Comments on: You Shelved It…Where? http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/ A mutual support group for SF/F Novelists Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:51:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Romance or Fantasy? http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-1760 Romance or Fantasy? Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:48:28 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-1760 [...] my friend Jackie Kessler pointed out this phenomenon in her post last year at SF Novelists. She encourages people to look beyond the section that they normally visit in the bookstore to see [...] […] my friend Jackie Kessler pointed out this phenomenon in her post last year at SF Novelists. She encourages people to look beyond the section that they normally visit in the bookstore to see […]

]]> By: Michael M Jones http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-362 Michael M Jones Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:07:38 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-362 When I go to the bookstore, or at least to the local B&N, my routine is always: 1) Check out romance section for new releases. Look for paranormal romances, romantic comedies, and interesting Regencies. I won't tell you which I read and which my wife reads. :> 2) Check out SF/Fantasy section for new releases. 3) Check out YA section for new releases. I have to hit all three sections to make sure I keep up to date on promising books that fit my tastes... :> And I don't care who sees me in the romance section. I'm secure in my literary tastes. :> When I go to the bookstore, or at least to the local B&N, my routine is always:
1) Check out romance section for new releases. Look for paranormal romances, romantic comedies, and interesting Regencies. I won’t tell you which I read and which my wife reads. :>

2) Check out SF/Fantasy section for new releases.

3) Check out YA section for new releases.

I have to hit all three sections to make sure I keep up to date on promising books that fit my tastes… :> And I don’t care who sees me in the romance section. I’m secure in my literary tastes. :>

]]> By: Kelly McCullough http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-360 Kelly McCullough Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:03:36 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-360 David, http://commongoodbooks.com/ in St. Paul owned by Garrison Keilor. The fiction at least is arranged as you suggest in one big wall o' books. Since non-fiction and quasi-fiction can have much more complex authorship, those are stocked elsewhere. David, http://commongoodbooks.com/ in St. Paul owned by Garrison Keilor. The fiction at least is arranged as you suggest in one big wall o’ books. Since non-fiction and quasi-fiction can have much more complex authorship, those are stocked elsewhere.

]]> By: David Louis Edelman http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-356 David Louis Edelman Sun, 09 Sep 2007 21:18:29 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-356 I think someone should really try opening a bookstore that has no classification system whatsoever -- everything in the damn store is alphabetized according to author's last name. It would make finding books a cinch, and might make for some interesting juxtapositions. Anybody ever heard of a bookstore that's tried that? I think someone should really try opening a bookstore that has no classification system whatsoever — everything in the damn store is alphabetized according to author’s last name. It would make finding books a cinch, and might make for some interesting juxtapositions. Anybody ever heard of a bookstore that’s tried that?

]]> By: Suzette http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-352 Suzette Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:32:42 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-352 I admit, I love romance novels and so dont care about going to that particular section in a bookstore. What would be lovely though is if they actually had a PARANORMAL Romance section so that I dont have to go through all the regular romance, ie: contemporary, historical, western romace, ect. My genre of choice IS paranormal romace. In my opinion that includes, ghost, vamps, time-travel, succubus, witches, and some sci-fi(Bianca D' Arc), and urban fantasy. Shoot, if the book stores seprated those from you regular romance, I would be a happy camper since I could find those authors I already read quickly and find authors I have missed out on because of the location of a book. I admit, I love romance novels and so dont care about going to that particular section in a bookstore. What would be lovely though is if they actually had a PARANORMAL Romance section so that I dont have to go through all the regular romance, ie: contemporary, historical, western romace, ect.

My genre of choice IS paranormal romace. In my opinion that includes, ghost, vamps, time-travel, succubus, witches, and some sci-fi(Bianca D’ Arc), and urban fantasy. Shoot, if the book stores seprated those from you regular romance, I would be a happy camper since I could find those authors I already read quickly and find authors I have missed out on because of the location of a book.

