More Author Blurbs & Reader Reviews
Business first…
Don’t forget — To Catch a Spy is available for preorder!
You can get it from Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.
More on Author Blurbs
I recently received two more endorsements from outstanding authors.
The first was from Brian Freeman, New York Times bestselling author of the current Jason Bourne novels, the Jonathan Stride detective series, and fabulous stand-alone books. I just re-read The Deep, Deep Snow, one of his best (and one of my favorites) - what a read!
Here’s what he said…
First, I’ve been a fan of his for a long time, and I can’t believe he liked it enough to provide these quotes.
Second, I almost always ask for constructive feedback -- what could have made the book better, what was confusing, etc. It’s always nice to hear about what they loved, but it’s more important to understand what could make it better. Brian gave me straightforward and fantastic feedback on some minor areas, which is almost impossible to get from a veteran, popular author.
Then I got an endorsement from Ava Glass, the best-selling author of the Alias Emma series of espionage novels featuring Emma Makepeace. If you haven’t read her stuff yet, do yourself a favor and check it out…her books are wonderful!
Anyway, here’s what she said…
Again, I was blown away by this, and in her email to myself and the publishing team, she mentioned how much she enjoyed the book.
I can’t tell you how delighted I was with these endorsements from wonderful authors -- Harlan Coben, I.S. Berry, Lorna Hunting, Brian Freeman, and Ava Glass. I’m still smiling.
Now for a little insight -- every January, I re-read Self-Reliance, an essay Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote over a hundred and fifty years ago about believing in yourself. It’s a great way for me to kick off a new year with all my hopes and dreams. Anyway, I discovered Emerson wrote the first blurb to appear on the outside of another author’s book, which was Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. Imagine that!
Then, as if to balance out my excitement, a friend sent me a story about a big publisher doing away with author blurbs.
At first, it bothered me. As the article says, it’s a word-of-mouth business, and if you trust another author’s work — like I do — then why wouldn’t you want to see their recommendation?
But I read on, and they’re no longer requiring them because they take a lot of energy and time for a debut author to secure them. Plus, it can be a humiliating process. And if you are an established author, the requests for blurbs become unsustainable.
So here’s what I learned -- I’m thrilled that the authors who gave me blurbs actually read my book and gave me great feedback. For busy authors, doing that is a real commitment.
Also, I’ve got to figure out what will replace blurbs if this catches on. Right now, I’m thinking social media endorsements, but who knows -- I’ve been wrong more times than I’ve been right.
But whatever it is, I’m going to get ahead of it!
Reviews from Regular Readers
Here’s something I didn’t expect…how much early reviews of my book by regular folks like us have impacted me.
My publisher participates in a program where some readers/reviewers can get advance ebook copies; in return, it’s hoped that they provide reviews.
The good news is I have some; the great news is they’re really good so far! To Catch a Spy averages 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads; it’s a tiny sample, but it’s thrilling.
Here’s what some of the readers have said…
…ONeill has crafted a first-rate novel that will leave the reader craving more stories involving John Robie and Francie Stevens…the novel has many unexpected twists and turns. The plotting is so tight and the pacing so brisk that it read like something that had been written by a veteran novelist.
…great book full of fantastic characters…This is a very suspenseful read and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time…if you’re looking for a well-done mystery, then I urge you to check this one out
Very well-written mystery. Couldn’t figure out the next move.
These reviews are touching. These are the people I’m writing for, and what they say motivates me. I don’t want to disappoint them, which drives me to do my best every day.
And here’s a weird little detail — sometimes, I read the reviews just before bed.
Savannah Book Festival
I recently attended the Savannah Book Festival, where I learned so much.
There are sessions where authors speak about their writing journey; they’re fascinating. The first author, Scott Turow, was a top-tier Federal attorney before his writing career took off ‘like a rocket.’ He spoke about his persistence in writing and also his inspiration for his current book, Presumed Guilty. His advice — just do it (meaning just write)!
I also attended a session by Mark Greaney, author of The Grey Man series. He spoke in depth about the hurdles he encountered early on, and used the phrase ‘fell forward’ when discussing being rejected on an earlier book he wrote — he got excellent feedback, and he knew what to do next. Then he made the edits. Just like Scott Turow said — just do it.
And it paid off!
I ended the day at the ‘Author Signings’ area, where the top authors sign books that attendees buy.
I stood around for a while, daydreaming about what that must feel like.
If fortune continues to shine on me, I may find out one day.
If not, I’ll still check out the reader reviews and be grateful they like what I’ve done.