Sequel blurb

[igenlode]

And... another rewrite, this time of a blurb that would actively put me off reading the fic in question (assuming that the writing style of the cover actually doesn't reflect the nature of the interior prose -- otherwise, tweaking the outside really isn't going to do much good :-( )

Decades after the death of Roj Blake, the Federation have located Orac on Gauda Prime, forcing the super-computer to send out several specifically focused distress calls that inadvertently brings[sic] together a group of outcasts, some familiar and some unfamiliar[,] under a young leader with a strong tie to the past. Acquiring a ship, the crew are fighting previously unknown adversaries and each other as their differing backgrounds and motivations bring them into conflict. Forced into action by circumstances beyond their control, the crew plunges[sic] headfirst into missions that put them in contact with an outlying society, the ruthless nature of the Federations[sic] expansion program and in the middle of a political and family feud. Pursued by new foes the adventures of the new crew lead to mistrust, death, and a familiar crew member finally finding happiness.

[This] is an unofficial sequel to the BBC TV Series Blakes 7 which ended its original broadcasting run in 1981. The publication is not-for-profit, fan created and does not intend to infringe any copyrights[...]

At the very least you need to get your singular and plural verbs correct when attempting to promote your content to prospective readers. ("The crew" can be either singular or plural, but not both in successive sentences...)


"Decades after the death of Roj Blake, the Federation have located the super-computer Orac on Gauda Prime. But their meddling inadvertently focuses a group of disparate outcasts into fresh resistance under a young leader with a strong tie to the past. Familiar and unfamiliar faces have to find a way to cooperate as they acquire a ship and are forced into action by circumstances beyond their control; pursued by new foes, they find themselves up against the ruthless reality of the Federation's expansion programme and caught in the middle of a political and family feud.
"Distrust, tragedy, and —for some— unexpected happiness lie in wait for them in these new adventures, constituting an unofficial sequel to the BBC TV series "Blake's 7" [etc.]"

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I also think the feedback culture on that platform (Facebook group?) plays a role. The 'feedback culture' used to be pretty good on fanfic.net ten years ago I think. Too bad I wasn't writing back then. But it seems to be non-existent on Tumblr, for example, at least in the Marvel fandom.

Mei

[igenlode]

Yes, fandom Facebook group. The context was 'here is the design concept for our cover, who would be interested in reading this when we go to print'?

Which I read as being 'would you read this book based on this cover concept?'...


Looking back at the original post, I note they *have* in fact now made changes to the proposed blurb ;-)
It's still a bit mangled and wordy ("they plunge headfirst into missions that put them in contact with an outlying society, the ruthlessness of the Federation's expansion program while also being caught in the middle of a political and family feud"), but it's a gesture towards saleability. To be honest, it does look as if it doesn't matter how the back cover comes across, as the fans are prepared to buy it on principle anyway -- of which I suppose one should be glad, as a continued sign of life in a very small fandom. And it's not as if *I've* succeeded in publishing anything to preach about recently :-(

[(Anonymous)]

Now that you mentioned how it was posted, my understanding is that the authors meant to say "we're publishing this story. Do you want to read it when it comes out?" rather than "would you read it based on the blurb?" :)
But look, it worked out all right. They tweaked it into something better as a result of your input.