Blurbs are a pretty big deal in the Christian publishing world, especially as the religious sect in America becomes as polarized as the rest of America. Christians commonly use blurbs to evaluate where on the theological and political spectrums a new-to-us writer may be based on those who endorse the book. We may be drawn to the book concept, but a quick skim of the endorsers will confirm whether or not the book is actually "for" us.
Unfortunately, the ethics around blurbing are a little bit (or a lot a bit) sticky--especially in the Christian world when laypeople cling to pastoral endorsements as Gospel truth when pastors blurb for books they haven't even read. This issue came to a head earlier this spring when a problematic book released into the world with a lot of respectable names blurbing it, resulting in retractions of endorsements and admittance that the endorser didn't read the book (or the whole book) before writing (or approving) the blurb. Here is a thoughtful overview from an editor of that whole thing, for your curious: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/march-web-only/christian-publishers-book-endorsements-authors-tgc-butler.html
I have definitely bought a bunch of books from blurbs. If an author I love loved a book then I am much more likely to try it out. I am a writer though, so I am probably an anomaly
As a woman of color, I found it very challenging to get other well known white lifestyle authors to write blurbs. I was lucky that the three white women of the 6 who provided blurbs were good friends. And I even asked two other close white friends who never shared a blurb. The blurb procuring process was a bit stressful for me.
This is exactly one of the reasons I wrote today's newsletter. I don't think the industry is conscious enough about how challenging it is for BIPOC authors to get blurbs.
I really think my publisher should be more aware of this and actively step in to have more successful white authors throw the ladder down for BIPOC authors. I absolutely expressed my disappointment and they just said “we understand and are sorry.”
First--I tried Gilmore Girls and 100% agree. I wanted to like it but it was boring :)
Now a strategy I have seen some authors use for blurbs include asking high profile/influential people for a blurb, then it works, and then the author shares the book's availability and praise through their channels. That strategy has been very valuable, especially for building fans and followers for the authors (especially non-fiction authors).
Love your posts--keep them coming, Kathleen! It's so nice to read them as I say "YES, YES!" because often what you are sharing is reality rather than the "myths" of book what authors should do to promote their book.
Thank you so much. And thank you for validating my opinion about Gilmore Girls. I agree with you--a strategy where the blurber shares the book with their network is worth it .
I was recently searching for a book to borrow on my local library's ebook app. There was more than one that had no jacket copy at all, it was just a list of blurbs and reviews, none of which gave me any clue as to what the book was about. Hard pass from me on that, I'm afraid. I don't really care if Jo Bloggs loved it, or if the NY Times gave it a rave review, I just want some tiny hint as to what the story is about.
I'm in the throes of publishing a memoir and the time has come for blurbs. Your post is helpful, if not disconcerting a bit. I will put on my big girl panties and ask a few authors I follow and have engaged with but now I have moderated my expectations. Thank you for your honesty! It is refreshing.
Thank you for reading! Don't despair. Ask the authors, and if they say no to a blurb, ask if they can help spread the word about your book on their platforms. Sometimes that is the easier ask. What I really want to impart is that a lack of blurbs does not mean your book isn't good enough. That is FAR from the truth!
Thanks Kathleen. This space of not knowing what is right, wrong or simply ineffective, makes me crazy. Looking forward to learning more from you. PS I truly believe I wrote a damn good memoir. But I'll bet every author says that! :-)
Thanks for this, Kathleen. Any suggestions for how to respond to a publisher who asks an author to collect blurbs? My next book will be the 8th in the series, and it's hard to find other authors to sprinkle more sparkle and wit to the covers!
I think you should be honest with them and throw the question back to them: what have blurbs done for my books in the past? Another option is to suggest that while you’ve run the course on who to ask for blurbs, you can ask those authors to help promote your book via their own platforms.
Thanks, Kathleen. That makes a lot of sense. Cozy mystery authors are a fairly close community and there's a lot of shared promotion, so that's an easy ask. You've also given me a way to respond to requests for blurbs -- I may still give one, but also focus on other ways I can boost a book, starting with the copy a publisher sent me just yesterday of a book I blurbed!
As a reader, I skip the blurbs. I very rarely read them & they hold zero sway when it comes to purchasing a book.
Blurbs are a pretty big deal in the Christian publishing world, especially as the religious sect in America becomes as polarized as the rest of America. Christians commonly use blurbs to evaluate where on the theological and political spectrums a new-to-us writer may be based on those who endorse the book. We may be drawn to the book concept, but a quick skim of the endorsers will confirm whether or not the book is actually "for" us.
Unfortunately, the ethics around blurbing are a little bit (or a lot a bit) sticky--especially in the Christian world when laypeople cling to pastoral endorsements as Gospel truth when pastors blurb for books they haven't even read. This issue came to a head earlier this spring when a problematic book released into the world with a lot of respectable names blurbing it, resulting in retractions of endorsements and admittance that the endorser didn't read the book (or the whole book) before writing (or approving) the blurb. Here is a thoughtful overview from an editor of that whole thing, for your curious: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/march-web-only/christian-publishers-book-endorsements-authors-tgc-butler.html
Another terrific article about things we might not want to hear.
