Suckerrrrrrrrrrrrrr for punishment (Yeah, that's me)

The deal:

There is a publishing house in America claiming to be a real publishing house but displaying all the characteristics of a vanity press. The publishing house has apparently made a few digs at some SF and F authors, who got together and wrote a chapter each of the worst schlock they could manage, put it together and send it in to see if they would take they bait. They did. For more info, check out Aki's post. My favourite paragraph so far (after all the wincing over "mis-placed" apostrophes....

All her life Margaret had worked hard, harder than anyone else. Her sisters, all of them far more beautiful than she, had coasted through life like a toboggan down the snow hill of life.

I can see I am going to have to torture you all with this marvellous monstrosity during my readings. Be prepared. If you are lucky, I will use LJ cuts. If they are truly awesomely awful, I won't!!!

This kind of reminds me of "Night Travels of the Elven Vampire" which I would still probably kill to get a copy of. Just for personal purposes of course. *grin*

I love the idea of vanity presses which are truly vain. *grin*

Ooo oooo ooo another one

"Penelope and Isadore looked at each other, as only two redheads can look at one another as Bruce delivered himself of this comment.

ROFLMAO

An article discussing Women in Publishing

"Women Writing: Views & Prospects 1975-1995"

Ooo, more

"She was mad from the conversation with her friend Penelope who all the men seemed to be attracted to. Her cheeks were flaming red fires like a volcano ready to explode through the cold emerald stones that were her eyes. She knew Penelope thought she drank too much."

*sniff* *sniff* *achooo!*

I'm sooooooo glad we're cleaning out these books. Although it's a bit dusty around here. So far we have two copies of The Dark is Rising, plus we just got the Dark is Rising Sequence (the omnibus.) I find it amusing that I know *I* had a copy, and so apparently John and/or Kris also had a copy - and so far only of that particular novel in the series.

We also have almost unlimited numbers of the Dune and Foundation series. :-) I'm amused. Oh, and LOTR and the Hobbit - so far I am sure I have seen three of the Hobbit, which is funny because I am not convinced I had a copy. Several copies of some of the Hitchikers Guide. The best thing about whittling down like this is when I look at the current bookcase in the lounge room, and I recognize 3/4s of the books, as opposed to previously where I would recognize 1/10. Or recognize them as books worth owning/cherishing/whatever.

Also, it's nice turning up old favourites. I can't wait for when we're done, got rid of the old stuff, and then alphabetize what we keep. Then, when I have that urge for a feeling that only a certain book can provide, I know where it *should* be. And then I can abuse housemates with RIGHTEOUS WRATH if I can't find it on the shelf or in the piles of books that I have been reading.
:-)

Woohoo! Can't wait to give away/sell/burn these books. Life is dusty, but good.