[RuthNestvold]

I've been a bit frustrated recently by reviews from readers who apparently never read the description before they read the book, (e.g. complaining about the ending of Yseult, even though the description makes it obvious it's a tragedy; or people complaining about the length of short stories in a short story collection). So last night, I started working on a tongue-in-cheek blurb for the SF collection I'm working on, just to let off some steam. But now I actually kind of like it, and I'm considering using it for real:

"From Earth to Mars and Beyond is a collection eight previously published science fiction stories by award-winning author Ruth Nestvold. But reader be warned: The stories in this collection do not depict an ideal future world. Happy endings are rare, and while there is humor, it is often black. Most of these stories do not end happily, and many of them are on the bleak side. Main characters die. If you only like happy endings, this is not the book for you.

"On the positive side, "Mars: A Traveler's Guide," was nominated for a Nebula Award. "Troy and the Aliens" may not portray a particularly rosy view of the earth as we know it, but for a change, no one dies, and several characters get the chance to drive fast on the Autobahn. "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Monkey," based on a poem by Wallace Stevens, is blessedly short, and shouldn't cause the reader too much pain. And at least there's a story about whores in space, "The Far Side of the Moon."

"Enjoy the interstellar darkness!"

What do you guys think? Is it blurb-worthy?

BTW, this is the first version of the cover:

 

[CoraBuhlert]

A couple of years ago, there was a Tristan and Isolde film adaption. And on a forum where I used to hang out, a couple of people honestly complained about the ending and how it could have been such a great medieval romance, if there'd been a happy ending. And I thought, "Wait a minute, you mean there are people who are not at least cursorily familiar with the story of Tristan and Isolde?" I guess your Yseult attracted the same sort of reader.

Anyway, I got a good chuckle out of your blurb, though I'd probably go with something a tad more conventional. Although I have written "This is a collection of crime fiction, which means that bad things happen" in one of my blurbs once.

Love the cover as well. Is that one of humblenations?

 

[telracs]

I really like the blurb Ruth, and while i understand the repeated use of the word "happy", it is the one thing that kind of grates on my nerves because i know you can come up with a better reword.

 

[HAGrant]

The cover is gorgeous. I love the colors and the mysterious, light-filled look.

 

[RuthNestvold]

Thanks for the feedback, folks! Reactions on Facebook were mostly positive, so I'm giving it a whirl. One of the joys of epublishing is that I can always change it.

 

[Guest]

A couple of years ago, there was a Tristan and Isolde film adaption. And on a forum where I used to hang out, a couple of people honestly complained about the ending and how it could have been such a great medieval romance, if there'd been a happy ending. And I thought, "Wait a minute, you mean there are people who are not at least cursorily familiar with the story of Tristan and Isolde?"

Oh, Cora. There are people who don't realize Romeo and *****t die at the end, either.

Welcome to the modern educational system.

 

[BenEBrewer]

Great Cover! With regards to your blurb I personally wouldn't put this - Most of these stories do not end happily - I don't think it's necessary, I personally would like to discover the ending for myself (good or bad!)

 

[RuthNestvold]

Great Cover! With regards to your blurb I personally wouldn't put this - Most of these stories do not end happily - I don't think it's necessary, I personally would like to discover the ending for myself (good or bad!)

Good point, Ben!

Oh, Cora. There are people who don't realize Romeo and Juliet die at the end, either.

Precisely. First Knight also had Lancelot and Guinevere living happily ever after. Sigh.

 

[Sapphire]

It made me chuckle and almost want to read the stories.  I don't even like sci-fi so that's quite an accomplishment.  I do agree with replacing some of the 'happy' with another word.