In the comments section of last week’s “industry research” post, one reader wondered why I did not address the ever-burning question of why one book is chosen for publication over another. That, in her opinion, is the true mystery, and one that no one ever bothers to answer.
I disagree with that. I’ve seen many an agent blog tackle the topic of taste.* (Agent blogs, in particular, are bombarded with demands to justify their rejections.)
Wondering why agents/editors/readers like one book and not another is like wondering why some people hate Indian food and other people love sushi. It’s a matter of taste. There’s no explanation available.
Even readers get in on the action. Check out this massive thread on Publisher’s Weekly about books you hate that everyone else loves. I can guarantee that someone on here mentions one of your favorite books. Examples of books that other people admit to hating on this thread: Pride & Prejudice, the Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, A Separate Peace, and — ack! — Goodnight Moon. Good. Night. Moon!
There really is no accounting for taste.
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* And that’s based on the most cursory of searches. I could probably find dozens more.
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