One of the very best writers in fantasy these days is Jeffrey Ford. His new novel, The Shadow Year, will be coming out March 11th, and I can hardly wait. It’s based on his World Fantasy Award winning novella “Botch Town.” He told me at World Fantasy he was particularly pleased with the cover, and I can see why.
That does look great! And if you recommend it, I think I’ll have to put it on my reading list.
But what is it with everything being subtitled “A novel” these days? I am starting to think it’s like “This door to remain unlocked during business hours”.
Ooh that is a good cover. He really lucked out on that one, because everyone knows, people buy books based on the cover, since most of America is illiterate these days.
What is with the A Novel thing? If it were me, everything would be “A Memoir.” Because then people would read it, get all touched and emotional over it, and then I could go on Oprah and have her bitch at me about having lied to her and America. And then I would be like, “Please, you got something out of it. Don’t front like you didn’t. Stop whining.”
The “A Novel” business has been going on for a long time. All mine have the little tag. Browsing my shelves I find All the King’s Men so identified. I suppose when they’re piled on remainder tables or garage sales, you know what’s up. Jeff’s book could easily be mistaken for memoir until the weird stuff starts happening…
Dennis: Hey, thanks for the plug. Hope you guys are having a great 08.