Writing a book blurb

How to write a fiction book cover blurb that can make your. For ebooks, the description is posted on a books purchasing page. Used for promotional purposes, a blurb is often featured on the back cover of a print book or the product page of a book available in various formats from an online retailer. Instead, people pay attention to who gave the blurb, and judge your book based on the person endorsing it. Blurb distinct from the back book cover blurb is this 12 line endorsement of a book by a celebrity or another author that sits on the books front cover. Each group is to work together to create a book blurb using their assigned artwork as the cover and this sheet of directions, suggestions, an. Secondly, introducing the protagonist in a way that creates intrigue without delving into details. Are you an advisor whos thought about writing a book. Dos reference the genre and central theme create intrigue around the main conflict dive right in and introduce your protagonist keep it short and punchy. Hes the author of solving the worlds problems, smash poetry journal, and the complete guide of poetic forms. Choose a topic of conversation and brainstorm pieces of dialogue for one of your characters. We know the marketing techniques that go into writing exceptional sales copy to sell your work. An effectively good blurb means its both well written and makes a person want to read the story inside the pages, not just the backwant to enough to actually.

Jul 14, 2016 a simple guide to writing the blurb of a book. To order presentationready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers visit. Introduce the situation and characters in the case of a memoir, you are likely to be the main character. How to write a book blurb for fiction that sells not just. Your book blurb must be wellwritten to get a readers attention. The 5 core elements of a book blurb and why you should know. I do not lay claim to ownership of wattpad or any of its subsidiaries, this is only for educational purposes. My 4step process for writing a nonfiction book blurb that. That pictureperfect initial encounter, gentle music is playing in the.

If you think you have a book inside you, this is what you need to know. The process is exactly the same as writing a blurb for a fiction book, although the blurb will focus on selling the benefits of the book to the potential reader and how the book will help them if they buy it, rather than trying to hook them into a story. If your book is zany and playful, get some of that into your blurb. If you enjoyed this article on how to write a blurb that works, and are in the process of writing or publishing a nonfiction book, be sure to check out my free nonfiction success guide, drawn from years of experience editing books for bestselling authors including a new york times bestseller and ghostwriting for ceos and politicians. You look at all that happened in your story and search through all the details. Aug 27, 2016 blurb writing is not my forte, but this book offered a clear insight and some useful steps that i was able to work with to produce a good pass at my first blurb. Lets go over the structure, formula, and some tips for writing a good book blurb.

Here are some useful resources that i hope will make the process a little less painful. How to write a book blurb and a synopsis, logline and. Jan 10, 2020 a book blurb, or the book jacket description, summarizes the best part of your book in only 150 words yep. In this post we tell you how to write a book blurb for your short story collection. A creative, easy method for students to cover the common core standard requiring narrative writing. So ive actually covered getting blurbs previously a few years back when my debut collection, solving the worlds problems, was released. When writing a back cover blurb, you want it to set you apart from other books in your genre.

I picked this up when it was launched, just over a month ago. Include enough detail and intrigue so the reader becomes invested in the characters, the situation, and the plot. Fortunately for the fiction writers out there, writing a book blurb for a memoir is incredibly similar to writing a description for a fictional story. That oneliner can also be placed on the front cover of your book to draw in readers at first glance. While a fascinating book title is just half the battle of attracting a potential reader, an interesting blurb is a must. When writing a novel, there are few selling tools as important as a solidly written book blurb. How to write a back cover blurb for nonfiction pages. To set yourself apart is good, to be too different from the rest is not. The blurb should include any information that represents the book best and intrigues the readers.

Glenna offers writing workshops and is the creator of mastering the art of writing the catchy fiction book blurb for indieself published authors. Many authors agree that writing the backcover blurb is the hardest part of writing a novel. The blurb is the text on the back of a books cover which tells you what the book is about. Author confessions how to write the perfect blurb for your book novel 1 it took me about a week to get it right. Beth bacon, an awardwinning author and marketer, suggests this formula for writing a fiction book blurb. The humble blurb can easily be forgotten, overshadowed by its more pressing rivals, the edit, the marketing campaign, and the cover design. First, id strongly recommend getting a copy of bryan cohens book how to write a sizzling synopsis. How to write an irresistible book blurb in 5 easy steps. Echo the tone of your book in your blurb so readers get a sense of how you write. If youre an entrepreneur who has been through the ringer in life or business and willing to share, selfpublishing can be powerful. This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only. A brief description of a book is usually found on the back cover of a paperback or within the book sleeve of a hardcover book. It has since been honed to within an inch of its life and i am really pleased with the result. The blurb should include any information that represents the.

