One of the very worst things about contemporary publishing is how they've replaced the nice, simple back cover copy with blurbs. I want to flip a book over and read what it's about. A person used to reliably be able to do this and now it's ALL luminous and necessary and razor-sharp wit. The dust jacket placement is WORSE. You have to worry about accidentally removing/bending it in a bookstore! Thank you for this very sage advice.
I like or agree with a lot of this, especially about Australia and New Zealand, which I will happily go back to. It was like visiting another planet. But I can say I have had people tell me they didn’t like a book I blurbed. I’ve also had people tell me they liked my blurb so much they bought my books. And good call on fewer blurbs—I had a lot of blurbs for Queen and it seemed to turn a certain kind of person against me. The opposite of what blurbs hope to do.
My own theory of blurbing is that when I do blurb, I am sharing my audience with people, so I try to take it seriously that way. I suppose that seems like an obvious conclusion to reach, but I don’t see people say it very often.
Very sweet advice. I’d love to be on a panel with you. It would be a heart-warming fun experience. Everyone would feel nicer than when they first checked in 😘
I'm in India, and my book's just been out for a few months, and am feeling thankful that most (not all) literature festivals here do pay for travel and stay.
Wow, definitely on my list to get invited for an Australian book tour now! Once my book actually exists, haha.
Also #2 is SO real. I did a reading two years ago and it was emphasized to all of us that our stage time should be 10min or under. One person took up 20 minutes and I still remember the general confusion and annoyance that was created.
Heavens to Betsy that's a lot of great advice! Bio. Practice. Australia. At my last reading I was so tired of myself after editing my memoir and couldn't think of anything clever or pretentious so I just used my address. "Kristen Caven writes at the intersection of School and Champion Streets."
One of the very worst things about contemporary publishing is how they've replaced the nice, simple back cover copy with blurbs. I want to flip a book over and read what it's about. A person used to reliably be able to do this and now it's ALL luminous and necessary and razor-sharp wit. The dust jacket placement is WORSE. You have to worry about accidentally removing/bending it in a bookstore! Thank you for this very sage advice.
Totally agree! Relatedly, am I the only person hoping for a day when dust jackets go entirely by the wayside?
Just overwhelmingly BRILLIANT, Danny!
P.S. And subtle.
I like or agree with a lot of this, especially about Australia and New Zealand, which I will happily go back to. It was like visiting another planet. But I can say I have had people tell me they didn’t like a book I blurbed. I’ve also had people tell me they liked my blurb so much they bought my books. And good call on fewer blurbs—I had a lot of blurbs for Queen and it seemed to turn a certain kind of person against me. The opposite of what blurbs hope to do.
That is remarkable! Were these strangers or friends who told you??
My own theory of blurbing is that when I do blurb, I am sharing my audience with people, so I try to take it seriously that way. I suppose that seems like an obvious conclusion to reach, but I don’t see people say it very often.
Both!
Absolutely correct advice even for this writer, who is always in Australia.
Very sweet advice. I’d love to be on a panel with you. It would be a heart-warming fun experience. Everyone would feel nicer than when they first checked in 😘
Oh gosh, thank you! I'm gonna email you.
I'm in India, and my book's just been out for a few months, and am feeling thankful that most (not all) literature festivals here do pay for travel and stay.
Wow, definitely on my list to get invited for an Australian book tour now! Once my book actually exists, haha.
Also #2 is SO real. I did a reading two years ago and it was emphasized to all of us that our stage time should be 10min or under. One person took up 20 minutes and I still remember the general confusion and annoyance that was created.
Heavens to Betsy that's a lot of great advice! Bio. Practice. Australia. At my last reading I was so tired of myself after editing my memoir and couldn't think of anything clever or pretentious so I just used my address. "Kristen Caven writes at the intersection of School and Champion Streets."
thinking of this post today as the New Zealand newsletter I follow contained a link to this article - https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/15-02-2025/brilliant-and-devastating-are-book-blurbs-anything-more-than-a-circle-jerk - combining your two points of "wow those folks in Oceania sure have an active book junket" and also "What To Do About Blurbs"
Lovely advice! And I just finished Women's Hotel, enjoyed it very much, and thank you for writing it!
Excellent advice. Is this linkable without a paywall? I would love to share it on our Resources page on the WinningWriters.com website.
It's a free post so I believe it should be!