For months (literally) I have been emailing and calling a man who works at the National Museum of African American History in D.C. His grandfather typed up a 10-page first person document of a bit of our history that we've swept under the rug for almost a century. I've seen the cover page on the internet: its yellowed pages and faded ink taunt me.
This man's voicemail box quickly filled up; I could no longer leave a message. My emails remained unanswered.
Yesterday I called during my prep period, figuring it would be another bit of momentary frustration. Miracle of miracles, he answered.
We spoke. Since he has donated his grandfather's document to the museum, there are several of his colleagues who would love access to it. He said he would check with the curator, he suggested some books, and I was left encouraged... and hopeful.
And the audition? I got an email this week--I am one of the 30 writers chosen to audition for the Listen to Your Mother St. Louis Show. Three of my writing critique partners--Linda O'Connell, Lynn Obermoeller and Kim Lehnhoff--also made the cut. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that all four of us make it.
And now, onto book blurb fun...
Look at the photo below. That is the cover of your book. You choose the genre. A time travel tale, where a fun-loving group of hooligans try to reenact Thelma and Louise's trip? A how-to book explaining how to refold travel maps? You decide.
Write an enticing blurb--150 words or less. (The title doesn't count in the word count.) Blurbs are those enticing bits that prod you into buying the book. Sometimes they're on the back cover of the book. Sometimes they're on the inside front cover. What they always try to do is lure you into purchasing the book.
Lisa Ricard Claro was the original brain behind this project. She's got her own editing business. She's gotten a multi-novel publishing deal... and now that those three books are out, she's working on more. Check out her site. You'll enjoy her posts and you'll learn something.
Include your blurb in a blog post. Include a link to this post. Also, link your post to Mr. Linky. Mr. Linky is easy. If you've never done it, you'll be impressed with how simple he is. And then, check out the other blurb(s). It's interesting to see the different directions writers take, given the same photo.
Here's the book cover and the blurb:
Thanks for the mention about LTYM. WWWPs are 4-for-4. Let's hope we all make it on stage!
ReplyDeleteYour story is darker than mine - but they both have sinister intent. I blame it on smartphones - they are evil handheld devices sure to bring down our civilization. :)
Kim--Yes, it's interesting what directions we each decided to take. Somehow, I don't think the cow (next week) will inspire such darkness...
DeleteBut you never know.
Congrats on your audition. Break a literal leg!
ReplyDeleteIf that phone took my picture two hours ago, it would see that I had not yet started my book blurb!
Val--Then you were VERY late this week, because usually you have your blurb finished way before I have it posted.
DeleteThanks. And as far as breaking a leg... I know that's supposed to be good luck for performers, but since I am sooo gawky, perhaps a broken bone shouldn't be mentioned? (I AM keeping my fingers crossed.)
Okay then. Just wishing you time off, since the snow days have let you down this year. I don't mean to be perceived as cruel, so how about breaking a figurative leg in your literary/performance pursuits?
DeleteVal--No. Winter is not over yet. I still am keeping a bit of hope in my pocket for a snow day in March. Or a freakish one in April...
DeleteI'm curious to know what sinister things can be done with this!! Great blurb as usual! Thank you for doing this each week because I really enjoy pushing myself beyond my comfort zone.
ReplyDeletePat--Sssh. Don't tell anyone, but I have no clue what kind of sinister stuff was going on. I just figured it had to go in another direction, and I had very few words left. But keep it a secret. I want to pretend like I had it all planned out.
DeleteThank YOU for playing along. I enjoy reading the different blurbs. And you never know. You might write a far-out blurb that you fall in love with, and end up writing a book because of it.
I can see a couple of old buggers seeking images of youth. I guess sinister thoughts reside in even the eldest. That cow looks like it's saying, "You want milk? Get that damned earring out of my ear."
ReplyDeleteLinda--Whoops. I didn't even notice the earring. THAT is what makes you such a wonderful writer: you notice things that other people miss...
DeleteI hope this finds you and yours doing well. May we display your linked header on our new site directory, SiteHoundSniffs.com? As it is now, the site title (linked back to its home page) is listed, and we think displaying the header will attract more attention.
ReplyDeleteIf you are concerned about me being up to no good, please do a Google search for SiteHoundSniffs (with or without the .com). The results should prove that it is meant to be a very good thing.
Specifically, what we are wanting to do is take a screenshot of your header and display it (linked back to the homepage) in place of the text-link. If you will visit SiteHoundSniffs.com, it should be easy to see how having a displayed header makes an individual site more attractive to visitors and SiteHoundSniffs look better. You do not have to do a thing but grant permission. There is absolutely no charge, nor will there ever be.
Jerry--You have my permission.
DeleteThank you so very much for giving permission. You can see your linked header under All, Literary and the United States. If you could say something (preferably good) about SiteHoundSniffs.com here and there, we would greatly appreciate it.
DeleteOoooh, big congrats, Sioux! Fingers crossed that you score! (Um, you know what I mean.)
ReplyDeleteCathy--Thanks. You can always cross your eyes too, you know. ;)
DeleteCongrats to all 4 of you who made the cut. I am lucky to know such talented writers!! :)
ReplyDeleteMargo--Thanks. I'm keeping my fingers and my eyes crossed.
DeleteCongrats on making the cut! I'll keep my fingers crossed for all of you.
ReplyDeletePat
www.patwahler.com