Shift Cover Blurb

[chrisdolley]

Last week I posted two options for the back cover blurb of Shift and asked for comments. It's been a very interesting exercise. Whenever someone pointed to a particular sentence that they liked or loathed someone would reply with the opposite viewpoint. And while some would prefer a greater stressing of the SFnal elements of the story others

Comments

[brownkitty]

This one is far better than the other two. I do have one slight nitpick, though. What does John Bruce's current activity have to do with anything?

[chrisdolley]

It raises the stakes considerably. Did something happen to John Bruce during his flight? Did only part of him come back? Are there other JBs still out there? Are JB and Pendennis linked? And is Mr Hyde running for president?

That's just a few of the implications and I'd have liked to have included those in the cover blurb as well. But 200 words are very limiting:)

[brownkitty]

To me, it doesn't fit the rest of the flow. I'm not sure exactly why it bugs me, but it does. Maybe because it's mentioned last.

[chrisdolley]

I think because it's an aside and could be read as the narrator reaching the end of his/her description then remembering something important.

It's the book blurb equivalent of the detective pausing by the door at the end of a witness interview and then firing off that telling and unexpected final question.

[layla42]

I like the third option--it's a good blending of the first two options you posted and it strikes a good balance between what's going on with Nick as well as John.
Looking forward to reading it!