When I finally typed “THE END” on my first ever manuscript, I was so incredibly excited. However, I knew that the next step would be having another human being read the words and give me feedback. I definitely wasn’t excited for that part. Although I’d wanted to be a published author for practically my whole life, the concept of a person looking at my draft? No way. Absolutely not. I figured that obviously there must be a way to publish an award-winning, bestselling book that no one ever actually reads, right?
Eventually, my husband cajoled me into letting him read it. I knew he was already my biggest supporter, but even so, I could hardly look at him any time he pulled up the Google Doc. Those were my characters and my story that had all been living in my strange little brain for so long! It felt so wrong!!
Sharing your work with others requires incredible vulnerability. As writers, we all know this. It’s a bit ironic, when you think about it; our deepest fear–and deepest desire–is inviting others to look at the pages we’ve spent hours (or days… or years…) agonizing over. If that’s a place you’ve been in, or a headspace you’re currently spending all your time in, I promise that I see you. I very much understand the struggle.
Eventually, I got more and more comfortable with the concept of letting other people read my work. I wrote another manuscript, got an agent, and ultimately, got the book deal of my dreams. Throughout that process, quite a few people have read my novel. I no longer grimace when someone says one of my characters’ names out loud to me. Hooray for growth!
Now comes the part you’ve been waiting for. The whole asking for blurbs part. Before I could fully wrap my head around the concept of real, everyday readers buying my book or checking it out at the library, I needed to have other authors read it, and ideally say very nice things.
Asking for blurbs is a bit daunting for several reasons. One, it requires you to put yourself out there in a big way with authors you deeply respect and admire. And two, what you’re asking for requires a fair amount of work on their end. It’s by no means a simple, two-second task.
That said, if you’re scared or uncomfortable reaching out to authors you don’t know, your feelings are absolutely valid. You’re allowed to be scared. That shouldn’t stop you from doing it.
When I was looking for blurbs, I decided to be direct and just go for it. I reached out to authors whose work I admired, and I mentioned that in my message. I’d say something like: “Hey Darby! I really loved SUMMER’S NEVER OVER. I’m also a thriller author, and my novel comes out later this year. Your book had a lot of messy friendships, and because mine does too, I wondered if you might like to read an early copy? If you end up liking it, I’d be honored if you might consider writing me a blurb!”
For me, it felt far less transactional to reach out to authors who I already loved. Gushing about my favorite books has always been easy, and it didn’t feel awkward to start a message with a real, genuine compliment. All that to say, if you have any sort of blurb anxiety–which, let’s be honest, you almost certainly do if you’re reading this essay–this is an approach I would try.
Now, I’m aware this piece of advice may sound counterintuitive. You might be thinking, “Darby, are you suggesting I cold message one of my LITERARY HEROES and just straight up ask them to read my novel??!”
Yes, actually. That’s exactly what I’m suggesting.
Think about it. Seriously, I want you to think about this. What is the worst that could happen? They say no? They don’t answer your message?
My guess is that, if you’re in the stage where you’re ready to start asking for blurbs, you’ve probably already been told no a couple times (or a hundred times). And you didn’t burst into flames, did you? No, you’re still here, and you’re still working toward your goal. You’re still putting in the work and putting yourself out there all the time. You’ve done the hardest part already by inviting other people into the pages that used to only be for you.
So, respectfully: Send the damn DM.
I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not saying that you won’t have moments of OH my GOD I can’t believe I just sent that message. But it’s okay to sit in those moments of discomfort. This is only my debut novel, so I’m not pretending to be an expert in anything. But what I’ve learned over these past couple years is that it never hurts to put yourself out there.
Writers are braver than we give ourselves credit for. Asking for blurbs is an exercise in bravery. I believe in you. You’re already doing so many hard things–what’s one more?
