[bksvol-discuss] Re: What a synopsis shouldn't be
- From: "solsticesinger" <solsticesinger@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 18:58:16 -0500
I have complained a few times about synopses, but it hasn't yielded much, in
the way of results. (Sigh)
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----- Original Message -----
From: Kim Friedman
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 10:29 AM
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: What a synopsis shouldn't be
Hi, Bob, Kim here. I would say that what you read is what the press call a
puff piece or publicity piece about a book. It is not by any stretch of the
imagination a synopsis. I wouldn't know anything about the book except that
other people liked it which tells me nothing. Would I read it? I think I'd do
an author search and see if I could find out something about his work. This bit
of publicity spiel would at least peak my curiosity about the author. I think
your complaint is legit. Maybe you can forward your message to Pavi or write
her a personal email in polite terms telling her that as far as you're
concerned the book by Rosenfelt has a publicity spiel but not a synopsis. Will
that help you? Regards, Kim aka Ellinder.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bob
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:56 AM
To: bookshare volunteer discussion
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] What a synopsis shouldn't be
Here is a description of a book just placed in the collection.
"Sudden Death, by
David Rosenfelt
Brief Synopsis: - David Rosenfelt's previous novel. "Bury the Lead, was
published in Mysterious Press hardcover in 6/04, and was a "Today show Book
Club Pick chosen by
Janet Evanovich.
Long Synopsis: - David Rosenfelt's previous novel. "Bury the Lead, was
published in Mysterious Press hardcover in 6/04, and was a "Today show Book
Club Pick chosen by
Janet Evanovich.- "First Degree (Mysterious Press, 5/03) won raves from
national publications, including "Entertainment Weekly, and starred reviews from
both "Kirkus Reviews and "Publishers Weekly.- The author's debut novel. "Open
and Shut (Mysterious Press, 2002), was nominated for an Edgar Award for Best
First Novel and was praised in the "New York Times.- David Rosenfelt's
previous three books were Featured Alternates of The Mystery Guild," with
foreign
rights sold in Bulgaria, France, Germany, and Japan."
There are no categories listed for this book, and it was submitted by
bookshare staff.
I'm sure Mr. Rosenfelt is a good writer--in fact these synopses verify that
fact. I further assume that he writes mysteries from the awards he has won.
But, in my opinion, these are exactly what a synopsis should not be. We learn
nothing about the book itself, and have no clue as to why we would want to read
it
Now, perhaps I'm just being grumpy, but this really gets to me. I know I
could download the book, read it and write a synopsis, or I could probably look
on Amazon.com or google books and find a summary I could put into my own words.
But, I don't feel it's right to do someone else's job for them.
Ok, rant over. Am I right to complain? or should I just ignore what I see as
a non synopsis?
Bob (probably needs more coffee)
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is
the only thing that ever has."--Margaret Mead
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