[bksvol-discuss] Re: What a synopsis shouldn't be

  • From: "EVAN REESE" <mentat3@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:24:12 -0400

I don't think there's anything that we wouldn't be allowed to use in here. 
There are no quotes from Publisher's Weekly or The New York Times or whatever. 
using those would be a violation of copyright--although I've seen those used a 
time or two in synopses in the not too distant past. I even sent one over to 
Bookshare with an inquiry as to whether we were informed correctly that such 
quotes were not permitted. This synopsis is just the publisher's marketing 
material. Not illegal, just useless as a synopsis.

Evan

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: siss52 
  To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, June 25, 2009 11:59 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 



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