Some authors find the endorsers section tricky when they write book proposals. If this describes you, or if you would like a refresher, I hope this post will be helpful.
The Why:
I can’t say I’ve ever sold a book based on an endorsement alone. Content is king. But the endorsers (or you can call it Potential Endorsers) section is important. To wit, here’s a quote from Mallory Ortburg’s May 3 article in The Toast, regarding a major deal for The Nest: “We would have paid her the same money if she weighed 500 pounds and was really hard to look at.”
“I actually knew very little about [Sweeney] when I bought The Nest,” says her editor at Ecco, Megan Lynch. “I didn’t know that, for example, she knew Amy Poehler well enough to approach her for a blurb. That was a happy bonus.” Poehler’s blurb is on the front cover of the book.
You don’t have to know a television or movie star to write your endorsement section. Your own contacts should work well. Don’t be intimidated.
The How:
How to choose? I tell writers to list their author friends writing in the same category or similar books. By “friends” I mean authors you can feel good about contacting should they be selected as endorsers. You are on good terms and have their contact information yourself.
How do I know I won’t be turned down? You don’t. Successful authors are busy and have their own deadlines to meet. Reading your ARC (Advance-Reading-Copy) might not work when the publisher actually needs the endorsement.
Isn’t that embarrassing? No. Because publishers work with popular authors, they are aware all of them have pressing deadlines.
Do I tell the authors I’m including them? No need. The publisher will help you choose endorsers after the book is contracted.
What if I don’t know anyone? Most authors, even newbies, have one or two contacts in the industry. If you don’t, solicit the help of your agent in writing this section.
Your turn:
Are you ready with a potential list of endorsers for your book?
What tips can you offer writers when they are choosing endorsers?
Show Off Your Emotions!
I’ve been amazed by how many friends I’ve made on my writing journey. Two great places to make friends are Seekerville and ACFW.
Excellent recommendations, Jackie!
Thank you for this insight. Honestly, I didn’t know how that worked.
I’ve met so many wonderful authors while attending writer’s conferences. Friendships flourish because there is a camaraderie established, sort of a “we’re all in this together,” bond. I think when we are sincerely interested in another person, not thinking about what he or she might be able to do for me, but caring about their success and struggles, the friendship feels natural. Through those relationships, it feels less awkward to ask for an endorsement, because it wasn’t about the favor in the first place.
An important transition for me in seeking endorsements occurred when I started to think of endorsements as a networking opportunity. A starting point oftentimes is my list of authors for whom I have already written reviews–reviews are a connection point because they offer the opportunity to correspond with authors that you might not otherwise meet or get to know. In fact, more and more I find myself reviewing books of authors that I really want to establish a networking relationship.
Thinking of requests for endorsements as a networking opportunity also lessens the sting of rejection because whether or not an endorsement is offered, you have had the opportunity to discuss your work. Likewise, if leaders in your field are informed about your forthcoming title and know something about it, that is also a bit of publicity among an important group.
Bill Myers read my manuscript and gave an amazing endorsement. But it was easier to ask him for one than it is to submit my manuscript to an agent. So I just keep writing book two. :-\
At first I was intimidated by asking authors to endorse my books. I started with three or four close friends who suggested a few others. After I had a few books published I was asked to endorse others’ books. From there I began to build a list.
I was amazed at how honest and helpful authors were and are. If they can’t do, they’ll tell you, and most of them will say to keep them in mind for the next one. I now keep a list for each book and make sure I don’t ask the same ones over and over again unless they indicate they’d be willing to do more.
ACFW conferences is where I made about all of my contacts for endorsers. As Stephen said, think of it as networking, and conferences are a great place for networking and meeting people who are so willing to help.
Tamela, I’m curious about your thoughts on endorsements for fiction? With non-fiction, I agree a good endorsement can go a long way. Do you feel fiction endorsements are perceived to have as much value (either with publishers or readers)?
Thanks!
Tamela, I am looking forward to meeting many folks at the conference in August. Perhaps one of them will endorse my book. So far, most of the folks who I know who are published authors are not known outside of academic circles. That would make their endorsements rather ineffective for my non-academic work.
You just burst my bubble, Sheri. You mean the people who loved “Fabrication of GaAs Devices” might not be the best to endorse my historical novels? Rats!
Oh, Carole, LOL!!! POP! That was my bubble bursting, too. We are SO in the same boat–or twin boats, mine named “M4Q Multiple-Choice Test-taking Strategy” and yours named “Fabrication of GaAs Devices.”
I was kinda hoping the novels would give a little boost to my backlist sales, but now I’m not so sure…
Yup. Not being sure on that one is probably good. 😀