Back cover faux-pas.....

[BobForPresident]

After a trip to Barnes and Noble yesterday, I realized something: you totally can judge a book by its cover. How? If you turn it over and see a back cover crawling with quotations about how awesome the author is instead of telling me what the book is about!!!!

There are few turn-offs for me more likely to make me put the thing back on the shelf. I feel that just because fellow author John Hyphen-happy thinks that your book is "a cover-to-cover heart-pounding liver-clenching stroke of modern-storytelling-genius" doesn't mean that I will enjoy it in the slightest. Now, if said quote is then followed by a paragraph about plot, and if said plot intrigues me, the odds go up that I'll slide my Visa for it.

Whew. So...why do publishers elect to do this? Doesn't a tiny little plot synopsis trump a buncha glomp about what the author's friends think about him?

[Shecky]

It's name-dropping... and it does work on a lot of people.

[Landing]

If I didn't have enough experience to know that the name dropping didn't really amount to much, I might be tempted by something that Jim said was good. Unfortunately I have seen some authors I really like put their comments on the back of some really bad books so you learn not to trust them, much like your can't really trust anything printed on the back of a book. 

[Starbeam]

If I see a back cover like that, I'll open to the first or second page, because they'll usually have either a short paragraph excerpt, or the blurb.  If not, then I read the first line/paragraph, and maybe skim the first page.  

[Darla]

Some authors--and I believe Jim is one of them--are really picky about which books they write blurbs for.  Others just do it whenever they're asked. 

Of course, even if you know an author is careful, sometimes the publisher will use a blurb for a previous book on a new one. 

So mostly, I just ignore them.

Except when it's an author who writes under a couple of pseudonyms and one pseudonym blurbs another--I find that hilarious and will buy the book simply because I appreciate the humor.  But then, I'm a bit of a book slut.  I've been known to buy books for less reason than that.

[the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh]

Could be worse.

It is said that there is an edition of L. Sprague de Camp's Conan-type fantasy novel Rogue Queen the spine of which reads:

ROUGE QUEEN                            CAMP

I can see that being a bit misleading.

[meg_evonne]

I hear you B4P and I feel your pain.  It sounds like that book you got home with didn't match the quotes on the back.

Devil's advocate here and just a note, not necessarily my preference.  I picked up Gaiman's 2009 Newberry Award winner The Graveyard Book.  The back cover has author quotes.  Yes, it's hardback and you can open the front and read the blurb, but the draw on the back cover is from like minded authors, not critic quotes.  It's a Newberry winner.  Author quotes market books and sells them.

We can probably all name a book or series that we picked up because a favorite author recommended it.  Personally, I'm thankful for it.  I don't have time to read the back blurbs of books.  Maybe I'm weird but in order to restrict my book budget, I go in to buy a specific book or a specific series and try my best to keep my mind focused on that. 

My budget has been burned too often by a clever marketing writer that can make rotten eggs look exciting.  I'm in sales and it makes me laugh that they got me.  Bless their hearts and their job is difficult, but their goal is to sell the book.  Some are very talented at it!

And the right match of authors on the back cover can get a new writer into the hands of fans who favor the quoted author.  So far, they've never steered me wrong.

[Shecky]

You're in sales? BURN, WITCH!

[meg_evonne]

:-)     Wish I knew how to post a flaming devil's smile. LOL

[Paynesgrey]

I've got to admit, when a book has nothing but blurbs and praises for the author, it goes back to the shelf unless it's a book by an author I'm already a fan of.  Harry Dresden, Repairman Jack, Miles Vorkosigan, Bob The Nailer?  I'm on those like ugly on an ape even if the book has nothing but soup label ingredients printed on the cover.  Barring those happy few, I want to know at least roughly what the basic premise of a story is before I hand over my hard earned happy joe money bucks.  Too many authors mumble vague praises of other books their publishers are pushing for me to feel a lot of trust.  Now if an author I'm familiar with talks up another author or book on their blog or website, then I'm more willing to place more weight on it.  "A fast paced roller coaster" type statements carry no weight for me, but give me a couple paragraphs where an author I respect actually discusses the book, then I'll give it a whirl.

What I really hate is when the plot synopsis is an utter misrepresentation of the book.  Don't tell me the book is about an ancient horror that's awakened and is stalking the dark alleys when the book is actually focused on a girl was sad and drank a glass of water. 

Unless of course it's ancient evil horrible water that will make her stalk the dark alleyways bringing blood and terror.

[Yeratel]

Could be worse.

It is said that there is an edition of L. Sprague de Camp's Conan-type fantasy novel Rogue Queen the spine of which reads:

ROUGE QUEEN                            CAMP

I can see that being a bit misleading.

Sounds refreshingly honest, to me. 

[Kali]

What I really hate is when the plot synopsis is an utter misrepresentation of the book.  Don't tell me the book is about an ancient horror that's awakened and is stalking the dark alleys when the book is actually focused on a girl was sad and drank a glass of water. 

Stop reading my NaNo! >.<

[Mickey Finn]

Another thing that drives me nuts is a tendency towards describing characters, but not the plots.

Bob is a finical consultant with and exwife who hates him.

Jeff is a space pirate who thinks he's a monkey.

Gillian never got that pony she wanted.

Guilliam is the smallest Yakuza.

All exist in this newest work from the master of.....


GIVE US A FREAKING PLOT.

Yes, I'm looking at you, William Gibson's publisher.

[Paynesgrey]

Stop reading my NaNo! >.<

*Blinks innocently and retreats to his usual baffled state.*

[Landing]

Another thing that drives me nuts is a tendency towards describing characters, but not the plots.

Bob is a finical consultant with and exwife who hates him.

Jeff is a space pirate who thinks he's a monkey.

Gillian never got that pony she wanted.

Guilliam is the smallest Yakuza.

All exist in this newest work from the master of.....


GIVE US A FREAKING PLOT.

Yes, I'm looking at you, William Gibson's publisher.

Mickey Finn is a moderator that just wants his damn plot....