I think that word does not mean what you think it did!

[erastes]

Amber Allure set themselves up for prodding with the Spork-stick at times because they proclaim themselves "The Gold Standard in Publishing."

And when I read blurbs like this - and excerpts like this I want to prod them with the spork and ask them what exchange rate they are using against their gold standard?

He gave the great-looking body a raking glaze.

Would that be tempura, slip, or sugar? (although I can't talk with my fropping to his knees thing.)

The dark aura from earlier came back to envelope them.

DEMON ENVELOPES!  *Runs screaming.*

And Do Not Ask about rugged, virile and expiring condoms. (I don't mean the condoms are rugged or virile)

Gehayi discusses things like this on this post and specifically towards the end where she makes a list of tropes.

Comments

[mzcalypso.livejournal.com]

Do you remember a publisher called Mardi Gras Press? In one single excerpt, they had a character who 'laid upon an alter.' Every single excerpt and blurb was riddled with awful English. Did I mention they're not in business any more? Those god-awful blurbs are the best red flags a reader or writer could hope for.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

an alter! Perhaps it was an 'alter and there was a cheeky cockney chappie into leatherwork!

No? I didn't think so.

[zoepaleologa.livejournal.com]

Perhaps rugged condoms are ribbed for your pleasure.

*runs like hell*

[erastes.livejournal.com]

*chokes*

[moondancerdrake.livejournal.com]

LOL, those were some darn funny slip ups I have to say. I can't make too much fun of them since many of my betas (you included) have found some amusing screw ups in my own writing.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Oh I agree - we all make mistakes. But I would be disgusted with myself - AND my publisher if

1. They didn't spot them and change them and

2. they then put those mistakes up on the internet for everyone to see!!

I don't think PD would do that!

[moondancerdrake.livejournal.com]

I would hope they wouldn't. I can't see my current ediotrs letting anything like that slide, but sometimes blurbs go up before editing. They're still darn funny.

Did you mention the mistakes to them so they could fix them (minus the laughing?

[erastes.livejournal.com]

No - perhaps I should. But.. no. Best not. I doubt it would go down well!

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

A lot of the errors are in the excerpt rather than the blurb. I rather doubt that Amber is going to want to proofread an e-book after it's been published.