I flexed my self-control muscles today by going into a bookstore, browsing, and then leaving without buying anything. I’m feeling quite smug. But as I was scanning the books in the science fiction/fantasy section, I noticed that a certain style of book cover has become quite popular. These covers feature illustrations of svelte young women’s rear profiles; young women who seem to share an affinity for tight clothing and pagan/wiccan/whatever tatts on their lower backs. A quick glance at the cover blurbs reveals that these women are entangled in generally dysfunctional relationships with vampires, demons, and such. It’s a weird fusion of fantasy and bodice-ripper that Tolkien probably never would have imagined.
I’ve decided that my next book will be about a bad-girl hottie who works as a personal care assistant during the day and hunts vampires at night. Clearly, this kind of stuff sells and I don’t want to miss my opportunity to cash in.
