tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post5832479244179515279..comments2024-03-18T04:40:38.214-05:00Comments on Murderous Musings: Do Blurbs and Reviews Sell Books?Chester Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155257451021065218noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-21396106978968275422011-06-04T22:54:01.525-05:002011-06-04T22:54:01.525-05:00Jean, I am influenced by blurbs and reviews to som...Jean, I am influenced by blurbs and reviews to some extent. They have to be specific and interesting, though. A review or blurb that says, "Great book!" doesn't even register. The ones you quoted, on the other hand, would tend to make me want to pick up the book.<br /><br />I think it's partly a matter of getting those reviews and blurbs out there until they reach critical mass and the readers can find them.<br /><br />Good luck with the new one, Jean. Hope you sell a million!Jaden Terrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11113218513166921429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-74442644509883815882011-06-04T18:18:11.689-05:002011-06-04T18:18:11.689-05:00Thanks, Carol. A motorhome full of book sales woul...Thanks, Carol. A motorhome full of book sales would be great. And speaking of motorhomes, I was invited to hold a signing party at a large RV resort in southern California, if I ever get back that way. I guess I'll have to plan an RV park tour if the price of diesel ever comes down. (Not that much chance of that.)Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-7235479763515628572011-06-04T18:00:43.220-05:002011-06-04T18:00:43.220-05:00Hmm. I see my name wasn't given. The previous ...Hmm. I see my name wasn't given. The previous comment is from me, C.K.CriggerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-565408066028367262011-06-04T17:59:53.117-05:002011-06-04T17:59:53.117-05:00The only review I've ever gotten that I know i...The only review I've ever gotten that I know influenced a buyer, was one from Library Journal,which caused a bunch of libraries to purchase the book (The Winning Hand) for their collections. Other than that, I've never heard a word. And blurbs? Nothing there,either.<br /><br />With the stellar reviews and blurbs you've received, Jean, I hope they help you sell a motor home full.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-66594495410222076322011-06-04T11:51:06.340-05:002011-06-04T11:51:06.340-05:00I agree, Mark. Readers have been lobbying for year...I agree, Mark. Readers have been lobbying for years for standarization but it's obviously not going to happen in the foreseeable future. It's currently an electronics race to capture the biggest share of the market. My Christmas Kindle has already been outclassed by the new color Nook, and I'm waiting for my books to be available on it.Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-64051264458470507672011-06-04T11:28:43.048-05:002011-06-04T11:28:43.048-05:00The problem with e-books is distribution. Kindle ...The problem with e-books is distribution. Kindle is different from Nook, which is different from iPad, which is different from Amazon, which is different from everything else. Perhaps one day there will be standardization and e-book buyers will have the universal selection they find in book stores.Mark W. Danielsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05127689413680147200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-76578751575276939192011-06-04T09:17:54.851-05:002011-06-04T09:17:54.851-05:00Lesley, thanks again for the lovely review that yo...Lesley, thanks again for the lovely review that you wrote as well. I've got Dumpster Dying on my to-read list and know that I'm going to enjoy it.<br /><br />JeanJean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-59914260776428679542011-06-04T09:15:49.413-05:002011-06-04T09:15:49.413-05:00Thank you, Beth. It's been a pleasure getting ...Thank you, Beth. It's been a pleasure getting to know you through the Mystery We Write Book Tour and I look forward to reading your work.Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-81563117997846118822011-06-04T07:10:02.063-05:002011-06-04T07:10:02.063-05:00If the blurb or the review is by a reader or autho...If the blurb or the review is by a reader or author I respect, or I know the individual has similar reading tastes to mine, I take it seriously. <br /><br />LesleyLesley Diehlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10552765934908042306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-47428121899357354162011-06-04T06:27:42.360-05:002011-06-04T06:27:42.360-05:00Blurbs rarely influence me, but reviews do, up to ...Blurbs rarely influence me, but reviews do, up to a point. Reviews tell me if a story line is something I know I'm going to like, and reviews have definitely influenced me to buy Murder on the Interstate. Mainly word of mouth influences me, but then, that's another version of reviews, isn't it. Great post, Jean!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-90077516837143637402011-06-03T22:30:29.884-05:002011-06-03T22:30:29.884-05:00Thanks, Nancy. I guess that's what blogs are f...Thanks, Nancy. I guess that's what blogs are for--to spread the word. :) Enjoy your Kindle.Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-77298334950651929612011-06-03T22:04:54.404-05:002011-06-03T22:04:54.404-05:00Awesome blurbs, and had I seen them they totally w...Awesome blurbs, and had I seen them they totally would have had me at the checkout line. The thing is...so many of the reviews never hit us--the reader.<br /><br />I still love books, but I admit that the kindle has stretched my book buying budget and I sure do love that. I buy both (sometimes I even get the same book in multiple formats print/e/audio)<br /><br />Best wishes with this release. It sounds like a winner to me.