What are blurbs?
Before we get started, let’s clarify our terms, since I’ve occasionally seen confusion on this issue. A blurb is not the back-jacket description of a book; it’s not the inside-flap description of a book. It is a quote from an established author, the purpose of which is to help promote the book at hand.
Why get blurbs?
I don’t think the average consumer buys a book strictly on the basis of a blurb. Do you?
Yes, there are degrees of blurbs. For example, if Stephen King says, “This book is good,” that’s a nice thing to have on your jacket. On the other hand, if Stephen King says, “This is the best book I’ve read in the last five years,” now, there’s a blurb that might actually get people to sit up and take notice.
But generally speaking, the average person who walks into a bookstore is picking up a book based on catchy cover, catchy title, a review they’ve read, a recommendation from a friend. The blurb, for consumers, is usually the last line of influence.
So who does care about blurbs? Reviewers, in particular the reviewers for the major prepublication trade magazines, and buyers for bookstores.
Do blurbs guarantee a good review or increase orders? Not directly, no. But they are part of the package that guides perception of the work before reading or buying. They can also help attract attention if you’re still at the stage of trying to acquire an agent and, if you’ve already sold the book to a publisher, they can help create in-house enthusiasm among the editorial department and the sales force.
Then, too, if you receive a number of glittering blurbs from a wide array of successful authors, it can even help you expand the market for your book, getting people to think outside that box we all seem to get stuck in. So let’s get started on…
Who to ask
1. Don’t Go Public
I’ve seen novice writers put out general requests for blurbs on lists that are populated by hundreds of people: “If anyone here would like to blurb my book, I’d be very grateful!” Please don’t do this. What are you going to do if you get fifty blurbs this way? Will you be able to use them all? Further, not to knock self-publishing, but if your book is slated for publication from Random House and one of the list members who jumps at the opportunity to give you five to ten hours of their valuable time to blurb your book, and then it turns out that person’s own book is published by iUniverse, are you still going to use their blurb? And if not, how are you going to tell them?
2. Not Tit for Tat
I’ve also seen novices offer publicly, “Hey, if anyone wants to blurb my book, I’ll blurb theirs!” Again, please don’t do this. It’s unprofessional in so many ways. For starters, there’s already an unpleasant impression in some circles that blurbing is a corrupt process involving log-rolling and political back-scratching and every other awful name you can think up for it.
Don’t help perpetuate that negative perception. Further, let’s say Ian McEwan or Nora Roberts – or why not both? – are the sort of authors you’re going after. No offense, but do you really think it’s going to influence their decision, the promise that you’ll gladly blurb them in return?
3. Aim Higher
This relates to 1 and 2. You don’t want blurbs from people no one has ever heard of, particularly if no one has ever heard of you…yet. You want blurbs that will increase your visibility. You want blurbs from people who are as famous as you can get. Huh. In light of what I just wrote, it makes me wonder why anyone ever seeks me out to blurb their books. And yet they do.
4. Diversify
Some established authors advise sticking to authors in your own genre. But I say, wherever possible, diversify! When my debut novel came out – The Thin Pink Line, a dark comedy about a woman who fakes an entire pregnancy – I knew that the uberpink packaging of the book would limit the audience and I wanted to expand that market as wide as I could. So I sought out and received blurbs from: Jane Heller and Carly Phillips (both noted for their success in comedy); Carole Matthews (who’s hugely successful in England, where the book was also being published); Adriana Trigiani (because she writes such incredibly sweet books and I thought her endorsement might take some of the sting out of the fact that my book opens with the acerbic line, “Have you become a fuckwit, Jane?”); Karen Karbo, whose books are regarded as more literary and who occasionally reviews for the New York Times); and two men, Nick Earls (“the Aussie Nick Hornby,” since the book was going to be published in Australia) and Nelson DeMille (because Mr. DeMille has more testosterone than any man needs in a lifetime, so I figured women could push the book on their menfolk with the line, “Nelson DeMille has more testosterone than any man needs in a lifetime, and he loved this book…”).
