In an era of paper-covered hardbacks and paperback books, there is also the competitive question: What else if not a blurb? Art? White/colored paper? A note from the Author (eg. This paperback edition, and no other, has been authorized ... JRR Tolkien)? In Slovakia (like the Czech Republic), we have some books that include company advertisements of sponsors, for instance Slovnaft, a huge oil refinery--I like blurbs better, but getting money from the sponsor to put out a (classical) liberal book is better than NOT publishing it at all.
For novels, having some summary of the book or an exciting scene in lieu of more blurbs seems more the practice. For non fiction today, being WITHOUT a blurb would be exceptional, and may well be negatively disorienting to a prospective buyer who expects one. Signalling is evolving nicely at Amazon.com, with multiple reviewers. Ciao is even better, with reviewers who are rated -- and even get PAID to write reviews (very small amount), based on their ratings. (www.ciao.com to choose Euro country) Tom Grey Technical note -- I failed to get the original Signalling posting (did get many copies). Don't know what else I've missed. [Very unimportant-] All time most memorable "(not a) blurb" to "Bored of the Rings": Note: This paperback, and no other, was written with the sole intention of making a few quick bucks. Those who believe in courtesy to a certain other living author won't touch this gobbler with a ten-foot battle lance. (As I remember from 20 years ago -- so naturally I bought it. ) -----Original Message----- From: jsamples [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, October 15, 2001 10:46 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: Signaling A marketing professional in book publishing adds: "Maybe having friends, especially famous (in their fields) ones, sells books. A 1999 study of consumer behavior in buying books listed blurbs as the 7th most important factor in deciding to buy a book. (Number 4 was recommended by someone I know.) " John
