[Sarah-Jane Crowson]

Thanks, Fliss and John (and Roger, for making me laugh),

I want to do this justice if I can.

John, you're exactly right, as I'd 'read' this as a review request. It's not a review, and it's not a request for empty sophistry or praise either (that would do this author an injustice, as they're very real, quite raw, and vispo is still quite a niche thing).

Fliss - thank you. It is lovely to feel that there's support/critical feedback out there if I need it.

Sarah-Jane

[Ned Balbo]

There's not a single right answer to this. As Michael Cantor points out, size of back cover matters, as well as how many folks will be contributing commentary.

When I write blurbs, I ask the author to check with the editor for a recommended length while keeping in mind how many others have been asked to contribute blurbs as well.

Some folks are happy with a single blurb which runs longer, others like something short & punchy.

I usually invite the author to suggest changes if needed -- for reasons of space or, for example, because I quoted from the same poem someone else did, or because I misunderstood intent or a detail, etc.

Good luck! :-)

[Jennifer Reeser]

Hi Sarah-Jane,

Say what you need to say. The best, most professional writers do not "count beans" when it comes to blurbs. For example, Rhina Espaillat's blurb for me was quite lengthy, and turned into the foreword for my book, "INDIGENOUS." Likewise did Paul Stevens' blurb for my "Sonnets from the Dark Lady." Publishers will handle the job of either cropping your recommendation to their standards, or as above, giving it more attention and spotlight, within the book itself.

All best wishes,
Jennifer

[Jim Moonan]

.

The shorter the more impactful. Pack it with the synthesis of a poetic sentence. Don't "sell". Testify.

.

[Sarah-Jane Crowson]

Just very quickly dashing here to say 'thank-you' to Ned, Jennifer and Jim.

I read all of your thoughts before spending proper time with the work this weekend and they helped me orient myself very much.

Ned - Not having a single right answer is good - and good to know - I've taken you up on the suggestion of being open to changes - brilliant, thank-you!

Jennifer - Your words really spoke to me, so that's pretty much what I've done. And it wrote itself, so I suspect that's a good thing - it came to a natural end once I'd said what I wanted to say. Thank-you.

Jim - you too - the idea of 'testify' made the writing much, much easier. And the idea of it as poetic sentences.

It ended up as 185 words, without my having to edit or trim. And I made sure that there were short, poetic sentences in the words that they can pull out and use alone if needed.

So, once again, thank you everyone as you really helped me with this. I hope the author is pleased, I hope I've done their work justice, but in the end, I think I've done my best and given it real thought and time, with your informed guidance supporting.

Onward! And now for a sandwich and maybe I'll even get to critique some poems later (that would be nice).

Sarah-Jane

[mignon ledgard]

Dear Sarah-Jayne,

I didn't say anything, but I knew you would deliver, brilliantly!

Congratulations!
~mignon

[Sarah-Jane Crowson]

Thank you, Mignon, that's lovely that you had faith in me and I appreciate your kind words very much.

And I did do okay. I've had a lovely response back from the author saying extraordinary nice things, and I'm so glad that I didn't send them 800 strained words, and that everyone's helpful advice stopped me overthinking this.

Cake is defn on me if we ever meet (I make a great coffee cake if I say so myself).

Sarah-Jane

[John Riley]

Maybe this will help

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/a...the-book-blurb

[Sarah-Jane Crowson]

Thanks John,

I enjoyed reading that very much and it was also very helpful.

Sarah-Jane

[Susan McLean]

What I like in a blurb is not praise, but reliable information about the content, style, and approach of the book. If the poems contain some heart-stopping lines, why not quote one? That is so much better than telling me that its lines are heart-stopping, since I might not agree. I generally find that shorter blurbs are better than longer blurbs, but empty is always empty.

Susan