Jenn McKinlay: Okay, so when I originally wrote this post I was officially out of contract, waiting to see if they publisher was interested in any more books from me. After fifty-plus manuscripts, you never know. I could have worn out my welcome.
Well, I'm happy to say that yesterday I signed a contract (for something new that I can't talk about yet) so I remain employed, which I'm sure the Hooligans' colleges appreciate. So, what am I writing? Since I've been in the upside-down/in-between for a couple of months, I've been working on proposals, blurbs for other authors' books - so many blurbs! - articles, blog posts, you know, all of the things we authors write in addition to our books.
I could talk about any of the above for they all take huge amounts of time, but I want to focus on author endorsements. These are not easy for me. I tend to write long and I think blurbs need to be short (no one has time to read these things) but they also need to be accurate. Describe the book enthusiastically but don't give the plot away. Very, very, tricky.
So here are a few of my recent book blurbs, and I want your honest opinion. Would any of these get you to buy the book? Or at the very least peak your interest? And do author endorsements matter to you at all or no?
Not for nothing, but there's a lot of pressure to gather endorsements and if y'all don't actually notice them or if they don't influence you to buy a book, well, that would be a relief actually.
Now that I “know” all of you Reds (and many of the Reddies who are also writers), I look to see if the blurbs were written by any of you. But like you, Jenn, I don’t pay attention to the blurbs. I look for subject matter, genre and the author when I am looking for a new book - and sometimes the reviews.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jenn, on your new contract! Very exciting news. — Pat S
Thank you, Pat! Exciting!!!
DeleteSometimes I read the author endorsements, Jenn, especially if they are written by one of the Jungle Red ladies. But, to be honest, they have no bearing on whether or not I buy the book.
ReplyDeleteI've had freinds recommend books I didn't enjoy so an author I don't know is even less likely to know my reading taste. You know?
DeleteJenn, congrats on the new contract. I read some blurbs, but they make me purchase a book.
ReplyDeleteI read the blurbs, too. And sometimes wonder later if we read the same book? LOL.
DeleteI mainly read the blurbs for a mini summary of what the book is about. Looking at your blurbs above, I'm not into romance writing, so the first blurb probably wouldn't motivate me, but the last two really make me want to read those books.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on contract renewal and the mysterious book that cannot be as yet shared.
Thank you! More details to come!
DeleteWhat a relief to not have worn out your welcome, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteFunny, isn't it? Authors work hard to get endorsements, especially from someone like you, and then authors work hard to craft just the right one. (I also blurbed Ellen's new book, with true enthusiasm.) But if readers don't care, why do we do it? I don't know that I pick up a book solely on the endorsement.
Indeed. Publishing is a weird business right now. I asked my agent this question and she said booksellers care about author endorsements that's why we need them. Okay, then.
DeleteJENN: Congratulations on the new contract! Looking forward to learning more about it when you can share.
ReplyDeleteAs for blurbs, I mostly read ARCs, so I don't see them. Sometimes I do read a book and notice a blurb by a familiar author but it hasn't affected my decision to choose it.
Same!
DeleteJenn: You asked for 'honest' so here goes my brutal response -- I am cynical about blurbs. I read them, but I don't necessarily trust them. I mean, is the blurb telling me the truth about the book or is the blurber (is that a word?) just doing the blurbee (is that a word?) a favour because they've been asked? That said, of your three examples, the first is the most interesting to me; your phrase "beautifully captures" gets my attention as I think it likely refers to all things important to me -- the plot, the characters, the writing. "Laugh out loud" doesn't catch me, and "delightful" is a descriptor I am wary of. What does it really mean? Cute? Quaint? Quirky? I'm not sure and I'm too cynical to investigate. ...I'll crawl back under my curmudgeon rock now...
ReplyDeleteSo then I went off and asked Google about blurbs. This Substack came up -- the writer explores them from several angles. Interesting. Spoiler: She is not a fan.
Deletehttps://kathleenschmidt.substack.com/p/we-need-to-talk-about-blurbs#
First blurb - "finding your people". Your tribe, whatever the current IT word - is that a thing? Anyway, this phrase in itself shows me, that I will have no interest in the book, and most likely it was not written for me. Margo - curmudgeon, and cranky.
DeleteCurmudgeons unite, Margo! You are not alone... plenty of room under my rock LOL
DeleteAmanda, I love Kathleen Schmidt! I subscribe to her Publishing Confidential substack. She's actually the one that got me rethinking the entire blurb business.
