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Contest: You choose the blurb
We have two blurbs* for one book, Close Encounters by B.H. Dark. The authors, the blurb writer and I like them both. So I’m asking you guys, the readers, which one would be more likely to get you to buy the book? I’ll choose a winner from all the commenters to get a free download of their choice from Samhain, as well as an electronic ARC of this book when it’s ready for review (probably not until August or September).
*please note, these blurbs are not finals, but we don’t want to polish either until we choose one!
In space, nobody can hear you cream.
BLURB ONE :
Imagine. One day, you’re singing “Danke Schoen” to screaming girls in Vegas. Or having dinner with the man you think you want to marry. Or going to a high-society charity ball in a virginal white dress. Or hanging out with your dog and fixing cars.
And then, all of a sudden, you’re transported into a blue tube filled with these chemicals that make you want to have sex with somebody you’ve never met before.
And then you’re not in a tube anymore; you’re in a dungeon, or a Wild West whorehouse, or a soap opera hot tub, or a seventies disco, or Regency England. And you still want to have sex with this stranger. Over, and over, and over again.
The whole thing feels like some sort of weird X-rated movie. And actually, you’re right. Because you’ve been abducted by aliens who are using you to form an intergalactic porn empire. What would you do? Relax and enjoy the ride? Try to escape?
Or maybe even fall in love?
If the tube’s a-rockin’, don’t come a-knockin’…
_Warning:
This book contains voyeuristic aliens, hologram cowboy orgies, big dildoes, disco, and gratuitous use of the word “baby”._
BLURB TWO:
In space, nobody can hear you cream.
Odilia is a nice planet. The sky is purple, the grass is yellow, the property prices aren’t that bad. But reproduction is painful, solitary, and asexual. Which is why the Odilians find the recently discovered “X-rated” disks from Earth so fascinating.
The Odilians’ plan is simple: abduct four Earthlings, plop them in a variety of titillating holographic scenarios, and help things along with a special mixture of chemicals and pheromones. Then market the results as reality entertainment—for vast profits.
The four chosen humans are strangers to each other, but not to life’s disappointments. Leandros, a lounge singer who’s never committed to anything longer than an Elvis medley. Eve, a interior designer who’s living a life much more beige than bold. Beau, a laid-back car mechanic who wants more from life than oil changes. And Cassandra, an innocent debutante who’s learned most of her sexual know-how from self-help books.
The Odilians put them in a blue tube, pump in the juice…and sit back to watch the show. But with all their plans and calculations, they never factored in the one thing that could spell failure for their money-making scheme.
The power of human emotion.
_Warning:
This book contains voyeuristic aliens, hologram cowboy orgies, big dildoes, disco, and gratuitous use of the word “baby”._
Hi everyone! Those are both great, but if I had to pick, I think I like choice #2.
Thanks!
Valerie
:D
Blurb one, hands…ummm…down. For the simple reason that it involves the reader. “Imagine you are…” I’m imagining it, and now I want some more.
The second blurb is informative, but it doesn’t light the fuse the way the first one does.
I have to agree while both are fun to read the second one it a little more informative.
Thanks for asking us to help! The book looks Great which ever you pick!
Stephanie :D
Ooh, a tough choice. #1 is highly entertaining (“intergalactic porn empire” LOL) but #2 tells me more about the book. I guess I’ll go with… #2.
I like the second blurb better it gives more info to me. I like info.
I definitely like #2 better. The first paragraph of blurb 1 made me want to flip off the description real quick but the second blurb kept me reading to the end.
In space, nobody can hear you cream.
That’s rich! lol
No contest entry for me but I Iike blurb # 1
I laughed at the first one but the second one would actually make me buy the book. which I believe is the intention of a blurb lol.
My choice would be #2! It seems to make a bit more sense.
Connie
I like the second blurb the best. The opening paragraph in the first one was kinda confusing to me, had to read it twice for it to make any sense.
The second blurb has just enough information in it to make me want to buy the book and read more!
Number 2 works much better for me. Cheers,
I’d definitely go with number 2. I had to reread the first paragraph in number 1 as well. Sounds like one person does all the things described in it, as opposed to 4 different people. Number 2 made me want to buy the book. Number 1 was cute, but not enough to make me want to buy the book. I liked more info from Number 2.
My opinion. :)
Marie
No contest entry for me either, but I can’t resist putting my 2 cents worth in.
#1 did not have enough punch or enough info to get me to buy,
I would definitely buy #2 based on the info in it, and the feel of it.
In fact, can I pre-order now???
sandie
No contest entry for me either, but I can’t resist putting my 2 cents worth in.
#1 did not have enough punch or enough info to get me to buy,
I would definitely buy #2 based on the info in it, and the feel of it.
