Nerdette is embarking on "Undercover," a three-part series into the different ways a book comes to life.

First up, we take a look at a seemingly small, but very important element of a book: blurbs. Praise from well-known writers can help a new author find their footing, but the system is all about who knows who. We talk to authors, editors and readers about whether it’s time for a revamp.

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