Strange use of language to promote a ... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Edit Profile

RAMSEY CAMPBELL » Discussion » Strange use of language to promote a book... « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Weber (Weber_gregston)
Username: Weber_gregston

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.12.129.12
Posted on Thursday, May 27, 2010 - 02:46 pm:   

In one of my usual emails from Amazon this appeared

"The 7th Victim
by Alan Jacobson
Average customer review:

List Price: $25.95
Price: $10.38
You Save: $15.57 (60%)



In Jacobson's tepid third thriller (after Hunted and False Accusations), FBI profiler Karen Vail is obsessed with bringing to justice the Dead Eyes Killer, who's gruesomely slain several women in Virginia. "


Would you use the word Tepid to describe a book - surely, if my old English teacher was right, tepid means luke-warm, stodgy and not pleasant. It's definitely not a recommendatory word.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ramsey Campbell (Ramsey)
Username: Ramsey

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 195.93.21.74
Posted on Thursday, May 27, 2010 - 03:13 pm:   

Ouch! It is indeed from the Publishers Weekly review, but who on earth thought of using it in the promotion? Here's the full review:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/7th-Victim/Alan-Jacobson/e/9781593154943
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Jonathan (Jonathan)
Username: Jonathan

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 91.143.178.131
Posted on Thursday, May 27, 2010 - 03:56 pm:   

Amazon never double check their info. I know this from long long experience of having to repeatedly e-mail them about mis-listed or incorrectly listed titles. They don't double check the info they put up, they just pick it up from feeds, not usually bothering to check which one will give them the best and most accurate information.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ian Alexander Martin (Iam)
Username: Iam

Registered: 10-2009
Posted From: 64.180.64.74
Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 02:52 am:   

I've just posted an article on the Atomic Fez site which contains a bit of grumbling about the accuracy of Amazon.com/.ca/co.uk's product information. The article's really about ISBNs, but part of the accuracy that Amazon lacks involves ISBNs occasionally.

Go here: http://www.atomicfez.com/?p=1632

How the promotional description for the book was made specifically from the PW review without someone reading it first is a bit stunning, though. Someone at Amazon is probably getting an earful from the publisher, though...

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration