At the moment, I’m in the process of requesting author blurbs for my upcoming Aphrodisia release, DARKEST FIRE–at the request of my editor. Clearly, the folks at Kensington believe blurbs by authors help a book sell. To clarify, when I say “blurb” I”m talking about those short, punchy promo-ish, “Hot, saucy, fun! This book is great! by Jane Bestseller” lines you see highlighted on newbie/midlist authors’ book covers.
I’m not sure they do much. Maybe I’ve been reading too many blogs online?
On one hand, it’s been stated on blogs and forums, by countless people, that these kinds of blurbs are completely overlooked. One blogger even stated it might work against the book, if the blurb is by an author she doesn’t like.
On the other hand, when I read the Amazon reviews of one bestselling author’s first mass market release, which was heavily blurbed, by many influential authors, those blurbs did seem to influence sales positively.
So, I ask, what are your thoughts? Does a cover blurb make you take a second look? Would it make you buy a book by an unknown-to-you author? Or do you view cover blurbs as nothing but clutter on a cover?