It is rare to see a newly published book that doesn’t come with a ringing endorsement from at least one or two familiar names. Well known authors will laud a new title as “brilliant”, “moving” or “thought-provoking” and testify that they were “unable to put it down” – or something to that effect.
These “blurbs” are typically sourced prior to publication. Authors (or agents or editors) go cap-in-hand to more famous peers and request a few favourable words for their front or back cover. A fortunate minority will get a second printing with some select quotes from reviews, but blurbs from other authors are regarded as vital.
