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Welcome

I started this blog in 2013 to share my reflections on reading, writing and psychology, along with my journey to become a published novelist.  I soon graduated to about twenty book reviews a month and a weekly 99-word story. Ten years later, I've transferred my writing / publication updates to my new website but will continue here with occasional reviews and flash fiction pieces, and maybe the odd personal post.

ANNE GOODWIN'S WRITING NEWS

“I love this book” and other generous terms of adulation

9/7/2015

12 Comments

 
What can be more excruciating than contacting your favourite reviewers and writers in advance of publication to beg them, not only to read, but to like, a proof version your forthcoming novel, and declare so publicly for all the world to see? Well, quite a lot, as it happens, but please indulge a first-time novelist’s egocentrism, if you can, for the duration of this post!

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I knew about endorsements (also known as blurbs) from following the fortunes of other debut novelists. Claire King has written blog posts about the process, from the point of view of both solicitor and recipient of such a request. As you might imagine, it’s a cringe-worthy process from whichever side you approach it. Just because I admire someone else’s writing, there’s no guarantee they’ll like mine. Or have the time or inclination to read it. Not asking is a marvellous protection against getting the answer I dread.

So why did I put myself in this uncomfortable position? My publisher didn’t insist on it; in fact, they’d never done it before. When I raised the possibility, I was half hoping to be told, No, we don’t do that here. But no, Inspired Quill in the form of MD Sara Slack was keen to give it a go. Sara was so enthused by the prospect, she extended our petitions beyond published authors to “experts” and “celebrities” who might take a particular interest in the themes.

So, proof copies at the ready, begging letters crafted, we drew up a list. Even with email, it ate up an enormous amount of emotional energy and time. Receiving the first ‘no’ was like submitting to agents and publishers all over again. The ‘yes’ that came after elicited a different kind of anxiety: now my fellow-authors would know that my writing was crap. How would I ever raise my head on Twitter again?

After much holding of breath, the accolades arrived. Not that I’ve ever taken part in one, but I can’t help likening it to a military assault course. And we’ve come out the other end clutching a bunch of fine phrases in our scratched and grubby hands. They’ll appear in the final published versions of my novel, but you can have advanced sight on this page I’ve created on my website. Thanks to all those who took the time to read my novel and offer feedback, as well as those who give it serious consideration but had to decline.

Having been rewarded so well for our efforts, it might seem ungrateful to wonder whether such things matter. Many readers prefer to make up their own minds about a novel’s merit than to follow the herd. For me, an excess of hyperbole – with puffed-up phrases scattered across the cover – can have the opposite effect to that apparently intended.

So why do it? The simple answer is that that’s what the publishing industry does. A novel needs to have endorsements, regardless of their content, in the same way that it needs an ISBN number and an author bio at the back. But for me personally it’s about propping up my authorial authority. A publisher, a gorgeous cover and now the endorsement of others I respect provides a buffer between me and my readers, rendering me feeling less exposed than if it were solely a matter of me and my words. I think it also provides a form of protection for my readers, especially family and friends purchasing the novel because of their relationship with the author more than because they’re captivated by the story itself. In addition to my stalwart blog supporters, I want to be able to reassure those attending my launch parties it’s a proper book.

Meanwhile, I’m celebrating my first published review (from one of my endorsers, Victoria Best) and my first guest post (on writing about secrets, the false self and insecure identities) both out today on the esteemed book-recommendation site, Shiny New Books. With two weeks still to publication, and my novel available for preorder on Amazon (seems I got my head out of the sand just in time), it’s all very exciting.

How much notice do you take of endorsements as a reader? As a writer, have you ever been asked to provide one or sought them yourself? Should I be more confident in my own assessment of my novel without needing to hide behind others’ opinions? Do let me know!

Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
12 Comments
Gargi link
10/7/2015 12:00:24 am

Congrats on your first review, Anne! I hope to read and review soon too!

Reply
Annecdotist
12/7/2015 11:23:41 am

Thanks, Gargi, looking forward to seeing how the novel works for you.

Reply
geoff link
10/7/2015 02:17:06 pm

Love this Anne. So helpful. The endorsements issue is interesting. i l couldn't think who I might approach who's name would make a difference so i thought it better not to clutter the cover with any old quote. But you have some real corkers here so i can see the advantage. I'm a bit at sea with the whole pre order, launch date thingy, doing it myself. I kind of think, for me it's a case of getting it published and then doing some flogging. But your's feels really professional (why isn't that a surprise!). I am really glad you are taking us with you on this journey, however difficult you might find some of it with your characteristic modesty! Go girl, I say!!