DeleteBig fan of Kathleen Schmidt here, too, Amanda. Reading her piece now.
DeleteIf a writer that I really respect writes what sounds like an enthusiastic recommendation that indicates they really read the book - not the generic great book variety - I would probably buy the book
ReplyDeleteSee, that's what is sooooo hard. Sounding enthusiastic, not giving away the plot, but also not repeating any words you've used on other books you've endorsed. Oy!
DeleteI don’t read the blurbs. No one is going to write a negative one and if they did it wouldn’t be on the book. I think you could have just written “It’s Chika-wonderful!” and been done with it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear you got a new contract!
HA HA HA! Chicka-wonderful would have been an awesome solo endorsement as it fits so well in the book - which is great! Sincerely.
DeleteI love Chicka-wonderful. Just that. Funny, and makes me curious.
DeleteJenn, yay for the new contract!! I'm with the others so far--blurbs don't influence whether I buy or read a book. I read blurbs out of curiosity, if I spy a familiar author's name attached to one.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Flora! Same. I notice but it doesn't sell me.
DeleteBack in the 1990s I was asked to blurb a book. What a responsibility! The author was so grateful, though. She said mine was the best one she'd gotten (the only one that made it onto the cover), and she sent me a framed copy of the cover, with the front and the back with my comments! It was a really excellent book, though, a compilation of resources for crafters that included websites, one of the very first to do so.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I rarely look at blurbs except to see if anyone I know or read wrote them. And that is usually after I've read the book, so clearly, it is not influencing my purchase decision.
Karen in Ohio, may we ask for the title of the book and the author's name? Diana
DeleteDiana, this was more than 30 years ago, and the book was self-published. I'm sure it's long, long, LONG out of print, plus completely outdated. And I can't remember either the name or the author's name, sadly.
DeleteIt is a responsibility, isn't it? She was lucky to have you, Karen.
DeleteJenn, you always make me laugh! "...if y'all don't actually notice them..." lol!
ReplyDeleteMost of the books that I buy are pre-orders purchased when I know that an author has a book coming out and I want to support that author. That is pretty easy to do now with Kindle and with Audible. So, I don't usually see the blurbs until after. I read tons of library books that I order from my library card account, so the blurbs aren't influencing me in that regard either.
That said, I love the blurb you wrote for Ellen's book, and I definitely will read her new series. So much of how those blurbs effect sales has to do with how they affect readers and specifically what certain readers are looking for at the time. I mostly want to read books that make me laugh right now.
I feel that. I need all the humor these days. Oy!
DeleteHurray on the contract Jenn! You have a knack for these and I'm grateful for those you've written for me! That said, I don't pay them much attention either. I go for the review sites like Booklist and Pub Weekly:).
ReplyDeleteThose two trades are the gold standard now. When I was a librarian, Kirkus was the toughest but now they're garbage - once they started letting authors pay for reviews they lost all validity.
DeleteCongrats on the new contract, Jenn.
ReplyDeleteHave I ever bought a book because of a blurb? No. I don't know many people who do. I remember sitting in a panel at Malice(?) where two of the panelists said, "We don't pay attention because we know you all are friends anyway and are going to say nice things" or something to that effect. So as Edith asks, why do we do it? Because the publishers ask, I guess.
And the publisher does it because the booksellers want it. I wonder if the booksellers realize the blurbs don't sell books. *eye roll*
DeleteGreat news about the contract, Jenn! And if I were an author who got one of those blurb you wrote, I'd be delighted. I think they make the books sound terrific. What do I think about blurbs? Before I became a mystery writer and was just a reader, I was cynical about blurbs and only paid attention to excerpts from newspaper or magazine reviews. Now that I write mysteries and have to get blurbs for my own books (THANK YOU, Debs and Julia, for your wonderful endorsements of Pesticide and Sons and Brothers), I feel differently. I know how hard they are to get, and I can imagine, from the blurbers' point of view, how hard it is to find time for them--for reading the books and writing the "right" text. So I understand when writers turn me down. Today, when I read an endorsement from a mystery writer I know and respect on the cover of a book, I do pay attention. I imagine part of why I've changed is simply to justify my need for blurbs for MY books. I wonder how successful a writer has to be before s/he can just say to hell with blurbs and not request any. I've just checked my copy of a late PD James novel, and it doesn't have ANY blurbs or reviews on the cover!
