Sick Of It!!

Today I was in Borders (thinking about buying Borders stock? Read Paul Riddell's thoughts on the subject first) and I looked over the table of new mass market paperbacks. And shuddered.

Now, I understand trends as well as the next person. And I know that sometimes, as our own Nan Higginson reminded us last month, coincidences do happen and people come out with very similar books at the same time. But when does a publisher or agent put her foot down and say "I'm sick of this"? I think there were four (maybe five) thrillers on that table. A couple of historical romances and new releases in cozy series. And everything else--no joke, everything--was paranormal romantic suspense. Not psychics, either. Nothing so tame as that. No, every book "starred" a werewolf or a vampire, if not both.

A couple of years ago, it was all chick lit all the time. But since the majority of that was published in trade paperback, it never made the table at the entrance to my local Borders, so I never really noticed it except to read about its rise and to notice the growing number of shelves at the beginning of the romance section devoted to trade paperbacks.

This trend, however, disturbs me on any number of levels. First, there are a number of authors who didn't start out in the genre. I hope they have switched out of a true desire to and not because of pressure from publishers, but it doesn't seem too likely.

Second, I actually like to read Romantic Suspense. (Shocking, I know, but there it is.) And I like my protagonists to be of the same species. I mean, before I got married one of my dating criteria was that the guy not have a hairy back. I certainly don't want to read about women sleeping with werewolves! For that matter, I don't care for mysteries where cats talk or dogs solve crimes, either. My suspension of disbelief goes so far and no farther. (I don't mind a little psychic stuff, for example, as long as the whole plot doesn't hinge on a character's abilities.)

Third, and this may be my most serious objection, the "new release" table is often what attracts new readers. Bored browsers waiting for friends can look over that table without having to commit to a genre. That's where they get a sense of what's available to them. That much uniformity--especially so narrowly focused--is apt to turn people off, rather than on.

So yes, I think it's great to have a couple of paranormals on that table. And a couple of chick lit books. And some mysteries with cats. And some mysteries without. You see where I am going with this, don't you? I could be wrong, but I believe publishers pay for placement on those tables. Is the predominance of werewolf fiction dictated by the fact that publishers worry their wolves will get lost among, if you'll excuse the expression, the pack? Wouldn't it make more sense to figure that people who like that kind of book will search it out since it's so popular right now, and to spend the promotional dollars on a book that will really stand out on a table full of fangs and fur?

OK, I'll stop ranting now. And go back to counting my hives.