Blurbs are the final remaining caste marker of the traditional publishing elite, a plea to close ranks against the growing self-publishing movement. There is no data on its effectiveness because book sales data is incomplete and owned by NPD. If that were public, we could easily run a statistical correlation test (or many) to establish the power of big blurbs for new, unknown authors...
Don't self-published authors seek blurbs, too? I feel like I've seen some on their Amazon pages and so forth. Not sure if that holds up. But I would certainly be interested in that data crunching you mentioned. Either way though, numbers or not, I know for me they certainly make a difference--and I have to imagine that is the case for other readers, too. Thanks for reading and engaging!
They absolutely do seek author blurbs, but most get ‘none’ because the prejudice is still strong. Whereas every Big Five book has blurbs...every single one...I’m excluding traditionally published folks who went self published to make money of course. Business books also are an exception because the authors are easily able to get industry endorsements instead of author endorsements. If you are a new author writing general audience books then it’s very hard to get blurbs of any kind from mildly well known people. If you have a major publishers, it’s automatic. I will say that a few very famous people are even selling blurbs as a revenue stream but I can’t mention names to avoid a libel suit.
I have written less than 20 blurbs over the last 20 years, maybe less than 10. And it's primarily because of this: I won't blurb a book that I haven't read. I would guess, Andrew, that some of your blurbers didn't finish your book. I don't think blurbing is a corrupt process, per se, but I think there are tons of obligations attached. There was one mid-list turned big-name author had asked me to blurb the book that made them big time and they sent me a scatching email when I declined. This person had interviewed me and felt like I "owed" them. As a Native American, I'm expected to blurb and publicly support every Native American author who has ever lived regardless of how I feel about their work. Basically stated, blurbs tend to be a civic duty. Also, I think book readers would be astounded to know how mnay creative writing teachers blurb their students' books.
Thanks for the response, Sherman. Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if some didn’t finish it or skimmed—couldn’t even blame them to be honest. But still feel grateful nonetheless. Sorry to hear about that writer you mentioned. That’s terrible. I’m not sure why some people go through life feeling others owe them something when they don’t. As for the Native writer mantle, I can only imagine what that’s like. Glad to hear you’ve stayed principled and stuck to helping books you actually like. I respect it.
I could wax poetic at length about how nobody knows what actually moves the needle on book sales, but I'll spare you and anyone else perusing these comments.
That said, while I also agree the blurb game is flawed, I do think blurbs close the deal for a large number of readers. When I pick up a book, the first thing I look at are the blurbs. And I'm not some deeply steeped member of the literary world. When a big-time writer vouches for a book, they're putting their credibility on the line, and that's generally enough for me to take the plunge on a new writer.
Anyway, can't wait to see who came through for you! And glad you had a positive experience securing your blurbs.
Also, interesting piece from Cat. I'd never actually heard of the idea of proposal blurbs before, and didn't do that for my own ms, but I can see how it might help. Personally, I'd probably be too wary to share my work that early with others (unless they just happen to be good friends) before its been through a couple rounds with an editor and sculpted out.
Yeah, that's a tricky one. I upped my blurb game after I started following Cat's work, and I was pretty confident I had a competent novel on my hands by the time I started reaching out.
Another analogue is asking for recommendation letters from former professors. I was once in academia as a graduate student instructor, and as intimidating as I may have been to college freshmen at the time, I was always down to write a rec letter to help someone out. Presuming they deserved it, of course.
Thanks man! And yeah, I agree with you. Despite the opinionating of others, blurbs actually do move the needle for me. If I see a blurb from someone I love, I'm for sure picking up your book and reading the first few pages---which is about all we can hope for out of a reader, right?
Thanks for the shoutout, Andrew!
Of course. Awesome post man. Loved it and it gave me much to think about!
I love your outlook.
Thanks so much, Kerri! I really appreciate you saying that--and reading.
Blurbs are the final remaining caste marker of the traditional publishing elite, a plea to close ranks against the growing self-publishing movement. There is no data on its effectiveness because book sales data is incomplete and owned by NPD. If that were public, we could easily run a statistical correlation test (or many) to establish the power of big blurbs for new, unknown authors...
