One of the more esoteric aspects of the publishing industry is the cover blurb. Basically, your publisher sends out copies of your book to ask far more talented and famous writers to read the book and say nice things about it. In some ways, it’s almost the only time in life that it’s acceptable to ask people to compliment you.
Blurbs are considered very important when you are, as I am, a debut author in traditional publishing. A good blurb is like a celebrity endorsement. The perennial question is whether they work. I don’t know. I can’t think of a time when I’ve bought a book, just because a famous writer I like said, “This book is great!” One the other hand, if a writer I like has blurbed a book, I’m more likely to consider it than I might otherwise.
No matter how much importance you place on blurbs, it’s still really nice to get them. It makes me feel like I’ve arrived. It helps me feel a bit more confident that readers will like my book. So this week has definitely been a boost to my confidence, as I got TWO really nice blurbs.
“An emotionally resonant novel with an unlikely cast of characters you won’t soon forget. Bryn Greenwood’s unique voice and her understanding of human nature offer an amazing tale of family, loss, and love that’s as unpredictable and inspiring as love itself.”
–Brunonia Barry, New York Times bestselling author of The Lace Reader
“Written in lyrical and searingly honest prose, Bryn Greenwood tells a powerful story of love and resilience against the bleakest of backdrops. Like the best fiction, this is a novel that means to disturb and challenge as it forces to look with compassion on every last one of its flawed, memorable characters. I was captivated from the first page to the last.”
Bryn Greenwood 
Nice!!
It’s very exciting!
Ooh! Those are fantastic and I’m so very excited to read the book. Of course, I’m excited because it’s yours and these quotes just make me even more super excited.
Sometimes you can tell when the blurb writer is all “this person is my friend and I’m doing the best I can to say something nice and somewhat compelling since now I’m obligated/guilted into it.”
It’s always an exciting time, because when blurbs start coming in, you’re getting closer to the release date. Although 4 months still seems like a looooong ways away.
Nicely put! The way I use blurbs is more with the purpose of avoiding books I probably won’t like. If the blurber is an author I don’t favor I will probably not read the book. As you know, I will read anything you publish!
LOL! I admit, I sometimes feel that way about blurbs, too. If it’s an author I’m not a fan of, a big cover blurb from them won’t dispose me kindly to the book.
I love it! And I will be starting The Orphans of Race Point soon, thanks to her blurb for you! lol.
The rare instance when the blurb works backwards!