Comments on: Ratings

By: Jordan

Jordan — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 20:50:01 +0000

Alison,
I knew that titles played a big part in whether or not Walmart carried a book.

Jorie,
I didn’t mean to give you the impression that Bravas don’t sell well. I was simply talking about them not being stocked with a retailer that makes up 10% of all book sales.

By: Jorie

Jorie — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 18:04:45 +0000

Interesting post, Jordan, thanks. I had actually thought the Brava line was selling quite well, Walmart notwithstanding. (Not that I really know.)

As a reader, I’m not interested in such a rating. I haven’t read the article though.

By: Alison Kent

Alison Kent — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 13:03:23 +0000

Wal-Mart has also refused to carry many Blazes with questionable titles. Erotic Invitation was one they didn’t carry.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 20:10:26 +0000

Kate,
I’m not sure you can tell by a backcover blurb, unless the words ’sex toys’ are in it.

By: Kate Allan

Kate Allan — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 19:54:02 +0000

I’m in the UK so bear in mind my view has no relation to the practicalities of dealing with certain retailers.

What?!?! Why should books be ‘rated’? Isn’t it clear from the back blurb what a book’s about?

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 19:25:44 +0000

Jill,
That’s my concern too. I worry that it’ll be an easy way to discriminate against specific genres. And goodness knows I don’t want to give up reading my spicier books. (wg)

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 19:23:15 +0000

Evangeline,
I agree. I think it is out of the author’s hands, considering how little control they have of everything else in the industry.

By: Jill

Jill — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 17:53:56 +0000

I think rating the books might make the judging of “spicy” books worse, unfortunately. (which are my fave books, btw, they’re what I write and they’re what I read)

By: Evangeline

Evangeline — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 03:49:40 +0000

I’m not going to go there with the gun issue, because it’s a political type thing; but I work at Wal-Mart and Anderson Merchandising is Wal-Mart’s book and magazine buyer. Wal-Mart’s image is banked upon being “wholesome” and “family friendly”, and even though they sell Blaze’s, I’m thinking that blatantly erotic books propped up on the bookshelves where any kid can pick it up is too much for them. But sensuality ratings and cover catagories are firstly for booksellers, and then for consumers. So until booksellers decide on stocking their shelves in any manner they choose, authors don’t really have a say in the matter.

By: Jordan Summers

Jordan Summers — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 00:43:25 +0000

I hear you, Cece. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Alyssa, I believe it was just meant to deal with the level of sexual activity in a book. You’ve brought up a lot of good questions though. Not sure if they’d address those potential problems.