“I laughed, I cried, I kissed ten-bucks goodbye.”

As I’m typing this I’m staring at a tall, Jenga-like tower of galleys, waiting to be read. A few are actual bound manuscripts; others are ARCs—Advance Reader Copies—that look and feel like an actual trade paperback, except they say, “Uncorrected Proof For Limited Distribution.”

Some have been sent directly, others to my agent, all are hoping for a quick read and a favorable blurb. If you don’t know what a blurb is, it’s that slug of heartfelt hyperbole you find on book-covers, front, back, occasionally inside—“The greatest book since Guttenberg.” That kind of thing.

When HOTEL was still in the transom of the big publishing world, I was fortunate to get amazing blurbs from Lisa See, Sara Gruen, and Garth Stein, just to name a few. It was humbling to think of actual authors reading my work and finding something favorable to say, and even nuttier to think that the karmic pendulum has swung back in my direction.

So far I’ve given a few blurbs. I eagerly read out of flattery and gratitude and in the process enjoyed some amazing books from debut novelists, (you know who you are!) Then the UPS man kept-a-coming and that reading pile kept growing.

I went on tour and missed a few, and regretted not having the time to read as much as I’d like. But now I have a few weeks, and a few thousand pages to read.

Which brings me to the whole blurb thing in general. I know a recent study showed that most readers don’t care, or at least don’t buy a book based on blurbs alone—and fair enough. But I also think some books look funny, almost naked without them. Like going to a party and seeing someone standing alone. You’re bound to make certain assumptions, good or bad.

Personally, I think a good blurb validates a desire to read a book—closes the deal if you will—but doesn’t invent that desire. That part comes from word-of-mouth, reviews, jacket-copy, a cover with Fabio, Stephen Colbert—who knows?

Read any good blurbs lately?

Comments

[Kristan]

I think your party analogy is a good one. I definitely don't care about blurbs (like, those books with 3 pages of blurbs? yeah, waste of 3 pages for this reader) BUT I think if a book just didn't have any, I'd be like, Hey where da blurbs at?!

[Eric Stallsworth]

Great post on blurbs, Jamie. I don't know that they've every "decided" a book choice for me, but I see nothing wrong with them either. The way I look at it is like this - the more we know, the more information we have, the better our chances of picking a good book rather than a dull one. Of course we have to weigh everything appropriately, but I see nothing wrong with a blurb or two.

[Deliberately Anonymous in this oh-so-public forum]

Yeah, I bought a book once based ONLY on the blurb, actually twice because I lost the first copy an hour after I bought it so I went back and bought it again before I'd read a page. Because the blurb was that f**king good. And it was an integral part of the cover art. And it compared the author to two writers whose books I ADORED. And it was total crap. Never NEVER again. And if I ever run into that blurber I'm going to ask him for my money back. And my time. I want $28 and 2 hours of my life back from that guy. Irresponsible blurbing is a crime. Or at least really bad karma.

[Dara]

I don't base purchasing a book on blurbs, but I must admit, I will read them--even if there are three pages. I think it's fascinating to see what other authors say about a work. Perhaps I'm odd in that way, but I actually like blurbs.

[Jamie]

I find blurbs fascinating. With some books I can read the blurbs and see the connections--either workshop friends, faculty, shared agents, etc. Other times they are completely random.

I had an ARC of Hunger Games for a year before I got around to reading it. It wasn't until I picked it up in the store and read the blurbs that I got around to cracking the spine.

[Amra Pajalic]

I like seeing blurbs on books, but then again I've gotten angry with authors who I feel lied to me with their blurb about the book so there you go. It still is subjective. I'm hoping I start getting some books my way so I have free reading material.

I received this cute award and I'm passing the love around.

http://amrapajalic.com/2010/01/08/odds-and-sods-3/

[Margaret Dilloway]

For me, blurbs also sometimes "seal the deal." If a blurb catches my eye and causes me to actually pick up a book (Hmm, Jamie Ford loved this book, I bet I will too!) then it worked.

[Sandra Cormier]

Blurbs seem to come from authors who have written in the same genre, and they help me decide on a book if an author I already enjoy has provided one.

I hope it will soon be my turn to get my own shiny blurb!

[Tom Fusco]

I'm sometimes suspicious of blurbs, and sometimes buy a book because of them. Respected historian in the field says the book is worthwhile? I get the credit card out. An author who churns out hackneyed works again and again offers a vague statement of support? That blurb doesn't mean a thing.

[Jamie]

Blurbs are funny things.

Now that I'm in the self-referencing world of publishing, I'm much more aware of authors that are friends with other authors. And it does show in the pedigree of blurbs. Not always, but every once in a while.