How to Request a Blurb for Your Book
If your book is nearing publication, regardless of the path, it’s time to think about blurbs -- short quotes of praise and endorsement that usually appear on the front or back cover of a book. Below I talk about why blurbs are important and how to request a blurb for your book.
Why do they matter?
Blurbs are important because they can demonstrate to agents that you have credibility, they increase a salesperson’s comfort in taking a chance on your book and they to? help readers make a confident buying decision. They are like a testimonial or a stamp of approval.
When should a writer request them?
First of all, you should request blurbs from other authors AFTER you have been a good literary citizen. That means being active in the literary world (fiction and nonfiction). Support other authors by retweeting/reposting their work, attend book launches, mention other books on your blog (with links) and link to the blogs of other authors. When you read a book you like, post on the Author’s Facebook page or tweet about it and mention them. Say why you liked their work. Follow other authors on LinkedIn. If you aren’t doing these things, start now.
You should request blurbs when the book is ready to go to press, but it’s also acceptable to put a blurb directly into a book proposal. You should only request a blurb at this stage if you know the person fairly well and the person if at least familiar with your expertise or abilities and ideally familiar with the your work.
Hopefully it goes without saying that you should have a clean copy of your manuscript before requesting a blurb. Ideally, when you have an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy), you can begin gathering your list of authors to approach. Keep in mind that authors with high profiles will take longer, so eight to nine months before publication date can be safe.
Who should you ask?
Ask people for blurbs whose books have some connection with yours in theme, subject matter, genre, setting, etc. A middle grade author shouldn’t ask a horror writer for a blurb and the writer of a book about surviving breast cancer shouldn’t ask the author of a cookbook for a blurb.
How to request a blurb:
Use email – not text, not Messenger, and especially not social media.
Follow the author on social media. Retweet something. Comment. Share her content on LinkedIn. Subscribe to his newsletter.
Make things as simple as possible for the author. He is doing you a favor. If possible, offer your book in more than one format. Do NOT offer to only send a few chapters.
Another big no no? Don’t offer to write the blurb for them. It’s unethical and you’ll immediately be deemed unprofessional.
Acknowledge that what you are asking is a demand on their time and without backpedaling on your request, it’s okay to offer them a way to politely decline. We all know that life, deadlines and illness can get in the way. Be human in your request and good blurb mojo will come your way
Keep your “yeses” to yourself. It’s the ‘bird in hand’ philosophy, and it also will be less embarrassing to you when something falls through and less hurtful to your “B” list, should they see your enthusiastic posts about Mr. New York Times Bestseller’s blurb.
Send an immediate email thanks when an author agrees to write a blurb. Send a handwritten thanks when you receive it. You can also post on social at this point if you want, but I’d suggest asking the author if it’s okay. You don’t want to be the reason their inbox is flooded with requests. And when your book is published, send them a signed copy.
Things to Include in Your Request for a Blurb:
A sincere, heartfelt letter to request the blurb. If you are a mere acquaintance of the author, remind him/her of your meeting but keep it short. If you’re complete strangers, make sure you are respectful, professional, patient, and polite, regardless of the response. It’s very important to state how much you admire the authors’ work and state the reasons why. Be specific. If you aren’t familiar with their work, don’t request a blurb from them.
How you know each other (if applicable)
Who you are, including links to your website and social media profiles. If applicable, a link to your Amazon Author Page.
What you’ve read of their work, what you loved and why.</li> <li>How their books relate to your book in terms of topic, genre, setting, theme etc.
Brief synopsis of your book and a link.
An ask – ask them to write the blurb if they like your book.</li> <li>Date you need the blurb, giving them enough time to read your book (six to eight weeks is fair). You’ll likely need to nudge most of the people you ask, so put “nudge” dates on your calendar.
Do some research just before you send your request. Google the author’s name. If she has a new book coming out, mention it. If he recently did a major media interview, watch it and mention it. And make sure you're willing to pay it forward by doing the same when someone asks you. In the meantime, share this information with other writers who need it.
Example book blurb request (fictional) to an author whose memoirs are similar to the one this "author" wrote in terms of theme.
Dear Jane Doe,
I have been a big fan of your work since reading Jane Doe’s Life in Words, which is one of my favorite memoirs. I also read My Name, My Nemesis, which was published after I had my own personal crisis about my name. (It’s not easy growing us as Harry Butts). I have had to process the abuse I suffered as a child, and learn ways to deal with juvenile behavior from adults, as well, and I found much solace in your book. In fact, My Name, My Nemesis launched me on a new journey. I completed twelve hours of advanced writing classes at the UCLA Extension and now I teach classes to newer writers through my local library. I often recommend your books to my students who are interested in memoir. Now, I have written a memoir about my own experience and how I broke the bad-name cycle in my family. My book has just been acquired by Nameless Press, to be published next spring! My book focuses on how I grew to understand my parents’ decision to name me after a long line of Harry Butts’s, but how I also developed the courage to put a stop to the disturbing trend. </em> <em>I was wondering if you would be willing to review the book and write a blurb for me. I know you must get many, many requests but I would be so honored to have you review my book.
Thank you for your consideration. I am enclosing a link to my website, blog and my LinkedIn profile.
Warmest,
Harry Butts (the last)