Really, it’s nice to have the usual suspects on board with you, but if you can get some of the unusual suspects… Like, say, if I could just get Gabriel Garcia Marquez to say, “Lauren Baratz-Logsted is the Dennis Lehane of Chick-Lit!” Oops, I forgot. Writer/cowboy Tom Groneberg did use that line in his blurb for How Nancy Drew Saved My Life, but my publisher, in their infinite conservative wisdom, cropped the blurb to, “Witty and wonderful…her best book yet.” They also cropped out Christopher Moore saying that A Little Change of Face was a book with “great breasts,” leaving me with two very nice but breastless lines that ended with “a whip-smart, funny voice.” Rats.
How to ask
1. The Intimidation Factor
I frequently hear novices say they’re intimidated at the thought of writing to established authors to ask for a blurb. Well, don’t be. The overwhelming majority of writers have once been where you are now – hoping to break in, hoping to have a good career – and we’re all big girls and boys. That means we can say no if we don’t have the time to help or aren’t inclined to. But you shouldn’t say no for us without giving us the opportunity to say yes.
2. Spell My Name Right
No. Really. Spell my name right. And address me formally, as Ms. Baratz-Logsted, however long it may take you to type that, until I write you back and sign with my first name, granting you the right to address me more informally.
3. Stroke My Ego
Tell me that you loved Vertigo, that you agree with the Boston Globe’s assessment that is stands on the same suspense shelf with the work of best-selling author Ruth Rendell. There. I’m feeling better toward you already. Of course, if you haven’t read any of my books, and you’re not an innate liar, then how about, “I’ve long been an admirer of your career and the way you handle yourself.” Really, anything to personalize the opening will do. At least then I’ll feel like you’re writing to me, not because you couldn’t hunt down Helen Fielding’s email address, but because maybe you actually know who I am.
4. Pitch Your Book
Don’t just ask me to blurb your book without telling me anything about it. Use the middle of your letter to put in the kind of pitch you’ve been using to approach agents or that your publisher is using for the flap copy, so I have some sense of what you’re asking me to read and why I should be excited about reading it.
5. Close Politely
Thank me for my time in reading your letter and tell me how much it would mean to you to have my endorsement. Time is the most valuable commodity we humans have and you should always be grateful when a stranger expends some of theirs on your behalf. Oh, and if you have a specific time frame – say, you have an absolute deadline of two weeks by which you need to have all your blurbs in – then tell me that up front. There’s no point in wasting both our time if it’s going to be impossible for me to accommodate you due to my own career and life obligations.
6. If I Say Yes
Ask how I prefer you send the manuscript, as an email attachment or snail. Some authors will gladly accept email attachments – and I’ve been known to do it if the situation is time sensitive – but many prefer snail. In the case of the latter, yes, you will be out the price of the paper to print it on, the drain on your print cartridge and the postage. But better you than the person you’re asking a favor from. If someone is doing you a favor, it shouldn’t put them in the hole.
Things not to do
1. Offer to Send Just the First 50 Pages
I’ve had people do this, write and say, “I don’t want to impose on your time by asking you to read the whole manuscript, so if you could just read the first 50 pages and offer me a blurb based on that sample…?” I know. You think you’re doing me a favor. You’re being sensitive about my precious time. In fact, you’re insulting my integrity. Not much in a writing career is permanent, but my good name should be one of those things. And it’s my good name you’re hoping to use as an endorsement on your books. So don’t expect me to donate that name based on a sample. Yes, your first 50 pages might be the most brilliant ever written…but what if the rest of the book sucks? I’d rather read the whole book, however long it might take me, than be part of something less than honest.
2. Don’t Boast in Public About Getting Blurbs for Your First 50 Pages
I’ve seen people do this. If you’re one of those people, please keep it to yourself. It doesn’t enhance anyone’s belief that your book will be good – quite the opposite – and it’s an offense to all those who are playing the game straight.
3. Small Print
I had a woman ask me to blurb a book once and when it arrived in the mail it had zero margins and was single-spaced in a smaller-than-usual type size. It also has a cover letter that joked, “I sent it this way because I wanted to save on my paper and postage!” Not funny. I’m still reading at the insane rate I set myself in 2005 of 365 books a year and I’ve written some 1200 manuscript pages since January 1. It’s amazing I can still read anything at all that isn’t written on the side of a barn. I shouldn’t have to go blind or get a blinding headache while helping you out. Sap that I am, I read the book anyway and I even blurbed it, because it was good. But when I sent the blurb to the author, I included a gently worded note saying that in future she should refrain from saving paper and postage expense or, at the very least, she shouldn’t tell people that’s what she’s doing. The reply I got was snippy. Again, not good.
