tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post7632124381591735551..comments2024-03-29T05:45:39.184-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Countdown to a Book 7: Five Tips for Getting BlurbsDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-21236895523392105022013-04-07T19:33:27.881-06:002013-04-07T19:33:27.881-06:00Morgan and Helen, I know, it is awkward. But the w...Morgan and Helen, I know, it is awkward. But the work of the authors I'm asking has resonated so with me, I have to hope mine might with them as well. I send them the first short chapter, the paragraph book pitch, and a paragraph bio. I figure they'll know by then if they're hooked and would like to read it.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-34784260884655272592013-04-07T15:12:41.550-06:002013-04-07T15:12:41.550-06:00It's awkward, for me at least, to ask for blur...It's awkward, for me at least, to ask for blurbs or reviews. And I know I need to get past that, especially when you consider I do a lot of book reviews. Blurbs on your cover are important, but the asking is not easy.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-34493252349685980742013-04-07T13:01:45.035-06:002013-04-07T13:01:45.035-06:00I've been to many conferences, had my picture ...I've been to many conferences, had my picture taken with well known authors, yet have hesitated to request blurbs from them. Now I use online connections for blurbs, usually with authors on my own level, still trying to make it. Morgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-10819577885504999872013-04-06T17:20:06.702-06:002013-04-06T17:20:06.702-06:00Hey Normandie, believe me, I know! And all the rea...Hey Normandie, believe me, I know! And all the reasons you list are solid reasons to pick up and buy a book. I think in my case I've wanted this so long I'm not going to blow my chance if it's in my power to avoid it. And if some people think blurbs help, then I'm going to go solicit some blurbs! Now to see what actually comes through... But I already have two up on the landing page at my website!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-11351615404707641962013-04-06T12:59:11.051-06:002013-04-06T12:59:11.051-06:00As always, I love reading your blog, Kathryn. I wi...As always, I love reading your blog, Kathryn. I wish I could bring myself to ask for blurbs from writers I love, but so far, I haven't been able to, even if I laced the letters with chocolate-coated thank-yous. I suppose I'll have to hope readers will buy my books because they're curious, because they like the covers, because they enjoy women's fiction, or just because.<br /><br />My editor said she'd think about it...but so far nothing. I've hinted to friends and some have come on board with enthusiasm but not connections. <br /><br />Sigh.<br /> Normandie Fischerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10598870265371056412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-78367655484814798702013-04-06T12:14:50.210-06:002013-04-06T12:14:50.210-06:00This is great--it's always a challenge to find...This is great--it's always a challenge to find that "sweet spot"--someone with name recognition who will consent to blurb your book.Heidiwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593338979995203659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-28346126701372054552013-04-06T09:25:19.757-06:002013-04-06T09:25:19.757-06:00Henya, so sweet, thanks!Henya, so sweet, thanks!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-3113461360776505522013-04-06T09:17:51.512-06:002013-04-06T09:17:51.512-06:00The pearls that fall from your mouth...well...fing...The pearls that fall from your mouth...well...fingers. Another stellar post, Kathryn.Henyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14218132405687448085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-12816967278015647072013-04-06T06:12:11.027-06:002013-04-06T06:12:11.027-06:00Hey Nancy Martin, thanks so much for stopping by a...Hey Nancy Martin, thanks so much for stopping by and lending your considerable expertise! <br /><br />While I was aware the blurbs helped the project gain attention from reviewers for that all-important advance buzz, I had no clue that it made such a difference at the bookstore level—wow. Glad I've persevered! Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-18877675145180645032013-04-06T06:04:08.129-06:002013-04-06T06:04:08.129-06:00Oh, it's soooo difficult! And after a while y...Oh, it's soooo difficult! And after a while you run out of authors who are similiar to you, so it only gets worse. Argh!<br /><br />I am not sure readers pay much attention to blurbs, but the people who get your books into stores really do--the sales staff, the distributors, the booksellers. Blurbs help them decide how many copies to buy (a blurb from Alexander McCall Smith, for example, would do you more good than a no-name mystery author) which is key to your career. A few small orders from booksellers will guarantee poor sales (you can't sell books that aren't in stores!) and that's what booksellers base their next order on. With the rise of e-books, this will surely change, but at the moment it's the way the system works. So keep knocking on doors!Nancy Mhttp://www.nancymartinmysteries.