How to write the perfect blurb examples, formula, opening. A blurb is the description of the story found on the back cover of a book. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites. Think about your favorite blurbs and what about them draws you in. He lives in new york city and is tall for no reason.
Consider the blurb, one of the most pervasive, longestrunning and, at. When you hear about authors being asked to blurb a book, its this endorsement theyve been asked to provide. So youve written your book, youve chosen your title and cover design, and youre breathing a sigh of relief. The lesson will start with me reading a blurb from the hunger games by suzanne collins. The blurb that appears on the back cover of your book.
This article gives you simple steps to follow to write a book blurb, and gives examples of both fiction and nonfiction back cover blurbs. 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. The five s of blurb writing check these 5 awesome tips editage. 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. This is because writers dont really understand what a blurb is meant to do. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. Explanations and back book cover examples for both fiction and nonfiction. A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and quills. The blurb is a product description for the books backcover and amazon page, designed to entice readers. 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. Mar 20, 2014 the lesson will start with me reading a blurb from the hunger games by suzanne collins. The occult art of the poetry book blurb rachael mead.
The book blurb s main purpose is to lure readers in and captivate them enough to buy the book. In simple terms, a blurb is the short yet descriptive account of the book that goes on the back cover. Many authors write the book blurb as an afterthought. According to matthews, blurbs in 1906 were becoming more and more. However, this task typically comes just when youre at your least able. How to write a catchy backcover blurb that sells 2020. See more ideas about writing, writing a book, nonfiction books. The endorsement blurb recommends another writers book.
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. Bookwright will automatically check for updates each time you open it as long as your computer is connected to the internet. 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. 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. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells kindlepreneur. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. I will explain that i will read a blurb what you usually find on the back cover of a book. Every blurb writer needs to know their audience and what the reader is looking to buy. Vintage romantic tales of fright, i struggle with writing back cover copy, also known as, the blurb. Good cover copy, the description of your book that appears on the back and on the pages of online stores, is critical. Click look inside or download free sample to see how this guide can help give your book the success it deserves. How to write your companys blurb practical ecommerce. You want to try to attract the attention of your future employer. 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.
Writing a short book blurb is not only fun, but great practice for writing promotional copy of any kind. Your back of the book blurb is the second thing a potential buyer looks at after your front cover. Kinnells landmark the book of nightmares was published in 1971. A blurb is a brief summary of your life and work experience. To write a good blurb, you have to make it short and exciting, yet relevant.
These may be used for an interview, a book jacket, or even an event program in which you are a presenter. Inspired by this thread and this thread, i thought it might be nice to make a space for workshopping backcoveramazon blurbs. Ive seen about the author information, testimonials, brief description of the book and benefitoriented sales copy. Basically, the name of the game with a blurb is to entice readers to buy your book. Writing your back cover blurb dorrance publishing company. If you are looking for someone to write a fresh blurb for your poetry book, you must hire her. Mar 18, 2012 one of the things an author is expected to do from timetotime is to produce at least a short biographical blurb. The blurb should include any information that represents the. But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb is what will sell your bookand convert readers.
A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents. Your book blurb must be wellwritten to get a readers attention. 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. This is a worksheet intended to be used for planning to write a blurb for a novel study. She took my poetry samples and current book blurb and wrote something amazing. The back cover of your book is prime real estate for promoting your book. Mar 02, 2016 great ideas to write a blurb that works for your book. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. Forget the book, have you read this irresistible story on blurbs. Whatever the old adage might warn, there is a bit of merit to judging a book by its cover if only in one respect. One of the things an author is expected to do from timetotime is to produce at least a short biographical blurb. However, many self published authors treat it like the hellstrip in front of their house between the sidewalk and a busy street.
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. In this post, we tell you how to write a book blurb in five easy steps. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more. Great ideas to write a blurb that works for your book. Put the bulleted list in the middle of the copy you write for your back cover. For ebooks, the description is posted on a book s purchasing page, along with the book cover and price. You pick up a book because the cover or title looks interesting. It can be a daunting task, so heres pins giving you a step by step approach for creating your fiction or nonfiction book blurb. Joanna penn has a great how to write back blurb for your book some more writing tips on crafting a blurb for your book. Keep in mind at all times the blurb is what sells the book. 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. It matters not only what a blurb actually says but who said it and when.
