Friday, August 05, 2005

Quote Slutting

I've learned something interesting over the last six months: the number of quote requests increases in direct relation to one's authorial fame (or blog notoriety.)

I've never given out a lot of blurbs or quotes. Less than ten total in my career, I think, before this past year. Now the requests are coming at me from all directions, and I'm trying to figure out how to handle them.

I don't want to give quotes solely to authors I know. I'd have never discovered writers like J.R. Ward or Patricia Briggs if I'd stuck only to acquaintances or pals. I'd also like to help out other writers with quotes because it's the decent thing to do. If my rec on your cover can sell more books for you, terrific.

Unfortunately, I seriously don't want to become a quote slut. I've seen more than one popular author go this route and it's not where I want to follow. So I need to set annual limits, and I have no clue whatsoever on what would be an acceptable amount of quotes per year. Five? Ten? Twelve would be about the max I could swing, as I really need to read the book. But twelve sounds like too many to me -- or maybe I'm just not wanting to see my two cents on that many books.

My current method is to go with what I think I can swing and how I feel. I do need to read the work; I don't hand out generics. I think I've done five quotes already this year, and I feel almost quoted out. I've committed to do one two* more reads, and I've got another request sitting on my desk I have to decide on. I think that's going to be it -- for 2005, anyway.

How do you all think an author should handle quotes? Set amount, what he/she can handle, or another method?

*Blogging this, I just now remembered someone I promised who is patiently waiting for my new address. Smacking myself in the head as I write the e-mail . . .

19 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:48 AM

    So long as you have room to quote MY book...

    I would think that a lot of quotes from the same person would lessen the value of that person's opinion in the eyes of the reader. However, you aren't one person. You are six people, five of them public.

    I think you could do five or six quotes for EACH of your pen names, (possibly not do any under your real name due to lack of recognition) and still not step over the line because most readers won't know that Jessica Hall and Lynn Viehl are the same person.

    I expect it would be difficult to turn down a quote request from someone you like but who has a book that stinks. Having a line you won't cross ("I've already given out as many quotes as I can this year.") could really help with that refusal and still not hurt feelings.

    As a reader, I never pay attention to the quotes anyway so I don't really care how many are made. But, I'm probably in the minority there.

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  2. I'm not a big believer in setting arbitrary numbers. I think you should limit yourself by how many books you can read and then only quote the ones you really want to recommend. If you read twelve books, but only like eight, do eight quotes that year. If you're super busy and can only read six books, read six books and give quotes to those you want to recommend.

    Linda

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  3. Anonymous12:44 PM

    What is sad is that when I got into this business (I'm an old man of 47) when I was in my late 20s, your editor and publisher did the quote-getting.

    Now, it seems like editors are dropping that ball and having their writers do it for the most part (although I give Ballantine props -- I often get requests for blurbs from Ballantine's editor or publicist rather than from their authors. I'm glad there's one hold out to this way of doing things.)

    I hate asking for blurbs, I hate being asked. But as writers, we need early word to get out -- not necessarily to readers, but to the sales reps, the publicist, the ad/promo department and our publisher to possibly make them look at the book as a slightly less-tarnished proposition than it was five minutes before seeing the blurb.

    And then, the bookstore personnel who need to "get" what the book is without possibly having read it, so they can sell it well -- they need to hear these respected opinions raving, "A fantabulous monstrosity of a ferocious read!" - Bigsellerasaurus McNificus, NY Times gajillion-seller of The Big Book of the Fall.

    When writers offer blurbs for books, it's an incredible kindness and hugely generous. I never have enough time to read all the ARCs I'm sent for blurbing and I always feel guilty about it, but my time is eaten up in every other way possible.

    I can understand when someone becomes a blurb-slut, laugh though some may -- it's a generous way to say something supportive about a colleague's books. Does it have meaning? I have no idea, but my way of doing it -- to only do a couple of blurbs a year or less, always makes me feel guilty about the life's work of ARCs sitting on my shelf from writers I can't get to...

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  4. I don't pay too much attention to the quotes, or at least I didn't until I learned that they are considered a marketing tool so am now curious.

    But I'm with Linda in that I think you should not worry about doing too many, just do as many as you feel comfortable handling. As many as you have time to read the books, and as many as the books you really think deserve a good quote. If in one year it means you end up doing only three quotes, so be it. Next year you might land at fifteen or so.

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  5. And can the author/pub house use the quote in perpetuity? I'm thinking specifically of the Amanda Ashley quote used on every (or very nearly), Christine Feehan, 'Dark...' book. As someone else wrote, I rarely take notice of these little promotional blurbs. This one caught my eye because it's the same one time and again.

