[bksvol-discuss] Re: What a synopsis shouldn't be
- From: "siss52" <siss52@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:08:25 -0500
<smile> Yeah, read the book! Another thing that annoys me is the wasting
of words in the short synopses. For example, "New York Times Bestseller
Author Nor Roberts" . I mean, the short synopsis of a book is limited, so
why waste words telling us the author's name and that it is a New York Times
Bestseller, when we already know that?
Sue S., another coffee drinker
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 12:00 PM
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: What a synopsis shouldn't be
I think you can use anything as long as you put it in your own words. In
other words (no pun intended) I can get an idea of the book from something
like Amazon.com or Google books, re-phrase it and submit it.
Sue you are right, you can't quote directly from anything outside the book,
and, if the book doesn't have some type of summary, you'll have to
improvise. Of course, one could always read the book instead.
Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: siss52
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 10:59 AM
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: What a synopsis shouldn't be
It was my understanding that we were not allowed to use those blurbs for
synopses.
Sue S.
----- 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
__________ NOD32 4072 (20090513) Information __________
This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.12.91/2201 - Release Date: 06/25/09
06:22:00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.375 / Virus Database: 270.12.91/2201 - Release Date: 06/25/09
06:22:00
Other related posts:
