Newsletter #10 — Testimonials/Blurbs
May 21, 2021
Newsletter #10 — Testimonials/Blurbs
Seeking Testimonials — One of the most intense pre-publication tasks an editor and writer work on is the solicitation of testimonials (also called blurbs). These are the words of praise or recommendation on the back cover of a book, enticing readers to consider the story and buy the book.
But they are more than that. These testimonials are also listed in Amazon's "Editorial Reviews" section — part of all the information available under a title's cover and summary. Such Editorial Reviews are a tremendous help in getting shoppers to buy a book.
Testimonials also serve an important role in persuading journals such as Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, The New York Times, and others to select the title for review. I find this a bit ironic: these publications need other people's reviews to convince them to review the book!
Given the tremendous importance of testimonials, it's no wonder that my editor and I worked many long, hard days writing emails requesting the favor of a testimonial for The F Words. Sometimes I felt that the most difficult part of this work was finding an email address for the person I wanted to approach. Public figures surround themselves with outer walls that go around inner walls that go around even more inner walls, and it's not always possible to surmount these walls.
Taking the time to read a book and write a testimonial is a big undertaking, and I deeply appreciate every person who did so.
Receiving Testimonials — Here are the testimonials that have come in — and gone out to various publications.
In The F Words, Gregorich's beautifully crafted, diverse characters use the power of words to fight racism and injustice. They tackle today's issues in a take-your-breath-away page turner that teens will want to read in one sitting. I hope this finds its way into every high school classroom.
— Roxanne F. Owens, PhD; Chair, Teacher Education, DePaul University College of Education; Editor, Illinois Reading Council Journal
I have wondered for a long time where the YA stories with young-person-as-activist have been hiding, or waiting to be written. Wait no more. I love the way this book captures the advice out there to think globally by acting locally. Cole is a model character for our time, and for readers of all ages.
— Chris Tebbetts, co-author of the #1 NYTimes bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series with James Patterson
Freakin' Fantastic! A beautiful and powerful book.
— Jonathan Eig, Author of Ali: A Life, PEN/ESPN Award; Named Best Book of the Year by Sports Illustrated; NAACP Image Award Finalist; Author of Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig, Casey Award Winner
The F Words powerfully and cleverly highlights how injustice, both personal and political, becomes a catalyst for high-schooler Cole Renner to change his own life —and that of his fellow students. What a great notion — to make the writing of poetry a tool for growth and finding one's voice! This book will capture the interest of any young reader, and may very well change lives.
— Robert Burleigh is the award-winning author of more than 50 children's books (including Flight: The Journey of Charles Lindberg; Hoops; and Abraham Lincoln Comes Home). Winner of the Prairie State Award presented by the Illinois Reading Council
Second Zoom Video— I think I managed to record this one without lopping off the top of my head. You can view The F Words: Injustice and Oppression here.
Poetry— In my May 15 blog I talk about poetry in The F Words.