One of the publishing guides recommends having at least 10 early readers of the manuscript. By importuning family, friends, and colleagues, I’m up to five. Taking offense when I pointed out the misspelling of her subject’s name in a just-published story, Number Six told me to fuck off, she was tired of my passive-aggressive shit, and sent the manuscript back, unopened, in its original envelope.
A made-up blurb could be a better bet:
Electrifying details, steamy passages, and gassy talk fill this commanding work of automotive history.
Daily Blade of the True West
A wise literary agent says the endorsements should be from well-known people. (OK, I figured as much.) I’m casting my line out into the Sea of Cover Blurbs, hoping to land a whale. Meanwhile, please consider these remarks:
I have to say it is very well written, and I enjoyed learning about so many vehicles that were produced, especially in the early days of the automobile. I really like your Foreword that offers a nice human story about the author. I think it helps your entire work. And further, I appreciated the way you provide a personal-interest background story on many of the auto founders or producers, which makes their efforts come to life in a very unique way.
Uncle Chuck Tillotson, who once rolled over into an Iowa ditch in his ’53 Ford after getting clipped at a cornfield intersection
The scope is impressive! Your research seemed thorough and I dug the pop culture references throughout. I don’t think the manuscript was too “cubic-inchy” at all … Overall, the manuscript flowed well and was easy to read, comprehend, and appreciate.
Yoav Gilad, transportation design graduate, real estate investor, and car collector
It’s fascinating. I will say that I really enjoyed it and learned a lot of things that I did not know. Your writing style is energetic and informal, which I like and suspect that your target customers will too … Certainly a massively complex history to piece together!
Professor X, Famous Art College (more to come)