# Expert endorsements (blurbs and forewords) for a heritage e-book
Harvested 27 Oct 2026 (skills harvest). Scope: getting one or two credible endorsements from historians, archivists or place-name authors for a self-published heritage e-book. Drafts only; nothing goes out without the project lead's GO.

## What the sources show (read 27 Oct 2026)
- **Size of the effect, honestly**: BookNet Canada consumer survey (2018): the single most important purchase influence was **familiarity with the author 35.5%**, then **synopsis/sample 25.8%**; **author or celebrity endorsement was 3.1%**. ALLi-published reader survey (3,974 responses, 2017): author known 68%, cover 53%, friend's recommendation 38%, description 36%, reviews 20%. => An endorsement is a credibility signal, not a main sales lever.
- **Under-used by indies**: IngramSpark blog (Sarah Bolme): an informal survey of independently published books found **only 20% (1 in 5) carried an endorsement**; endorsements are "a powerful no-cost" tactic. Endorsement = an influencer's statement of support; distinct from reader reviews.
- **Barbara Linn Probst on janefriedman.com** (3 novels' worth of asking, plus being asked):
  - **Who blurbs matters more than the words.** Balance "aiming high" (clout, low odds) vs "aiming safe" (peers, low value).
  - Her yeses came from requests that showed she'd **read and understood their work** and a **book-related point of contact** (common acquaintance, an event attended). Her nos came from generic letters ("Because of all the awards you've received...") - "a direct path to no".
  - Email: clear subject line; genre and **length** (so they know the commitment); a short summary pasted below; link to site; **the date you need it, allowing a few months**; why them specifically and why it will resonate.
  - **Offer** sample pages or synopsis and a print or PDF copy; **don't attach the whole manuscript** unasked.
  - Expect "maybe"; "I can't get to it until April" is a better sign than "I'll have a look". **One follow-up, two at most**, then thank and let go. Thank in deeds (share their work), not only words.
- **Penny Sansevieri (Author Marketing Experts) on janefriedman.com**: build a hit list of people with a **direct** interest in the subject (alignment), check for conflicts (their own competing book) and mutual connections, study their work first; a **foreword** by a recognised expert is a stronger form for non-fiction. Start as soon as there is a near-final manuscript.

## The method
1. **List 8-12 aligned people** whose own published work touches the subject (local historians, place-name scholars, archive/society officers who publish). Record their public role address (society, university, archive) and their relevant book/article.
2. **Read one of their works** and note one specific point the e-book connects to.
3. **Draft the ask** (<=200 words): subject "Endorsement request: <title> (<length>, <genre>)"; one line on why them (their work, specific); one line on why it fits; what you need (1-2 sentences, by <date 6-8 weeks out>); offer PDF/print + sample; summary below; thanks.
4. **Ask in waves of 3-4**, not all at once; wait 2-3 weeks; one follow-up.
5. **Use**: exact quote with name and role, approved by the endorser, on the /ebooks/ page, the e-book's front matter and press kit; never edit wording without consent.
6. **Thank in deeds**: cite/link their work in the book's further reading; share their next publication.

## How we apply it to Cedwyn
- Best fit is the place-names e-book (Enwau): aligned endorsers are published place-name and Glamorgan local-history authors (e.g. society journal editors; the author of "Place-Names of Glamorgan" is on the talks circuit per heritage-talks-circuit-aatp-branches.md). For Welsh-Patagonian material: officers of the Welsh-Patagonian societies (see welsh-patagonian-societies-chubut-outreach.md).
- Use expectation: aim for 1 strong endorsement for credibility with libraries, festivals and press (see festival-pitching-wales-literature-history.md, online-press-kit-page-heritage-ebooks.md), not as a sales driver (3.1% primary influence). Sample pages and synopsis beat endorsements for conversion (25.8%), so keep the free sample prominent.
- Public text: quote only the endorser's words and role; never name the project lead; banned words apply.

## Sources
- janefriedman.com (Barbara Linn Probst)
- janefriedman.com (Penny Sansevieri)
- booknetcanada.ca/blog/2018/07/04/judging-a-book-by-its-cover-what-influences-book-buyers-to-make-a-purchase/
- ingramspark.com (Sarah Bolme)
- selfpublishingadvice.org