Don't self-published authors seek blurbs, too? I feel like I've seen some on their Amazon pages and so forth. Not sure if that holds up. But I would certainly be interested in that data crunching you mentioned. Either way though, numbers or not, I know for me they certainly make a difference--and I have to imagine that is the case for other readers, too. Thanks for reading and engaging!
They absolutely do seek author blurbs, but most get ‘none’ because the prejudice is still strong. Whereas every Big Five book has blurbs...every single one...I’m excluding traditionally published folks who went self published to make money of course. Business books also are an exception because the authors are easily able to get industry endorsements instead of author endorsements. If you are a new author writing general audience books then it’s very hard to get blurbs of any kind from mildly well known people. If you have a major publishers, it’s automatic. I will say that a few very famous people are even selling blurbs as a revenue stream but I can’t mention names to avoid a libel suit.
Selling blurbs? Wow. Quite the hustle--especially if their influence can't be quantified.
The Pope sold access to Heaven for centuries...not new to sell access to an illusion...
I have written less than 20 blurbs over the last 20 years, maybe less than 10. And it's primarily because of this: I won't blurb a book that I haven't read. I would guess, Andrew, that some of your blurbers didn't finish your book. I don't think blurbing is a corrupt process, per se, but I think there are tons of obligations attached. There was one mid-list turned big-name author had asked me to blurb the book that made them big time and they sent me a scatching email when I declined. This person had interviewed me and felt like I "owed" them. As a Native American, I'm expected to blurb and publicly support every Native American author who has ever lived regardless of how I feel about their work. Basically stated, blurbs tend to be a civic duty. Also, I think book readers would be astounded to know how mnay creative writing teachers blurb their students' books.
Thanks for the response, Sherman. Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if some didn’t finish it or skimmed—couldn’t even blame them to be honest. But still feel grateful nonetheless. Sorry to hear about that writer you mentioned. That’s terrible. I’m not sure why some people go through life feeling others owe them something when they don’t. As for the Native writer mantle, I can only imagine what that’s like. Glad to hear you’ve stayed principled and stuck to helping books you actually like. I respect it.
Another great post, Andrew!
I could wax poetic at length about how nobody knows what actually moves the needle on book sales, but I'll spare you and anyone else perusing these comments.
That said, while I also agree the blurb game is flawed, I do think blurbs close the deal for a large number of readers. When I pick up a book, the first thing I look at are the blurbs. And I'm not some deeply steeped member of the literary world. When a big-time writer vouches for a book, they're putting their credibility on the line, and that's generally enough for me to take the plunge on a new writer.
Anyway, can't wait to see who came through for you! And glad you had a positive experience securing your blurbs.
Extra reading: you may dig this post from Cat: https://poecansaveyourlife.substack.com/p/how-to-puff-yourself-up-with-blurbs
Also, interesting piece from Cat. I'd never actually heard of the idea of proposal blurbs before, and didn't do that for my own ms, but I can see how it might help. Personally, I'd probably be too wary to share my work that early with others (unless they just happen to be good friends) before its been through a couple rounds with an editor and sculpted out.
Yeah, that's a tricky one. I upped my blurb game after I started following Cat's work, and I was pretty confident I had a competent novel on my hands by the time I started reaching out.
Another analogue is asking for recommendation letters from former professors. I was once in academia as a graduate student instructor, and as intimidating as I may have been to college freshmen at the time, I was always down to write a rec letter to help someone out. Presuming they deserved it, of course.
You certainly do. Nearing the halfway mark (I told you I'm mad slow) and enjoying it.
Excellent! Savor the ride. It somehow gets more insane from there.
Thanks man! And yeah, I agree with you. Despite the opinionating of others, blurbs actually do move the needle for me. If I see a blurb from someone I love, I'm for sure picking up your book and reading the first few pages---which is about all we can hope for out of a reader, right?
Thanks for reading as always.