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How
important blurbs are on the cover of books is not a settled issue amongst
writers, but I believe they could be very helpful especially for a first time
novelist. At least, I figured a blurb couldn’t hurt.
Or
could it?
Take
my extraordinary case for my first mystery novel, Lincoln’s Hand.
I did
not know any nationally known mystery novelist who’s name on my cover would
give the high sign to legions of his or her fans that my novel was worth a
read. However, I did know someone famous who had a reputation for picking good
stories. He might, despite his extremely busy schedule, take the time to read
the book and give me a cover blurb.
I
made contact with his office and asked if this world-renowned person might read
my book and offer an encouraging blurb. I was told that it was unlikely because
requests like mine came to him all the time but … send the book and we’ll see.
A
couple of months later, I got an email that said I would get the blurb. Short
and sweet it was, an affirmation from someone who had been associated with
story telling informing the world that I had written a good story.
Here’s
the blurb that appeared on the cover of my first mystery novel:
“Lincoln’s Hand is a great story, a
page-turner from start to finish” –
Arnold
Schwarzenegger
Being
involved in politics, I knew Schwarzenegger in my role as a policy advisor to
him both during and after the recall election that made him governor of
California.
I
was thrilled to get his endorsement. I felt the blurb would tell readers that
appreciated the stories he made on film to take a look at Lincoln’s Hand. I also knew that a blurb from a film action star
was not the standard fare on the cover of mystery novels, but I thought it was
worth the risk.
Then,
however, the story of Schwarzenegger’s personal transgression surfaced. His
wife left him and the whole ugly mess was played out in the tabloids and in the
mainstream media.
But
his blurb had been printed on the cover of copies of my book. Does the blurb
now hurt, help, or have little consequence?
The
fact is the blurb cannot be erased so I pushed forward, adding a new dimension
to the discussion of my novel, hoping not to take the focus off of what is
between the book’s covers rather than what is on the cover.
//////////////////////////
Title: The Mark on Eve
Genre: Suspense
Author: Joel Fox
Website: http://www.joelfox.com/
Publisher: Bronze
Circle Books
Purchase on Amazon
//////////////////////////////////
Joel Fox has
spent over 30 years in California politics, serving on numerous state
commissions, working on many ballot issue campaigns, and advising candidates.
An adjunct professor at the School of Public Policy, Pepperdine University, Fox
has authored hundreds of opinion pieces for numerous publications including
the Wall Street Journal,Washington Post, USA Todayand Los
Angeles Times. Joel Fox is also the author of the Zane Rigby mystery
series—Lincoln’s Hand and FDR’s Treasure— in which
an FBI Special Agent must solve a puzzle from the past of an American president
to solve modern day murders. A native of the Boston area, Joel Fox lives
in Los Angeles.