Just review the damn book already. I read blurbs but pay no attention to them when I make the final decision to buy a book
THIS Kathleen Schmidt Substack is "sparkling" AND "witty."
Well this made my day!
I have definitely bought a bunch of books from blurbs. If an author I love loved a book then I am much more likely to try it out. I am a writer though, so I am probably an anomaly
You're definitely not the average reader, and I understand why those blurbs can sway you.
Same!
As a woman of color, I found it very challenging to get other well known white lifestyle authors to write blurbs. I was lucky that the three white women of the 6 who provided blurbs were good friends. And I even asked two other close white friends who never shared a blurb. The blurb procuring process was a bit stressful for me.
This is exactly one of the reasons I wrote today's newsletter. I don't think the industry is conscious enough about how challenging it is for BIPOC authors to get blurbs.
I really think my publisher should be more aware of this and actively step in to have more successful white authors throw the ladder down for BIPOC authors. I absolutely expressed my disappointment and they just said “we understand and are sorry.”
That’s unacceptable.
If a book has the word "luminous" in the blurb, I run the other way. Esp bc it is an epithet for women's writing, rarely if ever men's.
I'm many months too late, but this essay is even later -- circa 2007. But still hilarious! "Astonish Me," by Joe Queenan, a blurbs-adjacent piece.
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/21/books/review/Queenan.t.html?unlocked_article_code=1.bE0.U6zz.-n9TIOhXErrh&smid=url-share
As an author who had to scrounge around asking for blurbs, it was one of the most nerve-wracking, soul shattering experiences.
First--I tried Gilmore Girls and 100% agree. I wanted to like it but it was boring :)
Now a strategy I have seen some authors use for blurbs include asking high profile/influential people for a blurb, then it works, and then the author shares the book's availability and praise through their channels. That strategy has been very valuable, especially for building fans and followers for the authors (especially non-fiction authors).
Love your posts--keep them coming, Kathleen! It's so nice to read them as I say "YES, YES!" because often what you are sharing is reality rather than the "myths" of book what authors should do to promote their book.
Thank you so much. And thank you for validating my opinion about Gilmore Girls. I agree with you--a strategy where the blurber shares the book with their network is worth it .
Okay but what was the hair perfume? 👀
I should’ve linked it: https://www.nordstrom.com/s/maison-francis-kurkdjian-baccarat-rouge-540-scented-hair-mist/5495563?siteid=QFGLnEolOWg-NF6yvgWeU6pGYNrYFG0tkw&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll+Results&color=000&origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&utm_source=rakuten&utm_medium=affiliate_influencer&utm_campaign=QFGLnEolOWg&utm_content=1&utm_term=1080428&utm_channel=low_nd_affiliates&sp_source=rakuten&sp_campaign=QFGLnEolOWg
I was recently searching for a book to borrow on my local library's ebook app. There was more than one that had no jacket copy at all, it was just a list of blurbs and reviews, none of which gave me any clue as to what the book was about. Hard pass from me on that, I'm afraid. I don't really care if Jo Bloggs loved it, or if the NY Times gave it a rave review, I just want some tiny hint as to what the story is about.
Thank you for blowing the whistle on blurbs. I have never bought a book because of the blurbs.
I'm in the throes of publishing a memoir and the time has come for blurbs. Your post is helpful, if not disconcerting a bit. I will put on my big girl panties and ask a few authors I follow and have engaged with but now I have moderated my expectations. Thank you for your honesty! It is refreshing.
Thank you for reading! Don't despair. Ask the authors, and if they say no to a blurb, ask if they can help spread the word about your book on their platforms. Sometimes that is the easier ask. What I really want to impart is that a lack of blurbs does not mean your book isn't good enough. That is FAR from the truth!
You make me wonder about how many other things authors are "supposed to do" but actually don't make sense or aren't useful.
Thanks Kathleen. This space of not knowing what is right, wrong or simply ineffective, makes me crazy. Looking forward to learning more from you. PS I truly believe I wrote a damn good memoir. But I'll bet every author says that! :-)
Thanks for this, Kathleen. Any suggestions for how to respond to a publisher who asks an author to collect blurbs? My next book will be the 8th in the series, and it's hard to find other authors to sprinkle more sparkle and wit to the covers!
I think you should be honest with them and throw the question back to them: what have blurbs done for my books in the past? Another option is to suggest that while you’ve run the course on who to ask for blurbs, you can ask those authors to help promote your book via their own platforms.
Thanks, Kathleen. That makes a lot of sense. Cozy mystery authors are a fairly close community and there's a lot of shared promotion, so that's an easy ask. You've also given me a way to respond to requests for blurbs -- I may still give one, but also focus on other ways I can boost a book, starting with the copy a publisher sent me just yesterday of a book I blurbed!
I found the whole blurb getting process stressful and would be happy if there was less of emphasis on it.