This article gives you simple steps to follow to write a book blurb, and gives examples of both fiction and nonfiction back cover blurbs. Ive come to enjoy it, which is why i offer this as a service. Which is a good thing, because beautiful books are our business. Make sure you supply me with a general synopsis as well. The author is too close to the book andor has a voice that doesnt lend itself to advertising. But when such utterances find their way to the back of book jackets, time to take stock, even risk a little rudeness.
Tips on how to write a good book blurb by author tina. Future in the future, blurb also wants to look beyond books and they see rpi as the global printing partner that can help successfully expand blurbs product line. But i promise you what will perhaps be the most memorable reading experience of your life. Nov 10, 2016 so, my author friend, if youre ready to ditch the fear and loathing youve typically associated with writing your books blurb and are psyched about converting those casual browsers into buyersand eventually avid fansgrab a copy of how to write a sizzling synopsisboth your book description and future book sales will thank you. In the future, blurb also wants to look beyond books and they see rpi as the global printing partner that can help successfully expand blurbs product line.
Writing a short book blurb is not only fun, but great practice for writing promotional copy of any kind. In sextons blurb, one cant help but hear an additional echo of plaths the blood jet is poetry. The key with fiction is to excite and engage your reader. However, this task typically comes just when youre at your least able. Kinnells landmark the book of nightmares was published in 1971. It is important to set expectations with readers as it is easier for you and your book to meet these expectations when the reader starts reading. Print as you go sell one copy at a time and let blurb fulfill the orders or place a large order and sell inperson.
A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. Leave the area blank and your book will be printed without a blurb logo. Forget the book, have you read this irresistible story on. Is writing a cover blurb for a nonfiction book different than writing one for a novel. A stepbystep system for enticing new readers, selling more fiction, and making your books sound good cohen, bryan on. Depending on the level of involvement by the publisher, usually someone else in that company other than the author. And helping you make your book with our toolsno matter what that b. Blurb definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Thats why blurb tries to spread out their business over three different customer bases. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells i just published a guest post which goes into this with some examples. Blurb, an online selfpublishing platform for photo books, is announcing a new program that will allow books created with its online tools to be sold on amazon. How to write a nonfiction book cover blurb that sells. Quiet ecology by jason sweeney, julie vulcan, leah. For millions of people, the film is that rare combination of a powerful and moving story, first rate music, and breathtaking scenery of salzburg how do you produce a film which is not only good, but also a commercial success.
Jul 19, 20 writing a book blurb is a little like online dating, i suppose. Like the book cover is one of the biggest selling points for any book, a book blurb helps sell the idea of the book to those who are in search of reading something either new or out of their usually picked genres. It uses twilight as an example, but dont hold that against me. A green economy by zhi jian david wong at blurb books. Future sounds came into my possession via my wifes book prospecting trip to the true test of. Blurb create, print, and sell professionalquality photo. 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.
Mar 10, 2019 the author of the book the marriage code book suggests that the content of his book provides a solution to this problem and shows that divorce does not have to happen. Does the following blurb sound like something youd like to. Walewski the back cover of your book is prime real estate for promoting your book. Your book blurb aka online description, like your dating profile. In a sound of thunder, bradbury offers a poignant and effective interpretation of the dangers of time travel and possible ripple effects, highlighting our interconnectivity with one another. It will take me 510 hours to write your blurb, more for sciencefiction or epic fantasy, which is where the base price is decided from. A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and quills. He also explores the connections between the past, present, and future, and he does it through vivid descriptions and gripping narrative. Youll also find some useful links to websites with further information. Browning dives into the strange world of book blurbs. I have been a long time user but they are unable to print photo books true to the original images. Its briefno more than 100150 wordsand creates interest in the story without giving away major spoilers or the ending. The occult art of the poetry book blurb rachael mead. In addition, the book takes a rather long time, considering its titular.
