Pop Quiz: What is the Liaden Universe

[rolanni]

If you -- yes, you -- had to describe the Liaden Universe(R)in 50 words on less to a perfect stranger in a way that would (1) make sense and (2) make them want to run out and buy eleventy-leven copies of each and press them on all their friends, not to say persons chance-met on the street, what would you say? You may be as fanciful as possible, but you may not stray from the truth (i.e., "The Liaden Universe(R) is funnier than Pratchett, more epic than Tolkien, and it's a dessert topping").

Go crazy.

Comments

[cadhla.livejournal.com]

Mix adventure, intrigue, the artful dance of manners and the bang-pow excitement of space opera, stir well, add romance, family honour, and a real, concrete universe that you'll regret never getting the chance to see, and you'll have the Liaden books. They're complex without becoming over-technical, and personal enough even if science fiction isn't your thing.

Also, hey, talking trees.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

The best mix of poetry and necessity yet! I went for necessity--I've been writing too many reviews and blurbs lately, and I hate blurbs that are all poetic and don't tell me anything. This does. Cool!

[aitchellsee.livejournal.com]

Well, I an constitutionally incapable of doing Concise, but I'm happy to offer you the perfect headline to use when you bulk-email the Fifty Words or Less to everyone in the whole universe as, um, Spam.

It came to me AS spam, under the subject line "I think you will like this" -- and I think you will like this ;-)

"Looking to get Liad tonight!"

HLC
(who blushes to confess that it
also makes her think of the first
meeting between Er Thom and Anne)

[kinzel.livejournal.com]

Actually, this is to help us focus on the upcoming BEA; we may need to give very quick capsule reviews to the thousands of librarians and bookstore types walking by.... and having a couple semi-canned two or three line blurbs to haqnd will help a lot.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Y'know? I don't think I'd mind spam half as much if the generators of same could spell? This is not, you understand, saying very much, considering the depth of my feelings for spam and spammers, but -- still.

[malkingrey.livejournal.com]

"The crazed mutant offspring of George Lucas and Georgette Heyer" probably isn't the capsule description you were looking for.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

I actually like it, but I think our publisher would faint dead away if he heard me trot it out for a multi-chain buyer.

OTOH, in the spirit of making one's own fun...

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

LOL!

But not for the buyers, maybe...

[undauntra.livejournal.com]

It's so true, though. It's the Good Parts Version of Regency romance + space opera.

[kd5mdk.livejournal.com]

That would be Miles Vorkosigan.


Except he has integrity, unlike Lucas.

[deor.livejournal.com]

It's very memorable, though. _I like it, anyway.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

I'll think about this during the afternoon, and have sent on your plea to three of my favorite, most literate Liad lovers. We'll see what we can come up with, so you have more to add to column A, B and C (the better to mix and match from...)

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

And we have the first answer to "If you -- yes, you -- had to describe the Liaden Universe(R)in 50 words on less to a perfect stranger in a way that would (1) make sense and (2) make them want to run out and buy eleventy-leven copies of each and press them on all their friends, not to say persons chance-met on the street, what would you say?"

Approximately 50 words, contributed by fan RF:

"Watching a group of extraordinary, everyday folks dealing with those little niceties of life like love, honor, family, prejudice, bringing home the bacon, and the nuances of dealing with cultures which are differently human. Oh--some of the folks are 8' tall space-faring turtles dealing with the finer points of human etiquette."

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Ah, lovely.

Please pass my thanks to RF.

Hollywood pitch--long form...

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Since today is busy, and I don't know how fast you and kinzel need to have several versions in hand, here's the first draft of my version:

"The Liaden Universe ® has action for teens, sharp dialog for adults, and enough plot and great characters to keep a galaxy of fans happy. You get honor, adventure, mystery, humor, and romance, as well as sentient trees, 8-foot turtles with opposable thumbs, and cats that walk through space. This multi-generational saga is available in eight books, with more stories to come."

It's still over 50 words, but it would be chance that brought me back before midnight, so tweak away!

Re: Hollywood pitch--long form...

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Liaden Universe a Rave

[(Anonymous)]

This is the most re-readable series I've ever encountered.
Character driven with fantastic story lines. Phrases turn
in marvelous ways. Do not start it on a weeknight. Be
prepared to immerse yourself. A life time investment of
joy and wonder. They reward the careful reader AND happily ever
after to boot!

Terry Larsen

[oberon.livejournal.com]

The Liad universe is a seamlessly flowing universe of terrible necessities, beautiful dangers, love beyond imagining, and irresistable characters. From the first page, the reader is swept into an unforgettable story that effortlessly balances epic science fiction and romance, and it is with sheer regret that they turn the last page.

of life

[(Anonymous)]

Chuck Todd

[(Anonymous)]

Subtle space based character development.
After you've bought the series, and reread them the fifth time, you might catch the name of the spicy food (Pecha) fed to the heroine.

[galeni.livejournal.com]

Heck. In four words: intellectual romances set elsewhere.