4. Don’t Dis the Hand that Feeds You
One time, a woman on a public list was dissing a best-selling author when one of his books came under discussion. She spoke specifically about how she would have handled the same material differently and how much better the result would have been. The thing is, she’d previously boasted about the wonderfully generous blurb she’d received from this author and the debut novel the blurb was for had yet to come out. You know what? If you really believe you’re a better writer than someone who’s sold tens of millions of books and has gone out on a limb for you, fine, say it to yourself in the privacy of your own little megalomaniac head or say it to trusted friends. But don’t pull this kind of stuff in public. It only makes you look bad and it does nothing for making others want to help you. Ever.
Things to do
1. Say Thank You
We always come back to the question of manners, but it’s true: like I always tell my eight-year-old, you can get away with a lot in life if you have good manners. Besides which, it’s good for the soul to practice gratitude; much better than bitterness or envy, which are easy enough to come by in a writing career. So, if you’re lucky enough to get a blurb from Dream Author, say thank you. In the past, I’ve received handwritten notes, finished copies of the published books, even Godiva chocolates. But you want to know the truth? Those things are nice, but none of it’s necessary. A simple and sincerely worded “Thank you for your time” is all most of us need.
2. Buy the Author’s Book
If someone is nice enough to blurb your book and it turns out that the truth of the matter is you’ve never actually spent money on one of their books, do so now. It’s not required and no one will ever know if you don’t – I’ve never once stormed a blurbee’s house demanding to see their bookshelves – but it is good karma. Even seemingly established authors need to keep selling books in order to keep on having careers, and while the single copy you buy will hardly be a bulwark toward disaster, it just feels like the right thing to do.
And that’s it! Sounds easy, doesn’t it? I’m looking forward to what others have to say about any or all of the above. Keep in mind, these are just my opinions, albeit culled from a quarter century as an independent bookseller, PW reviewer, freelance editor and author of 14 published books.
Need help with your book? I’m available for manuscript edits, query critiques, and coaching!
For my best advice, check out my online classes, my guide to writing a novel and my guide to publishing a book.
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Art: Pieter Angillis – The Vegetable Seller
nkrell says
Thanks for the information. I've often wondered how those blurbs work. This is good to know.
SM Blooding says
What a frelling awesome post! Okay, so granted, I'm still a long ways off from even GETTING to this point–still need to sell a book first–but I've started my list of authors I'd want to see review my book.
And now? I know how! Thanks for that!
John Peterson says
What a classy, generous sharing of valuable information on another of the arcane intricacies of the publishing world. Miss Manners, beware! You can be replaced.
Stuart Neville says
Excellent post.
RW says
As a reader, I've noticed that one reason I glance at the blurbs — or really just who wrote them — is to get a quick clue of what kind of book it is. The inside flap, of course, has a summary that tells what the story is about, but sometimes to me that is less important than a sense of what level of literary seriousness it's engaged in. The author's willing to blurb it hint at that by telling what community the book lives in.
Rick Daley says
Great topic, this is the first post I've read that addresses it.
I love the first line for THE THINK PINK LINE. I'm going to have to pick up a copy to find out if Jane was, in a fact…well, you know.
Reesha says
Interesting insight, RW. I actually was thinking the opposite after reading this post, but now I'm not so sure.
Nathan, if blurbs aren't the final determining factor for a consumer, why do blurbs sometimes take up valuable space on back covers? I have put down many books in the store because I wanted to know the paragraph that tells me a bit of the plot, and all I could see were blurbs that sounded like everyone else's by people I didn't know.
I know authors don't have huge control over the covers of their books, but why do some books get blurbs from semi-famous people put on the back instead of the paragraph?
Shouldn't it have both?
Is this something an agent can negotiate for?
Reesha says
Ack, I forgot Lauren was writing this post. Sorry Lauren. The questions are directed at you, then.
You two are just so awesome it's hard to tell you apart on the internet.
