As readers what do you think of this idea? - Page 3

simonroyle · 09-09-2010, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emmaleigh

Is this the type of information which interests you?

Yes Emma,

Thanks for taking the time.

brecklundin · 09-09-2010, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonroyle

The alternative would have made a great story

hahahaha...nice catch!!

ATDrake · 09-09-2010, 02:07 AM

I think Somtow's actually written a story like that. But it's not "Lottery Night" which I just checked, though that one's brilliant and hilarious. That's what I get for typing a hyphen instead of a slash.

Speaking of divorcing dead things, Barbara Hambly's own Bride of the Rat God (sadly out of print, but newly translated into French) is a great pulp adventure/fantasy/horror tale set in 20s Hollywood, with the titular "bride" having been inadvertently promised to a Manchurian demon as a sacrifice unless she can hold out and stay safe from its clutches until its power wanes, with the help of her widowed sister-in-law, a studio cameraman, an elderly Chinese wizard, and three Pekingese dogs.

Hambly actually dedicated this one to Effinger, and it's kind of a love story to their relationship (and a well-done one, I might add, and I'm normally a no-romo). See if you can spot which of their respective personal traits made it into their corresponding characters'. Lots of great historical detail about the early motion picture industry, too.

Oh, and I should mention that if you don't mind paper formats, a large chunk of the Maureen Birnbaum, Barbarian Swordsperson stories have been collected into an SFBC hardcover by that name, with an introduction by Mike Resnick. It might be worth it to you to try and track down used, especially if you want to experience classic sf/fantasy tropes as seen from the perspective of an immortal ex-Valley Girl Jewish American Princess turned bronze bikini-wearing sword-slinger.

As for the newsletter thing, perhaps it could start out as a blog that the OP could post snippets of works in progress and talk about the influences for writing a scene/character, etc., and maybe occasionally dole out some bonuses for the faithful followers, like virtual signed bookplates (take the cover pic of your book, sign it using a tablet and graphics program, and e-mail the resulting jpeg to your readers to insert into their own copies using Calibre or the like).

That sort of thing helps build up goodwill and recognition without spamming or costing much in terms of actual money. And offering the occasional minor discount deal for upcoming or featured backlist titles would probably boost your sales a bit once you had some sort of following.

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09-09-2010, 02:07 AM	#33
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	I think Somtow's actually written a story like that. But it's not "Lottery Night" which I just checked, though that one's brilliant and hilarious. That's what I get for typing a hyphen instead of a slash. Speaking of divorcing dead things, Barbara Hambly's own Bride of the Rat God (sadly out of print, but newly translated into French) is a great pulp adventure/fantasy/horror tale set in 20s Hollywood, with the titular "bride" having been inadvertently promised to a Manchurian demon as a sacrifice unless she can hold out and stay safe from its clutches until its power wanes, with the help of her widowed sister-in-law, a studio cameraman, an elderly Chinese wizard, and three Pekingese dogs. Hambly actually dedicated this one to Effinger, and it's kind of a love story to their relationship (and a well-done one, I might add, and I'm normally a no-romo). See if you can spot which of their respective personal traits made it into their corresponding characters'. Lots of great historical detail about the early motion picture industry, too. Oh, and I should mention that if you don't mind paper formats, a large chunk of the Maureen Birnbaum, Barbarian Swordsperson stories have been collected into an SFBC hardcover by that name, with an introduction by Mike Resnick. It might be worth it to you to try and track down used, especially if you want to experience classic sf/fantasy tropes as seen from the perspective of an immortal ex-Valley Girl Jewish American Princess turned bronze bikini-wearing sword-slinger. As for the newsletter thing, perhaps it could start out as a blog that the OP could post snippets of works in progress and talk about the influences for writing a scene/character, etc., and maybe occasionally dole out some bonuses for the faithful followers, like virtual signed bookplates (take the cover pic of your book, sign it using a tablet and graphics program, and e-mail the resulting jpeg to your readers to insert into their own copies using Calibre or the like). That sort of thing helps build up goodwill and recognition without spamming or costing much in terms of actual money. And offering the occasional minor discount deal for upcoming or featured backlist titles would probably boost your sales a bit once you had some sort of following.

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