Once a book is created through blurb, authors may choose to create an isbn, name a price and list the book for sale with the online retailer. Its safe to say that blurbs are absolutely essential to your books overall success and reputation. Forget the book, have you read this irresistible story on blurbs. When malcolm gladwell was asked to write a blurb for the 2005 book freakonomics, he did not explain that it explored the dynamics of the ku klux klan or the impact of naming a child. Here is the whole sorry, tragic catastrophe that was our involvement in vietnam. Either it is too long or too boring to hook our readers. Find quiet ecology by jason sweeney, julie vulcan, leah barclay, dale a wright at blurb books. As a usa today bestselling author, ive done my fair share of blurb writing. Whats the difference between book blurb and synopsis. A book blurb should be a fair representation of the style of the book. With blurb, you can create a professional portfolio book to showcase your most accomplished work. Blurb is a basic service useable for basic book printing.
Writing a book blurb is a little like online dating, i suppose. The 5 core elements of a book blurb and why you should know. It matters not only what a blurb actually says but who said it and when. How to write a sizzling synopsis meet your next favorite book. I wanted to print a photo book with blurb for a long time, and finally ordered my first blurb photo book in june 2014. Basically, the name of the game with a blurb is to entice readers to buy your book. While stubbs claims that future sounds is far from comprehensive. As a result of this, the findings were published publicly and we all situated our projects within the public realm. A catchy poetry book blurb that will entice your potential readers 23 sentences.
If youd like for me to read the entire book instead of just. The blurb should be written using the same tonevoice that you use in your storyso dont even think about getting someone else to do it for you. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents. Premarital strategies provides a simple yet thorough stepbystep strategy that will prepare couples as they go into their new marriage. While the early electronic and tape music eras have been adequately covered in other books, joel chadabes electric sound is exhaustive in. Blurb are a wellrenowned printondemand company, and they offer numerous book printing options, with a variety of paper types, book bindings and other options. Remove the blurb logo from your book in booksmart help center. The book provides key success factors any firm can follow in creating a customerdriven firm. Or you can drag and drop your own image into this spot. Its a story of love, loss and demons, in the crusade to free jerusalem from the saracens.
A blurb also referred to as a synopsis or a glossary is the summary of the story found on the back cover of a book. But i did abandon bookwright for a much more expensive option. William cobb, cobb consulting, houston, texas finally. In 2016 i undertook a quiet odyssey across four australian citie. Create, print, and sell professionalquality photo books, magazines, trade books, and ebooks with blurb. Future sounds, a new book on the history of machinemade pop and classical songs, suggests that the radical power of the synthetic has. However, many self published authors treat it like the hellstrip in front of their house between the sidewalk and a busy street. Blurb charges a base price per book to cover printing, and amazon charges a fee based on list. Chose from several free tools or use adobe indesign or adobe lightroom. How to write a back cover blurb for a nonfiction book. Music aficionados will find the book to be a valuable, engaging compendium. This is part of a collaborative thesis group and together formed a collective p. We all know how to write a book but we suck at writing a capturing blurb.
We increase the base price of your book by 25% to cover the removal of our brand from your book. The opinion of its customers, affectionately called prosumers or enthusiasts, is very important to blurb. The book came in the united parcel service ups very quickly on friday, 17 january 2020. The story of electronic music from stockhausen to skrillex. The 5 core elements of a book blurb and why you should.
May 23, 2012 a blurb is not a just the facts recitation of the highlights of your story. How to write a book blurb part 1 tara sparling writes. Includes a biographical sketch, interviews, and more. Your book blurb aka online description, like your dating profile, has to be engaging and alluring to attract passersby. A guide for accountants, lawyers, and other professional services. Oct 16, 2014 writing the blurb for your selfpublished book is one of the privileges of being an indie author. 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 sizzling synopsis is possible if we follow a few simple rules and use the tools to get online book browsers click our buy button every single day. A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and. If youd rather have someone else write you an amazing blurb then let us know, but if you want to write your own. A blurb is the back cover teaser that lures a reader or an agenteditor into wanting to buyread your book. Yes, its still difficult and yes, its much harder to do for your own work, but it is possible. Sell your book in the blurb bookstore, through amazon, or in the global retail network of over 38,000 retailers, libraries, and schools.
Youve snagged a prospective date by your alluring cover, so now youve got to show theres more than just surface appeal. 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 22, 2014 blurb, an online selfpublishing platform for photo books, is announcing a new program that will allow books created with its online tools to be sold on amazon. Highlights crews novels, short stories, anthologies, and nonfiction writings.
