Recently Received Publicity Don’t
By Jane • Feb 21st, 2008 • Category: Letters of Opinion, Misc • •I received an email this morning that contained the following words. I did verify that this was not a hoax but an email from a new publicity intern.
Hi,
I’m from [major New York publisher]. I would like to spread the word on two of our new Vampire novels. The first is [name of Book 1], and the second one (that I just began to read) is [name of Book 2].
Vampire literature is my favorite reading genre, and I think your website is great for people like us, who are true fans of vampirism. However, as of late a lot the genre has been oversaturated with smut, than overall content.
I assure you these two new novels offers something innovated and exciting.
We’ll send free copies of the books if you’re interested.
Thanks
For the record, we are not requesting the books because they don’t sound interesting to any of us, but it shows the danger of the mass emailed publicity inquiry. Because if the publicity intern had read the blog, she would know that we are all about the smutty vampire novels. The FiMD is spreading. Need more lolcats (although I read at Gawker or Wonkette that lolcats are so 2007).
Jane is a long time romance reader whose passion is, you guessed it, reading. Jane also does not like to talk about herself in the third person, but apparently this is the way that this biography thing works (although in a true biography, someone else would be writing this blurb). Anyway, currently Jane loves urban fantasy authors Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews. She's really excited about this year's crop of historicals including Joanna Bourne's The Spymaster's Lady and Sherry Thomas' Private Arrangements and the upcoming Loretta Chase Her Scandalous Ways.
She's looking for a good contemporary author. Email her with a recommendation!
Email this author | All posts by Jane
What exactly is a “true fan of vampirism” supposed to be?
could it be this? story
I dunno, I kinda like the vampire fiction out there lately.
Of course, I’m also probably one of the smutty writers.
Oh, well. ;)
Oh Lordy, I hope her boss didn’t approve that before she sent it out.
Note to intern: Even if you are going to be unintentionally insulting, please both proofread and spellcheck your mailings.
Jane, I’d love the names of those books; if there’s no smutty vampire action, I don’t want to read ‘em.
Just what the world needs “prudish” Vampire literature.
Could this be that new genre Vampire Inspirational Romance?
You know, where the gentle god fearing but barren heroine saves the slick hip Vampire’s soul and he instantly turns into a cross between a Mormon missionary and an Amish farmer. Prolog is later that month she is pregnant with 2.5 offspring and proud owner of a brand new Jeep Cherokee.
Oh did everyone get their Men On A Mission 2008 Calendar yet?
Mormen Exposed!
OMG Teddy is that real? Lol!
Speaking as one of those horrible vampire smut writers, I am so glad there are innovated books coming out soon to remedy the foul miasma of sexxoring which I, and others like me, have cast upon vampirism. Something for the true fans…
I’m so ashamed of myself.
Think positive - I think you’ve just found someone who’d love the “Cursed” query letter.
lolcats are considered wince-worthy in most places. Then again, so is vampire smut… ;)
Teddypig, are those men really Mormons or is it a joke site? It says it isn’t, but I’m still not sure. The responses given in the FAQs are a bit confusing. For example, how is the calendar “showing these missionaries as regular people” if the men “were hand-selected for their striking good looks and powerful spiritual devotion”? Doesn’t the fact that they have “striking good looks and powerful spiritual devotion” mean that they’re not “regular people”? Or are they “regular people” in the sense that these pictures are intended to prove that Mormons are not robots/androids/entities which only possess heads and hands, with the space inbetween filled by their modest clothing?
Whatever the answers are to these questions, I’m sure the producers of the calendar would be gratified to know that they’ve made me think, since it’s proof that “the project is already achieving what we set out to do - it is sparking dialogue, which is the first step toward understanding.”
Well, I personally am over the vampire smut already. But I totally want more werewolf smut, demon smut, angel smut, or, hell, I’d probably even read Bigfoot smut, if the story was good enough. :P
Laura,
Did you not know Mormon is the newer, sexier, form of Christianity?
I find the use of chest shaving amongst the Mormon Missionary fascinating and it is my hope this is further explored.
It’s all about the holy underwear!
Shannon C: Bigfoot smut? I don’t know whether to be repulsed or fatally curious!
I’ve heard that there is ogre-smut coming in 2009. Or wait, is it ogre slaying. Have to go check my emails.
Well, I can’t say that Bigfoot smut would have me rushing out to buy the book, but I would find the opportunity to read it. And hmmm, ogres in 2009? I am extremely curious now.
It’s all about the holy underwear!
Yes, wholly holy holey underwear (preferably decorated with holly) is where it’s at.
Yes, vampire literature definitely requires less smut and more clean wholesome fun. ‘Cuz that’s what vampirism is all about right?
And until someone comes up with something both cuter AND funnier than lolcats, I’ll stick with them for my “surfing to relieve stress” breaks.
I’m sorry, but I love me the lolcats! And the smutty Vamps!
*SNORT*
I could get down with some ogre slaying. I think I read a manga once that featured an ogre slayer as the lead character.
Whoa–”something innovated”, “oversaturated” (kind of like being very pregnant, I guess), “true fans of vampirism”? (I myself am a true fan of necrophilia, so I can’t relate.)
Jane, I really wish you’d post the name of the publisher that hired this illiterate and insulting dimwit. I sure the hell don’t ever want to submit anything to them.
KZ
Purveyor of Quality Smut for the
Discriminatingly Oversexed Paranormalist
Dude, Darragha is already bringing the ogre smut over on Dionne Galace’s blog. Not entirely my cup of tea, but it’s definitely… interesting.
Are you sure that email was real, Jane? o.O
Sorry, I know you said you verified but I have to admit I am speechless …
Shannon, you forgot zombie smut. The original slow hand..
Do Mormon men get their garments before marriage, Teddy? I know women don’t. (I’m assuming the men aren’t married yet, because don’t they usually wait until after their missions?)
I don’t know, I’m with Laura. The mass e-mailing I could see, though it seems they obviously didn’t do their research. But to send an e-mail from a major NY pub and have so many grammatical errors?
*shudder*
Damn Teddypig. I was saving that for Monday.
I don’t care what anyone says.
Lolcats are timeless.
Um I enjoy vampires and I guess smut. So, give me vampire smut any day.
What about Loch Ness smut? If you have Bigfoot, Tessie needs some love also.
Yeti smut anyone?
Yeti smut anyone?
Works for me…. you know what they say about the size of a man’s feet…. nyuknyuknyuk.
Just imagine the man-titty! the manaconda! the hairballs!
Vanessa OMG! My stomach hurts!
Imagine that cock puppet? Azteclady, where are yoooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuu….?
You rang?
(And I thought the Loch Ness smut had already made the rounds..?)
I feel a little sorry for this poor kid, but yes, this was a bit.. FiM.
Ugh,in the past 2 weeks I have gotten two promo “buy my books” from self published writers, three from a nonfiction company that handles tv related pop culture books, and one from a author offering to discount his (self published) book if I wanted to buy it for review. All were obviously mass emailed, none were what I’m interested in for my pidly review blog. I’ve gotten on a list somewhere though evidently. Let’s not even get into the promo/query I got. Can I possibly yell “Do your research” loud enough at this point?
I have three words for you: The Venture Brothers. Featuring a cameo by Major Steve Austen (aka the 6-Million Dollar Man), on the lamb with his partner, Bigfoot. *shudder* Oh, how I love that show. When Brock complains about not being warned that Bigfoot is a dude before he shaved him, I almost peed my pants.
Cow shifters.
I’m going with those next.
No bull.