Read examples of adjectives and other types of description by esteemed. The intelligentsia toiled in the shadows back to antiquity, shaping politics and governments in secrecy. When literature student anastasia steele goes to interview young entrepreneur christian grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. Below youll find examples of book blurbs in each of seven popular bestselling nonfiction categories on amazon, followed by my analysis 1 genre. Do you have any favourite examples, either for your own books or those of other authors.
It should address the central topics or themes without being too vague, clever, or flashy. Examples of adjectives from top authors novels now novel. Sep 25, 2016 here are some examples of character description in book blurbs. A fiction blurb for adult readers should be 175 225 words.
Often referred to as a book description, a blurb is a short piece, around 150 words, to promote your novel. How to write successful back cover copy mascot books. In that sense, a good blurb is anything but subjective. How to write a great ya fantasy or scifi book blurb. Black businesswoman monica walker knows all about success.
Blurb shark, which is mostly defunct, has a good summation of an ineffective book blurb here. The 5 core elements of a book blurb and why you should. Jan 14, 2014 below are the tips that ive gleaned from awesome ya fantasy and scifi book blurbs. The back cover blurb differs from a proposal, which is the. Sep 10, 2019 the book blurb, or the book description, is one of the most important marketing issues an author needs to address. How to write a book description that will sell your book.
Great blurb examples for books a guide for nonfiction. In ebook and selfpublishing, a book blurb is whats used on the main online sales page. Writing a book description that sells jessica davidson. 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.
How to write a blurb for your nonfiction book blurb blog. However, many self published authors treat it like the hellstrip in front of their house between the sidewalk and a busy street. In addition to the example provided in lesson one of a wellwritten book blurb, im including a few examples from bestselling memoirs which have their blurbs perfected. We dont need examples of this, adjectives are a good standin. A book blurb is a teasing and engaging outline of the story fiction or content nonfiction of 150 words on average. Shes transformed herself from brokenhome victim to new yorkmagazine supereditor, and shes only thirty at that.
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. Also, this book received a lot of media attention when it was published, so potential readers might already have some awareness of it. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more blurb. It has to be almost an exaggeration of your story that entices the reader to buy, or at least download a sample to their kindle or ipad. An equally powerful back cover blurb if publishing a printed version attractive back pages that attract the reader to explore more. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. Back cover copy also called flap copy is the text that goes on the back cover of a book or on the back cover and flaps of a dust.
Oh, and when you reach the website, read the promotional blurb. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. A modern example of an allblurbed front and back cover is that of emma healeys. Therefore, your first instinct is probably to make it dazzling. 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. The back cover of your book is prime real estate for promoting your book. It should introduce your main characters, give an insight on conflict, depict genre and arouse interest. Have questions about book editing, blurbs, or something else. How to write an irresistible book blurb in 5 easy steps. How to write a dazzling blurb for your childrens book. 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. Nov 08, 2020 a book blurb also called a back cover blurb or a book description is a short description of the book s 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. Now you can keep all that great information in one place instead of going back and riffling through books and links. Cinder by marissa meyer lena duchannes is unlike anyone the small southern town of gatlin has ever seen, and shes struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations.
This one is from jack mamos the marriage code book, which we worked on this cover blurb is 179 words. History depends on whos telling the story two thousand years after the reboot, much is to be celebrated. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell. Write an effective blurb for a nonfiction book proof. But the real secret to a great blurb is to know your audience. Then we get a lot of worldbuilding back story, but no sense of who the hero is. There are two different covers, one with a boy and one with a girl. While the blurb itself gives you an idea of what kind of story you will be reading, you dont really know what is going to happen. For a nonfiction book, create a bullet point list of the book s main features and consider including that list on the back cover. A blurb is a succinct summary of the book, one that communicates the essence of who the main characters are, what they want and what is preventing them from getting it. The occult art of the poetry book blurb rachael mead. How to get book blurbs, endorsements, and testimonials. He lives with the miserable dursleys and their abominable son, dudley. What are the best english words to use instead of beautiful.
Aug, 2015 here is an example of back cover copy for loving legit, a novel by my client serena king. When a reader first comes across your book online, two factors will determine if they pay any attention to it the cover and the book description. Its the 100 to 200 words printed on the back of your book that you hope will intrigue the reader enough to buy your book. A strong, descriptive blurb is easily one of the most important and powerful selling tools for your book. Consider, for example, these themes from the lord of the rings. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dust jacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites. A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and quills.
Hillbilly elegy is a passionate and personal analysis of a culture in crisisthat of white workingclass americans. By far, the weakest part of many selfpublished books is the synopsis found. The book will be published in insert timeline when you plan to publish your book so i would need your blurb before insert blurb delivery deadline date in order to put it on the back cover. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell more. Your blurb or bio is a short, concise, effective introduction and description of yourself. How to write a back cover blurb with examples book editing.
Wed watch one and id send it back and get the next one. A blurb is the marketing copy found on the back cover of a physical book or in the book description found in online bookstores. Please visit this page to view more information and place your order before june 30th, 2020. Jun 11, 20 the blurb is the short description on the back of the book. Your back ofthe book blurb is the second thing a potential buyer looks at after your front cover. Apr 01, 2020 thats something for your book blurb, which well tackle below. A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and. How to write back cover blurb for your nonfiction book. Unfortunately, while most authors will hire a professional to create their cover, very few hire a professional to write their book description. How to write a fiction book cover blurb that can make your. Be colorful in your language by using adjectives or feeling words. Even the patron saint of teenage girls, judy blume, is featured on the back cover with a blurb for the book.
