ENDORSEMENTS

An endorsement is a short, positive review from a published author. Once you have a book contract, you want one of these, if you can get one, but only from a well-known author in your genre. If you’re writing science fiction (unless it’s a science fiction romance) an endorsement from Francine Rivers isn’t what you want. Brainstorm a list of potential endorsement candidates based on authors who write books somewhat similar to yours.

Start asking for endorsements as soon as you sign the contract. Most authors expect to get a year or so to read books for endorsement. Don’t rush an endorser. You will annoy them. If they agree to read your book, wait patiently. If you don’t get the endorsement by the date you asked for it, you can send one, polite reminder email. And if they send the endorsement to you late, you can still use it, even if it’s too late to go in the book. If they never send it to you, don’t think of it as a personal attack. Authors are busy. The mere fact that they tried to fit you in is a compliment. Be thankful. They also might not love your story. Just like with book reviews, this happens. Just keep in mind, it doesn’t hurt to ask, the worst that can happen is they say no.

After I signed my contract for By Darkness Hid, I emailed 12 authors for an endorsement. Five said yes. Three of those five actually wrote an endorsement for me. I never heard from the other two. Of the seven others, some said they’d love to but were too busy. One said he didn’t like mind-reading stories and felt it wouldn’t be fair to me to read my book since he had that prejudice already. A few never responded. Ted Dekker’s people said he didn’t do unsolicited endorsements. Ah. Oh well. At least I tried, right? 🙂

If you didn’t get the endorsement in time for the book, what can you do with it?

-Post it on your Amazon page.
-Post it on your website.
-Add it to your press release.
-Add it to your promotional postcard or bookmark.
Wherever you post it, it can give your book instant credibility. Bookstores and libraries will see it, and if they know of the author who gave it, it will give you some credibility.

Here is the email I used to approach potential endorsers:

Mr. Author,

I recently contracted my medieval fantasy novel with Jeff Gerke at Marcher Lord Press. It will release April 1, 2009. I am seeking possible endorsement for the book. Since you also write fantasy novels, I decided to ask you. Here is the blurb for my novel, which is called By Darkness Hid, book one in the Blood of Kings series:

Blurb: Given the chance to train as a squire, kitchen servant Achan Cham hopes to pull himself out of his pitiful life and become a Kingsguard Knight. When Achan’s owner learns of his training, he forces Achan to spar with the Crown Prince, more of a death sentence than an honor. As Achan struggles to serve the prince without being maimed, strange voices in his head cause him to fear he’s going mad. He travels with a procession escorting the prince to a council presentation. Along the way, their convoy is attacked. Achan is wounded, arrested, and escapes from prison only to be brought back before the rulers of the land. There he discovers a secret about himself he never believed possible.

Would you consider endorsing the book? You can read a sample chapter on my website, to see if you like the writing style. Here is the link: http://jillwilliamson.com/books/blood-of-kings-trilogy/by-darkness-hid-sample-chapter/  

Endorsements that are received by February 28, 2009 will be listed in the front of the book. If you are willing, I can send you an advanced reader copy or a .pdf copy.

Thanks for considering this.

Jill Williamson

Notice that I gave them as much information as I could. The publisher and release date, a blurb, the date they need to be done by, and a link to sample chapters. I also was very polite and in no way assumed that they would say yes. If you approach endorsements in this way, you will increase your chances of success.