I heard the quote on Sirius’ Broadway Channel last night, from the musical [title of show] (yes, that’s the title): “I’d rather be nine people’s favorite thing than a hundred people’s ninth favorite thing.”
As a writer that’s not a bad goal to shoot for. I’m not sure it’s a practical career goal (if the hundred people all buy my book, option B is probably more profitable) but even so, something about the sentiment clicks with me.
The cover is by Leo and Diane Dillon for Avram Davidson’s fantasy about the Roman poet Virgil, re-imagined in medieval legend as sorcerer Virgil Magus. I’m not a fan of Davidson, a stylized writer whose style I find very off-putting. This book was the best of those I read, and the cover captures its rather quirky tone. Plus it’s a neat image in its own right.
#SFWApro. All rights to cover image remain with current holder.
That quote resonates with me too. It’s sort of similar to the sentiment: “Better to be someone other people either love or hate, rather than someone they’re merely indifferent to”, or the idea that an artist is better served cultivating a small but dedicated fanbase, rather than trying to appeal to absolutely everyone (which is pretty much a doomed endeavour anyway). Looking at things from the other side of the creator/consumer relationship, there’s also something much more satisfying about enjoying things that not everyone “gets” than more mainstream works. Or maybe that’s just me being a bit of a snob!