Thursday, March 21, 2013

World's Semi-Easiest Poll Question To Your Right*

Last night, instead of sleeping, I pondered inscriptions for The Shade Of The Moon. I still have about a month before I'll be going to San Antonio for the International Reading Association convention, which will most likely be my first opportunity to inscribe copies (in this case, ARCs) of the book.

But I'd like to get some sleep during that month.

Anyway, I came up with The future is yours. There are some specific good things about it. I can write the word The with a capital "T" and it looks like The. My small "f"s are respectable, and my small "y"s are practically my favorite small letter to write ever. My absolute favorite small letters to write are "usan eth feffer" on the backs of checks I'm depositing, but that's neither here nor there. And I like the little do it yourself grammar lesson- no apostrophes in yours- just a simple "s" right where it belongs.

I got out of bed and wrote "The future is yours" a couple of times, to make sure I wouldn't forget it. This morning I looked it over checking my capital "T"s a few times. But then I thought, Maybe it should be "The future is ours." That's friendlier, and it's a little more in keeping with the book.

For those who've forgotten, I've inscribed the previous three books this way:

Life As We Knew It: Always have hope

The Dead And The Gone: Never lose faith

This World We Live In: Trust in tomorrow

So "The future is yours" or "The future is ours" should fit in reasonably well.

Let me know which you think is better. Or if you prefer, send me a check, and your bank will show you my "usan eth feffer" just as soon as I deposit it!



*The world's easiest poll question would be: Who is the bestest author ever? with only one choice.

7 comments:

Felicity said...

I like The future is ours better. I just think it sounds better.You are my absolute favorite author no doubt about it and no exceptions. I am so excited for the new book to come out too.

Susan Beth Pfeffer said...

Thank you Felicity for your opinion and your support!

Renee Carter Hall said...

Hmm... They both work well. I guess I have a preference for "yours" because it reads more like a personal inscription directed at the reader, rather than just a tagline. But then, I was never able to come up with one for my book, so I might not be the best person to ask. XD

Susan Beth Pfeffer said...

Hi Renee Carter Hall and thank you for your thoughts on the subject-

I once saw a book inscribed by William Dean Howells, and he'd written something basic and insipid like, "Best wishes." It made me realize he didn't know how to inscribe his books either.

I wonder if William Shakespeare inscribed things, "I hope you liketh my play"!

Anonymous said...

I see the ratoinale, but both make me think of 'Lord of the Flies' for some reason.

How about the symbol for "infinity?"

Susan Beth Pfeffer said...

Hello Anonymous-

I don't think a symbol would work, since I'd have to explain it to people, and that takes time and energy.

But I appreciate the suggestion.

Rebecca Herman said...

Are the ARCs ready yet, or not til next month? There's someone at Harcourt I can ask for one, but don't want to ask too early!