Imagine you picked up a novel in the bookstore, and this was the cover copy:
Miss Zula Bragg, a literary legend and the most famous citizen of Ogilvie, Georgia, has finally said yes to a documentary about her rich, fascinating, and until now, intensely private life. The problem? The film company Miss Zula has chosen to come to traditional, deep-south, conservative Ogilivie is an unconventional operation (“with an edge”) out of Hoboken, New Jersey.
Rivera Rosenblum, Tony Russo and Angie Mangiamele arrive ready to get to work, but soon find that it’s not only Miss Zula’s secrets that need to be brought into the light of day. Everybody in Ogilvie has a story to tell — or hide — including Angie. Who now finds herself against all expectations in daily contact with John Grant, chair of the English Department where Miss Zula still teaches.
Their summer romance was a long time ago, they are both reasonable adults, and John is about to marry the daughter of a prominent local family in what promises to be the wedding of the century.
What could possibly go right?
Intrigued? Repulsed? What parts work or don’t work?
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I love the last line especially. The whole thing is pretty good except that the beginning of the second paragraph seems a wee bit cumbersome to me, with all three first and last names. It reminds me a little bit of the Pronouns song in Schoolhouse Rock. :) I’d suggest maybe just using Angie’s name, since she’s the central character, and including some reference to the others without listing their names — but my gosh, you’re the writer, what am I saying.
P.S. I LOVED the back-cover excerpt on the hardcover. Were you responsible for choosing that? It introduced the characters and the setting beautifully, and definitely had a hook to it. I’d have picked it up off the shelf without even looking at the front flap, just based on that excerpt.
I’d like the cover copy to give me a stronger sense of the dominant thread and the dominant character(s). I don’t get that from this.
Also, a nitpicky pronoun comment: “Their summer romance”– It’s not entirely clear who “they” are.
Why is Rivera “credited” first and Angie last? Not that Rivera is not important, I’m just wondering. I can’t really say why, but that synopsis(is that what you call it) doesn’t do it for me. I agree with the other Rachel, the back-cover excerpt on the hard cover is much better.
I think it fits and would grab my attention. Having read the story I especially like that it’s truthful. I really hate it when after reading a book and I feel like I was tricked into reading the book based on the inaccurate cover summary.
I agree with Meagan. I have not read the book, and reading this would not make me want to read it without knowing the author. There should be a more clear depiction of the main character (is it Miss Zula or Angie?) and the time setting.
Thank you all for your feedback, which really is a huge help.
Squeeeeeeeeeeee!
Thanks for posting this, Rosina!
I’m so happy for PBW. *beams*
Woo Hooo!!! Hurray for PBW! That’s exciting news.
That’s awesome news, much deserved. :D