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. This article gives you simple steps to follow to write a book blurb, and gives examples of both fiction and nonfiction back cover blurbs. Consider the blurb, one of the most pervasive, longestrunning and, at. As the author notes, it is difficult to condense a novel of thousands of words down to a hundred to three hundred words for the short blurb, then take it down further to a single sentence blurb. Your backofthebook blurb is the second thing a potential buyer looks at after your front cover. To help prevent you from falling into this unfortunate group, weve put together a few tips that should help you write a winning book blurb, whether its for the latest fantasy novel or for a nonfiction selfhelp guide. The blurb that appears on the back cover of your book. Book blurbs are an oftoverlooked part of a writers marketing planafter youve spent so much time writing a new book, it can feel. I have seen nonfiction blurbs that are more about the author than the content of the book and i have seen fiction blurbs that are a synopsis of the story and even tell the reader the ending. Here is an example of a shout line, taken from one of my own books. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. Grade 5 lesson on blurbsadapt by using whatever book your. A blurb is a brief summary of your life and work experience. The back of your book is the second biggest marketing tool you have.
Think about your favorite blurbs and what about them draws you in. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. The book blurb s main purpose is to lure readers in and captivate them enough to buy the book. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more blurb blog. This is a worksheet intended to be used for planning to write a blurb for a novel study. It can be a daunting task, so heres pins giving you a step by step approach for creating your fiction or nonfiction book blurb. However, this task typically comes just when youre at your least able. In journeying to june, the poet dives deeper into her childhood, imagining a world that mightve existing during. One of the things an author is expected to do from timetotime is to produce at least a short biographical blurb. Feb 10, 2016 how to create a back book cover blurb that sells i just published a guest post which goes into this with some examples. How to write a catchy backcover blurb that sells 2020.
The lesson will start with me reading a blurb from the hunger games by suzanne collins. Look at samples go to amazon and click on the bestsellers in your genre. A blurb is the description of the story found on the back cover of a book. Above the list, speak directly to the readers, and give them the primary reason why they should read your book. Generally, 150200 words are more than enough for a full blurb. Traditionally, it would be found on the inside back cover of a hardback.
Ive seen about the author information, testimonials, brief description of the book and benefitoriented sales copy. In journeying to june, the poet dives deeper into her childhood, imagining a world that mightve existing during the moment of her birth in 1982. Writing a book blurb for your back cover, and other promotional uses, is one of the hardest steps for many authors. The occult art of the poetry book blurb rachael mead. How to write the perfect blurb examples, formula, opening. Purchase a swatch kit that contains samples of all the different blurb papers with photos and text printed on them. He lives in new york city and is tall for no reason.
Kinnells landmark the book of nightmares was published in 1971. After the breakout success of her first book of poems mountain climber, poet june smith returns with an even more enduring tale of love and loss. Writing a short book blurb is not only fun, but great practice for writing promotional copy of any kind. Once your title and cover have drawn the reader in, the blurb is what is going to make the difference between a missed opportunity and a sale. Great ideas to write a blurb that works for your book. Inspired by this thread and this thread, i thought it might be nice to make a space for workshopping backcoveramazon blurbs. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells kindlepreneur. Sep 27, 2015 whatever the old adage might warn, there is a bit of merit to judging a book by its cover if only in one respect. This is my second time working with authoreva and she has given me another outstanding experience.
The next thing you do is read the back blurb, or if you are online, you read the first excerpt which is usually the same thing. Your back of the book blurb is the second thing a potential buyer looks at after your front cover. In simple terms, a blurb is the short yet descriptive account of the book that goes on the back cover. The blurb is the short description on the back of the book. Adam silvera was born and raised in the bronx, new york. This short video is brought to you by publishnation. This is because writers dont really understand what a blurb is meant to do. I will not reveal the title or author but students familiar with the novel should pick up on it. Indeed, it can help you focus if you write your blurb before you even start writing the book.
According to matthews, blurbs in 1906 were becoming more and more. Now you have to decide what goes on the back cover. The person you really need to marry tracy mcmillan tedxolympicblvdwomen duration. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells i just published a guest post which goes into this with some examples. When you hear about authors being asked to blurb a book, its this endorsement theyve been asked to provide. In this post, we tell you how to write a book blurb in five easy steps.
Creating a book blurb, while still technically writing, is closer to a science than an art. Your book blurb must be wellwritten to get a readers attention. The occult art of the poetry book blurb on taking up writing it had not once occurred to me that one of the tasks of being a writer might be to come. How to write your companys blurb practical ecommerce. The blurb should include any information that represents the.
Many authors write the book blurb as an afterthought. If you previously downloaded and installed bookwright, theres no need to download it again to get the latest version. In sextons blurb, one cant help but hear an additional echo of plaths the blood jet is poetry. You have one shot at introducing your story to your reader make it count. These may be used for an interview, a book jacket, or even an event program in which you are a presenter. Discover how to write a back of the book blurb my word. Writing your back cover blurb dorrance publishing company. Every blurb should be active, evocative, and avoid cliche. Oct 16, 2014 writing the blurb for your selfpublished book is one of the privileges of being an indie author. For writing and marketing tips consider subscribing to my youtube. If you are looking for someone to write a fresh blurb for your poetry book, you must hire her. Sample books and paper samples we dont offer free books or free paper samples but you can view our paper and book customization options by doing one of the following.
