Pre-packaged reviews

[Dave Rosenthal]

A publicist recently emailed me, wondering why I hadn't reviewed a book she had sent. She said: "I realize that you may have read the book, but don't have time to write a review so I've included some mock reviews below that you may find possibly fits how you feel about the book. Feel free to choose one if this helps."
Then she listed 10 blurbs, including: "Great page-turner! Couldn't put it down!"
At first, I thought it was a joke. Then I realized she might be serious, believing that I can't come up with my own cliches. So I'm wondering: Is it a joke? Or do these sorts of pre-packaged reviews come your way, too?

[Anysia]

Some do, most don't. Some seem to confuse book bloggers with their marketing department. I suppose there are enough book bloggers out there willing to do anything for a free book that they can get away with it, but I find reviews by those types of book bloggers are uninformative even if positive (note: I rarely come across those book bloggers because they don't frequent communities like this).

I don't deal with publicists like that because they make me uncomfortable not only because they tend to treat book bloggers like children to be corralled and directed, but also because they don't seem to understand the value of a detailed, honest review (whether positive or negative) to the reader. I have had e-mails by publicists saying that negative reviews aren't tolerated or that books won't be sent if negative reviews are written. Since I review every book I request and give honest reviews I pay no attention to the threat, though more often than not I just don't deal with anyone with those requirements.

I think what some publicists don't understand is that the book bloggers that are writing the types of reviews that publishers want for their books (at least the ones I imagine they want) are ones that are inundated with offers of books to review and so don't respond to threats of this kind. There's nothing wrong with establishing expectations between blogger and publicist, but there's no need for the blogger to acquiesce to expectations that violate the expectations that readers have of the blogger, which is usually for an honest review.

Having said all that, I have found that these types of publicists are NOT the norm. Most publicists are professional, reasonable people and act accordingly. I'm sure dealing with bloggers who don't hold up their end of the bargain for a review can be very frustrating, but it isn't productive to express that frustration toward all potential reviewers rather than the particular reviewers who are not being reasonable.

I think I got a bit off topic there, but that's the hazard of asking me for my opinion. ;-)

[Maria]

I have never had anyone ask me to do a mock review. So far every publisher/publicist/author has asked for honest opinions on their books. I would never post something that was considered my opinion, on my site Maria's Space if it was someone else's.

[Amber Stults]

I know some of the little sentences that get added to movie ads in the paper come from real movie reviews and some are taken out of context to make the movie seem better than it is.

Perhaps the publicist plans on running some print ads and wants to be able to include some of those blurbs in it with a credit to you.

But really... it's mystifying.

[Dave Rosenthal]

I couldn't resist writing about this in my column today in The Sun. Here's an exceprt:
I turned back to her list of blurbs, which I had printed out. Unfortunately, they fell to the floor and were all mixed up. I tried to reconstruct them, but they got a bit garbled.
Here’s my best shot: “Don’t even think of page-turning anticipation!” ”Kept me up down.” ...
Publicists should feel free to use them as needed.

The link: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/books/blog/2009/05/th...

[Susan]

That is very strange. I have not had a author or publicist do that. Either they will give me a gentle reminder. Or send me a essay that the author has written to use with my post.

[Dorien Grey]

Can we say "Chutzpah", boys and girls? Actually, it is a wonderful idea. Think of all the time and effort it saves reviewers! I always say, never think for yourself when someone else is willing to do it for you. (And if you go along with this, please let me know and I will send you some "suggestions" for reviews for all of my books, complete with an extra set of exclamation points and smiley faces to add impact.)

Dorien

[Vera]

I've never heard of pre-packages reviews - how strange! I have had publicists tell me to just use the summary and author's bio if there was no time to write the review though.

[Luanne]

Wow Dave - I too would have thought it was a joke. Check the appropriate boxes and send back. What's the point of sending it to you for review? What are you going to do?

[Dave Rosenthal]

Luanne, I wrote about this in my weekly column in The Sun, but did not mention the name of the book (or the publicist), An excerpt:
Initially, I was incensed that the publicist thought I was not competent enough to write my own cliches. Then I realized that I was looking a gift horse in the mouth, and biting the hand that feeds me. (Which is very hard to do simultaneously.) Here was a way to be freed from the burden of creativity and high-pressure writing on deadline. So I turned back to her list of blurbs, which I had printed out. Unfortunately, they fell to the floor and were all mixed up. I tried to reconstruct them, but they got a bit garbled. Some, unfortunately, seem to read like the subject lines on emails from Nigerians who are seeking investors.

Here’s my best shot: “Don’t even think of page-turning anticipation!” ”Kept me up down.” “Filled with NY Times!” “Couldn’t put it near the water!”

Publicists should feel free to use them as needed.

[Marie]

Dave that's awesome.

[Luanne]

I love it !!! roltflol

[Marie]

That's pretty appalling. I've never received something like this but I think I would delete/ignore it if I did.