This week, as part of my book launch activities, I’ve been reading up on how to formulate a request for an endorsement of my memoir, Unmoored: How an Adoptee Lost and Found Her Deepest Identity in Jesus. In other words, how to craft an email to an author, publishing guru, or expert in my field that will make them eager to write enthusiastic things about my book for the back cover. This is what I’ve learned.
First, choose who to write to:
- Select authors within your genre.
- Authors you truly admire.
- Authors and experts with whom you’ve already established a relationship personally, at a conference, or online.
Next, inform them that you’ve attached a PDF of one or two of your best chapters (marked confidential) that:
- Hooks them with your intriguing story problem.
- Conveys the theme, tone, and voice of your story.
- Persuades them to request the complete manuscript
The request itself should include why you’re eager to have their particular imprimatur:
- How you know them, or know of them.
- How their work and your work connect.
- How their work has helped you.
And Remember:
- Begin your email with request for a book endorsement in the subject line.
- End with a deadline for their endorsement based on your publishing schedule.
- Aim high, but if you don’t get a yes right away, keep asking others.
- You only need a few endorsements.
This sounds straight forward, but it is an emotional challenge to approach anyone you feel is above you on the ladder and ask them to look at your work, especially work that is close to your heart. And you must do this while living the rest of your life with all its duties, interruptions, joys, and heartaches.
For example, this week while writing this blog, I’ve also been dealing with a significant health issue in my immediate family. Close friends are dealing with different family issues of grave consequence, and we’ve carried each other’s burdens.
Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash
This is about how to ask for a book endorsement, but if your not a writer, it’s also about how you ask for anything personal. What’s holding you back from revealing your need and asking those who can help you for the insight and comfort you need.
Writing a memoir about a vulnerable time in my life has taught me the need to go back to go forward in healing. It’s also showed me how critical it is to have friends who love you and support you. And there’s no friend closer to Jesus and his present day disciples.
All to say, it takes a village to launch a story about your life, and it takes a village to live your life with hope over fear, and comfort even within suffering. Jesus knew this when he surrounded himself with a close village of disciples and told them before parting:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NIV)
So, live your life, and tell your stories of how Jesus has rescued you time and again with the power of his love.
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Cover photo by Antonino Visalli on Unsplash
Copyright Ann C. Averill 2024
