A praise quote from a notable author or public figure that appears on your book's cover or in marketing materials to lend credibility and attract readers.
An endorsement is a short quote from someone with influence or name recognition that vouches for your book's quality. These quotes typically appear on the front cover, back cover, or first interior pages. In publishing, endorsements are sometimes called blurbs, which creates confusion since the word blurb also refers to back-cover descriptions. Getting endorsements usually involves sending advance copies of your manuscript to established authors in your genre and hoping they like it enough to put their name behind it.
An endorsement from the right person acts as a trust shortcut. When a reader sees that an author they already love is praising your book, that recommendation carries real weight. It is social proof in its purest form. For debut authors especially, a strong endorsement can be the difference between a bookstore browser picking up your novel or passing it over for something by a name they recognize.
Neil Gaiman's endorsement helped position this debut as a must-read for fantasy lovers. Gaiman's name on the cover told readers exactly what kind of magical, atmospheric experience to expect.
Endorsements from literary heavyweights like Ann Patchett signaled that this mythological retelling was both accessible and serious literature, broadening its audience beyond genre readers.
Endorsements from established fantasy authors like Ken Liu helped a debut novelist break through in a crowded genre. The quotes positioned the book alongside proven works in military fantasy.
Endorsements emphasized the book's unique oral-history format and emotional depth, helping readers understand what made it different from typical rock-and-roll fiction.
Make a list of five authors whose endorsement would meaningfully help your book. For each one, write a single sentence explaining why their name would resonate with your target readers. Then draft a polite, concise endorsement request email of no more than 150 words. Include your book's genre, a one-line premise, and why you admire their work specifically. Practice being direct without being pushy.