How to write a nonfiction book cover blurb that sells. These first 3 lessons help land the ground work for what your students will be expected to do in the unit. Echo the tone of your book in your blurb so readers get a sense of how you write. I recently picked up a nonfiction book, which i dont read many of, and almost put it right back down. This results in making your book sound either cliche or boring. The authors that do are usually the successful ones.
To give an example, look up the blurb to looking for alaska. A genrebased, linguistic and semantic analysis of blurbs. Get tips for how to write a good book description and learn the difference between a long book description. Use three to five bullet points only odd numbers are best, marketing research shows, and tell what the book will do for the reader or what the reader will learn from your book. How to write good blurbs and back pages for your book. You find blurbs on the back cover of paperbacks, the inside back cover of a hardback, and on book description pages in online stores.
Jul 17, 2019 its a sales pitch to potential readers. Send me a folder of image files, and ill deliver a readytoprint book file for you to order through blurb. Endorsements appear on the books back cover jacket or on the first couple pages of the. The blurb is a promotional description, found on the back of the book. Harrys room is a tiny closet beneath the stairs, and he hasnt had a birthday party in eleven years. Here is an example of a back cover description from my first childrens chapter book. Jul 25, 2020 at the same time, do not make your blurb too vague. A back cover blurb offers a snapshot of the book and sparks curiosity. Here is an example of a shout line, taken from one of my own books. The five s of blurb writing check these 5 awesome tips. If you want to learn how to write a book description that captivates readers and. Write the blurb for the back of a poetry book you have read choose.
How to build a book back cover that converts with template. Book descriptions not only tell readers what a books about but help them find it online in the first place. Alternatively, the book might call for a very brief and punchy blurb. Mar 01, 2017 a blurb should provide key information about the book s plot setting, time period, protagonists, outline the main conflict, and incorporate the book s marketable themes. Youre setting the expectation for the book in the blurb, so make sure that your themes, ideas, and issues match. How to write a back cover blurb for nonfiction pages. A synopsis is typically one or two pages detailing the plot and character arcs in your story, including spoilers. Use strong adjectives and make the reader want to get to know the. I am the first person in my family to attend college, i was on the deans list all four years of college, i triple majored with two minors, etc. Printing these blurb photo books has been at the top of my wishlist for years now, and i finally decided that winter 2018 was the time to make it happen. Now, with time limit restrictions, protagonist must do something brave to accomplish great achievement or sacrifice high stakes.
Also, try to use adjectives to sum up what your character is like such as. Here is the back cover blurb from fifty shades of grey 152 words. The blurb is your sales pitch, printed on the back of your book or quoted on its. The book description goes most prominently on the back cover. Back cover blurbs for books tips for wrting blurbs that. There are many different ways of composing a blurb. The genius of the back cover blurb is that it offers you the book information genre, theme with a taste of the contents style, voice, look in. After the title and the book cover, your description is the most important book marketing material.
Its hard to come up with adjectives to describe the writing of the author that. The curious history of book blurbs and why theyre still. The blurb should be written in a way that reflects the voice and spirit of the book. Sold the highest number of back scratchers of an employee in the history of back scratchers inc. Protagonist is a description of protagonist living in setting. Great blurb examples for books a guide for nonfiction authors. These themes are essentially easily digestible nuggets boiled down from your book s plot. Formatting your book blurb for amazon self publishing on a. Choose one of the poems and write down interesting adjectives and powerful verbs the poet uses.
Descriptive words like that arent necessary, i would say, but as a reader i like knowing a little bit about the experience i will have reading the book. I resolved to print the last 5 years of personal images, starting with the most recent year and working my way backward. Whereas novels focus on creating intrigue and use blurbs that attempt to lure in the reader, blurbs for nonfiction books need to take a different approach. Here is an example of backcover copy for loving legit, a novel by my. How to write a blurb for your fiction book self publishing lab. The blurb that appears on the back cover of your book, and on your amazon page, will either. I saw the edge of tomorrow today, and i decided to write a blurb using this formula. The back label has a little blurb about the winery and its philosophy. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more.
When i talk about establishing an atmosphere for a novel with a blurb, this is what i. Work by convincing readers to take a chance on it, or. How to write a compelling book endorsement the positive mom. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. Heres a back book blurb example for harry potter and the philosophers stone ticking all the boxes above. How to write a book description that sells with examples. Included below are past participle and present participle forms for the verbs back, backstab, backload, backscratch and backshoot which may be used as adjectives within certain contexts. Marquez then uses simple adjectives again to describe times of day the days. How to write a catchy backcover blurb that sells 2021.
How to write the perfect blurb examples, formula, opening. Jan 14, 2019 the blurb is a promotional description, found on the back of the book. Creating a book blurb, while still technically writing, is closer to a science than an art. A blurb on a childrens book should be 100 words or less. I have been asked to blurb it, and i am recommending it now to all of you. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents. When identity protagonist name does something, something happens. That pictureperfect initial encounter, gentle music is playing in the. Dec 10, 2020 for a nonfiction book, create a bullet point list of the book s main features and consider including that list on the back cover. Jun 01, 2015 so getting back to my use of the word relationship you get a blurb for a book of poetry by asking poets that you know and respect to read the proofs of your manuscript and write something complimentary about it, along the lines of what they think your poetry is trying to say and how brilliantly youve said it. Authors will often just write a little miniversion of their book, outlining the story, rather than write a proper description that includes a real hook for pulling.
Mar 10, 2019 book cover blurb examples from good nonfiction books. Sep 10, 2015 even though the back cover is just a list of quotes inside panel has the actual blurb, the potential reader still gets almost all of the pertinent information. Contrary to popular belief, blurbs are only created to pique someones interest, to hook them strongly enough to compel them to pick up a copy of your book. How to write a book description that attracts readers.
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