I don't know what the ratio between "new" blurb is intriguing readers and "continuing" true-blue-buying-in-hardcover-months-early-from-Amazoners (I assume that is what you meant, since I prefer to support my local bookstores). I can say that the blurb by Roger Zelazny was a large influence on my buying Jhereg, Yendi and To Reign In Hell way back in the early eighties. Zelazny's blurbs also influenced me to try Sheri Tepper's first book King's Blood Four (and sequels). I loved the Stephen Hickman covers on Jhereg and Yendi and have to admit that they also were a large influence. Back then, I think cover art was very influental in trying new authors. (I still love the cover art being selected for each new Vlad Taltos book.) Now-a-days, there are so many new authors out there all writing similar stuff and all sporting similar looking cover art that it is hard to choose what to try. An author whom you like recommending a new or previously unknown author is STILL helpful in making a choice. >From: "Steven Brust" <skzb at dreamcafe.com> >To: "Philip Hart" <philiph at SLAC.Stanford.EDU>, "Dragarea" ><dragaera at dragaera.info> >Subject: Re: book by its >Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2003 14:10:05 -0700 > > > > > Question for SKZB or the powers-at-Tor - any idea what the ratio of > > hmm-the-Zelazny-or-T.Williams-blurb-is-intriguing purchasers to us > > true-blue-buying-in-hardcover-months-early-from-Amazoners is? > >As I understand it, blurbs are less designed to appear to readers than to >the buyers for various chains and major outlets. Er, if that doesn't >answer >your question, you'll have to rephrases it. > > > _________________________________________________________________ Instant message in style with MSN Messenger 6.0. Download it now FREE! http://msnmessenger-download.com