ReplyDeleteExaclty! It became a thing when branding became a thing. Apparently, the only people who really care about blurbs are the booksellers. And with so many books being published all the time, I can see why they want them. Anything to elevate a book, but it's nice that they don't matter so much.
DeleteKim, I have to say the BEST part of blurbing a new-to-me author, as you were, is discovering a writer you really, really like!
DeleteSo agree with Julia, Kim! I am now your die-hard fan!!
DeleteI don't really rely on blurbs. Actual reviews are more useful to me, even though those can also steer you wrong. I think the blurb is too short a form to be meaningful, and quite frankly it is too much like other forms of influencer culture that I deplore. Congrats on the new contract.
ReplyDelete"Influencer culture" - I am so over it! I bought one thing on Instagram once and I learned my lesson!
DeleteInfluencer culture, GAG!
DeleteCongratulations on the contract, Jenn! I tend to read the blurbs very carefully if I'm really loving a book--otherwise I don't pay too much attention. So I read blurbs while I'm reading the book, to see if the glowing praise captures the way I'm feeling about it. I prefer blurbs that are specific to the particular book to blurbs that generally praise the author or the series.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I will say this - mystery authors are much more generous with their time and blurbs than romance authors. Kind of ironic to see the murder industry writers being kinder than the authors who right about love. Interesting, no?
DeleteI sometimes read the blurbs – usually after the fact, as I will sometimes see a paper copy and wonder how it was laid out. That is the stuff that you don’t see on audiobooks.
ReplyDeleteAs I have more and more books under my belt, I ‘true-or-not’ feel that I have a better understanding of a particular author and their taste. So, not mentioning names but if I know that Author 1 blogged on a particular book (and it is usually positive) and I know that I don’t particularly enjoy Author 1 either in their writing/genre or what they have recommended in the past, on that basis alone I will probably reject the new book – never having read the blurb. If on the other hand I enjoy Author B and their writing or their taste in books, I ‘might’ (subject to it being an audiobook or not) read the blurb for genre more than the actual story – still probably after the fact.
So, if it was me and I was not getting a gazillion dollars to write a blurb, I would probably just go and find another cat to cuddle, make a new recipe, or read a garden catalogue – much more productive.
I'm with you, Margo! Would much rather cuddle a cat than write endorsements!, although I do enjoy a sneak peek at other authors' works and like feeling "in the know" with the good stuff coming out. LOL!
DeleteI do pay attention to blurbs, but usually while I am reading the book, so they haven't enticed me to buy the book. But I think about the glowing things they have said and sometimes wonder if we are talking about the same book. Short and sweet, maybe with a little teaser is best.
ReplyDeleteYES! I've totally had that experience and with reviews, too. When a reviewer gushes and I'm thinking "Huh?"
DeleteJenn: Slightly different subject but one you mentioned ( "...describe the book enthusiastically but don't give the PLOT AWAY) so I wanted to relate an incident that happened when I read the back cover of an author's series I really enjoy. i
ReplyDeleteI don’t think I’ve ever bought a book because of a blurb. I find them extremely hard to write unless I truly love the book. I’m not an over the top gushy sort of person so I csnt say this was the best book in the universe when it wasn’t. I think yours are great, Jenn They sound enthusiastic which is the main point
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rhys!
DeleteOpps, must have hit the wrong button.
ReplyDeleteTo continue from above, I already know I like the series and the author so I bought the book and was half-way through when I decided to read the back of the paperback which summarized the plot. Great until the last few sentences which identified the killer - right there in plane site for all to have the ending given away. I contacted the publisher who didn't seem to care and blamed the author (really?). I contacted the author and she was so gracious and asked if she could send me an early copy of her forthcoming book. It arrived shortly and was signed with a special handwritten note.
Dear Lord - I am aghast!!!! That is an absolute nightmare. Good of you to let her know!
DeleteRhys, coincidently I was just reading Hannah Dennison's Honeychurch series and guess who wrote a nice blurb on the back? You of course. It was a nice surprise to see you endorsed the book. Her books are a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteHannah is the BEST! SO glad you're enjoying her books!
DeleteJENN: So sorry to be late to the party again this morning. I just want to hibernate in this weather.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely understand what you mean by your confession. Like you, I bought one book based on a blurb. I forgot the book title, author and who wrote the blurb. Though I did not hate the book, I remember feeling disappointed.
However, I am sure that I would like the books that you endorsed.
Do you have any book recommendations for Women's History Month or Mystery March?
Diana
Oh, I have to think on this for recommendations. I have a few but must check on the author's names. I'll be back!
