tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post8795953078228650051..comments2023-04-18T00:44:59.351+10:00Comments on A dead man fell from the sky...: Jacket copyGary Corbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-251427735077689182010-09-14T09:51:41.054+10:002010-09-14T09:51:41.054+10:00As it happens, I didn't re-use anything from t...As it happens, I didn't re-use anything from the query. My "best" book description has evolved considerably over time. I constantly do minor fiddles, replacing one phrase with a slightly different one to see what works. You'll notice though the basic description I wrote to lead this blog has stood the test of time and found its way into the jacket copy.Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-24833161231673111702010-09-14T07:45:59.776+10:002010-09-14T07:45:59.776+10:00Thanks for this :) I've been wondering because...Thanks for this :) I've been wondering because the jacket copy sounded like it would have made a killer query, and I've heard that sometimes they will use pieces of the query letter. But since you wrote both it goes to show that you landed a great agent/ editor, AND you'll have lots of people buy your book. :)<br /><br />I've always, always, always hated writing bios or blurbs about myself. With the passion of a thousand fiery suns.L. T. Hosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12448176940211118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-30785068871241560842010-09-13T10:15:18.877+10:002010-09-13T10:15:18.877+10:00Hey Jude,
That would be excessively optimistic, b...Hey Jude,<br /><br />That would be excessively optimistic, but it's okay.<br /><br />Every time I look at the final, the flaws stare back at me. This seems to be the fate of a writer; nothing's ever perfect.<br /><br />Check the full editorial reviews on Amazon or easier still the "Pericles Commission" tab at the top of this page to see it.Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-55106408982268016182010-09-13T04:45:27.394+10:002010-09-13T04:45:27.394+10:00I bet you picked the perfect 200 words. Can't ...I bet you picked the perfect 200 words. Can't wait to see it:)Judehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04587172836433015426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-91105742763627203432010-09-11T17:17:36.430+10:002010-09-11T17:17:36.430+10:00Anne, the one true genius I've discovered for ...Anne, the one true genius I've discovered for short synopses is Bill Cameron, of Chasing Smoke, Lost Dog and Day One fame. He just whips them off. I don't know how he does it.Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-73492732784908300762010-09-11T17:15:27.505+10:002010-09-11T17:15:27.505+10:00Ricky, yep, then you know how tricky it feels...Ricky, yep, then you know how tricky it feels...Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-8858642081139297562010-09-11T17:13:24.697+10:002010-09-11T17:13:24.697+10:00Thanks Vicky! Did you write yours?
For those una...Thanks Vicky! Did you write yours?<br /><br />For those unaware, Vicky's second book released the other week! This one's a YA about Cleopatra.Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-48849745799540957632010-09-11T17:12:17.895+10:002010-09-11T17:12:17.895+10:00Elizabeth, sometimes the editor does do the jacket...Elizabeth, sometimes the editor does do the jacket. And a minion did the catalog copy (though I confess I don't know who). After I wrote this, Kathleen checked it over, so it's not like I'm free to do just anything. After I sent it in, Kathleen cleaned up bits and pieces and did the arrangement for the actual jacket, which means deciding exactly what goes where.Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-44054712544957072562010-09-11T17:08:18.832+10:002010-09-11T17:08:18.832+10:00Wow, Nevets. That's a huge endorsement. Than...Wow, Nevets. That's a huge endorsement. Thanks!Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-30572020336237252692010-09-11T13:34:22.371+10:002010-09-11T13:34:22.371+10:00Well done!Well done!Vicky Alvear Shecterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17570828339389206203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-15751438530168846272010-09-11T08:40:09.587+10:002010-09-11T08:40:09.587+10:00And here I innocently assumed that some editor'...And here I innocently assumed that some editor's minion wrote that stuff.<br /><br />You did a great job, but ack, that sounds scary!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01331620706524143366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-81516611160225031832010-09-11T04:11:25.431+10:002010-09-11T04:11:25.431+10:00LOL! Isn't that the truth? i'd rather writ...LOL! Isn't that the truth? i'd rather write anything other than a synopsis, pitch, one line tag of my story. Is there a service out there somewhere that would do these terrible deeds for me?? ;) Can't wait for your book!Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-62053809321056796952010-09-11T01:43:56.248+10:002010-09-11T01:43:56.248+10:00Oh,yes. You have hit the nail on its cliched head....Oh,yes. You have hit the nail on its cliched head. I struggled mightly when asked for a back cover blurb, a teaser and then THE bio. My writing can flow along smoothly when I get into a groove on a novel, but I stumbled and fumbled along witht these short snippet.Ricky Bushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15861574330175082978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-70127668164174251682010-09-10T23:31:26.923+10:002010-09-10T23:31:26.923+10:00The bio came out well, but I'm sure you were u...The bio came out well, but I'm sure you were uncomfortable working on that.<br /><br />The jacket copy, my friend, is stellar. Excellent job with that. Very snappy and colorful.<br /><br />Can't wait to put my pre-order in next Friday!C. N. Nevetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375714948653196993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-29742884522899117092010-09-10T20:50:59.554+10:002010-09-10T20:50:59.554+10:00Thanks Ladies, you're very kind.
The 200 star...Thanks Ladies, you're very kind.<br /><br />The 200 started to look easy when I had to shrink it later to under 100 for a postcard, but that's a story for another post.Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-52462245731161187842010-09-10T20:22:08.105+10:002010-09-10T20:22:08.105+10:00Very good. That would persuade me to buy it, if I ...Very good. That would persuade me to buy it, if I wasn't planning to anyway :o)Lexihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14404818053292364819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-57343880685709951342010-09-10T19:03:14.059+10:002010-09-10T19:03:14.059+10:00Your jacket copy is quite good Gary! What a mouthf...Your jacket copy is quite good Gary! What a mouthful to cram into 200 words eh? Well done.Carrie Clevengerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05093923008179106837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-30304577474543883392010-09-10T18:31:46.710+10:002010-09-10T18:31:46.710+10:00Hi Lexi, it's there, but Amazon folds up the E...Hi Lexi, it's there, but Amazon folds up the Editorial Reviews, which section includes information that has nothing to do with editorial reviews. Don't ask me why.<br /><br />If you click "See all Editorial Reviews" you'll find a section called "From the Inside Flap". There's also an "About the Author" which is the dreaded bio. The "Product Description" also on that page is straight out of the Minotaur catalog, which was written by someone at the publisher but copies some of my text. The catalog copy is what's appearing on most other book sites. (WH Smith has begun taking orders!)<br /><br />To make it simple, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0312599021/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books" rel="nofollow">this page takes you to the full editorial review section at Amazon</a>.Gary Corbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14759372069119740227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-524039117682127217.post-75114702163227596292010-09-10T17:27:23.674+10:002010-09-10T17:27:23.674+10:00So I rushed to Amazon to read the jacket copy, and...So I rushed to Amazon to read the jacket copy, and you haven't got Search Inside the Book! Are you going to?Lexihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14404818053292364819noreply@blogger.com