Blurbs are quotes from other writers that the publisher will use to help market and sell your book. Right now, my publisher, agent, and I are on the hunt for authors who will read the novel and provide a comment.

One author I’m approaching is Lorrie Moore, a writer I’ve admired throughout her career. But I also happen to mention her in the novel because she’s one of the characters favorite writers. I wonder if my telling Lorrie this will get her read the novel. It’s such a small passage, in which a few friends are talking about why they chose St. Lawrence University:

The three of them now shared two sinks, Dana in the middle, trying to keep a steady hand with a mascara brush.

“This was my first choice,” she said. “I got the scholarship, plus a writer I like went here and that made me want to come.”

“Who?”

“Lorrie Moore. You probably haven’t heard of her.”

“No,” Heidi said.

In putting Lorrie Moore’s name in the book, I was trying to depict my character’s sensibilities, and I wanted to give a nod to Ms. Moore. But that whole part about the other character not having heard of her … I didn’t mean anything negative by it. We’ll see if I hear back from Lorrie Moore.