Reply
Annecdotist
12/7/2015 11:27:47 am

Thanks for these generous endorsements of my endorsements, Geoff. It is/was a bit difficult knowing who to approach – and even the names that I'm impressed with personally will mean nothing to many readers. It's an interesting learning process and, even with a publisher, it can still feel like there's far too much to be done to get the book itself finished, never mind promoting it. I look forward to seeing how much of this professionalism has rubbed off on you – not that you weren't already, of course. We're all learning from each other.

Reply
Norah Colvin link
10/7/2015 10:42:21 pm

How wonderful to receive the adulation and be chuffed enough to put false modesty aside and share it. It is so lovely to see your promoting your own book and to hear what others have said about it. I know I am going to love it too, judging from bits I have already read, as well as the comments of others.
I was surprised to hear the endorsements referred to as 'blurbs'. I had always thought of the blurb as the synopsis of the story on the back cover, the hook to entice me in. I enjoyed reading your endorsements and am confident that I will be happy to add mine to the list (not that my name on an endorsement would be an encouragement for readers). I love that other authors, experts and celebrities were approached for reviews. I don't often/always read endorsements but I occasionally do and sometimes skim through to see if anyone whose opinion I value has commented. I am more interested in the blurb, generally, than endorsements.
Congratulations on your first review and your first guest post. I thoroughly enjoyed reading both. I like the way Victoria maintained the secret of the novel, while giving the reader a good overview and a strong recommendation for reading. I loved reading the guest post about what you aimed to do in telling Diana's story and your writing/rewriting process. I think what I have been working through with my Marnie stories, if they ever become a more connected story, has a similar process.
I am so looking forward to reading Sugar and Snails. I am certain I will enjoy every bit! :)
I'm so pleased to know that we were friends long before you became famous. (Or maybe you already were and I just didn't realise it!)

Reply
Annecdotist
12/7/2015 11:35:06 am

Thanks, Norah, not so much putting aside modesty but feeling I owe it to the people who took the time to read and comment on my novel in this way to publicise what they said.
Yes, I think of the blurb as the hook at the back, but some people do call these blurbs too, so it can get confusing.
I'm glad you liked the review and my guest post. It was lovely reading Victoria's words (so eloquent), and seeing what she'd taken from it. A very strange experience.
I look forward to adding your words to my review page (certainly no requirement for it to be as long as in-depth as this one). I'm pleased we were friends before I was published (not famous though maybe infamous in some contexts) to be able to draw on your support in the buildup to publication.

Reply
Linda Huber link
13/7/2015 12:23:52 am

All the very best with this - I love the cover image! Yours is out the day after mine (but I'm self-publishing this time). It's not an easy journey no matter how you go, but the important thing is you get to hold your 'baby', and nothing else really matters.
Personally, I pay a lot more attention to the blurb on the back of a book than to any endorsements, unless they're written by someone I know has a similar taste in books. Good luck!

Reply
Annecdotist
13/7/2015 01:57:48 am

Thanks, Linda, and good look with yours, too. (Actually a photo of me holding my "baby" is on today's to-do list.)
When the dust settles down, I'd be really interested in your experience of the difference between self and small-press publishing.

Reply
Linda Huber link
13/7/2015 02:10:56 am

I'll be happy to share, further down the line. I'm still in the middle of organising the paperback version. I'm lucky to have a great team support me.
Good luck with the photo - not my own favourite part of the proceedings!

Annecdotist
14/7/2015 01:12:44 am

Look forward to reading about it whenever you're ready.
And regarding the photo, that's one of the many things from yesterday's to-do list that didn't get done – avoidance?

AnnMarie
13/7/2015 04:08:20 pm

Anne, I feel like I've been under a rock or something--I am so excited for you that you are getting published and with clearly some real success at the outset! I'm not surprised by the accolades and give you kudos for putting your work out there. You did the right thing. I am so happy for you and look forward to reading your book!

Reply
Annecdotist
14/7/2015 01:14:08 am

Thank you, AnnMarie, it's really nice for me to have people find out later – puts me back in touch with that initial excitement! Hope all is well on your writing journey.

Reply



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