Thermocline says
This was a lot of great information, Lauren. Thanks!
Be Professional and Be Polite show up so often on Nathan's blog they are almost unofficial themes. You'd think someone who wants others to represent/publish/purchase their work wouldn't need so many reminders but, evidently, that's not the case.I'm guessing most of the rudeness is born out of egotism or insecurity.
If I was going to be a @#%$head, I think I'd choose megalomania as the reason. That sounds like a lot more fun than dealing with the doubts I have about my writing abilities. Plus, I could wear a cape. A black one with skulls on the shoulders.
CKHB says
Hi, Lauren!!!! Waving a hand wildly above the sea of other bloggers.
(Why yes, we did previously exchange emails that allow me to now skip the Ms. Baratz-Logsted stage of address…)
Thank you for your post, that is extremely helpful information. I have one additional question: I once heard a writer say that he only accepted blurb requests from agents/editors, not the author themselves (so that there would be a buffer if he had to say no for any reason, including not liking the book). Is this standard? Or is it okay to approach an author directly?
I can't believe that one writer dissed her blurb-er like that. Why would you even ask for a blurb of an author whose work you didn't respect? What's the point?
And Rick, The Thin Pink Line is hilarious. I will let you draw your own conclusions on the first sentence at hand…
Cynthia says
Great information, well delivered–thanks!
Anonymous says
I love what you have to say in this article. Thanks.
I want to comment that when famous writer/authors write blurbs for bad or semi-okay books, their credibility goes way down.
There are at least two authors that come to mind whose blurb/opinions I used to respect that I don't anymore. In fact they now have the opposite affect.
Their blurbs are on EVERY book in similar genres.
When (especially in this economy), I go out and buy a $25. book that I was convinced to buy because a favorite author raved about it, and it is a dud (imho), well,
who you gonna call?
(i.e., authors, be really supportive, not fake-ly, or you look like you're endorsement is just up for sale.)
Steph Damore says
Wow, wow, wow – thanks for all this fantastic information. I'm already envisioning what authors I'd like to address. Hey, it doesn't hurt to be prepared!
Crystal says
Great information. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Rhonda says
Interesting. I don't generally look at blurbs on the books I read, but every once in a while I do. I remember seeing a blurb, I think it was from Erin Hunter on one of Michelle Paver's books I was reading to my son, and it made us happy in a weird, "Cool. We like both of them, and they like each other," sort of way. I can't even imagine ever having the confidence to ASK for a blurb though!
Deb Salisbury says
I had never seen the point to blurbs before. I'd considered them a waste of space. I certainly don't read them.
Thank you for the insights!
PV Lundqvist says
I have a deeper appreciation of how blurbs play out in publishing.
Thanks.
Marsha Sigman says
I think blurbs are very important! If an author that you love happens to love another's work, then wouldn't it stand to reason that you would like it as well?
That being said, its not the main reason I would purchase a book but its definitely a factor. This was great information!
Verification Word: Litortam-Secret shadow organization that determines your literary worthiness.
Natasha Solomons says
Thanks so much. Great post.
Reesha says
Oh, so the Litortum is who I have to blame for all my writerly woes. I get it now.
Anonymous says
If you ask a writer who is an editor to give you a blurb, you can also ask them to blurb you based on work you've written for them in the past. I've done this many times.
And, one really sure fire way to get their attention and win their praise is to promise that you'll mention their book at the end of the blurb they are givin you. I've done blurbs for people who have mentioned my book at the end of the blurb, and they've done the same for me. It's god networking, gets you a great blurb, and gives them exposure too. And I've never met a writer who refused exposure of any kind.
Lauren Baratz-Logsted says
Thanks, everyone, for all the kind words! I'm glad people find this post useful and I'll try to pop in over the course of the day to address any questions that arise.
Reesha, the publisher decides what goes on the back of the book. Your average author doesn't have the clout to dictate that sort of thing. Now if we're talking JK Rowling, she certainly has the clout to demand that there be a description rather than a string of blurbs on the back of her book. But then, she doesn't need the blurbs in the first place, does she?
CKHB, you and everyone else here can call me Lauren. It's only people who don't know me and who email for favors that need to jump through the Baratz-Logsted hoop!
