Hi Murray. I see what it is you want. I have a few suggestions. First of all, typically, writers create ARCs (advance reader copies) of the book, which would be a paperback with no blurbs on it yet. You pass them out to other authors, editors of magazines, or other notable people you'd like to get blurbs from. You ask them to read the book and usually include a cover letter with it. Sometimes these people want a fee, and sometimes they do not. It depends on the person or the place you are sending the book to, or how well you know them. Or?
A lot of authors get on Goodreads and follow each other and trade their books to do this for each other, too. I got a few authors to do this for me.
There are also places that will review your book, and you can take any line you want from their review, even if the review isn't the greatest. There could be some stellar lines in the review even if it was like a grade B or C review. There are only a couple select pay services that review books that are considered reputable since they are paid services, like Kirkus. Most other paid services wouldn't be considered "legit." Kirkus has actual top editors and they give honest reviews in select categories, but it's a risk. You still have to pay even if you get a poor review. I think you might have the option of not having it published on their site, but I'm not sure of that. But no one gets a horrible review. I've never seen anything embarrassing or anything like that. It's all professional.
There is another place like Kirkus in the UK called LoveReading, and it's specifically for independent books. It's cheaper than Kirkus, though it's less well-known.
Depending on what subjects your book covers, you can ask notable people who are "experts" on those subjects and ask them if they would like to read your book or manuscript. Think outside of the box in this regard. Though I later took my book out of print, when I was hustling trying to promote it, I had psychologists and scholars who were experts in coercion, trauma, and family dysfunction. I got blurbs from them and only had to pay one to read my book.
It does take money to promote a book. It takes money to have it edited. It takes money to print up ARCs and ship them out. It's not a ton of money, but expect to sell out a little, at least. The more you can invest, the more you can do, and it's best to use it in intelligent ways because a lot of people out there will want to rip you off for their various services (editing, proofing, promotion, etc.). Be careful. There's a ton of money you can also save by doing things yourself.
Oh...(edit): there's also a place called NetGalley. This is another paid service. Different levels of membership I believe. But it gets the book in the hands of everyday readers, not "big shots." this would be if you would like Amazon reviews (you will need those too). This is great for PRE-RELEASE in the weeks right before your book officially drops. Just thought I'd mention it. I had about five reviews already sitting there before my book was released, and it was nice to have those there. It's like having a head start or a buzz on your book when it comes out.
