No apostrophes, no vampire elves
When it comes to reading the titles and cover blurbs of SF/fantasy books, I am with Timothy Burke:
Other things that are likely to drive me off:
1) “Book One in the Dark Swords of Black Terror Trilogy”.
2) Mostly, if the word “vampire” appears anywhere in the cover, title or blurb. It stops being “mostly” if “vampire” appears in the same blurb with “elf”.
3) Titles or blurbs that contain the name of a fantasy kingdom that sounds more like a prescription medicine for depression or impotence.
4) Anything that contains three of the following four elements in the blurb: plucky but innocent young heroine, farmboy with a destiny, dark lord of evil, wise ancient wizard. “Handsome voodoo priest” is a bonus demerit.
5) The word, “Drizzt”.
Other things that are likely to drive me off:
1) “Book One in the Dark Swords of Black Terror Trilogy”.
2) Mostly, if the word “vampire” appears anywhere in the cover, title or blurb. It stops being “mostly” if “vampire” appears in the same blurb with “elf”.
3) Titles or blurbs that contain the name of a fantasy kingdom that sounds more like a prescription medicine for depression or impotence.
4) Anything that contains three of the following four elements in the blurb: plucky but innocent young heroine, farmboy with a destiny, dark lord of evil, wise ancient wizard. “Handsome voodoo priest” is a bonus demerit.
5) The word, “Drizzt”.
Labels: publishing
posted by Chas S. Clifton at 2:26 PM Permalink
2 Comments:
I put the book back on the shelf if I can find the word "sweeping" or "saga" anywhere on any part of either the front or back cover. (Books translated from Old Norse are exempt from the ban on the word saga).
I agree with criteria 1-5 (though made-up words are OK as long as they are properly thought-through (i.e. part of a constructed language following the principles of xenolinguistics). I also agree with the comment by v s-f.
I would also add, I would replace any book on the shelf that involves a hero or heroine who is apparently a member of the commonalty who turns out to be royal and the heir to the kingdom (which he/she must struggle to regain).
Post a Comment
<< Home