Bittercon - Still Thinking About Authorized Cruelty

One of the topics we discussed during the most recent bittercon was Authorized Cruelty over on sartorias' journal.

In one of my comments I left out a mention to a writer whose works I've found compelling, because I didn't want to mention two different authors whose names and book titles I was blanking on. I still can't remember the author mentioned in my comment, but Jenny Rappaport, whose blog Lit Soup I read through her RSS feed comfort_soup, happened to mention the other writer's name: Jacqueline Carey.

Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series goes far past what I thought was my threshold for violence, especially violence in the context of sexual activity, yet I couldn't read them fast enough once I'd started. These books examined the fine line between pleasure and pain, as well as giving a graphic depiction of a character for whom pain is pleasure. But don't make the mistake of thinking that these are simple books with a single focus. The world-building and characterizations are complex, and the voice is outstanding, with the end result that the story is compelling on multiple levels. (As an aside, you may be interested in the discussions going on right now on sartorias' journal: Voice or worldbuilding? and Is voice more important than worldbuilding? over on pjthompson's journal, which look at what makes books work for people.)

This got me to thinking about Laurell K. Hamilton's work. A friend introduced me to Hamilton's Anita Blake series several years ago and I started out enjoying the series. However, what I saw as the series progressed was an apparent pattern in which the violence and sex would become a bit more graphic as the series progressed, then ratchet back down for a book, only to creeps leap back up in the next. Eventually, I no longer felt that the sex and violence were a consequence of the plot and characterization, but that the plot and characterization existed only to provide an excuse for the sex and violence. At which point, I lost interest in the series. I've never been able to get into her Meredith Gentry series either.

So where's the line? When has an author gone too far? When are sex and violence appropriate to the story, and when are they gratuitous?

Edited to add: In a really, really big oops, I realized that the discussion I was thinking about was the one sartorias linked to: Is voice more important than worldbuilding? over on pjthompson's journal, so I added that info inline, as well as here. My apologies.

Unsolicited Messages are NOT a Good Way to Sell Your Book

I joined Goodreads a few months back at the suggestion of one of my brothers. Since then, I've listed a couple dozen books and reviewed a mere handfull. Today, in my Goodreads Inbox, I found the following message from a total stranger, a writer whose message has left me feeling rather uncomfortable:

from: James Bailey
to: Pamela
subject: quirky book
message:
Hi Pam the reading lover, cute picture. I had severe OCD, anxiety attacks, and depression for over thirty years but finally had enough and overcame most of it. I wrote a quirky and humorous book called Man Interrupted detailing how I did it. I have Oscar winner Mel Brooks on the cover praising it.. Please check out Man Interrupted at www.amazon.com or pop into a Barnes and Noble.. Just ask for Man Interrupted by James Bailey. Let me know? Best James.

I find myself rather mystified. Did this guy self-publish? *checks Amazon* The publisher is listed as Mainstream Publishing. *googles* Which seems to be a Scottish division of Random House. Does this make sense, or is there another publishing firm using that name?

What made him choose me, given that almost everything on my reading list is science fiction or fantasy, or am I just one of a couple thousand people he's individually contacted? Hasn't this guy ever heard about targeted marketing? (Of course, at least he's targeting people who read, so maybe he has.)

Why do so many people think that it's okay to shorten my name? I go by Pamela. I sign my letters and emails Pamela. If, by any chance I choose to use a nickname, the name I use is not "Pam." I mean, I understand why family members who started calling me Pam before I could defend myself could be a bit confused (even though you'd think thirty years would be enough time to get used to it), but why do perfect strangers think they've got the right to not just call someone by their first name, but to use a diminutive they haven't earned?

My, Aren't I Busy Tonight?

I just wanted to share this post by peanut13171 which has cool links to things Bujold. Her speech at WorldCon/Denvention, but also summaries of her Sharing Knife series and a report (spoiler alert) about her latest Miles book from one of the people in the audience.