DeleteWhile I do read the various author blurbs on books I pick up, it is a very rare thing that would get me to pick one up based solely on the blurb. I've said it a number of times that the synopsis on the back of the book is what will determine if I pick up a new-to-me author's book or not.
ReplyDeleteOne book I did buy because of an author blurb was because the blurb was by Hank and I had just started reading her books at the time. Another time I picked up a book based on the recommendation of an author but it wasn't via a blurb. Instead, Edith Maxwell was standing right next to me in the bookstore when she recommended the book to me.
I will say that I do, in the spirit of shameless self-flattery, look at the blurbs for books I've reviewed for Mystery Scene to see if they used a pull quote of mine. Because who doesn't like that miniscule ego stroke?
But again, the synopsis is always the determining factor.
As for my own writing adventures, I'm working on a couple of reviews for one music website: Metro Society's 'The London Conspiracy Chapter |1898' and Ian Hunter's 'Defiance: Part 1' (though I think the latter might be getting switched over to the Classic Rock Bottom message board I'm a part of instead because it is technically an 'old' album now. I'll have the new Judas Priest album 'Invincible Shield' to review soon as well. Oh, and I'll be doing a review of the 10th anniversary reissue of the Illusory debut album 'The Ivory Tower'.
I continue to work on my series The Cassette Chronicles for Limelight Magazine. But no idea what might be coming up because I usually pick an album at random.
As for books, my review of the A.J. Landau thriller LEAVE NO TRACE went up on the Mystery Scene website last week. The two writers who make up the pen name loved my review...YAAY! I'm working on some other books that may be turned into official reviews but may just end up as my own Goodreads reviews. Oh, and there's a very small chance I may take a crack at an article for Mystery Scene but I have to do some research first to see if there's enough material to actually work as a piece.
And sadly, I continue to write out bill payments because those damn things never end.
Thanks for listening to my recommendation, Jay! That must have been in Eight Cousins Books in Falmouth, yes?
DeleteEdith, it was actually at Titcomb's in East Sandwich.
Delete*snort* Yes, the bill payments are the steadiest work of all writers. Damn it.
DeleteGlad to see you writing so much, Jay! You're the advocate we all need!
Hope that article works out, Jay!
DeleteOn another note, sometimes I discover NEW to me Authors when I see their blurbs on books that I loved and I look for the new authors' books. I think that is a Bonus, right?
ReplyDeleteDiana
That has happened! You're right. It is a bonus!
Deletethis makes me laugh... I labor over blurbs and don't often give them... and then the publisher will take a single word, surround it by exclamation points, and use THAT as my endorsement. Whatevah...
ReplyDeleteRight? It's maddening!
DeleteI am laughing so hard! I could write a whole blog about this. If I don’t put an exclamation mark, the publisher is not allowed to add one. !!!!!
DeleteCongratulations on your upcoming book!
ReplyDeleteIf I’m not sure that I’m going to like a book, especially if I’ve never heard of the author, then I check to see if an author I respect has written one of the blurbs. Often, though, I can tell by reading the first couple of pages and the book jacket whether or not I’ll like book.
I plan to read Ellen Byron’s book because it’s written by Ellen Byron, and I love her books!
DebRo
Re Ellen, a wise choice, DebRo.
DeleteEllen is wonderful! You can't go with this one!
DeleteAlways read the blurbs. If I have read the blurb author more than once.... that influences my choice. Rarely disappointed but on occasion I have thought to myself: hmm "what were they thinking ( or drinking} when they wrote this"
ReplyDeleteIt is the book description , and sometimes the cover, that determines if I read a book. However, I do usually read most of the blurbs. If I find the book cover disturbing I won’t read the book. Unfortunately, I may be missing some great reads.
ReplyDeleteI think covers are critical and some of those can steer a reader wrong, for sure.
DeleteI usually am initially attracted by an author I know or the cover; following on the heels of that I read the blurbs. Congrats on that contract, Jenn!~Emily Dame
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emily!
DeleteNope. Don’t read author endorsements. Nor does just seeing a favorite (or unfavorite) author’s name by blurb influence my picking up the book. Sorry to be dismissive of work by any of you wonderful Reds. (Prepare today to march forth tomorrow.) Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Elisabeth. It doesn seem as if most readers do not take blurbs into account, quite a relief, actually.
DeleteWhat if you know that the author and you are friends and you write a review on Goodreads, for example, for one of the author's books that you didn't like. Or do you give it a good review knowing the author is a friend or that you want them to have good sales? How does that influence your reviews?
