So a few weeks ago, I did a series of posts on getting cover blurbs for Spider’s Bite, the first book in my new Elemental Assassin series that’s due out on Jan. 26.
One of the authors that I asked to blurb the book was Jim C. Hines. Jim writes the Jig the Goblin series and the Princess series. I would describe his books as funny fantasies set in a sword-and-sorcery type of world. If you’re looking for lighter, epic-type fantasy along the lines of say, John Moore, you should check out his books. They’re fun reads.
Anyway, I had read Jim’s books and liked them and had swapped a few e-mails with him about various things, so I approached him about doing a blurb. I really like the girl power theme that he has going on in his Princess series, and I thought that might mesh well with Gin Blanco, the kick-butt heroine of Spider’s Bite. Because I do love me some girl power in books. 😉
Jim was kind enough to read Spider’s Bite, and a few weeks ago, he wrote me to say that he didn’t think he would be a good fit to blurb the book after all. He thought that his light, funny books were a little too different in tone from Spider’s Bite, which is a dark, gritty, sexy, urban fantasy. And he didn’t want to mislead his fans, who might expect a lighter book than what Spider’s Bite is.
Was I disappointed? Of course.
But did I understand his reasoning? Absolutely. If you don’t feel comfortable doing something, you shouldn’t do it. That’s just a general life rule to live by.
And being an author can be very tricky at times, especially when it comes to things like blurbs. Because while you want to help out folks, you have to think about your reputation as an author too — especially what you put your name on.
And then, there are your readers to think about. Would a reader be upset about seeing Jim’s blurb on my book even though the tones/genres are different? Would that reader feel betrayed in some way? I don’t know. But I think he’s a good author for considering that.
Jim also wrote me to say that he wanted to do a post about cover blurbs and the ethics behind them and use Spider’s Bite as an example. Here’s his post. Check it out. He makes a lot of good points, and there’s quite a bit of discussion going on in the comments.
Of course, this post is my two cents’ on the subject. So what do I think about cover blurbs? Honestly, I think they have more influence with marketing folks and booksellers than they do with readers. And even then, I wonder how important they really are. Is a blurb from a specific author going to make your book a bestseller? Probably not — unless it’s from Oprah. 😉
As a reader, I don’t really look at blurbs when I’m buying books. The back cover copy (aka description of the book/plot) is much more important to me. I want a good story first and foremost — I don’t really care whose name is on the cover as a blurber.
Now, as an author, I do look at blurbs, mostly just to see who’s blurbing who. Blurbs can tell you who knows who, or who knows someone’s agent/editor, or who writes for the same publishing house as someone else. Like most other businesses, a lot of writing/publishing is who you know or who your editor/agent knows.
Spider’s Bite is the first book that I’ve actually gone out myself and asked other authors for blurbs. Most of the authors I approached were very gracious and agreed to read the book. A few declined, citing deadline, etc., which was fine — I know how busy folks are with their writing. And then, there were some authors who never got back to me at all — not even to politely decline. I even contacted some of the authors’ agents, and the agents never got back to me. (Which, frankly, I find a wee bit unprofessional. Telling me no is fine, but at least acknowledge my request.)
One author that I contacted said that cover blurbs were her way of giving back, which I think is a great attitude to have about the whole process. Overall, it’s been a learning experience — one that will hopefully make me a better author in the end.
So I just want to say thanks to Jim, everyone else who read Spider’s Bite, and the authors who responded to my requests. I really do appreciate your time and your thoughtfulness.
