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I’ve got a bee in my bonnet I thought I’d shared today. I love getting endorsements for my books, and I love giving them. But the thing that bugs me; fake endorsement. Readers may stop trusting the endorser. Not what I want as a writer and blogger.
The Bee
It is acceptable among authors and publishers for writers to ask for an endorsement by sending a line or two they have written themselves. The celebrity, authority or author whose name appears on their book cover adds clout. So, they call or send a note. “I know you’re busy. You mentioned endorsing my upcoming book. To save you time I’ve written one for you. If you’re comfortable with the wording, may I add your name?” Or something along those lines. Many are happy to do it.
Not me. I know people are busy, and it’s hard to set aside time to read a book. But for me, it is putting words in their mouths and I won’t do it. I ask for endorsements and send the person the pdf and the summary. Then let them write it in their own words. If they don’t finish the book and still write the endorsement then they’ve read enough to feel comfortable adding their name to the cover.
I always read the books I endorse. If I don’t have time, I decline the opportunity. Just as I give an honest review, I want to give an honest endorsement. I consider being asked an honor, and I don’t take that lightly.
The Sting
I was appalled to read the words “well-written” by an endorser for a book that wasn’t. It was amateurish and lacked professional editing. Apparently, the individual endorser didn’t read the book. Some writers think readers don’t know what a well-written book looks like, so it doesn’t matter. Oh, but they do. Readers who trust the endorser for an honest assessment will be disappointed if their expectations aren’t met. I’m referring to terms like well-written or excellent wordsmith. Granted we all have our own opinions. If the endorser found it riveting, I may not. That’s different.
My Caution
In our effort to get a well-known person to endorse our work, we may find them more receptive if they don’t have to write the endorsement. Then you have a big name singing your praises on the cover. It may have little to no effect on your sales. Or your sales may skyrocket, but if your words are not well-written, the buyers will not return for your newest release. And if they trusted the endorser and were disappointed, the next book endorsed by the same person may be rejected out of hand by potential readers.
There now, the bee has escaped from my bonnet and I feel better.
What are your thoughts on getting and giving endorsements?
I honestly have never heard of this practice nor would I ever participate in it. Endorsements should be the endorser’s opinion of the book they’ve read.
Providing a pre-written endorsement to someone for their signature? I, too, had never heard of such a thing. It seems very pretentious. I have received prominent endorsements from a few leaders who received the pdf and a summary, but I can’t say how much of it they read. They each provided an endorsement in their own words, though, so I’m comfortable with that. I’m glad your bee was set free 🙂
Well said, Cindy. The concept of sending a pre-written endorsement in order to gain an endorsement by someone who has not read your book is dishonest and demonstrates a total lack of integrity on both parts. It’s very similar to the fake review scam Amazon was involved in about four years ago, just harder to stop.