From: wthyde1953@gmail.com   
      
   James Nicoll wrote:   
   > What Lures Readers Into Picking Up an Unfamiliar Book?   
   >   
   > What elements do you look for when browsing the shelves?   
   >   
   > https://reactormag.com/what-lures-readers-into-picking-up-an-unfamiliar-book/   
   >   
   Recommendations by authors I like played a big part.  A blurb by   
   Zelazny, Ellison, Asimov, Clarke, and so on would almost guarantee a sale.   
      
   Unsigned newspaper blurbs have zero effect.  I wish publishers would   
   learn  this.  I know people who have reviewed books for newspapers of   
   some note, and these people are of, let us say, varying ability and   
   diligence.   
      
   The description of the book plays a role.  The inside cover and back   
   cover commentary for Gor said "Warmed over ERB", and I did not buy.  I   
   don't think anyone I respected blurbed it. (If there was any suggestion   
   of the authors peculiar sexual politics, I missed it utterly).   
      
   "Neutron Star" did come with a blurb, possibly from Pohl, but I'd have   
   bought it anyway, given the description.   
      
   William Hyde   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)