Anonymous, I tend to grant writers who blurb a lot of slack. Really, there's no benefit to them in blurbing a lot. Do Stephen King's sales go up, does he even sell one copy of his own books more than he would have otherwise, when he blurbs Susie Nobody's book? Writers don't get paid to blurb. Me, I prefer to think of those who blurb a lot as popular writers with generous souls – the ulitimate Girl Who Can't Say No! All that said, I'm sorry you've been burned by blurbs in the past. Empathies.
Gosh but Nathan's got a great blog here! He's not my agent, but he does seriously rock.
Lauren Baratz-Logsted says
Oops, I was so busy babbling, I missed CKHB's question. I've heard some authors say they prefer being approached by agents and editors, but I personally prefer to be approached directly by authors and prefer to do my own asking directly – hey, I've got my big girl panties on!
Bane of Anubis says
Useful that… thanks for the super informative post… now, is there anybody out there who wants to blurb my book? :p — J/J
WV: harse – a horse's arse
Reesha says
Thanks for answering my question, Lauren.
Marilyn Peake says
Thank you for so much helpful information! I’ve actually done what you recommend but wondered how successful authors felt about being asked for blurbs and if it was OK to ask. Piers Anthony loved my book, THE FISHERMAN’S SON, and gave me a blurb for it. I offered to send him paperback or eBook, sent my book in the format he preferred, thanked him profusely for his time and then ordered quite a few of his books afterward. We corresponded briefly and that meant a lot to me. Your Guest Blog today gives me courage to approach more well-known authors in the future.
Mira says
This is awesome. Great information. Thanks so much, Lauren!
Kristan says
AWWWWWEEESOOOOOMME post. Seriously fab. It's starred in my Google Reader for future use.
Also, I learned the "don't offer to blurb back" thing the hard way during the ABNA contest. At first I offered to read and review other people's entries if they read and reviewed mine. Then I realized I didn't always have something helpful/positive to say… I quickly ended that offer.
Other Lisa says
Wow, Lauren, this could not have come at a more timely point for me. I actually have to *gulp* do this soon, and I'm completely intimidated by the prospect. Having this step-by-step of do's and don'ts takes some of the pressure off. A thousand thanks.
Anonymous says
What a truly generous post. Thank you. I viewed your website after reading your post and am impressed with your prodigousness. I am going to be recommending you to my wife who is an avid reader of your genre because I think she will love what you have produced. Thanks so much for sharing.
Tamara Hart Heiner says
great information! I was wondering those exact things. (I still can't believe the lady who's book you blurbed was snippy w/ you!) I've been thinking about figuring out which authors to approach and how to do so. wonderful post!
Anonymous says
Thanks for a very informative post. Another of publishing´s idiosyncrasies de-mystified!
Stephanie Faris says
This is one of those things I unfortunately don't have to worry about right now since I'm not published. But I agree that a mass solicitation of blurbs is a bad idea. I'd be honored if I were published and someone approached me to do something like that but if they just took me because I was on an e-mail loop they put out a request on? I don't think so!
Anonymous says
I have to say that when I see certain writer's names in a blurbs, I do look closer at the book and it will push me over the edge for a purchase or put down.
However, one thing I don't understand (maybe because I'm not a published author…yet [key word ;)]). How do you find the authors to send them the question directly without going through the publisher or agent? Hope they blog and see a post? Please explain and thank you for this interesting addition to this great blog.
Sophia says
What an interesting and informative post. Thank you so much for writing it, Lauren, and thank you Nathan for posting it!
Lauren, could you please clarify whether it is typically up to authors to arrange their blurbs, rather than something done through or in tandem with agents or the publisher's marketing department?
Cynthia Leitich Smith says
I'm someone who strongly prefers to receive blurb requests through an editor or agent, mostly due to my overall volume of online correspondence. It tends to cut down on requests by folks who're casting a wide net.
Anonymous says
"All that said, I'm sorry you've been burned by blurbs in the past."
I'm the anon @9:48
I guess I should clarify. I loved your post and from my own personal experience, everything you've said works well. It's a good, positive way to approach blurbs.
I know when I'm asked to give a blurb, I'm actually flattered that they would consider me.
