tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post115585412374314860..comments2023-09-23T04:56:51.617-07:00Comments on Forensics & Faith: Endorsements--Part 2 (In which I tell it like it is)~ Brandilyn Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04771812607327238979noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1156295908713280682006-08-22T18:18:00.000-07:002006-08-22T18:18:00.000-07:00Grady, endorsers are not paid for their work. Volu...Grady, endorsers are not paid for their work. Volunteer only.~ Brandilyn Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771812607327238979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1156138564484562132006-08-20T22:36:00.000-07:002006-08-20T22:36:00.000-07:00I agree BC!I agree BC!Bonnie S. Calhounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769607640246518804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1156121621330554002006-08-20T17:53:00.000-07:002006-08-20T17:53:00.000-07:00Endorsements? I don't want a bunch of text mucking...Endorsements? I don't want a bunch of text mucking up my beautiful cover art! <BR/>But seriously, I wouldn't want to use an endorsement unless a famous somebody contacted me with a "Your book made me happy for a while! Good job!"<BR/><BR/>The one question I didn't see answered: Is the endorser paid for doing so?<BR/><BR/>GradyGrady Hougerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02949228146723822079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1156007732626552762006-08-19T10:15:00.000-07:002006-08-19T10:15:00.000-07:00Thanks for answering my question. I appreciate tha...Thanks for answering my question. I appreciate that. <BR/><BR/>Everyone, isn't Gina Conroy's picture cool? (The picture frame. I love that! Now if she would just change her first name. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16151988844185350316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1156001500505162282006-08-19T08:31:00.000-07:002006-08-19T08:31:00.000-07:00Dineen, to answer your question, please see Sue Br...Dineen, to answer your question, please see Sue Brower's response (sueb)in the comments from yesterday's post. Sue is acquiring editor for fiction at Zondervan.~ Brandilyn Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771812607327238979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155986987521092932006-08-19T04:29:00.000-07:002006-08-19T04:29:00.000-07:00Egad, I need another cup of coffee. I meant to say...Egad, I need another cup of coffee. I meant to say that the publisher (not the published) is only interested in my story, they haven't bought it yet. <BR/><BR/>Back to slugging down the java!Pamela S. Meyershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02728153219310940273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155986665588964292006-08-19T04:24:00.000-07:002006-08-19T04:24:00.000-07:00I'm coming in late here. Feed Blitz is great but b...I'm coming in late here. Feed Blitz is great but by the time I get the blog in my email a day has gone by. Anyway, Brandilyn, thank you for taking on this topic. I'm typing my comment without reading the others but want to put in my two cents.<BR/><BR/>I'm published in magazines and an upcoming compilation book. Being in ACFW, I've come to know a lot of successful published authors, but just because I know them doesn't mean I'd feel comfortable going to most of them and asking for an endorsement. First of all the published is only interested in my story. We all know interest doesn't always translate into a contract. Been there done that. Meanwhile if I'd gotten several pubbed authors to read my manuscript I've infringed upon their valuable time and placed a burden on them to come up with an endorsement. Maybe they didn't even like the story all that much!<BR/><BR/>Sometimes I offer to be an influencer for a book just coming out. When I do that I feel obligated to say something nice about the book even if I didn't care for it. That's hard to do. It doesn't happen often, but it has. I also feel obligated to put the book at the top of my mounting TBR pile and get it read quick so I can get the review up on Amazon, CBD, etc. But, I get a free book out of it. :-).<BR/><BR/>Thanks again, Brandilyn, for talking about this.Pamela S. Meyershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02728153219310940273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155974297952323482006-08-19T00:58:00.000-07:002006-08-19T00:58:00.000-07:00Amen, BC! Awesome post. Can we send a notice to al...Amen, BC! Awesome post. Can we send a notice to all publishers to come read it now? <BR/><BR/>Does Z still handle their new author endorsements as they did yours?Dineen A. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08560463944362266736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155948153089350192006-08-18T17:42:00.000-07:002006-08-18T17:42:00.000-07:00I agree with you, Brandilyn.I agree with you, Brandilyn.Illuminating Fictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12635531296994027039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155944668145031022006-08-18T16:44:00.000-07:002006-08-18T16:44:00.000-07:00Amen, BC!I will add that this is also a problem in...Amen, BC!