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When I bought a copy of Strangers in Death last week, I noticed the very good author photo on the back cover. It's another version of the blurred/in motion photo of NR in NYC, like an earlier photo except this one is located in a subway station with a train leaving. I like the colors and the energy, and think that it that matches the series. The cover quote next to the photo caught my attention -- it's from Stephen King, telling me that "Nora Roberts is cool. " Now, I totally agree that NR is cool. I have a girl crush on her and want to be as well-spoken when I grow up. (Note: since I have no desire to be a professional writer, I appreciate her work ethic but have no desire to follow in her footsteps to writing stardom.) But the quote struck me as strange. It's personal to the author, rather than specific to the book or even just to the author's earlier works or writing.
I know that a quote from Stephen King will get the attention of non-NR readers, bringing new fans to the series. But for me, if I wasn't already an In Death reader, the quote from King would not generate enough interest in me to prompt me buying the book. First, because it's personal rather than telling me anything about the content of the book at hand. I don't care (generally) about how cool or dorky an author is. I don't know the author, nor do I want to; I just want to read her book. The quote needs to tell me something about the author's work, whether it is specific to this book or general to her style or voice. Second, I stopped reading King in high school. I'm sure he's written good stuff since, but it doesn't work for me. So he's not an author whose blurbs are going to sell me anything.
Actually, I've reached the point that cover quotes have no value for me. In fact, I try to avoid reading them. Seeing LKH or Sherrilyn Kenyon on a cover? Makes me put it back on the shelf. Ann Aguirre's Grimspace got excellent word of mouth and early reviews, which is why I ordered a copy. When my copy arrived, I noticed that Linnea Sinclair gives a cover quote. If I had known that before purchasing, it might have swayed my purchase -- she's one of those authors that I want to like, but just don't (it's me, not her, I'm sure). Seeing her quote might've persuaded me to wait for Grimspace at the library rather than buy a copy.
I know that a quote from Stephen King will get the attention of non-NR readers, bringing new fans to the series. But for me, if I wasn't already an In Death reader, the quote from King would not generate enough interest in me to prompt me buying the book. First, because it's personal rather than telling me anything about the content of the book at hand. I don't care (generally) about how cool or dorky an author is. I don't know the author, nor do I want to; I just want to read her book. The quote needs to tell me something about the author's work, whether it is specific to this book or general to her style or voice. Second, I stopped reading King in high school. I'm sure he's written good stuff since, but it doesn't work for me. So he's not an author whose blurbs are going to sell me anything.
Actually, I've reached the point that cover quotes have no value for me. In fact, I try to avoid reading them. Seeing LKH or Sherrilyn Kenyon on a cover? Makes me put it back on the shelf. Ann Aguirre's Grimspace got excellent word of mouth and early reviews, which is why I ordered a copy. When my copy arrived, I noticed that Linnea Sinclair gives a cover quote. If I had known that before purchasing, it might have swayed my purchase -- she's one of those authors that I want to like, but just don't (it's me, not her, I'm sure). Seeing her quote might've persuaded me to wait for Grimspace at the library rather than buy a copy.