Founder of wealthy gorilla read full profile writing can be a struggle for even the mos. The boo k blu rb s main purpose is to lure readers in and captivate them enough to buy the b ook. Basically, the name of the game with a blurb is to entice readers to buy your book. The more credibility and social status the endorser holds, the more powerful the blurb. Dec, 2019 put simply, a book blurb is a brief description of your book one that provides a summary to the reader. A book blurb also called a backcover blurb or a book description is a short description of the books. For book blurb examples and your free readerattracting book blurb worksheet head to the wildmind creative blog at. Topicbased book categories are howto, selfhelp, academic, anecdote or quote collections, academic, bigidea, and sometimes lyric essay. Nov 08, 2020 a book blurb also called a backcover blurb or a book description is a short description of the books main character and conflict, usually between 100 and 200 words, that traditionally is included on the inside cover or on the back of a book. How to write a great blurb for your selfpublished novel. Apr 15, 2020 the blurb of a book is an overview of the themes, characters, goals, conflicts, and the mood and general atmosphere of the book. Whether its your first or twentieth book, enticing a reader to buy your book relies on an eyecatching cover image as well as an intriguing blurb.

But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb is what will sell your book and convert readers. People are like sea glass, the longer and harder they are tossed around, the more beautiful they are. A blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes. For instance, in an academic book, the highlights of a studys findings would appeal to new researchers. To begin writing a book, first create an outline that clearly lays out the beginning, middle and end, including chapter breaks if possible. Last week, i blogged about why i wrote and selfpublished my book write the crap out of it. Its briefno more than 100150 wordsand creates interest in the story without giving away major spoilers or the ending. Next write about the situation or hitch that makes change inevitable. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell. The blurb is a minidrama in three acts capturing the book s essence, genre and style. Research a place, activity, or characters profession that appears in the book to get new inspiration. Writing your back cover blurb dorrance publishing company.

How to write the perfect blurb examples, formula, opening. Early rate through december 4 my fifth book is going through final edits as i t. A blurb should not necessarily tell the ending of your story. How to start writing a book beginners guide blurb blog. In order to write the best blurb possible heres what i need from you. Jun 24, 2020 when you need to write a blurb for a movie, book, or other project, start by writing a clever and catchy hook that introduces some of the characters and setting of the topic. Fortunately there are a lot of talented writers out there willing to share their expertise on the topic. Apr 01, 2020 blurbs are extremely important to market your book. For example, if youve written a nonfiction selfhelp book and the back blurb reads more like a thriller novel, thats going to leave readers more confused than engaged.

Either fortunately or unfortunately, theres no single correct way. Buy more and save more with our book blurb writing volume discount that is designed to save you money. How to write a book blurb that sells with examples reedsy blog. Jan 14, 2019 the blurb is a promotional description, found on the back of the book. Writing it out fortunately for the fiction writers out there, writing a book blurb for a memoir is incredibly similar to writing a description for a fictional story. Small groups are provided with teacher selected artwork. But ignore the blurb at your own perilit is the bridge between the mildly interested potential reader and the moneydown customer. Traditionally, it would be found on the inside back cover of a. Each day, start to begin writing a book, first create an outline that clearly lays out the beginning. How to write a book blurb for a query letter to a literary agent. Oct 08, 2009 a blurb should focus on the main plot of your book. Great blurb examples for books a guide for nonfiction. This is the foundation of a good book blurb, because if you appeal to the.

Ten things you need to know about writing your book blurb. How to write a nonfiction book cover blurb that sells. Use the two paragraphs you have to drive the main focus of your story home, and leave out the extra. In this post, we tell you how to write a book blurb in five easy steps. How to write a catchy backcover blurb that sells 2021. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell more. On back covers of books there is usually a summary which attempts to get the reader interested. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more blurb. Not that i just sat at my keyboard, but id try to type something, hate it. The dos and donts of how to write a blurb for your novel. In simple terms, a blurb is the short yet descriptive account of the book that goes on the back cover.

