by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I have a quick, cautionary tale for you today.
I released book nine in the Southern Quilting series in late-April. I consider the series to be one that can be read out of order with no problem…there’s really no continuing story arc for the main story, since each mystery is wrapped up at the close of every book.
But there are subplots that arc for this series. As usual, I tend to think that nothing is more important than the mystery. That’s been a stance that I’ve had to reconsider through many years and many editors, but my first instinct always concerns the mystery.
Another note: I always write my book description before I write the book. In fact, I write it months before I write the book…when I have my cover designer create the cover. I’m focusing so hard on the wording that maybe I have tunnel vision.
That’s the set-up. And here’s what I did in the first paragraph of the back cover copy: (if you’re a reader of mine who hasn’t read all of the last 9 books….spoiler alert!)
When Beatrice takes on a new case, she must solve it before anyone else rests in pieces.
Beatrice and her new husband, Wyatt, have started their life together. Their first big event as man and wife is another wedding: that of Beatrice’s daughter. It’s a happy occasion and a beautiful ceremony—aside from the appearance of the odd and uninvited Ophelia. Ophelia argues with another guest, who is later discovered dead.
When the book released, I received an email almost immediately from a reader. She said, “I suppose it’s my own fault for not being caught up with the series, but the synopsis for Rest in Pieces begins with a giant spoiler: Beatrice and her new husband, Wyatt.” She signed it “still a fan.”
I slapped myself on the forehead. The subplot of the sleuth and Wyatt’s developing relationship was something started in book one. Not everyone is on board with book nine. Some readers have faithfully followed along but missed book eight. Or book seven. Or whatever.
I wrote back and apologized to the reader. Then I just as quickly opened up a bazillion publishing dashboards to change the book description.
It was quickly edited to:
When Beatrice takes on a new case, she must solve it before anyone else rests in pieces.
It’s a beautiful evening for a wedding and Beatrice couldn’t be prouder as the mother of the bride. It’s a happy occasion and a beautiful ceremony—aside from the appearance of the odd and uninvited Ophelia. Ophelia argues with another guest, who is later discovered dead.
There you go. What not to do! I figured if I could so easily and cluelessly mess this up, it could be worth sharing to prevent other writers from doing the same thing. It seems to be easier to accidentally give series spoilers than it does for the book itself.
Have you accidentally spoiled your own books? Thoughts about spoilers (for books, films, etc?)
Make Sure Your Book Description Doesn't Include Spoilers: Click To TweetPhoto credit: pedrosimoes7 on Visual hunt / CC BY
I guess the synopsis for my third book has spoilers since it mentions Byron’s son. But hey, it’s been twenty years and life does happen, folks. Plus his son was a key element of the plot. I really couldn’t leave him out.
That was a great way to reword and fix the description.
No one should be surprised at life changes in a 20 year span! In a very short span, though…well, that’s where I went wrong. :)
It’s difficult when the timeline is moving forward. How do you not give away a little of what happens? At least yours was an easy fix.
I think the only solution for a series that has a continuous arc/timeline is to write very vague cover copy while trying to still make the book sound as interesting as possible. Quite a task!
Yes! My favorite author sent out a notification of pre-order for the last book in her series. I hadn’t finished the current one, which had only been released a few weeks. Unfortunately, her publisher had done exactly what you described for the Amazon listing. It was a BIG spoiler for the whole series — one of those “Little did we know that Bob was still alive” spoilers, casually described as “Bob and Susan work together to defeat the bad guy.” It would have been AWESOME to actually discover that while reading the current book. It’s been an exciting series. Now it feels anticlimactic.
Wow! That’s a pretty big spoiler! At least I didn’t have a life and death scenario, ha!
I bet this happens a lot more than I thought it did…
Vague description for a cover would probably solve the problem, but there are times when I want more of a description. At least you could go edit the online descriptions.
I think the ending to this story is that we all can’t be pleased all of the time, but you do a great job of trying to satisfy your readers.
Teresa
And vague descriptions can read in a sort of insipid way, too. Still, it’s so nice to be able to edit the descriptions! I’m stuck with the Penguin ones, but I don’t think I had any spoilers in those.
Hope you have a great weekend, Teresa!
Thanks for sharing this, Elizabeth. I’m glad you were able to fix the book description, but I feel the forehead-slapping moment. If it’s any comfort, Agatha Christie gave away spoilers, too. Cards on the Table gives away spoilers to a few of her stories.
I think I remember that! Even worse when they’re in the books…
I try to be vague with copy, but at the same time, I didn’t want to drag a budding relationship out over 20 some books a la one of my favorite superstar cozy mystery authors who shall remain nameless. I’m talking about you “JE”. There’s a new mystery in each book but I let my two leads grow and change like crazy. Instead of worrying about a spoiler in the copy that messes up a previous book for a reader, I make sure to add a relationship twist to every book that has the fans of the series clamoring to know what’s going to happen to the pair or their families and friends next.
I know what you mean, ha! It sounds like you handle that really well and keep things fresh for your readers at the same time.
This has happened to me, and not from the back of book blurb, but in the reader newsletter the author sent out. I was about 2 books behind in the series and the last book I had read the heroine was torn between her old love and new love and the reader couldn’t be sure which way she’d go. Newsletter solved that puzzle!
An excellent point! This could happen just as easily in an author newsletter…maybe even more easily than in a book description because writers are frequently more informal and give story ‘extras.’ Thanks for the reminder.
Hi Elizabeth – I’m way behind … but gosh you have to be on your toes don’t you; glad it was a relatively easy fix. I now must read Cards on the Table by Agatha C – then I guess I’d need to read the others to see where the links/give-aways were … cheers Hilary
Personally, I think reoccurring subplots are fair game.
Given a choice between an enticing book description (that gives away a series subplot development), and a description that’s not as enticing (but is spoiler-free), I’d go with the former every time.
Even better, though, is not to be in that position at all!
I’m happy, Elizabeth, that you were easily able to convert your book description. The revised one is just as enticing as the original.
I think that’s what I subconsciously thought too, although not everyone agreed with me, ha!
Hope you have a great week!