    As for the amount. First off, yay you, for having risen to a point of note that your blurbs are sought out. You're also a working writer. One per genre seems quite reasonable. Or, if you're being asked more in one genre than another, perhaps one per publishing house with a ceiling of five per year.

    X

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  6. Anonymous1:09 PM

    Do what is best for you. If you've read it and really want to recommend a book do so whether one or twenty five a year. Otherwise, work up a polite refusal form letter. Some years may need more than others.

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  7. I'll agree with the general sentiment. Only as many as you can read, and then only as many as you would actually recommend.

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  8. Anonymous1:42 PM

    F. O'Brien Andrew wrote: So long as you have room to quote MY book...

    Yeah, that's what they all say, pal. :)

    I think you could do five or six quotes for EACH of your pen names, (possibly not do any under your real name due to lack of recognition) and still not step over the line because most readers won't know that Jessica Hall and Lynn Viehl are the same person.

    Ah, but the rest of me are not as popular as one of me. Lynn presently gets the most requests, followed up by S.L. Rebecca holds the record for zero requests (probably because my inspirationals are mostly mail-order only.) Gena no longer pens anything under her name, and Jessica is lately languishing on the career back burner. So while theoretically I could do a bunch every year, most everyone wants them from me as S.L. or Lynn.

    Linda (Mama Rose) wrote: I think you should limit yourself by how many books you can read and then only quote the ones you really want to recommend.

    If I don't like it, it doesn't get a quote. I try to tailor the wording of the quote to how much I liked it, too.

    Jim wrote: The main thing is to use the same rule you'd use if you review.

    You mean, club myself in the head before I wrote the first word? Lol.

    Lynn M wrote: I don't pay too much attention to the quotes, or at least I didn't until I learned that they are considered a marketing tool so am now curious.

    I look at it as a somewhat painful, necessary evil -- the worst part is saying no or rejecting a book. That kills me, because I know how it feels to have a more established author say "Pass" on one of my books when asked for a quote.

    Douglas Clegg wrote: I hate asking for blurbs, I hate being asked.

    I won't ask for quotes anymore, that's how much I hate it. I'd rather go without.

    I can understand when someone becomes a blurb-slut, laugh though some may -- it's a generous way to say something supportive about a colleague's books.

    Generous, yes, but I think it can backfire on you, too. There's this one fairly famous author out there who gush-quotes a few writers in a certain popular genre. I bought because I thought she was telling the truth, not helping out her pals. 90% of the books didn't come close to earning the quote, and the other 10% barely squeaked by. Obviously they were written by her friends, or she didn't read them. Either way, she's totally blown her credibility with me, and now I won't buy a book if I see her quote on it.

    THIS! Christine wrote: And can the author/pub house use the quote in perpetuity?

    I've always wondered about that. God knows Roc has gotten unbelievable mileage out of Anne McCaffrey's very kind quote for StarDoc -- I think it's on just about every SF novel I've written -- while I felt uncomfortable about it the second time I saw it on one of my books.

    ...yay you, for having risen to a point of note that your blurbs are sought out.

    (covering eyes) I don't know if I want to be this famous, or notorious, or whatever.

    Edie wrote: Otherwise, work up a polite refusal form letter.

    That might be a solution. I hate form letters, but I can't read everything. Like Doug, no way will I ever have enough time.

    Phoenix wrote: Only as many as you can read, and then only as many as you would actually recommend.

    Yeah, I'm kind of hovering there, too.

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  9. Anonymous2:08 PM

    I cannot stand it when a publisher uses the same quote over and over again. It's like turning underwear inside out and wearing it again. (Okay, not quite that awful, but you get the idea.)

    As a voracious reader, I would say that quotes only mean something to me if they're not handed out like samples at the grocery store. They need to be earned. So, if I were in your shoes (excuse me while I chuckle a moment), I would try my best only give out quotes for books that truly knocked my socks off. An insincere quote just leaves me cold and leaves me wondering if they actually read the book at all.

    I will say, though, that if I saw your name on a book cover endorsing a book, I'd take another look. :)

    ~ Caryle

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  10. What about interior quotes? It doesn't have the instant impact requestors are probably looking for in a cover blurb, but it might be a way to lend support to more books without being slutty. You'd be more of a high-class call girl blurb writer.

    As a book buyer I'm not usually influenced by blurbs, though I do notice them. While I assume they're accurate quotes, I'm quite aware that I don't know the context (or, necessarily, the specific book the quote originally applied to). Like cover art, I assume the publisher's marketing department deserves the credit/blame for blurb selection. It's not something I hold against the author or blurber (unless maybe the book was a total piece of trash).

