Blurbs, blurbs, blurbs!
To blurb is human. (And it's profitable, too.)
The blurb is an attempt to sell a book, usually a paperback, with attractive outside copy aimed at creating an interest in what's inside. Sometimes the blurbster doesn't say enough or, in the case of mysteries, perhaps too much.
In regard to blurbs, this GADetection Forum post may be of interest:
"My experience - which ranges over a number of publishers of fact and fiction, and which I imagine is fairly representative - is that the publisher writes the blurb (not necessarily with quite the emphasis that one might wish). But sometimes input from the author is sought, and occasionally actively encouraged.
"Inevitably, the publishers' focus is on selling the book. But of course, their judgements, even when based on vast experience (not actual research, I suspect) are not right every single time."
--Martin Edwards (Message 16235, March 15, 2008)
As you read these backcover blurbs taken from books written by GAD authors, try to be objective as you ask yourself this question: Based only on what I read here, would I be moved to purchase and read this book?
If you wish to add to this list, feel free. Non-English language blurbs are welcome, but please provide an English translation.
Note: No attempt has been made to reproduce ALL verbiage, such as endorsement quotes, only the blurbs per se.
Allingham, Margery: Blurbs for Margery Allingham Mysteries
Beeding, Francis: Blurbs for Francis Beeding Mysteries
Bentley, E C: Blurbs for E C Bentley Mysteries
Brand, Christianna: Blurbs for Christianna Brand Mysteries
Campbell, R T: Blurbs for R T Campbell Mysteries
Carr, John Dickson: Blurbs for John Dickson Carr Mysteries
Chesterton, G K: Blurbs for G K Chesterton Mysteries
Christie, Agatha: Blurbs for Agatha Christie Mysteries
Collins, Wilkie: Blurbs for Wilkie Collins Mysteries
Crispin, Edmund: Blurbs for Edmund Crispin Mysteries
Freeman, R Austin: Blurbs for R Austin Freeman Mysteries
GAD Anthologies: Blurbs for GAD Anthologies
GAD Collections: Blurbs for GAD Collections
Hare, Cyril: Blurbs for Cyril Hare Mysteries
Hilton, James: Blurbs for James Hilton Mysteries
Innes, Michael: Blurbs for Michael Innes Mysteries
Leroux, Gaston: Blurbs for Gaston Leroux Mysteries
Marsh, Ngaio: Blurbs for Ngaio Marsh Mysteries
Millar, Margaret: Blurbs for Margaret Millar Mysteries
Queen, Ellery: Blurbs for Ellery Queen Mysteries
Rawson, Clayton: Blurbs for Clayton Rawson Mysteries
Rinehart, Mary Roberts: Blurbs for Mary Roberts Rinehart Mysteries
Sladek, John: Blurbs for John Sladek Mysteries
Symons, Julian: Blurbs for Julian Symons Mysteries
(Page added April 28, 2008)
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.