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?

[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...

[Marian Perera]

I enjoyed the article. I think I'll mention it in a blog post.

[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.

[Wayne Hurlbert]

Dave, your wonderful column sounds like the prototype for a random review generator. Just mix and match the words and phrases in any order to create a review. Rinse and repeat. :-)