A few months ago I was asked to blurb a book. Trying to anticipate how much time it would take from work, guessing that I’d learn things by doing it, and appreciating that the book was about a topic deeply dear to my heart, I said Yes. Authors helping authors, continuing the circle of good will.
I read the manuscript over several days in southern light at the dining room table, marking the margins in pencil, mostly enjoying turning the pages, following the plot, turning back from time to time to make sure the story and I were on the same page (so to speak). I drafted and redrafted an appreciative response, and sent it to the publisher.
What came back? A request. Two requests. My response to the book was apparently acceptable, but could I add “multi-layered”? Could I what? And could I add that the novel has “much to unpack”? Could I what what?
Being a grownup who’s been taught from childhood that self-control is a very darned good thing to have in our lives, I left the requests in my Inbox for a couple of days. Maybe more. When my heart rate had fully calmed down, I thanked the publisher for the well-meaning suggestions, and declined.
I told hardly anyone. Maybe two close author friends. And watched their jaws drop. (Jaw-dropping makes a miniature sound, and I listened.) And now I tell you, readers who’ve found your way here.
Back in the old days, in November, 2000, Presidential candidate Al Gore said to George W. Bush, “You don’t have to get snippy about it.” True. We don’t have to get snippy. And I’ve just done so. Mea culpa.
Goodness. Thanks for sharing this.
You’re welcome, Cynthia. I’m surely not the only person to have had this kind of surprise. And, yes, Goodness.
Many, many years ago, at the very start of my career, I made the decision to never write a blurb for a book and never to ask for a blurb. It has proven to be a wise decision. Part of my reason for this decision was having seen positive blurbs by some of my favorite authors on books that I thought were terrible. Instead of reflecting favorably on the book, these blurbs made me think less of the authors who wrote them. The other reason for this choice was that I didn’t know how I could turn down a request to blurb a book that I didn’t like, but was written by… Read more »
Thanks for sharing your clear-headed view, David. The topic of blurbs has strings aplenty attached, doesn’t it?
Teapot tempests, molehill mountains: Whatever the dismissive voice calls them, a blurb may set the blood rushing or boiling in the moment. Moments. Sometimes long ones.
I think we all want to write things we can look back on without flinching. We need to hold our integrity cloak close, and I’m sure lots of readers are grateful to you for telling us about your principled stance. I certainly am.