Comments on: A Small Reminder to Authors Seeking Book Blurbs From Me

By: Tapetum

Tapetum — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:44:35 +0000

I put your name on a list for the agent, but silly agent went and got a blurb from Scott Adams instead.

I can’t complain though, he gave us an awesome blurb.

And at least I can tell myself that you would have done likewise had the agent asked.

By: John Scalzi

John Scalzi — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:12:40 +0000

Raynre:

“I always felt that turning down an author as a preemptive measure to avoid hurting their feelings is kind of a weak excuse.”

I didn’t say I was doing it to avoid hurting their feelings. I do it because it would be awkward for me. There’s a difference.

By: Raynre

Raynre — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:07:07 +0000

Gah, webpage reset and my reply was prematurely posted.

–
Not that I am currently in a position to ask for a blurb, but I always felt that turning down an author as a preemptive measure to avoid hurting their feelings is kind of a weak excuse. If I were to submit something, whether it be to an editor or Scazli himself, I would know in the end if Scalzi actually enjoyed the book based on if I received a blurb or not. If I did not recieve one, it would let me know that my book was either, A) not something that interests Scalzi, or B) not up to snuff.

However, I do believe that this cuts down on the amount of email you would be required to have to read and reply greatly. You’re a busy man, and it’s your agent’s/publisher’s job to sort and separate the chaff from the wheat, so to speak. So kudos to that.

By: Raynre

Raynre — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:54:44 +0000

Not that I am currently in a position to ask for one, but I always felt

However, I do believe

By: Dr. Phil

Dr. Phil — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:21:09 +0000

But John, you only post this about every two months. And have links in the sidebar… You must think people actually read this blog. (grin)

Dr. Phil

By: Craig Ranapia

Craig Ranapia — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:46:53 +0000

As a sidebar, there’s also the small matter of blurb inflation — there are some authors who, it seems, will blurb absolutely anything and everything that crosses. Fairly or not (and making no assumptions about the sincerity or otherwise of blurb factories), I’m always more impressed by one from a name whose prose seldom adorns jacket copy or adverts.

By: AJ Shephard

AJ Shephard — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:25:20 +0000

Common sense and respecting an individual’s right to privacy. It is not too much to ask. Well, maybe on the internet it is. :)

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:49:07 +0000

Just thought I’d post a quick “thanks” John that you post things like this on your blog. While I’m not an author, I’m in the “aspiring” segment so insight into things that most of us never even consider being part of a Writers life is very intriguing to at least me.

I think people think being successful at something only comes with $ + :)

I had no idea things like recommendations, critique-my-stuff requests, hook-me-up-with-your-[insert earned relationship here] requests and the other things you’ve wrote about were commonplace.

Anyway, odd comment but thought I’d just throw it out there that I dig the insight into the profession.

By: John Scalzi

John Scalzi — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:19:24 +0000

Yes, exactly.

By: Dana King

Dana King — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:08:46 +0000

Thanks for re-posting this. I write crime fiction, so I doubt you’d get–or would reply to–a blurb request from me, but your guidelines have helped me to get over what will be an awkward moment, should I ever need to get blurbs.

I’ll send my agent a list of half a dozen writers who might be winning. She will send requests to four of those authors, but not tell me which four. This way everyone is spared the awkward moment of saying (or hearing) “I didn;t care for your book that much.” If a writer passes, I can assume that writer didn’t get a request.

Cover for everyone.