Opinions again

[jpskewedthrone]

OK, I've taken what everyone said about the previous back copy for the postcards of The Vacant Throne into account and come up with the following. This includes all of the information, not just the book description. What do you think? Should I try to squeeze in a blurb from someone, or a quote from a review of the previous books? Should such a blurb supplant any of the material here now? Is this book description vague enough to not be daunting, and yet interesting enough to make you want to go check out the book(s)?

I'm shooting for interest in the third book, but want those that haven't heard of me to know about the other books as well.




The Vacant Throne
by Joshua Palmatier
ISBN: 9780756404628
www.joshuapalmatier.com

The city of Amenkor has managed to stave off
the deadly sea invasion of the Chorl, at an
unthinkable price. But the Chorl have not been
defeated. In order to survive, the citizens will
have to seek aid from their only ally: their sister
city of Venitte.

But Venitte holds a secret, one that could save
the entire coast from the Chorl incursion. . . or
be the key to the coast’s ultimate destruction.

*** (More stylish division here in actuality)

And don’t miss The Skewed Throne and The
Cracked Throne, available now from DAW!

Comments

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

I've never understood the point of reviews as back-cover or advertising material. What's arouses interest about seeing someone you don't know saying, "I liked it"?

I've got a couple of quibbles with how the blurb here is written, but not sure if they're valid quibbles (punctuation, not information or wording).

The information you've got here would get me to at least read one book in the series.

My two cents, for what it's worth.

[wishwords.livejournal.com]

No blurb. Those don't sell a book to me. I like your hook/information here. The last two lines are a good idea.

[clarkesworld.livejournal.com]

I like this one much better.

As a reader, I'd want to know that this is the third book in a series. As a bookseller, I'd want the ISBNs of the other books.

[wldhrsjen3.livejournal.com]

I like it. Agreed - no blurb. While a couple of blurbs from well-known authors might make me take notice, too many become irritating. Somehow too many blurbs come across as an author fishing for readers by saying, "Look who liked my book! See! People already like it!" jmho, of course.

Anyway... I like the hook. Very intriguing.

What about the main characters?

[maiaarts.livejournal.com]

As an avid reader of your books, I wonder why you aren't mentioning any of the characters from the past books... They aren't being left behind are they?

And there is no tease about the magic. If I had never read this, I am not sure I would, since from the art and the copy there is no real mention of the fantastical part of things. It just sounds like a warlike fantasy novel.

And it all depends on WHO is quoted on the book as to whether or not I would buy it. I do buy books that I have never read if Neil Gaiman or Charlaine Harris, or Laurell K Hamilton has recommended it as just a for instance.

[allaboutm-e.livejournal.com]

I think this has good non-spoilery information, and interested parties can always find out more by going to your web site. My $.02.

[keilexandra]

This is only a copyedit quibble, but the first sentence would sound better to me as, "The city of Amenkor has managed to stave off the Chorl's deadly sea invasion, at an unthinkable price." Because I hate repeated "of" clauses.

[brad-beaulieu.livejournal.com]

Hmms. I like this in general. I think it's somewhat grabby, but not overly so. I like the notion of the sister city coming to their aid but bringing baggage as well.

I agree with the person who said it would be nice to mention at least the main character. I think a blurb would be good only if it's from a Big Name. Otherwise I say leave it off. Not sure if you meant to imply that the postcard would also be center-justified; if so, I would recommend left or fully justified for the summary paragraphs. The top four lines are fine centered.

Is there any way you can give something more concrete about "the secret" without giving too much away? Minor nit: change "the citizens will have to seek aid" to "the citizens must seek aid"?