<BR/><BR/>I will add that this is also a problem in the ABA. I went to a mainstream conference last year where a well published author said that NOW is the time to call in your favors. Publishers will ask for endorsements.<BR/><BR/>It's so unfair when you are a newbie. And you are so right! It's the publisher who has these contacts. Why won't they use them for contracted books?<BR/><BR/>Yikes! Am I inline for the tomatoes now?Cindy Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12849601026378434446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155932265167442152006-08-18T13:17:00.000-07:002006-08-18T13:17:00.000-07:00I agree with your recommendations. I hope publish...I agree with your recommendations. I hope publishers read this blog and take it to heart.D. Gudgerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258476859577815477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155927053371345682006-08-18T11:50:00.000-07:002006-08-18T11:50:00.000-07:00I didn't get in on the discussion yesterday, so I'...I didn't get in on the discussion yesterday, so I'll make some comments spanning the entire topic.<BR/><BR/>First, I see how wacked this system has become, how it waters down the whole system.<BR/><BR/>Second, I do look at endorsements. Used to be, though, that I didn't recognize any names. Now I do and that matters. But, as you say, if only the new authors are giving endorsements, then there will remain mostly unrecognizable supporters and that doesn't influence the same way.<BR/><BR/>However, I think it does influence--in the same way I could stand next to a stranger in our church library and say, "I just finished that book last night and it is so good." (She proceeded to check it out). Hearing that someone else likes the book is a nudge, a bigger nudge if I've heard of the endorser before.<BR/><BR/>That being said, I add my voice of agreement to your suggestion, Brandilyn. Offering a list of potential endorsers seems like a reasonable addition to a proposal, as opposed to the actual endorsements.<BR/><BR/>(I'm thinking, first agents took on the role of sifting through proposals to find publishable material. Now it would seem pubbed authors are being asked to take up that first line. Hmmmm)<BR/><BR/>BeckyRebecca LuElla Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06823550402103559922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155923995927225892006-08-18T10:59:00.000-07:002006-08-18T10:59:00.000-07:00Great discussion on endorsements. I can see how it...Great discussion on endorsements. I can see how it can be really uncomfortable for both the published and unpublished author!Gina Conroyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13647753231391009981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155920972843534212006-08-18T10:09:00.000-07:002006-08-18T10:09:00.000-07:00Like Tina, I was not asked for endorsements up fro...Like Tina, I was not asked for endorsements up front. Whew! (I am, however, looking for some now...:-)Julie Carobinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06578840610817257039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155920855266986152006-08-18T10:07:00.000-07:002006-08-18T10:07:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Julie Carobinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06578840610817257039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155920042356256632006-08-18T09:54:00.000-07:002006-08-18T09:54:00.000-07:00Everyone has pretty much stated it all. I'm in agr...Everyone has pretty much stated it all. I'm in agreement!Stuarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01319201996699675786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155918197991168702006-08-18T09:23:00.000-07:002006-08-18T09:23:00.000-07:00To clarify one point about my comments yesterday, ...To clarify one point about my comments yesterday, my publisher only asked for potential endorsers after the book was contracted. It was not a demand or a requirement, but for a new guy like me it felt that way. My initial response (to the publisher) was much like what you have eloquently laid out here, Brandilyn. I was frustrated, unnerved, stunned, surprised, and taken aback. (Not to be too redundant. :-) ) <BR/><BR/>To ask a writer for a list of endorsers at THE PROPOSAL STAGE is even more incredulous. Take my response above and multiply it by 5. That's just head-shakingly wrong.<BR/><BR/>Aside from that glitch early in my initial contracted experience, I've enjoyed a great working relationship with Barbour. My impression of the endorsement episode (in retrospect) is that it is "just something they do", without understanding the traumatic effect it may have on a new author. I let them know about my frustration at the time, and I was GREATLY relieved when they decided not to worry about getting any endorsements for my second book. <BR/><BR/>(And having said all THAT, if Frank Peretti or Johnny Depp are reading this, please contact me.