Robena Grant says
This was extremely helpful. Thanks so much, Lauren, you put a lot of time and energy into this post.
I always read blurbs just because I'm interested in what other authors think of a novel. Blurbs don't influence my purchase of the book, but I like to see if I agree with them once I read it.
Dawn Maria says
Thanks for so thoroughly covering this complex topic. I hope to be in the position of needing blurbs one day.
Book Maven says
Here's another case of two nations divided by the same language! In the UK the blurb IS the flap copy or back of jacket copy and what Lauren describes as a blurb, we would call a "puff."
And it's always tricky. Some writers refuse to give them, others do it so frequently you don't take that much notice of what's being puffed.
The actual blurb is discussed with the writer or even written by the writer but the puff is something the publishing house will hope to get from a fellow-practitioner with more sales – to put it bluntly. They ask who you'd like to have your bound proof sent to and suggest a few people themselves.
There doesn't seem to be a culture here of first-timers sending out their own Mss to unknown heroes.
Moth says
Ah yes, i remember reading this article when Pub Rants linked to it end of last year. It was an excellent post then, excellent post now.
Laura Martone says
Hi, Lauren! This is truly a wonderful post… about a topic rarely discussed on Nathan's blog. So, thank you so much!
I just can't believe how comprehensive and easy-to-follow this post is. As many others have said here, you're very generous with your time and expertise.
There is one question, however, that I'm hoping you can answer. As with Steph D. and others, I'm not ready yet to approach authors re: potential marketing blurbs (my novel is, in fact, still in the beta-reading stage), but when the day comes that I am a published novelist (hey, it doesn't hurt to plan!) and someone approaches ME for a blurb… how should I handle it if I, say, don't like the manuscript in question? In other words, have you ever had to turn an author down after reading his/her manuscript? And if so, how have you done it?
Thanks again!
–Laura
Hapi says
hello… hapi blogging… have a nice day! just visiting here….
Genella deGrey says
I always wondered how that worked.
Thanks, Lauren (and Nathan!)
🙂
G.
holly cupala says
All very good advice. I've just been through this! Graciousness and thanks go a long way.
Karen says
Nathan, in case you get the chance to read these comments, THANK YOU for this guest post!
This was such great information and really has me thinking about some things that hadn't occurred to me. My novel isn't close to ready for querying, but I'm definitely going to remember this for when I get to the point of publication.
Lisa Lane says
Great advice! I've been trying to summon up the courage to write a few of my favorite authors, to see if any would be willing to offer a blurb. Thanks for the encouraging reminder.
Lyra says
Lauren,
Fantastic post. Really, thank you.
Diana says
Wow! What an incredible post! Thanks so much for this information.
Lauren Baratz-Logsted says
Marilyn, that's cool you got a blurb from Piers Anthony! Have courage to keep going!
Anonymous 11:32a.m., let Google be your friend. These days, most authors have websites and on those sites there's some sort of contact link. Not everyone, but most. Best of luck!
Sophia, as others have said, some authors prefer to be approached by agents/editors and some – myself among those – prefer to be contacted directly by authors. This is one of those things where you do need to find the path that is most comfortable for you.
Cynthia, I loved TANTALIZE – great to see you here!
Anonymous, 11;50a.m., no worries! And I agree with your attitude – I consider it an honor and a privilege that anyone would think that my name/reputaton could help them.
BookMaven, well, of *course* you people call blurbs "puffs" – you're still driving on the wrong side of the road too, right? 😉
Moth, you have a keen eye. PubRants did indeed link to this post last year, but when I saw that Nathan was looking for guests and that he'd said he was accepting re-treads, I thought this might be of interest to his regulars.
Laura, to answer your question…would require a whole other blog post! In fact, there is a companion piece to this one, called "The Fine Art of Giving Blurbs." If Nathan likes, I'll be happy to dig it up for him. Cliff Notes version? Never promise that you will blurb before you've read the book. Instead say you're happy to look and provide a blurb time and life permitting.
OK, I think I'm all caught up for now!
Oh, and all you nice people who've been coming over to my website today please note that my next book is the YA novel CRAZY BEAUTIFUL, due out Sept 7. I don't know as that an angel will get its wings every time one of you buys a copy, but it'd sure make me happy!