The Ludlum Conundrum was my barf-with-coffee this morning.
The publishing business continues its descent into a quagmire of dishonor by using the Robert Ludlum name (he's been dead for six years) to continue publishing books featuring his characters. (Full disclosure: the original Jason Bourne book, The Bourne Identity, is easily my favorite action novel of all time.) "Robert Ludlum's...." graces the cover in 50-point type.
There are so many aspiring novelists out there, so many characters to create, so many ideas to air. Why are we all so stuck in the routine of the familiar that we require this factory style of book publishing in order to satisfy readers? I can't believe these ghostwriters don't have ideas of their own. Let the original Bourne stand alone, in the 70's where he belongs, and come up with something new to say. Take a risk and trust readers to find quality where it exists.
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2 comments:
i agree. too bad so many writers and publishers are just out to make a buck, not fulfill artistic and academic dreams.
It's all marketing at your service ladies. Ludlum is a name. Ghost writer is not a name. He/she is lost in a sea of other GW's, no reason to pick him up off a shelf that rises any higher. It's probably a decent read, but these days, you need a Kite Runner quality novel to really get any notice.
Plus it is our fault too. People in general are lazy. Our fast food instant gratification do 100 things by breakfast society means we will read maybe 5 books a summer (for the most part) - we simply do not have time to explore. We buy a book based on a tried and true author's name, or a recommendation of a friend. Occasionally we browse B&N with Starbucks in hand and take a chance on something completely unknown. But for most people that's more rare.
On the other hand, a lot of publishers take chances on unknowns everyday, hoping for that big Harry Pottter jackpot, or simply because they thought it was worthy. But they are still a business, which needs to pay staff and turn a profit for thier shareholders. So if they can get an edge with the Ludlum name, which in turn finances a new Khaled Hosseini no one has heard of yet, maybe it's worth it. It's the way our wicked world turns my pretties. The grease that helps the stars rise. - Holly
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