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  • (ReacTor) What Lures Readers Into Picking Up an Unfamiliar Book?

    From James Nicoll@3:633/10 to All on Monday, February 09, 2026 15:11:09
    What Lures Readers Into Picking Up an Unfamiliar Book?

    What elements do you look for when browsing the shelves?

    https://reactormag.com/what-lures-readers-into-picking-up-an-unfamiliar-book/ --
    My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
    My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
    My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
    My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.11
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From William Hyde@3:633/10 to All on Monday, February 09, 2026 14:42:51
    James Nicoll wrote:
    What Lures Readers Into Picking Up an Unfamiliar Book?

    What elements do you look for when browsing the shelves?

    https://reactormag.com/what-lures-readers-into-picking-up-an-unfamiliar-book/

    Recommendations by authors I like played a big part. A blurb by
    Zelazny, Ellison, Asimov, Clarke, and so on would almost guarantee a sale.

    Unsigned newspaper blurbs have zero effect. I wish publishers would
    learn this. I know people who have reviewed books for newspapers of
    some note, and these people are of, let us say, varying ability and
    diligence.

    The description of the book plays a role. The inside cover and back
    cover commentary for Gor said "Warmed over ERB", and I did not buy. I
    don't think anyone I respected blurbed it. (If there was any suggestion
    of the authors peculiar sexual politics, I missed it utterly).

    "Neutron Star" did come with a blurb, possibly from Pohl, but I'd have
    bought it anyway, given the description.

    William Hyde

    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.11
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)
  • From Lynn McGuire@3:633/10 to All on Monday, February 09, 2026 15:04:03
    On 2/9/2026 9:11 AM, James Nicoll wrote:
    What Lures Readers Into Picking Up an Unfamiliar Book?

    What elements do you look for when browsing the shelves?

    https://reactormag.com/what-lures-readers-into-picking-up-an-unfamiliar-book/

    You. And several others on this board and other boards.

    Lynn


    --- PyGate Linux v1.5.11
    * Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)