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-47460998057166666322013-04-05T19:46:38.666-06:002013-04-05T19:46:38.666-06:00I may be confused too - what's the other popul...I may be confused too - what's the other popular one that I'm REALLY thinking of? Dang. Um, um... Jungle Red Writers. Love the picture, btw!Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-9885326585175955962013-04-05T13:36:38.613-06:002013-04-05T13:36:38.613-06:00Dani didn't the Lipstick Chronicles close up s...Dani didn't the Lipstick Chronicles close up shop? (I may have them confused.) Such a concept is just now possible on two fronts: the soon-to-be founded WFWA, allowing an assembly of similar writers, and Sourcebooks' new Landmark imprint for book club fiction. Until now, Sourcebooks hadn't really been putting out "my" kind of book, but last month the first wave hit. A time of great promise!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-81279572104304270422013-04-05T11:43:33.008-06:002013-04-05T11:43:33.008-06:00Starting the social media connections early - if I...Starting the social media connections early - if I had a dollar for every time I nagged about that, I'd be retired to a Swiss chalet drinking fine wine and eating even finer local cheeses. Another team approach is to have a group blog with authors who are more well-known than you are, but in a similar genre, then approach them for a blurb a year into blogging together. Ideally, you might get to know other house authors and engage them in this sort of venture. More work, but mutually beneficial down the road for everyone involved. I see this sort of mutual support on mystery blogs like Lipstick Chronicles and among Berkley Prime Crime authors. Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-58428862220508294842013-04-05T10:54:59.898-06:002013-04-05T10:54:59.898-06:00Hey all, I was just able to announce my second blu...Hey all, I was just able to announce my second blurb for THE ART OF FALLING! You can check it out at http://www.kathryncraft.com :)Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-12560478570220201042013-04-05T10:50:43.811-06:002013-04-05T10:50:43.811-06:00Elspeth! I'm still gargling to get the horrid ...Elspeth! I'm still gargling to get the horrid taste out of my mouth. <br /><br />But I have been softening the "beg" by asking them to "read," and if they are so moved, to "blurb"—sounds a teensy bit better. <br /><br />And this task has inspired me to do what I've never taken the time to do before—thank them for the impact their work has had on my growth as a writer and human being—and for that, I'm actually thankful.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-63596334867109266342013-04-05T10:44:49.658-06:002013-04-05T10:44:49.658-06:00The thought of blurb-begging makes me want to hide...The thought of blurb-begging makes me want to hide in a corner. 'Please sir/madam, can you say something nice about my work?' *shudder* I know it's part of the game, but...damn.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-7849357528377930832013-04-05T10:21:03.084-06:002013-04-05T10:21:03.084-06:00Lauri thanks for sharing your experience! Persiste...Lauri thanks for sharing your experience! Persistence does pay off in this biz for sure, if you don't mind being the squeaky wheel.<br /><br />And yes: So... much... waiting...Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-39106239548746288492013-04-05T10:02:20.098-06:002013-04-05T10:02:20.098-06:00I went big. I asked Alexander McCall Smith for a b...I went big. I asked Alexander McCall Smith for a blurb for my short story collection, all stories set in Botswana. Initially the book was only an ebook. His PA said he'd do a blurb but then he was not keen on reading ebooks. Now I have a print publisher and I asked again (I am persistent) and the PA said yes. I've sent the book, I'm waiting....and waiting.... But you really do need to hold your breath and jump in at the deep end. Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-35235009223216130712013-04-05T09:23:53.801-06:002013-04-05T09:23:53.801-06:00Donna, you make a good point that the window is sh...Donna, you make a good point that the window is short, and not achievable for many. At Sourcebooks this was equally true for getting blurbs on the advance reader copies, but I have until October 1 to make the cover.<br /><br />Lack of professional organizations was one problem for my type of non-genre book. RWA (Romance Writers of America) had a women's fiction subset, but romance is so different from what I write, and the organization and its conferences were so expensive, I never joined.<br /><br />There is a new organization forming, though—Women's Fiction Writers Association—that is much better aligned with my kind of writing, and I'm thrilled to be getting in on the ground floor there. I have finally found a place where other writers like me can find one another! I can't emphasize enough how important that is, so thanks for bringing it up!Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-70345047634871187432013-04-05T09:15:06.809-06:002013-04-05T09:15:06.809-06:00Kathryn, Aim High! I think this is most inspiratio...Kathryn, Aim High! I think this is most inspirational. <br /><br />As a small press author I had a very short window of time to get blurbs with the ARC for the cover: 6-8 weeks. As you noted (pre-book deal)I had to plan ahead to ask for blurbs and let folks know I had a short window of time. Some people were very accommodating and others just couldn't based on their schedule, understandably!<br /><br />Also, even if an author can't come through on a blurb in time for the cover it is still worth receiving at a later time to be used for other promotional purposes.<br /><br />I say YES to aiming high. I see the glass as half full in thinking that seasoned authors were once debuts too and someone helped them when they were starting out. Like a Pay It Forward.<br /><br />And speaking of planning ahead, I think it benefits a debut author to become part of a large organization of authors in their genre as well. I joined International Thriller Writers (ITW) and was part of their debut program in 2012. The benefits? They want to help boost and promote their debuts and many provided me with blurbs. Joining a professional industry organization like this also provides opportunities for debuts to volunteer and meet other authors, hence building those bridges! I am part of the ITW social media team and has allowed me to work with many top authors.<br /><br />Good luck to you Kathryn! I cant wait to hold your lovely book in hand and relish it (and the blurbs!)DonnaGalantihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16936331145444649588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-28789798540084107422013-04-05T08:18:55.142-06:002013-04-05T08:18:55.142-06:00Maryann, too funny. My genre is also live authors,...Maryann, too funny. My genre is also live authors, lol!! Great story. While my target authors haven't died, I did write this book for long enough that some of them who were in vogue when I started writing have not been heard from since, reducing the marketing value of their praise.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-21479079890066966382013-04-05T08:17:23.657-06:002013-04-05T08:17:23.657-06:00Terry, yes, the behind-the-scenes machinations hav...Terry, yes, the behind-the-scenes machinations have been eye-opening! I've heard of blurbs where the author didn't read the book—I'd have trouble with that, being a former scout and all. Luckily, so far, mine have all read it.<br /><br />There are other reasons for getting blurbs, though, than selling to the public. Some of my authors I contacted said they would personally recommend my book to book clubs they visit, and to their local bookstores, which is huge. <br /><br />And blurbs can be used either on the final book cover, or, perhaps better, on the ARC—this helps you gain notice by reviewers and helps build buzz.<br /><br />Bzzzzz.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-10359959648099415272013-04-05T08:11:43.711-06:002013-04-05T08:11:43.711-06:00Diana. I see what you mean, of course. And certain...Diana. I see what you mean, of course. And certainly books come out all the time with stellar blurbs that fail, underscoring your sentiment. My agent and editor both told me not to freak out if nothing comes through; these people are busy, and you are asking a favor. Yet the established extending a helping to those trying to break in is a centuries-old tradition in the arts, and one I'd rather not hasten to end. Such selfless acts keep the arts world turning.<br /><br />In the end, of course, iIt is always about the story and the reader's personal connection to it. Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-62722656363789860652013-04-05T08:05:30.702-06:002013-04-05T08:05:30.702-06:00Linda, your sensory description made my mouth wate...Linda, your sensory description made my mouth water. Thin mints! Best straight from the freezer!<br /><br />Many have idolized mega-seller Barbara Delinsky, so my guess is she'd be the type that is off-limits. Margaret Atwood was one of the authors who had a blanket no-blurb policy, and she wrote a great poem that she posts at her site to warn people off. I'll post the link here for your enjoyment!<br /><br />http://www.margaretatwood.ca/book_blurbs.phpKathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-90756752532550650612013-04-05T08:03:55.024-06:002013-04-05T08:03:55.024-06:00So now I know why you didn't ask me to blurb y...So now I know why you didn't ask me to blurb your book, Kathryn. (smile)<br /><br />Seriously, you are so right about asking authors who write in your genre. A long time ago I corresponded with Evan Hunter, the mystery author who also wrote as Ed McBain, and he had agreed to read my first mystery for a possible blurb. Unfortunately there was a long time between the time I wrote it and the time it got published, and he died. Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.com