]]> By: C.E. Petit http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-348 C.E. Petit Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:49:43 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-348 Part of the problem with this whole scenario is having separate sections in bookstores. What's wrong with "Fiction"? All seriousness aside, just as science fiction suffers from the perception that it's about evil scientists and bug-eyed monsters, and fantasy suffers from the perception that it's all rewritten variations of <i>LOTR</i>, and horror suffers from the perception that it's all about creeping evil zombies (or maybe just Karl Rove) eating the brains of everyone around the protagonist, romance suffers from the perception that it's about rich men and women ripping each others' clothes off. Or just about sentences as long as that one. Of course, there is some truth to all of these perceptions; every year, among the top ten sellers in each category for that year one will find at least three or four that arguably fit the stereotypes. Whether this is a self-fulfilling prophecy because that's available from the publishers, or something else, is beside the point. As part of my job, I force myself to read bestsellers in categories I don't ordinarily read. And trust me — there's plenty of stereotypical (bad) Romance making the bestseller lists. It doesn't matter whether it's by N___ R___ (or JD R___), or D____ S____, or any of the other recognized megasellers in Romance: the brand is enough to ensure high sales. In management and marketing, one has Gresham's Law; in fiction, one has Grisham's Law (bad fiction will force good fiction into marketing disfavor). Part of the problem with this whole scenario is having separate sections in bookstores. What’s wrong with “Fiction”?

All seriousness aside, just as science fiction suffers from the perception that it’s about evil scientists and bug-eyed monsters, and fantasy suffers from the perception that it’s all rewritten variations of LOTR, and horror suffers from the perception that it’s all about creeping evil zombies (or maybe just Karl Rove) eating the brains of everyone around the protagonist, romance suffers from the perception that it’s about rich men and women ripping each others’ clothes off. Or just about sentences as long as that one.

Of course, there is some truth to all of these perceptions; every year, among the top ten sellers in each category for that year one will find at least three or four that arguably fit the stereotypes. Whether this is a self-fulfilling prophecy because that’s available from the publishers, or something else, is beside the point.

As part of my job, I force myself to read bestsellers in categories I don’t ordinarily read. And trust me — there’s plenty of stereotypical (bad) Romance making the bestseller lists. It doesn’t matter whether it’s by N___ R___ (or JD R___), or D____ S____, or any of the other recognized megasellers in Romance: the brand is enough to ensure high sales. In management and marketing, one has Gresham’s Law; in fiction, one has Grisham’s Law (bad fiction will force good fiction into marketing disfavor).

]]> By: Lynne Thomas http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-347 Lynne Thomas Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:42:06 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-347 I'm one of those people that gets avoided in the romance section, who has used paranormal romance to ease my way into SF. I'm the person that feels like I'm being stared at as I wander through the *SF* section trying to figure out what to read next, and whether I'm really going to like it, and feeling like a total poser while I'm there. Of course, when I attended my first SF reading group meeting at my local public library, it took less than ONE MINUTE for someone in the group to snort and make a snide comment about romance. I kid you not. And I'd put money down that said person has NEVER read a romance novel. Especially not one of the romances put out in the past, say, 15 years. The misconception that all romance is anti-feminist bodice ripper heaving-breasts kind of stuff for unintelligent readers is right up there with the misconception that all SF is just about robots and rocketships, with much more concern about the technology than characterization, aimed only at engineers. As with every genre, there's good stuff and craptastic stuff out there. It's just a matter of being able to discern between the two, and that takes practice, and occasional guidance from the person standing comfortably in the section. They may just be trying to see what *you're* buying, because they're curious to see if they might like it too, you know... Gee, can you tell that I've had this rant before? :-) And Dora is starting to make my eyes bleed from overexposure. I'll take Backyardigans anyday. Right now, we're trying to convert our 5-year-old into a Muppets fan, which warms my heart. Lynne who just finished Curse of Chalion and moved right on to Jayne Castle's Silver Master...to be followed by probably some Patrick Rothfuss... I’m one of those people that gets avoided in the romance section, who has used paranormal romance to ease my way into SF. I’m the person that feels like I’m being stared at as I wander through the *SF* section trying to figure out what to read next, and whether I’m really going to like it, and feeling like a total poser while I’m there.

