I was out at my local Warehouse Store (Costco, Sams, pick a name) and noticed that along with the candy bags o’doom, they have Christmas decorations and ornaments. Now, the fact that the marketing for Christmas gets earlier every year is not something that I feel like ranting discussing just now, but I do wonder about holiday stories.

As some of you may know, Cobblestone Press is planning Octoberfest, or Halloween-themed stories. Many publishers have Christmas-themes or Valentine’s Day themes. How do you feel about reading them? How do you feel about writing them? Are there holidays that are not represented (like, say, the Fourth of July) that you think should have some presence either in ebook or print format? Or do you avoid all holiday books for some reason?

Me personally, I think holiday books are hit and miss. Octoberfest is the first Halloween “party” that I can remember, so I look forward to those books (and I admit bias!) and hope that they’re all exciting and entertaining. I’ve read a few Christmas books with mixed results. Some are heartwarming, others are just too trite and predictable. That doesn’t stop me from trying again, though.

What about you?

5 Responses to “Holidays”

1. Kelley Says:
   September 14th, 2006 at 1:42 am

   I’ve enjoyed the christmas themed books I’ve read that weren’t too heavy on the holiday if that makes any sense. I enjoy the whole getting into the holiday spirit but I do think that sometimes they can go overboard.

2. Lyric Says:
   September 14th, 2006 at 2:08 am

   Personally, I don’t think I’ve ever “sought out” a holiday themed book because it was a holiday. I read the book because the blurb intrigued me. However, I’m looking damned forward to Octoberfest at Cobblestone Press. LOL

3. Shelli Stevens Says:
   September 14th, 2006 at 6:04 am

   I like themed books during the ‘themed’ season. But once the season ends I can’t read it. But then I’m one of those people who cannot listen to Christmas music the day after Christmas.

4. M.E Ellis Says:
   September 14th, 2006 at 8:01 am

   I’ve never actually bought a themed festive book.

   Something to think about!

   The new Rune series at Cobblestone is seriously making me want to buy them, though. The covers are strangely compelling.

   :O)

5. Karen Erickson Says:
   September 16th, 2006 at 2:58 am

   I like holiday books - I enjoy Xmas books but I agree, some are just sooooo predictable.

   I’m writing a Xmas story right now. I’m enjoying it - hope others enjoy it, too. Like the publisher. Ha ha.

   I can’t wait for Octoberfest either! So many good books!