricia Wrede's material. [FLAME ON] Reviews by Plain Dealers [distance breeds ignorance]. Faint praise from Famous Authors, Not-So-Famous Authors, Wish-To-Be Famous Authors [as in damning with ...]. Excerpted reviews (lots of ellipses) [what did they leave out and why?]. Misleading or spoiler cover blurbs [reducing anticipation]. Irrelevant cover art [so what if he's brunet and 5'4", he acts like Adonis]. [FLAME OFF] >So, the cover's right: it has recommendations from the right kind of folks, it >has a cover having something to do with the plot (which we have to admit is not >to be taken for granted),... and wasn't it a nice touch that the back cover is >turquoise? > > L S Chabot I missed the point of the torquoise shell - please mail me an explanation and save me some embarrassment. -- [The opinions expressed here are only loosely based on the facts] Bob Dalgleish ...!alberta!sask!zaphod!bobd ihnp4! (My company has disclaimed any knowledge of me and whatever I might say)
brust@hyper.UUCP (Steven Brust) (03/26/85)
> [FLAME ON] > Reviews by Plain Dealers [distance breeds ignorance]. > Faint praise from Famous Authors, Not-So-Famous Authors, Wish-To-Be > Famous Authors [as in damning with ...]. > Excerpted reviews (lots of ellipses) [what did they leave out and why?]. > Misleading or spoiler cover blurbs [reducing anticipation]. > Irrelevant cover art [so what if he's brunet and 5'4", he acts like > Adonis]. > [FLAME OFF] You remind me of a project for somewhen. I want to write a sort of ok type SF novel and prime the cover quotes. First of all, on the back it could say, "Better science than Tolkien! Better world building than Spider Robinson! Better characterizations than Hogan! Better dialogue than Asimov! ..." etc. etc. Then, on the inside, fill it with quotes from reviewers and famous authors. Things like, "Not a bad read." and "All right for long plane trips." and "I've read worse." "Not great, but not bad." I'm sure no publisher would go along with it, but it would interesting to how the public would react.