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155913496606527572006-08-18T08:04:00.000-07:002006-08-18T08:04:00.000-07:00Thanks for blogging about this Brandilyn. As a fir...Thanks for blogging about this Brandilyn. As a first time author I am glad my publisher did not ask for endorsements up front. It bothers me that a publisher would assume that first time authors have such notable contacts. We have enough pressure already! :)<BR/><BR/>T. ForknerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155913025435796382006-08-18T07:57:00.000-07:002006-08-18T07:57:00.000-07:00I agree, wholeheartedly! I've never been one to pu...I agree, wholeheartedly! I've never been one to push myself forward just to gain attention for my work. I want it to speak for itself. And I've been bothered by those publishers who ask for endorsers up front. Can't do it, so I pass of the possibility of them publishing something I've written. Thanks, Brandilyn for being open and honest about this issue.Marjorie Vawterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12891691423146562031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155912336316880572006-08-18T07:45:00.000-07:002006-08-18T07:45:00.000-07:00Gina, I think that's a smart way to handle the cur...Gina, I think that's a smart way to handle the current problem. Don't know if it's enough for the publishers or not, but it should be. You're right, it leaves the endorsement issue where it should be--at point of contract. And it stills uses the strength of all your contacts through your own blog. Nice solution.~ Brandilyn Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771812607327238979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155911071962734772006-08-18T07:24:00.000-07:002006-08-18T07:24:00.000-07:00I like the policy of those who say they cannot end...I like the policy of those who say they cannot endorse a book unless it's contracted. Chances are the book won't be and that's a lot of wasted time.<BR/><BR/>I have a question. Under "list possible endorsers", is it okay to say, "I have a relationship with these authors and will approach them for possible endorsments once the work is contracted."?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16151988844185350316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155908369062182602006-08-18T06:39:00.000-07:002006-08-18T06:39:00.000-07:00Wow, I go out of the country for a few days and yo...Wow, I go out of the country for a few days and you all take up a crusade!I've heard this topic discussed before and the opinions/feelings are always the same. Will it stop? <BR/><BR/>Interestingly enough on vacation, I found an early book by a popular Christian author, probably one of her first, and out of curiosity looked for the endorsements (something I don't normally do). I didn't recognize anyone who had endorsed it nor the titles of their books. <BR/><BR/>I think what everyone here is saying is true. Maybe some of you with more influence can stop the madness. We book newbies would appreciate it.Wandering Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01445595080265227834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155906590975308862006-08-18T06:09:00.000-07:002006-08-18T06:09:00.000-07:00Here, here. Well said. (I'm in agreement.)Here, here. Well said. (I'm in agreement.)Kristy Dykeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09513637012962943901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155904383073174362006-08-18T05:33:00.000-07:002006-08-18T05:33:00.000-07:00I agree with you, BC. You made excellent points. F...I agree with you, BC. You made excellent points. Fortunately, in my quest to be published, no one has yet required endorsements, only thrown them in as a possibility to add in my proposal. But even seeing it as a suggestion made me break out in a cold sweat.<BR/><BR/>Since I only appear here as a first name, I need no shield to join you in saying to those who have the power...<BR/><BR/>Yes, please stop the madness!Tina Helmuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02210602508259810567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10583449.post-1155897081936332782006-08-18T03:31:00.000-07:002006-08-18T03:31:00.000-07:00As an unpublished author in a sketchy genre...I'd ...As an unpublished author in a sketchy genre...I'd be hard pressed to find a list of potential endorsers--and for a proposal? Sure. And I'm Dorothy from Kansas. Did you meet my dog?<BR/><BR/>Granted, I'm making connections, but I'd rather people understand I care more about them as a person than as a blurb. I didn't start coming to your blog because I wanted you to do something for me, I came because you had interesting things to say. You offered someone without publishing credits an audition and I gave it a shot.<BR/><BR/>I'm forever grateful for the opportunity. I've made some great friends that I believe are going to be part of my life for a long time. I know this is a business, but this is also life. And what's more important?<BR/><BR/>I'm sappy sometimes, but I don't want published authors thinking I'm running around behind them, stalking them for their influence.~michelle pendergrasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04963999375035588206noreply@blogger.com