ReplyDeleteI don't endorse books I don't like - even if it's for a friend or a very popular author who I admire. If I don't like the book, I decline with the "D" excuse - Deadline!
DeleteGreat news about the contract, Jenn. “More books, fewer blurbs” is the slogan of the day. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! 100 %
DeleteJenn, congratulations on the contract! (Although I feel like I should be congratulating your publishers for having good judgment!) And I want to thank you again for taking the time to blurb Star Struck when you were in the midst of getting ready for your own launch for your wonderful book, Fatal First Edition -- which I absolutely LOVED!! (Again, congratulations!) I look forward to every book you write and feel honored that you have been so generous in supporting and encouraging me! I am forever grateful!
ReplyDeleteAw, Marjorie, thank you. Your series is wonderful and I am always delighted to get an advance read :)
DeleteYea for the contract! I admit I do look or read the blurbs when I am at the bookstore, library or airport when picking up books without any plan in mind. If one of you “endorses” a book, I am more inclined to read a new to me author.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear that you take a considered approach! Excellent.
DeleteIf the author endorsement is from someone I know and respect, it carries weight wih me.
ReplyDeleteCase in point--Mrs. Plansky's Revenge by Spencer Quinn. I know the author from his entertaining Chet and Bernie books. But on the front cover is this pitch: "I absolutely adored this book" Stephen King! And on the back: "Mrs. Plansky is a terrific character. The story ticks along like a good watch." Again, Stephen King.
The book is quite entertaining, I must admit.
It's on my TBR - thanks to Hallie. I do find word of mouth recs have more weight.
DeleteHonestly, I don’t often read the blurbs, because let’s face it, they’re not going to print anything negative on the cover. BUT I always look to see who has written them, because I know what authors I like to read, and I trust that they won’t steer me wrong. Rarely am I proven wrong!
ReplyDeletePhew! That's good to hear, Melinda.
DeleteBlurbing a book is incredibly difficult! For all the reasons you say, Jenn: you have to give a sense of the book without giving it away, and be enthusiastic without being over the top. (“This is the best book that has ever been written!”)
ReplyDeleteStill— even understanding everything about blurb world as I do, I still notice the blurbs. Especially if it is an author I admire or revere, because I know how difficult it is for authors to take the time to read a book and give a blurb – – so I recognize that when I see someone actually lend their name to a book.
You’ll never see a blurb from me on a book I have not read and considered, and I also say no quite often. VERY often.
So I trust my colleagues to do the same thing.
So to me, yes, it matters.
Even if I just saw your name, Jenn , saying “I love this book!” That would be enough for me. If you put your name on it, I’m in.
Perfectly said, Hank. It's like a whole other job in the writing world. Oof.
DeleteAnd congratulations on the contract! Though I never had a single doubt… You are such a star!
DeleteKudos for your blurbs, Jenn. It's a hard thing to do. Do they matter? Well, I gotta be honest. Not to me. I don't read them until I'm reading the book. I think they count more to publishers who want to know that other writers are willing to put their reps on the line to recommend a book!
ReplyDeleteI think you nailed it, Kait!
DeleteJenn, I also have two issues writing blurbs, and I blame them both on Ross's absence. He used to keep track of all the incoming manuscripts/ARCs, when the blurb was due, and he would literally hand me the next one up as I settled down to read for the night! I can do all these things myself, of course, but he made it awfully easy to just do the easy part - read and write.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I also tend to write looong, which is a big no-no for blurbs. Ross was great at bouncing ideas off of - he could pull out "perfect for fans of X" faster than I could - and he was a ruthless editor. There were times when my initial draft was 400 words! That's not an endorsement, that's a short story! :-D
400 words? But imagine the pull quotes! A smorgasbord!
DeleteTwo things, maybe, because I am too hungry and can’t think straight.
ReplyDelete1) I had a favourite author and loved her books – she wrote many. Then she turned and became gay-centric – don’t know if that is a word, but that was the ‘beat you over the head with it’ all through the book – so much so, that the murder became insignificant. I am not anti-gay, but I really don’t want it stuffed down my throat. You don’t ask me what happens in my bedroom, I don’t ask you, and I don’t need to know. She also became super-political. OK, I am Canadian, and don’t really care about American politics enough to make her want to change my vote. After three books, I quit her. She is still writing, but nothing would entice me back. Too bad, as I used to enjoy her books.