How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more. Share your backcover blurb discussion in publishing started by cat cherry, apr 27, 2016. Many writers find writing book blurbs really difficult. Mar 20, 2014 the lesson will start with me reading a blurb from the hunger games by suzanne collins. Bookwright will automatically check for updates each time you open it as long as your computer is connected to the internet. Jun 12, 2015 the back cover book blurb can be the hardest part as an author condensing your book into a few, short paragraphs in a way that makes your book impossible to overlook. I was about halfway through the writing of my book when i was asked to write a blurb for the back cover. It should introduce your main characters, give an insight on conflict, depict genre and arouse interest.
It appeared, as an example, in author and scholar brander matthews 1906 book, american character, and it was used to described short promotional descriptions printed on the front of a books dust jacket. Please type your blurb in ms or open office word, print it, and bring it to class on thursday. Most fiction book blurbs start with a situation a, introduce a problem b and promise a twist c. It matters not only what a blurb actually says but who said it and when. Blurbs are the second most important selling tool you have for your book, so. How to get awesome book cover blurbs posted on february 26, 2020 by sandra beckwith 21 comments affiliate disclosure. For ebooks, the description is posted on a book s purchasing page, along with the book cover and price. How to create a back of the book cover blurb that sells 1. The blurb is a promotional description, found on the back of the book. Its briefno more than 100150 wordsand creates interest in the story without giving away major spoilers or the ending. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites. The blurb is a product description for the books backcover and amazon page, designed to entice readers. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents.
A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and quills. Vintage romantic tales of fright, i struggle with writing back cover copy, also known as, the blurb. Brooks posted on march 19, 20 december 6, 2014 categories staff articles tags bios for authors, example of a bad biography, good bio, how to write a bio blurb, how to write a biography, how to write a good bio blurb, tips for authors, tools for authors, writing a biography 30 comments on lets talk about me. You must make your selfdescription blurb as interesting as possible. Oct 10, 2016 the origin of the word blurb may have been german or american. But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb is what will sell your bookand convert readers. To write a good blurb, you have to make it short and exciting, yet relevant. Just as the title says, the author, quentin cope, provides one hundred and one examples of both the short blurb and the single sentence for a variety. Read this article closely, follow its advice, and watch your career reap the rewards. Jun 11, 20 the blurb is the short description on the back of the book. So youve written your book, youve chosen your title and cover design, and youre breathing a sigh of relief. Its your best opportunityand sometimes the only oneto snag your readers attention and convince them to take a chance on your book.
The endorsement blurb recommends another writers book. Think of the book blurb not as an annoying step between you and selfpublishing, but instead as an opportunity. This should be broader in scope than the reasons you put in your bulleted list. Click look inside or download free sample to see how this guide can help give your book the success it deserves. You should have the following goals and ideas in mind. Forget the book, have you read this irresistible story on blurbs.
Getting a feel for different types of blurbs can give you inspiration to write yours. Jun 01, 2015 the occult art of the poetry book blurb on taking up writing it had not once occurred to me that one of the tasks of being a writer might be to come up with those concise, quippy phrases on the covers of books. Most run several paragraphs, but some publishers want them shorter or in a special format so be sure to check with your publishers guidelines before you begin work. You pick up a book because the cover or title looks interesting. Oct 21, 2019 sample books and paper samples we dont offer free books or free paper samples but you can view our paper and book customization options by doing one of the following. One way to write this primary reason is to present it as a question. She took my poetry samples and current book blurb and wrote something amazing. Blurb are a wellrenowned printondemand company, and they offer numerous book printing options, with a variety of paper types, book bindings and other options. New authors sometimes rush this decision, writing the first thing that comes to mind. Examples of blurbs to share in your primary classroom. The intention is the same as a book blurb to pique the potential bossclients attention. Whatever the old adage might warn, there is a bit of merit to judging a book by its cover if only in one respect. The origin of the word blurb may have been german or american.
Basically, the name of the game with a blurb is to entice readers to buy your book. You want to try to attract the attention of your future employer. 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. However, many self published authors treat it like the hellstrip in front of their house between the sidewalk and a busy street. Joanna penn has a great how to write back blurb for your book some more writing tips on crafting a blurb for your book. If youve ever bought a book on impulse, it was probably due at least in part to the blurb on the back or the sales copy on the website. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. Writing the blurb for your selfpublished book is one of the privileges of being an indie author. If you are a novelist, your back cover should provide a short summary of what your book is about. A blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, i will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Introduce the situation and characters in the case of a memoir, you are likely to be the main character.
Steps to writing your own back book blurb and back cover. But there are parts that you can write at any stage of the process. Aug, 2015 put the bulleted list in the middle of the copy you write for your back cover. Mar 02, 2016 great ideas to write a blurb that works for your 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. Nine tips on how to write a compelling back of the book blurb, including. The back cover of your book is prime real estate for promoting your book. Put the bulleted list in the middle of the copy you write for your back cover. Share your backcover blurb creative writing forums. See more ideas about writing, writing a book, nonfiction books. Every blurb writer needs to know their audience and what the reader is looking to buy. Heres a question for you about back cover copy for a nonfiction book.
Keep in mind at all times the blurb is what sells the book. It uses twilight as an example, but dont hold that against me. Apr 28, 2017 how to write back blurb for your book duration. One element of the practice of bookselling falling back on the shoulders of the writer is the book blurb or jacketcopy. Your blurb will be an important part of your marketing. As paperback publishing developed, readers began seeing the blurb appearing on the back cover. The five s of blurb writing check these 5 awesome tips editage. Sep 12, 2018 a blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes. Blurbs are a brief description of a book typically found on the back of a book or within the book sleeve of a hardcover book. I will explain that i will read a blurb what you usually find on the back cover of a book. Good cover copy, the description of your book that appears on the back and on the pages of online stores, is critical.
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