How about a blurb comparing the book to bourbon? Would you like that?
“Warmed my chest faster than a double shot of Wild Turkey and kept me laughing through the night. This is a rollicking, wonderfully irreverent debut. It’s also a charming love story with a heart as big as Louisiana. I am a huge Ken Wheaton fan.” –Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook
You all recognize Matthew Quick’s name, right? Because when I told you earlier this summer to go out and buy his amazing book, you immediately did so. Right? (Well, if you didn’t, I suggest you do so now.)
So how did Matthew Quick come to get his grubby paws on a copy of The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival?
Well, I sent it to him, of course. And how did I come up with such a brilliant idea?
Blogging.
Way back in the day (2003), I was scribbling a blog called “As I Please.” (Remember that? I don’t.) And one of my earliest blog friends was a blogger by the name of Crispy Duck with Ginger. At some point between then and now, we even met in real life and she even told me her real name. And even though we both long ago quit our original blogs, we’ve kept in touch.
Not too long ago, she suggested maybe I hit up her friend, the novelist Matthew Quick, to see if he’d blurb the book.
Well, I hemmed and hawed. It’s an awkward position to be in. I hate coming off as a fan boy or a stalker (well, unless we’re dealing with Mandy Moore). And besides, I hadn’t read his book. What if I didn’t like his book? What if he didn’t want to do it? What if he did read it and didn’t like it?
“Quit being a whiny little bitch,” she said. (I’m paraphrasing.)
“Fine,” I said. “I’ll make you a deal. I want to at least BUY and read his book.” (Please note the importance I’m going to be putting on BUYING books from here on out). “It’s the least I can do. And I won’t feel so much like I’m imposing.”
So I found the book. And I read it. And I fucking loved it. Perhaps you’re one of the people who has since received it as a gift because I’d turned into an evangelist for the book. READ IT, I told people on the blog and on Twitter and on Facebook.
Meanwhile, my blogger friend had asked him to consider reading my manuscript. Funnily enough, he was hesitant. Who wouldn’t be?
“Hey, I know you’re busy writing, but this dude I know from blogging has his first novel coming out. It’s about a priest or something. I don’t know. Can you read it and maybe blurb it?”
Who wouldn’t jump at a chance like that? I can guarantee you one of the first things that went through Matt’s mind was this: “Oh man, I hope it doesn’t suck.”
Gladly, Matt agreed to give it a go. Even better, he agreed to blurb it. And best of all, he liked the book!
So that’s how that blurb came to be.
KEN WHEATON 
Excellent blurb!
Speaking of whiskey, have you tried Middleton’s Irish Whiskey? Insaaaane in the membrane. Try it next time you are someplace kinda fancy.
You’re not drunk on it right now are you? Because that would be pretty impressive.
Aw! blogging for the win! And i totally remember “as i please” and candiedginger and hmm…what was annika’s blog called…well I remember she had a blog anyway.
I bought The Silver Linings Playbook at your recommendation and loved it. Best book I’ve read all year.
I assure you I will purchase your novel and concurrently drink heavily.