Aug 26 2011
Publishing Cliches Decoded!
I found this Devil’s Dictionary of publishing terms dangerously amusing. (Hat-tip: Kelley at Sterling Editing). Here are some examples.
- “brilliantly defies categorization” –>”not even the author has an idea what he’s written.”
- “continues in the proud tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien” –>”this book has a dwarf in it.”
- “edgy” –> “contains no adult voices of reason.”
- “wildly imaginative” –> “author was high on mescaline.”
- “ripped from the headlines” –> “no original plot content.”
Ha! My favorite is:
“a writer to watch”: “as opposed to one you are actually going to want to read”
Glad you liked it, and thanks for the h/t. I am crushing on your site — so much great stuff here for writers. And I learned all about hostage negotiating!
If you’re interested in hostage situations, I’d recommend the Detective/Crime category.
I like the definition for “I’ve been a fan of Author X for a long time” the best. It got a giggle out of me.
Dang, pretty harsh. I wonder if they actually mean this stuff, though I have a sneaking suspicion that they do.
Haha, I like this one best.
“classroom-friendly”: “kids won’t read it unless they have to”
I eventually want to write something like that, just so I can have my go at torturing high schoolers.
I agree 100% with “ripped from the headlines” –> “no original plot content.”
An addition:
The Best Book Of The Year!!: Published before April.