
Do endorsers even read the books about which they write a sentence or two to aid in marketing? Speaking for me, I do--although there are others who simply skim and I've heard of people who don't even bother to read a book before endorsing it.
My endorsers are taken from the group of authors I've met during my time as a writer. I didn't seek their friendship for this reason, but that's the source I seem to tap when it comes time for a blurb for my books. I generally ask three or four, figuring that one of them may be too busy to read the book. And I always ask them to 'read the advance copy, in view of an endorsement.' I never flat out ask for their approval, but thus far I've always gotten it.
As for the endorsements I give, my rule of thumb (learned from a colleague long before I was known enough to be asked for endorsements) is that I'll read a book in view of an endorsement if 1) it's in the genre with which I'm familiar, 2) I know or know of the author, and 3) I have time. Some people give endorsements like people on a float throwing Mardi Gras beads. Others just don't do it at all.
Do endorsements make a difference to you? Have you ever bought a book because a favorite author endorsed it? And, if so, were you ever disappointed? Leave a comment--I'd like to know.
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