Anecdote needs to be demystified

[Blacula]

I was just reading Spider Robinson's "Callahan's Crosstime Saloon" and in forward Robinson tells a true anecdote about a writer who bet a friend that it was literally impossible to write a book so B*A*D that no one could be found to publish it. As the story goes, this writer proceeded to write the worst, most hackneyed novel of which he was capable - and not only did he succeed in selling it, the public demanded better than two dozen sequels.
Robinson stated that he can't tell the name of that writer because he is afraid of being sued. He also said that if a reader wants to know about which writer he is talking about that he or she should ask around at any SF convention because it's "a reasonably famous anecdote".

So does anyone knows which writer and which book he is talking about?

 

[vortexreader]

How many books are in Piers Anthony's Xanth series at this point?

 

[psikeyhackr]

How many books are in Piers Anthony's Xanth series at this point?

ROFLMAO

I've started 2 of his books. Never finished any. I totally ignore them.

psik

 

[Gernsback]

Can I put a few pennies on the "Gor" series?

 

[psikeyhackr]

Can I put a few pennies on the "Gor" series?

Yeah you can. I think I read the first 3 of those before I got tired of the same old, same old. So I'll vote for Piers Anthony since I couldn't even finish one. LOL

My God, it's still going!!!

1. Tarnsman of Gor (1967) ISBN 0-345-27583-7
2. Outlaw of Gor (1967) ISBN 0-345-27136-X
3. Priest-Kings of Gor (1968) ISBN 0-7592-0036-X
4. Nomads of Gor (1969) ISBN 0-75925-445-1
5. Assassin of Gor (1970) ISBN 0-75920-091-2
6. Raiders of Gor (1971) ISBN 0-75920-153-6
7. Captive of Gor (1972) ISBN 0-75920-105-6
8. Hunters of Gor (1974) ISBN 0-75920-130-7
9. Marauders of Gor (1975) ISBN 0-75920-141-2
10. Tribesmen of Gor (1976) ISBN 0-75925-446-X
11. Slave Girl of Gor (1977) ISBN 0-75920-454-3
12. Beasts of Gor (1978) ISBN 0-75921-125-6
13. Explorers of Gor (1979) ISBN 0-75921-167-1

AND GOING

14. Fighting Slave of Gor (1980) ISBN 0-75921-173-6
15. Rogue of Gor (1981) ISBN 0-75921-179-5
16. Guardsman of Gor (1981) ISBN 0-75921-368-2
17. Savages of Gor (1982) ISBN 0-75921-374-7
18. Blood Brothers of Gor (1982) ISBN 0-75921-380-1
19. Kajira of Gor (1983) ISBN 0-75921-926-5
20. Players of Gor (1984) ISBN 0-75921-932-X
21. Mercenaries of Gor (1985) ISBN 0-75921-944-3
22. Dancer of Gor (1986) ISBN 0-75921-950-8
23. Renegades of Gor (1986) ISBN 0-75921-956-7
24. Vagabonds of Gor (1987) ISBN 0-75921-980-X
25. Magicians of Gor (1988) ISBN 0-75921-986-9
26. Witness of Gor (2001) ISBN 0-7592-4235-6

AND GOING

27. Prize of Gor (2008) ISBN 0-7592-4580-0

ROFL

psik

PS - Will the Death of Gor please get published.

 

[Gernsback]

How many books are in Piers Anthony's Xanth series at this point?

There are 32 with 2 more due 2009 2010 - The more I think about it, the more I think Anthony is the one. This series got going a few years after Robinson came to readers attention (1977)

 

[Rob B]

I'm pretty sure Ghost by John Ringo was written as something of a dare to write a story so bad he could sell it.

Here's an infamous livejournal review of it in which Ringo actually responds.

For more fun, just google OH JOHN RINGO NO!

 

[hippokrene]

1) I doubt the authenticity of the story. Almost every urban legend I’ve heard begins with whomever is telling it to me swearing it’s legit.

2) Even if it were true, once it hits public circulation, people will always change it to whatever long-running series they think is the worst. The 'real' answer will always be lost to speculation.

 

[MrBF1V3]

Mr. Robinson wrote that comment in the seventies. At the time I did ask around and am reasonably sure he was talking about the Gor series.

If it is true you can't blame the publishers, or the general public. Sometimes when someone tries to write something B A D they have too much fun doing it, and the end product A) stands out from the usual, and B) is fun, and funny to read. (See "Cult Classic", or MST2K) So, sometimes bad is good.

On the other hand, I suspect Spider Robinson is a bit of a cynic.

B5

 

[bio]

I don't know if this anecdote is true or not, but A Spell for Chameleon as first in so succesful cycle doesn't quite fit to this theory, because it is very good book. The rest you can forget, but the starting point of this suspicion is wrong.