reviews: July 2008 Archives

"Cluck: Murder Most Fowl" is ranked #2, just under " The Stand" on Amazon UnSpun. How long will this last?  Who knows, but I'm savoring my number two position under "The Stand" while it lasts.  The Stand is one of the first horror novels that I ever read, and it has been re-read on occasion since.  There's no need to go into an in-depth review, because everyone knows The Stand already, and even if you didn't like it (i.e., you're a mutant or a communist or both), you have to respect the importance of this novel. Cluck, which is also important to me (because I wrote it) is now second to The Stand in a reader-ranked list titled "Favorite Horror Novels."

Interestingly, Stephen King has a copy of my book (most likely in a tube of tin with a plastic liner, lid, and hands-free sanitary foot pedal).  I managed to get it to him through a friend who is "once removed" from the successful Maine writer, and was well-warned that it was likely to be ignored.  You never know, though ... maybe he'll read it, endorse it, and allow me to keep my position of honor for a while longer.  It could happen.  Regardless, this is making me very happy because even if it is some beta-system-statistical anomaly, my book is right there!  I mean, The Stand?  I am having a moment.

... (moment passing) ...

Okay, so now that the moment has passed and I've had a cup of coffee, I realize that this really is a statistical anomaly.  UnSpun is a user-driven site run by Amazon.com, and it's still in beta.  I'm not sure how the rankings are determined, but it's got nothing to do with sales.  There's no scientific data to back that up other than: The Stand has sold zillions of copies, and Cluck has not.  

Either it's an anomaly to be proud of, or I'll be getting larger royalty checks ... only time will tell.  For now I'm going to continue to revel in my limited (beta) glory.  At least until someone else posts a favorite horror novel that is ranked somewhere in between mine and Mr. King's.  Or, you could go to Amazon UnSpun and vote for Cluck ... after all, it's Penultimate.