In sextons blurb, one cant help but hear an additional echo of plaths the blood jet is poetry. Many writers find writing book blurbs really difficult. Getting a feel for different types of blurbs can give you inspiration to write yours. Adam silvera was born and raised in the bronx, new york. Writing the blurb for your selfpublished book is one of the privileges of being an indie author. The intention is the same as a book blurb to pique the potential bossclients attention. When writing a novel, there are few selling tools as important as a solidly written book blurb. Traditionally, it would be found on the inside back cover of a hardback. One way to write this primary reason is to present it as a question. Its briefno more than 100150 wordsand creates interest in the story without giving away major spoilers or the ending. Indeed, it can help you focus if you write your blurb before you even start writing the book. One element of the practice of bookselling falling back on the shoulders of the writer is the book blurb or jacketcopy.
If you previously downloaded and installed bookwright, theres no need to download it again to get the latest version. Discover how to write a back of the book blurb my word. Your backofthebook blurb is the second thing a potential buyer looks at after your front cover. Writing a book blurb for your back cover, and other promotional uses, is one of the hardest steps for many authors. Blurb are a wellrenowned printondemand company, and they offer numerous book printing options, with a variety of paper types, book bindings and other options. I was about halfway through the writing of my book when i was asked to write a blurb for the back cover. You must make your selfdescription blurb as interesting as possible. The person you really need to marry tracy mcmillan tedxolympicblvdwomen duration. 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. Jun 11, 20 the blurb is the short description on the back of the book. Share your backcover blurb creative writing forums. 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.
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. Oct 10, 2016 the origin of the word blurb may have been german or american. Generally, 150200 words are more than enough for a full blurb. 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. How to create a back of the book cover blurb that sells 1. Sep 12, 2018 a blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes. You have one shot at introducing your story to your reader make it count.
Most fiction book blurbs start with a situation a, introduce a problem b and promise a twist c. 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. Look at samples go to amazon and click on the bestsellers in your genre. Now you have to decide what goes on the back cover. 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. Grade 5 lesson on blurbsadapt by using whatever book your. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells i just published a guest post which goes into this with some examples. The origin of the word blurb may have been german or american. Aug, 2015 put the bulleted list in the middle of the copy you write for your back cover. Your blurb will be an important part of your marketing.
Here is an example of a shout line, taken from one of my own books. 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. Purchase a swatch kit that contains samples of all the different blurb papers with photos and text printed on them. Blurbs are the second most important selling tool you have for your book, so. I will not reveal the title or author but students familiar with the novel should pick up on it. Creating a book blurb, while still technically writing, is closer to a science than an art. Above the list, speak directly to the readers, and give them the primary reason why they should read your book. Please type your blurb in ms or open office word, print it, and bring it to class on thursday. Nine tips on how to write a compelling back of the book blurb, including. Heres a question for you about back cover copy for a nonfiction book. Read this article closely, follow its advice, and watch your career reap the rewards. Oct 16, 2014 writing the blurb for your selfpublished book is one of the privileges of being an indie author.
How to get awesome book cover blurbs posted on february 26, 2020 by sandra beckwith 21 comments affiliate disclosure. Its your best opportunityand sometimes the only oneto snag your readers attention and convince them to take a chance on your book. This short video is brought to you by publishnation. Share your backcover blurb discussion in publishing started by cat cherry, apr 27, 2016. 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. Steps to writing your own back book blurb and back cover. 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. 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. Apr 28, 2017 how to write back blurb for your book duration. A blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes. New authors sometimes rush this decision, writing the first thing that comes to mind.
Think of the book blurb not as an annoying step between you and selfpublishing, but instead as an opportunity. For writing and marketing tips consider subscribing to my youtube. It should introduce your main characters, give an insight on conflict, depict genre and arouse interest. You should have the following goals and ideas in mind. In journeying to june, the poet dives deeper into her childhood, imagining a world that mightve existing during. The back of your book is the second biggest marketing tool you have. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more blurb blog. 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.
If you are a novelist, your back cover should provide a short summary of what your book is about. Writing the perfect back cover copy blurb for your book. 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. Blurb provide multiple options for creating books, allowing you to use either their booksmart software, webbased bookify, a plugin for adobe indesign, or you can do your own thing. This is my second time working with authoreva and she has given me another outstanding experience. Book blurbs are an oftoverlooked part of a writers marketing planafter youve spent so much time writing a new book, it can feel. It uses twilight as an example, but dont hold that against me.
The blurb is a promotional description, found on the back of the book. Examples of blurbs to share in your primary classroom. The blurb is the short description on the back of the book. How to get awesome book cover blurbs build book buzz. As paperback publishing developed, readers began seeing the blurb appearing on the back cover. Every blurb should be active, evocative, and avoid cliche.
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