When You Are Asked to Blurb Someone's Book - Tips for Authors
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Authors (and publishers) like to have blurbs (endorsements) from other authors. Here are some tips to help you when someone asks you for one.
Make sure you know all the requirements like the deadline.
Look at the request and make sure it fits your brand. I don’t read some genres, and I wouldn’t be a good person to endorse something I don’t like or read regularly. I write humorous cozy mysteries. I wouldn’t blub a book with graphic violence or gore.
I try to help other authors, but sometimes, the requests come at a bad time or there is very little time to create a good quote (or even read the book). I try my best, but there are some requests I have to decline because of other commitments.
If I have the time, I try to provide two or three options. I also let the author know that I’m fine with whatever he/she chooses (and that he/she can use any of them in the other book promotions).
Keep the quote short. Publishers often put these on the front or back covers. Don’t write a book report.
Don’t include spoilers.
If you receive an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) just know that it hasn’t been through all the rounds of editing.
Proofread before submitting. (That sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at the ones you’ll receive with a typo or grammar issue.)
If you need to decline, be as polite as possible. It’s an honor to be asked, and for some writers, it’s really hard to reach out and make a request. Be kind.
