Melting frost

[jhetley]

Not particularly cold this morning, about  30 F, with clear sky.  Sun has pretty much thawed the cars and roads by now.  Forecast includes a "winter storm watch" for Friday...

Well, that's actually for "The County", far northern Maine.  But we're supposed to get rain mixed with snow, starting overnight and continuing on for a while.

And if anybody out there in radio-land can provide a clear and succinct definition of "commercial urban fantasy" -- as intended by Nice Editor Lady -- you'll have my undying* gratitude.  She wants that, rather than SIGNATURES.  Doesn't think it will sell enough copies.

I'll be moping over in the dim corner of our back bedroom.

*"undying" in this context means I'll remember your kindness for at least a week.  It's that Senior Moment kind of thing.

Comments

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

Yoikes.

Commercial Urban Fantasy = Disney Does De Lint?

Whatever her intent, I'd much prefer something that doesn't match what I think her definition is. Sure, take something good and cast it in some mass-produced mold that burns any and all actual content and value from it in order to make it commercial - but it's not likely to be something I'd want to read.

Time for new Nice Editor Lady?

[quilzas.livejournal.com]

I dunno how commercial it is, but as far as urban fantasy goes, one of my favorites right now is the Dresden Series by Jim Butcher...

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Well, one of the rejection comments from _other_ editors was that SIGNATURES was too much like Jim Butcher...

[quilzas.livejournal.com]

How is this a bad thing? I mean, it's a great style.
Aren't the Harry Potter knock-offs doing well?

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

It is a bad thing because it causes rejection, which is bad for my fragile writerly ego.

[quilzas.livejournal.com]

I hear ya.
Writer egos are fragile indeed.

[edschweppe.livejournal.com]

a clear and succinct definition of "commercial urban fantasy" -- as intended by Nice Editor Lady
This sounds like something that Nice Agent Lady could ask Nice Editor Lady to explain further. At the very least, Nice Agent Lady could get Nice Editor Lady to provide some sample titles and authors, giving you the option of researching further at your friendly local library.

My guess would be something along the lines of "Sex in the City" but with vampires and/or witches. However, the only things I've ever been paid to write are in gibberish languages like C#, so my guess is probably worth what you paid for it.