thoughtful
deird1 wrote a really fascinating article about something she terms "the Vegemite Effect,", which is so accurate and earnest that it should just about be required reading. Because she's right. The short precis:"No matter how good something is, if you were expecting something else, you'll hate it."
People ask me periodically why I chose to be Mira Grant for my science fiction when I was already happily myself for my urban fantasy. My standard answer is all about marketing and branding and setting expectations, and all of this is completely true...but the real answer is all about Vegemite. People who like me for me were going to know that I was Mira Grant, because it was an open secret, and they were the ones who'd just be expecting my words. People who like my urban fantasy weren't going to pick up a book by someone else expecting magic and hijinks. And once Mira established a readership of her own, people who liked science and zombies weren't going to up my books expecting the dead to walk.
The Vegemite effect explains a great deal about how we approach media of all types, not just books, but comics, movies, and television. There's a lot to think about. And if you've ever wondered why sometimes I say "this is salty" repeatedly before I hand you something...
...well, there you go.
September 25 2012, 17:11:05 UTC 4 years ago
I have friend that love urban fantasy, but really wouldn't like a zombie novel. I can recommend Seanan McGuire to them freely, knowing that they are going to love the Toby books and the Incryptid books, but I don't have to worry about making certain they know which titles to buy.
And I can recommend the Mira Grant stuff to the people who can't stand novels with elves in them and again, not have to worry about making certain that they pick up the right book.
After having a friend pick up Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong (which doesn't have any urban fantasy elements at all) who then refused to try the Otherworld stuff even if I lent her mine -- yeah, I can fully understand the Vegemite experience when it comes to books. Some people are as picky about books as I am about food.
September 25 2012, 17:31:54 UTC 4 years ago