<br />NancyNancy Naiglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05884226543770991550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-76515454669900770812011-06-03T21:24:30.047-05:002011-06-03T21:24:30.047-05:00Welcome to Murderous Musings, Miss GOP. It's g...Welcome to Murderous Musings, Miss GOP. It's good to have you join us. I felt the same as you do about ebooks until they started out-selling my print editions. :)Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-59856303694445617402011-06-03T21:12:37.352-05:002011-06-03T21:12:37.352-05:00In all honesty, I wouldn't say that reviews in...In all honesty, I wouldn't say that reviews influence me very much unless it's from a very reputable source like The New York Times or written by an author I admire. <br /><br />Blurbs certainly convince me to buy books, though. And no e-books for me!<br /><br />Thanks from your newest follower.<br />-Miss GOP<br /><br />www.thewritingapprentice.comMiss Good on Paperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12322651575015033263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-70158472748581943262011-06-03T20:14:36.065-05:002011-06-03T20:14:36.065-05:00Thanks, Jenny. You're right about word of mout...Thanks, Jenny. You're right about word of mouth advertising. It's better than any PW or NYT review. :)Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-86347205977722306282011-06-03T20:12:27.465-05:002011-06-03T20:12:27.465-05:00Nancy, I agree with you about libraries and some b...Nancy, I agree with you about libraries and some bestselling authors I've interviewed admit that they check WorldCat regularly to see how many of their books are in which libraries. Thats where your dedicated readers are.Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-50137745484700017032011-06-03T19:38:41.548-05:002011-06-03T19:38:41.548-05:00What I've heard from booksellers is that say a...What I've heard from booksellers is that say a starred review from PW influences *their* decision to buy--but not readers'.<br /><br />Blurbs I think are a different story from reviews. I do think that when a potential reader sees the name of an author he or she already reads, and that author is raving, it could influence a sale.<br /><br />But probably not as much as good old WOM, one person saying to another, as we did around the proverbial campfire, You have *got* to read/listen to this...<br /><br />Congrats on all the authors who loved your latest nonetheless!!Jenny Milchmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04410805792044518458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-35961554342419055132011-06-03T16:56:49.189-05:002011-06-03T16:56:49.189-05:00OH, Jean: that was a scary article. Those reviews ...OH, Jean: that was a scary article. Those reviews / blurbs are truly to die for! I have to say that a good review will make ME buy/read a book. But most importantly, it will make a library buy the book. And libraries still have to fill their shelves, even though they, too, have tight budgets.So all we can do is hope, pray and carry on, right? Cheers, Nancynancydenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16995682666080584284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-3178924904599453822011-06-03T15:41:31.314-05:002011-06-03T15:41:31.314-05:00I have a Kindle and love it, but I still read more...I have a Kindle and love it, but I still read more print books. I like having both options though.Kelly Hashwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13936313159809041986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-7786742878595301862011-06-03T14:37:44.075-05:002011-06-03T14:37:44.075-05:00Jacqueline, I agree, but when you're with a sm...Jacqueline, I agree, but when you're with a small press and your publisher says, "We've sent out books for review," you don't know where they're going. :)Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-37943641186006646342011-06-03T14:36:19.391-05:002011-06-03T14:36:19.391-05:00I certainly will, Coco. Stay tuned. :)I certainly will, Coco. Stay tuned. :)Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-78941090136999729682011-06-03T14:35:36.626-05:002011-06-03T14:35:36.626-05:00Thanks, Marja. I think you've coined a new wor...Thanks, Marja. I think you've coined a new word. I'm also buying more ebooks because my print editions are taking up too much space. And I like being able to travel with a boat load of books in a single case that I can hold in my hand.Jean Henry Meadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08146960738692672013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-233477595621329322011-06-03T14:00:49.956-05:002011-06-03T14:00:49.956-05:00I don't know if blurbs impress readers or revi...I don't know if blurbs impress readers or reviewers all that much. I've had great ones from some outstanding writers. It didn't always make a difference. What seems to matter is the reviews. If you get great reviews from Booklist, PW, LB, NYT Book Review, libraries buy your books.<br />Readers see them at the library and begin to remember your name.<br />I don't know what will happen with e-publishing but it's exciting and I hope will provide many new readers.<br /><br />Jacqueline Seewald<br />THE TRUTH SLEUTH--new in hardcover<br />STACY'S SONG-- available in all ebook platformsJacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-71471508179511892392011-06-03T13:44:51.517-05:002011-06-03T13:44:51.517-05:00Interesting question you raised, Jean. My book jus...Interesting question you raised, Jean. My book just recently came out (in both formats), so if you find answers, I'd certainly like to know. Good post!Coco Ihlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02200793687248191078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6404036170106001374.post-20832398911442591452011-06-03T11:42:48.044-05:002011-06-03T11:42:48.044-05:00Wow! Great blurbs. I have to admit that I have bou...Wow! Great blurbs. I have to admit that I have bought a few books based on a blurb by a name I'm familiar with, but generally it doesn't influence me if I've never heard of the blurber. Is that a word?<br /><br />I tend to buy paper books by my favorite authors when they come out. eBooks are a good way to try a new author. However, as time goes by, I find I'm buying more and more ebooks because they're more affordable, you can change the font to a size that's easily readable, and I have to admit that an ereader is gentler on the hands (as in arthritis).<br /><br />You asked. :)Marjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09528164359512905392noreply@blogger.com