Author endorsements for a book
I've recently been asked how helpful (sales wise) is it to have author endorsements on a book cover.
In my opinion, I think it's incredibly helpful, critical even. When I go into a bookstore, I usually have a particular book (or books) in mind that I want to buy. But as we all do, I scan the shelves, and if something catches my eye, I'll pick it up. One of the things that catches my eye is if I see an endorsement from one of my favorite authors.
For example, a few years ago I was in my local B&N scanning the shelves, looking for something new. I spotted Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy. The cover was cool, but what snagged my attention was the blurb on the cover from Jim Butcher (as you regular readers know, he's my fav fantasy author). If figure if Jim likes it, I might like it. I picked it up, read the synopsis on the back, scanned the inside -- and boom, bang -- I was hooked and have been a fan of Catie's ever since. A cool side story is that I'd never have imagined that a blurb from Catie would be on the cover of Magic Lost, Trouble Found. ; ) Thanks Catie!
So whether it's a cool cover, or a blurb from a favorite author -- anything that gets a potential buyer/reader/future fan to pick up your book is a good thing.
In my opinion, I think it's incredibly helpful, critical even. When I go into a bookstore, I usually have a particular book (or books) in mind that I want to buy. But as we all do, I scan the shelves, and if something catches my eye, I'll pick it up. One of the things that catches my eye is if I see an endorsement from one of my favorite authors.
For example, a few years ago I was in my local B&N scanning the shelves, looking for something new. I spotted Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy. The cover was cool, but what snagged my attention was the blurb on the cover from Jim Butcher (as you regular readers know, he's my fav fantasy author). If figure if Jim likes it, I might like it. I picked it up, read the synopsis on the back, scanned the inside -- and boom, bang -- I was hooked and have been a fan of Catie's ever since. A cool side story is that I'd never have imagined that a blurb from Catie would be on the cover of Magic Lost, Trouble Found. ; ) Thanks Catie!
So whether it's a cool cover, or a blurb from a favorite author -- anything that gets a potential buyer/reader/future fan to pick up your book is a good thing.
posted by Lisa Shearin at
8:25 AM
5 Comments:
I just picked up MLTF a few days ago. Is is wrong of me to admit I've read it twice already? The first time through at breakneck speed for the plot and care for what would happen to the characters, the second to savor, like a rare vintage.
Working part-time for Waldenbooks/Borders means I read a lot of books, and buy very few. This one's a keeper.
So good that it's my new employee pick, so addictive that I had to go online to look for more.
Your outtakes add more depth to the story and I am glad you are posting them. They might, just possibly, keep us from grovelling for more. But I wouldn't bet on it.
Great job with the pacing, characters, and worldbuilding. I'll be pimping *ahem* I mean praising your book to everyone who wanders into the Sci Fi section.
Lassar, not only is it not wrong to admit that you've read MLTF twice, but your post just put a big grin on my face. I'm so glad you're enjoying the outtakes; I'll keep 'em coming as long as they last. And as soon as I can, I'll post sample chapters from Armed & Magical.
Thank you for pimpin' my book and spreading the word! ; )
BTW -- Very cool music suggestions back on the "Music to write by" post. I'll keep those in mind.
Absolutely, Lisa. Readers are all individual human beings. I love mushrooms, but my daughter hates them. I don't notice author endorsements, but others do. It's always the cover and title which snages my attention first, then the blurb, and then the first few pages.
One thing I learned from Linnea Sinclair is to leave no stone unturned!
Not that I want to clog your blog, but I'm pleased to pimp your book. Quality deserves all the attention I can direct toward it. I'm also giving my webmistress a heads-up about MLTF. (it's mostly a play-around site, but if you permit I would like rave on it about you like a squeeing fangirl who's just spotted Orlando Bloom) Most of the hooligans who visit our site read C. E. Murphy, Rob Thurman, Patricia Briggs, Lori Handeland, Marjorie Liu and I know they'd love MLTF. And Tam. And Phaelan (Elizabeth Moon ref?). And Mychael. Ok, they'd like Raine too. But there's liking, and then there's licking.
*blinks and reareads comment*
I meant liking. *sigh* Damn Freud and his undergarments! But you know what I was trying to convey. Besides, you spend so much time in Raine's head that it's a jolt when you put down the book and have to be yourself again. That is in a class all its own.
Lassar hon, Feel free to rave and squee all you'd like. ; ) And you're not clogging my blog, I'm always tickled to talk to fans. In fact, send me the link to your site so I can pop by and visit.
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