In fact, can I pre-order now?
sandie
I thought Blurb #1 was a hoot. Was really funny! But I did think Blurb #2 gave more info about the book. The first blurb kind of just jumped into everything way too fast. It didn’t explain the characters or what was actually going on. I think #2 sums it up much better. :)
I, too, like both blurbs, but #2 is the one that makes me want to read the book.
#1 drew me in much more than #2; #2 was too dry for my taste and didn’t keep my attention as well.
I also wasn’t crazy about the over-abundance of sentence fragments in #2 :)
I would go with #2. I like how #1 makes you think, but #2 would make me by the book.
I like the first one – it was easier to read & follow.
I think the beginning of Marcia’s comment was right on. I had to read blurb #2 to really make sense of what blurb #1 was trying to convey.
So, I would definitly have to go with Blurb #2.
Blurb #2.
Have a lovely day! :-)
I would have to pick Blurb #2. It just gave me more information on the characters and I like that.
Well, I like both of them. But I am going against the majority and say I liked the first one best. #1. It made it sound exciting and fast moving, the second one was too detailed – sounded “stuffy”. Just my humble opinion. I guess that’s what makes us all different :>D
#1 was funny but a bit confusing. #2 was full of info and a little more serious.
I guess it depends on whether the book is a funny or serious book as to which to pick.
I think #2 would sell more books unless this is a comedy, then you’d have to go with #1.
For me personally, I’d be more likely to buy it with the #2 blurb.
RC
I would definitely pick Blurb #2. It reads like a Twilight Zone episode and everyone loves the Twilight Zone even now. Blurb #2 gives me the scenario and makes me want to see what happens next. Erotic romance is all about human emotion. When it comes into play, anything can happen. I will buy the book based on Blurb #2’s tantalizing tidbit.
I like Blurb#2 the best.
Blurb #2 – makes me want to find out what happens next. lol, like the warning also. :)
Either would get me to read the excerpt, but #1 would make me read more carefully, trying to get a clearer sense of how the book would read. With #2 I would be less critical, more open to the excerpt. Looks fun!
I guess I’m going against the grain, but I liked the first one. #2 seemed very… ordinary.
I’ve seen a few people comment that they read #2 to understand #1. This suggests to me that your best blurb might be a combination of the two.
I agree with the majority, #2.
I also found #1 slightly confusing, and prefer the “informative” style of blurb #2.
I like Blurb 2 much more than Blurb 1. Blurb 1 tells too much without saying anything. Blurb 2 gives you a better idea about what to expect.
I liked #1 better, it had me grinning.
I liked the first blurb. It opened up the story for me.
I have to go with #2. #1 would actually make me put the book down before I finished the first paragraph, but I agree with the idea of adding a little of the spin of #1 to the info of #2, but not too much. I am sure pros like you all will achieve a happy medium!
I much prefer the second blurb, it captured my interest very well. The first one just didn’t make me want to read further.
I definitely identify more with blurb #2. I’d be more likely to buy the book reading that second blurb.
The first one made m laugh a little, but number 2 made me want to buy the book. So Definitely #2
I liked #2 better made more sense…I would buy the book on #2. Sounds interesting, can’t wait to see it out.
1 draws you in a bit more and is catchy but 2 gave me more information about the characters and storyline so on the whole I prefer 2. I think it’s important to know that there are actually 4 people involved, in 1 the info’s a what if you don’t know it refers to 4 different characters, could just be one.
Truthfully, the first one kind of gave me the shivers. Abduction by aliens for any purpose brings to mind “anal probes”…and not in a good way. ;-)
The second would also make me buy the book. Love me some scifi!
I like the first one best, catchy and gets your interest; and I could get an idea of what was coming from it.
I like #2 best. :)
They are both good blurbs and either would entice me to think about purchasing the book.
But my preference is #1, it has a sense of fun that is hopefully reflected in the book.
I think #1 for the unusual. #2 is just to much like every other blurb. Good Luck choosing!
Number two tells me more about the kind of story I’d be purchasing. #1 was funny, but I think #2 makes a better marketing tool.
Number two would make me buy the book, but I think the ending from number one should be included.
Use
‘What will these four humans do? Relax and enjoy the ride? Try to escape?
Or maybe even fall in love?’
instead of
‘But with all their plans and calculations, they never factored in the one thing that could spell failure for their money-making scheme.
The power of human emotion.’
Some other elements from number one can be incorporated too.
Raising my hand here to vote for #2. The first one started out a bit vague and confusing, and #2 was much more informative of what was going on. LOVE this concept for a story —-it’s destined to be a great Seller!
hugs,
kari
I am voting for #2. It was more informative and caught my interest more.
Another vote for Blurb #2—it’s still very catchy but also gives you a bit more info.
Definitely blurb #2. I found the first one off-putting, while the second one gave me information while still managing to be engaging and entertaining.