Of course, when I attended my first SF reading group meeting at my local public library, it took less than ONE MINUTE for someone in the group to snort and make a snide comment about romance. I kid you not. And I’d put money down that said person has NEVER read a romance novel. Especially not one of the romances put out in the past, say, 15 years. The misconception that all romance is anti-feminist bodice ripper heaving-breasts kind of stuff for unintelligent readers is right up there with the misconception that all SF is just about robots and rocketships, with much more concern about the technology than characterization, aimed only at engineers.

As with every genre, there’s good stuff and craptastic stuff out there. It’s just a matter of being able to discern between the two, and that takes practice, and occasional guidance from the person standing comfortably in the section. They may just be trying to see what *you’re* buying, because they’re curious to see if they might like it too, you know…

Gee, can you tell that I’ve had this rant before? :-)

And Dora is starting to make my eyes bleed from overexposure. I’ll take Backyardigans anyday. Right now, we’re trying to convert our 5-year-old into a Muppets fan, which warms my heart.

Lynne
who just finished Curse of Chalion and moved right on to Jayne Castle’s Silver Master…to be followed by probably some Patrick Rothfuss…

]]> By: Jim C. Hines http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-341 Jim C. Hines Fri, 07 Sep 2007 20:06:06 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-341 The Dora/Diego books aren't really any worse than a lot of the other stuff for that age group. They're not my favorites, but it's not like they keep me awake at night muttering, "Swiper no swiping ... Swiper no swiping ... Swiper get the $%#@% out of my house before I take a @#$%^ing axe to your @#$-@#$%^ing skull!" At least, not anymore :-) The Dora/Diego books aren’t really any worse than a lot of the other stuff for that age group. They’re not my favorites, but it’s not like they keep me awake at night muttering, “Swiper no swiping … Swiper no swiping … Swiper get the $%#@% out of my house before I take a @#$%^ing axe to your @#$-@#$%^ing skull!”

At least, not anymore :-)

]]> By: Jackie Kessler http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-337 Jackie Kessler Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:38:21 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-337 I think the only part of a bookstore that really scares me is the children's section. Have you SEEN all of those Dora the Explorer books? And, gasp, Go, Diego, Go! I'm telling you, that's the stuff of nightmares. I think the only part of a bookstore that really scares me is the children’s section. Have you SEEN all of those Dora the Explorer books? And, gasp, Go, Diego, Go! I’m telling you, that’s the stuff of nightmares.

]]> By: Steve Buchheit http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-335 Steve Buchheit Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:17:06 +0000 http://www.sfnovelists.com/2007/09/07/you-shelved-itwhere/#comment-335 I've been reading and acquiring Graham Joyce lately. He's all over the damn store. I haven't had to go into romance to find him, yet. And some of my best friends are romance writers. So there's no problem with picking it up. In fact, having taken out one of LK Hamilton's books from the library and Christopher Moore's <i>You Suck,</i> I got a questionable look and smile about the later and not even an eyelid flutter on the former. I guess, for me, I'd go almost into any section of a bookstore without hesitation. Although I have a "fear of heights" kind of affliction with the Self-help/Sexuality section, but that's from an overwhelming urge to pick up a copy of the Joy of Sex and ask out loud "I wonder if what we did last weekend is in.. yep, there it is." So I avoid that section. I’ve been reading and acquiring Graham Joyce lately. He’s all over the damn store. I haven’t had to go into romance to find him, yet.

And some of my best friends are romance writers. So there’s no problem with picking it up. In fact, having taken out one of LK Hamilton’s books from the library and Christopher Moore’s You Suck, I got a questionable look and smile about the later and not even an eyelid flutter on the former.

I guess, for me, I’d go almost into any section of a bookstore without hesitation. Although I have a “fear of heights” kind of affliction with the Self-help/Sexuality section, but that’s from an overwhelming urge to pick up a copy of the Joy of Sex and ask out loud “I wonder if what we did last weekend is in.. yep, there it is.” So I avoid that section.

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