Asking for a Book Endorsement-a Humbling Task

My debut MG historical novel, The Heart Changer will release in Spring of 2019. But, there are so many things to accomplish before then. One thing heavily weighing on my mind, is the task of requesting book endorsements from known authors in my genre. How does one go about asking for an endorsement if she doesn’t know the author personally? Good question. And one I’ve been pondering all week.

Charles Dickens Museum, London

Thankfully, I have a friend in the publishing business whose job it is to gather endorsements for their authors. I asked her for a sample, and she graciously agreed:

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Dear __________,

I hope you're doing well! My name is ________________, and I am wondering if you might consider endorsing my upcoming book, ________________. 

Here I would normally insert some information about the book. Either I encourage authors to give a brief summary of the content or, if I'm sending the request on their behalf, I copy/paste (her publisher's) promotional copy.

It would be such a privilege to have your commendation for this project. I have attached a PDF of the manuscript, and a release form is attached (omit if you don't use a release form) if you're interested in providing an endorsement. The deadline for endorsements is ___________, 2018.

I appreciate your help in promoting __________, and my publisher would be happy to send you a final copy of the book (again, omit if this isn't something you'll do!) as an expression of our thanks.

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So, I custom designed it to fit my needs. Composing it was a most humbling task for a newbie like me. I tried to find some point of connection with the author, and one who writes in a genre similar to mine. Here is how one endorsement letter read:

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Dear Ms. Gist,

I hope you're doing well! My name is Jarm Del Boccio, Author of The Heart Changer, an MG historical/Biblical novel, debuting in Spring of 2019 with Ambassador International. 

Since I am a native Chicagoan, and love travel and history, it’s not surprising I fell in love with your two books on the World’s Columbian Exposition, Fair Play, and It Happened at the Fair. My mom took me to all the world’s fairs during my childhood, and I’ve always wished I could have visited the original. Your books have brought the fair to life for me!

Like you, my passion is to make history come alive for my readers. That is why I am wondering if you might consider endorsing my upcoming book, The Heart Changer — a new twist on an Old Testament account at approximately 20,000 words. Here is a short synopsis:

Miriam, a Hebrew refugee, torn from the only home she has ever known, is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of the very man who took her captive from all she held dear. Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing her, in preparation for a far more important mission. How can she possibly live in this strange household and be content? Not even this young captive could guess the far reaching influence of her presence.

It would be such a privilege to have your commendation for this project, but I understand how busy well-known authors can be. If you choose to endorse my book, I will send you an ARC in about 4 weeks. The deadline my publisher has given for endorsements is December 1st, 2018.

I’d appreciate your help in promoting The Heart Changer. If desired, my publisher would be happy to send you a final copy of the book as an expression of our thanks.

Blessings and thanks,

Jarm Del Boccio

https://www.jarmdelboccio.com/ 
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Charle's Dickens Museum, London

So far, two authors have declined-- one via her agent. The third is busy with writing projects, but might have the time to promote it once it's published. The fourth, although she is writing against a deadline, asked me to send the ARC (advanced reader's copy) to her in case some time opens up.  I have six more to go.

The last two responses were a boost to my author self! I decided right then and there to do all that is within my schedule to help out a debut author when I in the same position one day.

Have you come to the point in your career where you are seeking an endorsement? If so, how was yours different? If you are an author wanna-be, what dream author would you ask to endorse your books? Tell me in the comments. Don't be shy!