2) New book, or book club or what-ever – tend not to see the blurb. However, AFTER a first start, I will go to GoodReads, particularly if I am not enjoying it, and see how many negative (under 3 stars) reviews there are. This may influence whether or not I will read on – well except if it is a Book Club book as I feel committed. Maybe it will get better – it rarely does. This holds more sway than a blurb. I will admit, that I have done it with recommendations from this group, and some books, I just consign to the ‘not my taste’ pile.
3) I knew there would be more than 2 – so do authors ever write on places like GoodReads? In which case, I might be more inclined to read the review!
4) Surprised myself even – 4: There are many authors who I read who are marginal – do I like them or not? Often the 2nd book in a series will make or break whether I read more. I just finished a book, where the first few chapters were long, and I mean long droning’s about the countryside. However, by midway, the author caught up with herself and wrote a good book. Looking for book 2 now.
All excellent points, Margo. I can't speak for other authors on GR as I don't belong. Ever since Amazon bought GR, it has been a trash fire of scandal. Authors going on under fake names to negatively review their competition, etc. No thank you! I'll stick to professional reviews in the trade rags like PW, Booklist, LJ, etc.
DeleteFirst, huge congrats on the contract, Jenn! Cannot wait for the scoop!
ReplyDeleteBlurbs, ouch. They take so much time and are so hard to write. The more I like a book, the harder I find to do it justice. When I do write them, I believe shorter is better. I'd love to be able to just say, "Good book. Read it!" Do I pay much attention to blurbs myself? Not really. I scan the reviews from Library Journal and Booklist, and the big newspapers, also independent reviewers whose opinions I trust. But more than anything I am influenced by word of mouth.
Word of mouth is key for me, too.
DeleteI'm afraid I don't pay any attention to blurbs. I notice when a known author writes one, but I don't necessarily read it. Sorry about that.
ReplyDeleteDon't be sorry. It seems most readers feel that way. Takes the pressure off, frankly.
DeleteMy take on blurbs is that they don't influence me in reading or not reading a book. I think it's a burden on other authors to feel compelled to blurb, as I can imagine how hard it would be to turn someone down. I also think that blurbs be limited to the number of words, ten to twelve. Shorter blurbs are much more likely to be read and say something helpful.
ReplyDeleteShorter is better! Agreed.
DeleteTo be honest, 99.9% of the time, I don't pay a lick of attention to blurbs-- which means that the first time a quote from one of my reviews was used as one, I totally missed it until a friend pointed it out to me. I think they clutter up a book cover. Synopses are the important bits.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. A synopsis is much more helpful when pondering a reading commitment :)
DeleteJenn 1, Blurbs 0
ReplyDeleteLOL.
DeleteIf I am not familiar with the works of an author, first I check out the author's biography on their official website. Then, I will go to some place like Amazon or Barnes & Noble and read the top and the bottom reviews. I never read the endorsement blurbs written by other authors either on the book jacket or in other posts. They to me are just one author pumping up another. One that did impress me was the one that David Balducci wrote that Hank shared at her launch for One Wrong Word where she commented on my question with the mention that David had made the same comment related to whether Hank would write another Arden Ward adventure! Well, Hank?
ReplyDeleteYes. Well, Hank?
Delete95% of the time I've bought a book based authors I love I've been happy
ReplyDeleteI ignore most journal reviews & all other author blurbs
And your last two example blurbs would suck me in
YAY!!!
DeleteI've read plenty of author blubs that didn't match the book I read. But occasionally, they will steer me to a book I enjoy. I never buy a book only because of an author blub, however. I pretty much have to already be interested in it to pay any attention to who is blurbing it.
ReplyDeleteDitto.
DeleteMargo, on your second post (on Sunday), I am about 90% sure I know which author you’re referring to in your point #1. I quit reading her books because she just got weird. She had long time friends turning on each other and convoluted clues/storylines. Yes, the gay part became more of a plot point than the mystery, but I just disliked the way her whole writing style changed. - Pat S
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so curious....
DeleteI don't usually pay attention to blurbs. I did recently read a book recommended by one author I like and blurbed by one of you Jungle Reds and it was not great. I look at the cover to see if it's set in a time period I like or about dogs and/or baking (ahem) or books and then I read the description. If it sounds good it goes on the maybe list. If enough GoodReads friends recommend it or the library has it in front of me on the shelf, I'll read it. I prefer sticking to my favorite series and authors I trust. I read before I go to sleep so it has to be light and funny so I don't have nightmares or stay up all night thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteQNPoohBear