Book Sale

     Well, it’s that time again: BasedCon, which (as far as I know) is the only F&SF convention that must conceal its locale until the day it opens, is upon us. And so, in keeping with the tradition he’s established, is Hans G. Schantz’s Based Book Sale, in which all the books are $0.99 or free. Yes, I’ve got a few in there. (Hans is kind to keep including my crap despite my appalling lack of productivity.)

     Now, being a reader as well as a writer, the BBS is not only advertising for my dubious drivel but also a source of potential illumination and entertainment. I comb through the offerings for new material quite carefully. Moreover, whether or not I find anything that looks like something I’d enjoy, the BBS helps me to identify trends in F&SF subjects, motifs, and marketing approaches. These are important to me for two reasons above all others:

• First, a trend in subject or motif is something I resolutely avoid joining. I insist upon originality, both in my reading fodder and in my own fiction.
• Second, a trend in marketing casts light upon what writers think attracts readers. Now and then, they’re right… but now and then, they plumb new depths of absurdity to which I refuse to descend.

     Now, these two are not entirely separate considerations. I’ve lamented indie writers’ tendency to “bandwagon” a hot trend on several previous occasions. That’s a marketing ploy, really: “I want to sell some books. This is selling. Therefore, I’ll write this.” And if a writer’s focus is on sales and revenue, there’s logic to it. But it doesn’t appeal to me, neither as a writer nor as a reader.

     It can take a bit of abstraction to detect some of the subtler trends. However, not all trends are at all subtle. Here’s one you may have noticed:

     I do not know if that actually increases sales. However, I can tell you with some assurance that damn near everybody is doing it. Well, everybody except me, that is.

     Female eye candy on the cover puts me in a resistive frame of mind. Does the author really need to do this to sell his book? Maybe! How do I know what’s between the covers? Except… well… I usually do. If the cover image has anything much to do with the story, the story is likely to be low-grade, possibly verging on soft-core porn. I can write my own soft-core porn, thanks. And if it doesn’t, it constitutes deceptive advertising. What more is there to say?

     Yet I can’t help wondering if it works. Consider the following image from the BBS:

     My God, the cliches! A gorgeous babe desperately fighting off a horde of bug-eyed monsters! And look at her! Luxuriant, flowing purple hair! A big, beautiful bust! A form-fitting costume with a waist-cincher! And thigh-high boots with five-inch heels!!

     If I didn’t know better, I’d think the author was playing an image-based game of “Can You Top This?” with his colleagues. All it lacks is a Willy-Ley-style spaceship in the backdrop.

     But damn, it draws the eye. I have no idea whether the image is relevant to the story, or whether the story is any good. I’ll let you know if it is. (Hey, for only 99 cents? Who could resist?)

     Anyway, have a gander at the Based Book Sale. There’s always something there to add to the stack, and mine’s been getting low lately. So score some entertainment at a bargain price.