The most amazing blurb in the world wont sell a book if those other factors are missing. Hang your posters in dorms, bedrooms, offices, or anywhere blank walls arent welcome. Oct 03, 2016 the book of whispers is kimberley starrs winner of the text prize for 2015. There is one big difference though between a book blurb and a synopsis. All you have to do is provide me with some information and i will write one undeniably catchy blurb. 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. The firm of the future brings a huge number of great ideas together in one place to provide a road map of what a professional service firm must do to position itself for the future. Put simply, being concise is hard, and being concise about something you know insideandout can seem downright impossible. For millions of people, the film is that rare combination of a powerful and moving story, first rate music, and breathtaking scenery of salzburg. It is impossible for me to describe the power of this book. A stepbystep system for enticing new readers, selling more fiction. But fear not, because theres a secret science to writing the perfect book blurb. Im a fantasy fan, but julia sounds selfish and petty i dont want to spend an entire book with her.
I am intending to have more photo books printed by blurb in the future, and as a result of my experiences with this book, i should be able to create books in the future with less effort. Your back of the book blurb is the second thing a potential buyer looks at after your front cover. Mar 18, 2012 one of the things an author is expected to do from timetotime is to produce at least a short biographical blurb. Writing the blurb for your selfpublished book is one of the privileges of being an indie author. Oct 20, 2019 this might sound odd, but think about it. 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. Other than the cover, it is the other most important selling feature of a book.
This is more than acceptable, and a very easy give for most. These may be used for an interview, a book jacket, or even an event program in which you are a presenter. Blurbs own book creation tool, bookwright, is obviously capable, and its free to use, and relatively easy to learn. But how do their philosophical works illuminate future sounds. And above everything, you want people to pick up your book. The harry crews online bibliography features information about american author harry crews b. Lets look at how to make your nonfiction cover blurb sell your book. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. Or michael robbins, another maverick poetcritic seemingly fearless about what his candor might cost him. Its safe to say that a wellwritten blurb is absolutely essential to your poetry books overall success and reputation. Does the following blurb sound like something youd like. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites. Removing the blurb logo from your book will change its pricing. First of all, you will want to introduce your hero.
A blurb is the description of the story found on the back cover of a book. You know, the ones that readers use to choose the book they want to read next or throw on the pile beside the bed where, among the. The blurb of your book is the second thing a potential reader will look at after the coverso take the time to get it right. Some points in a synopsis might be essential to the story or beloved by the author, but they do nothing to incentivise a reader to pick up your book. Nonfiction can be divided easily into two categories. Consider the blurb, one of the most pervasive, longestrunning and, at. How is it that a writer can write a story spanning tens of thousands of words but stumble at a 250300 word book blurb describing it. Most people dont have the time to read your book and carefully consider a blurb, but they dont feel comfortable blurbing something they havent read. The blurb of your book is the second thing a potential reader will look at. A guide for accountants, lawyers, and other professional services dunn, paul, baker, ronald j. Blurbs are the second most important selling tool you have for your book, so. These details capture the readers interest and flesh out the world a lot more than vague statements that may capture the plot perfectly, but make it sound boring. Check my blurb discount coupons for a discount code to save some money when ordering a book through blurb. Writing a book blurb is harder than you think, and is an excellent way of getting yourself noticed.
Their technical staff is obtuse and they use a biased color profile. A blurb is one major component in the four main factors that sell your book. I recently received a book where there was no sign of the hero in the blurb. Blurb collaborates with amazon to distribute selfpublished. The book of whispers is kimberley starrs winner of the text prize for 2015. Dont be afraid to make your blurb sound loud and in charge, and to leave out certain details that dont. And by def mentor or red foment, i mean, of course, fred. The story of electronic music from stockhausen to skrillex stubbs, david on.
Malcolm gladwell hands out book blurbs like santa does. My operational theory is that if you cant make yourself sound remotely interesting, how can you expect anyone to find your book interesting. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. This is part of a collaborative thesis group and together formed a collective proposal for a future plan for the city of christchurch. Blurbs are short synopses with cliffhanger endings. How to get incredible blurbs for your book scribe writing. Your blurb can usually be used as your pitch in your query letter or when you are doing an actual facetoface pitch session with an agenteditor. 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.
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