The Blurb

“Blurb Requests”

     Isn’t that an odd word; Blurb? It sounds like some gelatinous fungus you scrape from the grout in your bathtub. (Well, not your bathtub grout, which is probably spotless, but off my grout, which, well, needs some work. But cleaning makes me feel like “Housewife circa 1954, and I just rebel.)

      I am at the point in my publishing process where I am asking complete strangers to read the first fifty pages of my manuscript along with the Chapter
Summaries and after, to write a glowing 50-75 word “Blurb” to be printed on or in my published book.

      Can’t we think of a better word? Perhaps if there were one, I wouldn’t feel so awkward. No, I think no matter what “it” was called, I would feel like I do, which is super strange and presumptuous.

      Basically, it’s like saying many times over, “Hey, I’m a Nobody, and I am asking you to take time out of your busy Non-Nobody life and spend time on me. Weird, yes?

     Yes! Totally weird. Now, this is from someone who, at the age of ten, wrote to both (then) President Nixon and (then) Maryland Gov. Marvin Mandel about my outrage concerning Pollution and asking them each what they planned to solve the issue.

     Mom championed my efforts, my older sister made fun of me, and yet, I hand-wrote each of my letters in pencils and sent them off. That was 1971 or 1972.

     Now, it’s 2023, and basically, I am doing the same thing, but with people who are alive and noteworthy in the writing arena. So far, I received three “No can do”responses from Assistants, the Gatekeepers.

      How do I get past the Gatekeepers? I have the feeling my book will go “Blurbless” upon printing (publishing mid-August 2024, currently in the Proofreading and Cover creation stage, according to my publisher). How could I have gotten to age 61, almost 62, and not know anyone Blurb-Willing?

     All it would take would be one “Blurb” to print on the front of my cover, and my book would sell so much better than without one.

      Am I feeling a little sorry for myself? Hell, yes! And I happen to think that is good, and if I weren’t, that would be weird. Am I sunk in that feeling? No. I have hope for my story, or I wouldn’t have spent all the time, time, time on my story. It’s such a good story, and when you finish reading the book, you’ll feel good!

      Okay, time to move forward, Blurb or no Blurb. For today, I am Blurbless, and giggling about that word. I love that about me. Thank you for reading, and thank you for listening. Let me know your thoughts, below.