Think about what goes on the back of most books and how important it is in attracting attention to the title inside. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells kindlepreneur. You are using some of the credibility and status of the person giving the blurb, and reflecting it back on your book. Your blurb will be an important part of your marketing. But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb is what will sell your book. When you hear about authors being asked to blurb a book, its this endorsement theyve been asked to provide. A blurb is the description of the story found on the back cover of a book. The five s of blurb writing check these 5 awesome tips. This book wasnt what prompted me to rewrite my blurb, though. Put simply, a book blurb is a brief description of your book one that provides a summary to the reader. Generally, a book blurb falls somewhere between 150 and 200 words. Great blurb examples for books a guide for nonfiction authors. Blurb writing made easy adventures in career changing.

A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and. How to write a book blurb for a query letter to a literary. Early rate through december 4 at least a few times a week i receive messages from people asking me how to write a book. Make it so droolworthy that everybody will want to buy a copy of your book.

How to write a great ya fantasy or scifi book blurb. Fiction book blurbs and nonfiction book blurbs congratulations. How to get incredible endorsements and blurbs for your book. Print as you go sell one copy at a time and let blurb fulfill the orders or place a large order and sell inperson. Although you rightly love your subplots, your blurb must be short. Jul 25, 2020 whether you are writing for an online audience or trying to sell your book in a store, its important to entice your audience to read your story. He loves blogging on a variety of writing and publishing topics, but hes most active with. That oneliner can also be placed on the front cover of your book. Its easier to write a 90k word novel than a blurb of 100 words. Compare yourself to other writers or your book to other books. Mar 28, 2020 the book blurb is an advertisement, propaganda, the one chance to highlight your book s unique selling point usp and persuade the reader to go to the till in the bookshop or click the tab to download it into their electronic reading device.

If youre wondering how to do that and where to start, it involves penning multiple drafts, lots of cutting, losing your sanity, and planning your blurb with the help of these steps. How to write a book blurb for your short story collection. Your blurb or bio is a short, concise, effective introduction and description of yourself. It should introduce your main characters, give an insight on conflict, depict genre and arouse interest. Writing a book blurb fiction louise higgins author. If you have a story youre itching to tell but dont feel confident in your writing, check out this guide to improving your writing. The blurb is a promotional description, found on the back of the book.

Jul 17, 2019 to simplify the blurb writing process, we need to understand that there are two types of nonfiction books. Robert lee brewer is senior editor of writer s digest, which includes editing writers market, poets market, and guide to literary agents. An effective blurb is about more than just recounting a book s contents. Then, and only then, write the manuscript that fulfills the promise. When it comes to starting to write a book, intention is everything. Create, print, and sell professionalquality photo books. Before we launch into the art of blurb writing and it is a craft in its own. Sell your book in the blurb bookstore, through amazon, or in the global retail network of over 38,000 retailers, libraries, and schools. Firstly, highlighting your success in the bookwriting world. Aug 02, 2020 aim to write the blurb in a tone and style that matches that of the book. You should have the following goals and ideas in mind.

A guide for novelists expound on the excitement, drama, or conflict, whatever is at the heart of the story, so readers become quickly invested in the story. One or two pages of information about your book is perfect. This practice can be a great way to start your blurb literally the opening line, or step one in the snowflake method used to craft your book description. Chances are, you will write a better book if you let the blurb guide you. A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and quills. In that post, i wrote about securing blurbs for a poetry collection, but i think theres more that couldve been covered. How to write a dazzling blurb for your childrens book. The five s of blurb writing check these 5 awesome tips editage. While theres no perfect formula for writing the best blurb for your novel, there are some patterns worth noting. This week, im going to tell you how i wrote the blurb for the book. Then, write 12 additional sentences that explain the plot of the story in a general way.

Other times you just have to be patient and take a break. The 5 core elements of a book blurb and why you should. In ebook and selfpublishing, a book blurb is whats used on the main online sales page. Writing a synopsis is time consuming and can soon put you into overwhelm. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more.