Date: Sat, 03 May 2003 17:02:53 -0400
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
From: Elspeth Kovar <ekovar at worldnet.att.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Maybe I'll write an elves in space epic trilogy . .
  .
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

At 11:12 AM 5/2/03 -0400, Michael Walsh wrote:

>As well as aiming for new display and different shelf space, they'll =
>alter
>their packaging strategy, too. Managing director Amanda Ridout says,
>"The key thing is to simplify the jackets, and not to ghettoise them =
>into
>what used to be traditional fantasy. What we want to do is to make sure
>that people who have enjoyed a wide variety of fiction aren't put off =
>by
>the traditional fantasy look." The payoff, as publishing director Jane
>Johnson says, is, "A huge opportunity for the trade. It's a hidden
>audience, and that's what we're all looking for."

In other words, they don't want to follow the Baen model of covers that are
so garish Saddam would love them?

I just hope that they don't start shelving SF, or fantasy, or whatever they
choose to call it -- ain't no way I'm going to get involved in the "what is
what" discussion, no siree bub! -- with mainstream fiction.  Selfish of
me.  While I agree that a lot of mainstream readers would enjoy <genre> and
would like for more to be exposed to it, at the same time I don't want to
have that many more feet of shelves drawing me to them.

Elspeth

>PN on Harper study
>http://click.email-publisher.com/maaa20FaaXKKia4fqn8b/