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  11. Anonymous3:14 PM

    I agree with the person who suggested a form letter. "I will be unable to supply a quote for your book at this time." That keeps you from having to tell dear friends (or acquaintances who would like to be friends) that you hated their books, lets you slag the whole reading pile if needed, but doesn't tie you to a strict limit if you suddenly go on a reading binge.

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  12. Anonymous3:31 PM

    Hi PBW! --

    I've never posted here before but I've followed your blog for a while -- also, one of your German editions -- STARDOC, DIE SEUCHE -- and the German edition of my book BLOOD ANGEL (which comes out in the US in Oct) have spent some serious nose-to-nose time on the "Readers who bought this book also bought that book" list on my page on Amazon.de.

    So this is *not* a request for a blurb -- but I'd love to send you a copy of my own paperback (American version!) if you'll let me. I feel like it's the right thing to do. :)

    Thanks for such a fascinating (and inspiring) blog.

    all best
    Justine

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  13. Anonymous4:11 PM

    I'm going with the crowd on this one. I think only quote for the books you've read AND really enjoyed. No specific number needed really. But even 10 a years seems sort of high. (If they're all in the same genre.)

    Just remember, It is your name on them, and if you say it's great, I'm willing to trust you. Others will be to.

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  14. Anonymous5:05 PM

    Obviously, you should give priority to 1st-time novellists who blog under the name of a German longsword cut!

    Seriously, though, follow your nose. Don't devalue the currency.

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  15. Anonymous7:24 PM

    As a reader, I appreciate it, because it does help if an author I trust has recommended a new-to-me book. It helps cut through the gazillions of books to some I might enjoy.

    Yes, I'm aware of authors who have over-done this to the point that the recommendation is an anti-recommendation, for me.

    Perhaps PBW is wise and fair to propose a quota -- so many for friends, a few for authors you don't know -- then when you've reached the yearly number, sorry? I do think a good 'blurb' is a great gift from an author, and one kind and appropriate way to help out those who come later.

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  16. Anonymous3:07 AM

    I have yet to have a quote on a book. I didn't like the one book I was sent for a quote, so I just didn't comment. I thought that was better/more diplomatic/nicer than saying, Um, this is cardboard crap. Couldn't finish it. Other people loved the book - it had no shortage of quotes and kudos. My little 2 cents certainly wasn't needed.

    I've volunteered to give quotes to a few select authors - all friends I love to read anyway. I'm waiting for the projects to arrive and hoping I can create time to actually read them.

    As a recipient of an elusive Viehl quote, THANK YOU for the honor. I'm still giddy. Your quotes kick ass! lol

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  17. Anonymous10:01 AM

    True confession. I bought Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, largely because of the blurb from Martin Scorsese on the back. (I was writing screenplays at the time.) Although many of the exercises were good, I ended up giving up on the book because the whole thing was slanted towards rich people who didn't feel appreciated and validated, not struggling writers with something to say.

    Some years later I learned Cameron was Scorsese's ex-wife. Hideously bitter divorce - she apparently made a gawdawful movie about it, starring their daughter. But she got the blurb.

    Don't pay too much attention to blurbs now. Basically, you never know if the blurber read the book and was astonished by the quality, or is a college buddy of the author. But blurbs usually are a reasonably good guide to what genre a book is in, so blurb and skimming a page or two helps sort things out for me.

    As to how many blurbs - I think it's like sex - the total number is probably what is most important, not the yearly count. Those suckers can live forever! I would keep track of total in-print and not do a new one until a book goes out of print. Or you really, really like the book.

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  18. Anonymous10:27 AM

    Just went to Amazon to check that I got the title of Cameron's book right. (After posting, of course.)

    The woman has written over 20 of those Artist/Spiritual but Not Religious/Find your way books. Amazing.

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  19. Hmm, well, having sought quotes only once at the bequest of my editor, I'll have to agree that it's a terrifying process. On the other hand, the quote you gave made me grin for days, weeks, oh, to be honest, it still does :D.

    My take on it is only blurb ones that you like. Unless you like every book you read in a given year (and read tons) you shouldn't be too overwhelmed or diluted. That said, having a form response makes sense. There are going to be times when no matter what you feel, you won't have the spare moments to read a book or you'll find one you were hopeful about is just awful. Better the easy let down than setting yourself up for a nasty note. After all, that's why numerous agents have gone to the form letter :).

    And yes, if you're going to blurb, please don't lie. I actually have picked up books because they are "like" another author who I trust and enjoy. I'm not expecting a carbon copy and would be disappointed if it was one, but if the first author writes complex socio-political SF and the new one writes action-thriller SF, all it leaves is a sour taste in my mouth even if I might have liked the new author given different expectations.

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