You know the kind I mean.
It’s a small blurb that goes on the back of your book.
Then another one a bit longer that will sell your book. At least we all hope so.
I only wrote about a dozen before I settled on one that I thought was pretty good. Then I had to write a short version and a long version.
In all honesty, I may rewrite it again before I give the final okay to publish. It’s hard to know when something is good enough. You know what I mean?
I’ve read and read what makes good copy. Everyone has a different opinion, but most agree that the description needs to hook the reader.
Again with the hooks. Seems this term is one of the most important in writing. It pops up everywhere.
With all my reading and rereading books like mine in addition to successful writer tips, here is my takeaway on a decent book description. Fingers crossed mine is good enough to catch a reader.
- There’s no magic formula. Too bad, I had high hopes.
- First sentence – make sure people know what your book is about.
- Don’t bore the reader to tears. If the description is boring, no one wants to read the whole book.
- If possible end your description with a cliffhanger.
- Think ad, not summary. Make it pop and sizzle.
- Make it short and simple.
I hope these tips helped. Like I said, I keep tweaking mine.
Do you have any tips to add?
Please share!
Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.
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THE 11 INGREDIENTS OF A SIZZLING BOOK DESCRIPTION by Mark Edwards
Creating Promotional Copy That Works: Book Descriptions by Marcy Kennedy
Reblogged this on Words Can Inspire the World.
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As always you offer the best advice and you actually make it sound so simple when I know how difficult it can be, for me anyway. writing blurbs, queries and the dreaded, I mean dreaded, did I say dreaded … synopsis is the worst part for me. I’ve been doing what one of your other readers suggested and reading a lot of the blurbs written by bestselling authors. I’ve also been searching back through PW to get ideas then I compare and contrast. Thanks for the tips. I’ve bookmarked another one of your helpful articles.
Melissa Sugar @
Melissa Sugar Writes
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You are so kind. But we are all learning together. I couldn’t do this without everyone’s input.
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Usually, I’m right there with you, but one of my manuscripts started as a blurb and I wrote the book because I was sold by my own pitch. That was a good day. 🙂
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Now that’s a good way to start! Hook yourself first and readers are sure to follow. I like it!
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog and commented:
Here are some great tips on a topic I struggle with, writing a book description.
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Thanks Don.
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You’re welcome. Great post.
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I too dread the blurb and the synopsis but I`m learning thanks to people like yourself.
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Hey, I’m still trying to figure the process out. One step forward and two steps back, or so it seems. LOL
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The description is sooooooo hard to write because it needs to be exciting but it shouldn’t give away any of the good stuff!!!!!
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I don’t think exciting so much as enticing. Just enough to make us curious.
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Good post! Will bookmark for if and when I ever get there! @sheilamgood at Cow Pasture Chronicles
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Thank you, don’t know what I’d do without my cheerleader.
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Thanks for these tips.
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You’re welcome
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Thanks for this post. I have so much trouble with this!
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You’re not alone. LOL
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What I found was to compare and contrast what bestselling authors were doing. How they phrased things, presented the tale. I used my favorite examples as a springboard and found it’s quite effective.
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great idea!
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I did the same thing for tag lines – you know those one sentence blurbs that are included in NYT bestseller lists? Big help there!
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Never thought of that! Great tip!
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You are more than welcome! 😊
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I am actually trying to write one today for my second book.
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Cool, how many rewrites will it take or do you have it down pat?
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I just did my first attempt. I might run it by my beta readers. The book is with my editor, now.
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Good luck!
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