Writing a book blurb is harder than you think, and is an excellent way of getting yourself noticed. Write a blurb of the sort youd find on the back cover of a book, the synopsis of power tells all of the story, it does not tease the reader. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites. When writing a novel, there are few selling tools as important as a solidly written book blurb. If you plan to selfpublish your nonfiction book, the most important thing you will ever write is the cover blurb for your book. Early blurbs can be key, but you need to remember that its a numbers game.
Wonder is a book about an ordinary boy called auggie who looks very different from most boys his age. You may already do this by talking about books with friends. Examples of blurbs to share in your primary classroom. In this post, we tell you how to write a book blurb in five easy steps.
This is one of the most important pieces of copy youll write, since it has a lot of work to do representing your book and showing people whats unique, interesting, or especially valuable about what you. Copywriting is a completely different skillset to creating fiction, and im here to help you get that blurb in tiptop shape. 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. Your book blurb must be wellwritten to get a readers attention. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. By day, clumsy panda po works faithfully in his familys noodle shop, but by night he dreams of becoming a true master of the martial arts. To write a good blurb, you have to make it short and exciting, yet relevant. 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. Hardcover published in 2012, kindle edition published in 2012, kindle edition published in 2012, paperback published in 20. 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.
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. Upload and order a book from booksmart help center. Kinnells landmark the book of nightmares was published in 1971. If youd like for me to read the entire book instead of just. Palacio is about a boy named august pullman, with treacher collins. The 5 core elements of a book blurb and why you should. He has been homeschooled up until the fifth grade, but his parents have decided that it. But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb is what will sell your bookand convert readers. Print as you go sell one copy at a time and let blurb fulfill the orders or place a large order and sell inperson. Its safe to say that a wellwritten blurb is absolutely essential to your poetry books overall success and reputation. He has provided samples for various topics such as action and adventure, crimes and criminals, etc.
Purchase a swatch kit that contains samples of all the different blurb papers with photos and text printed on them. 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. Once your book has finished uploading, your browser will launch and you will be taken to to order or sell your book. Sign up to see what your friends are reading, get book recommendations, and join the worlds largest community of readers.
Getting a feel for different types of blurbs can give you inspiration to write yours. Basically, the name of the game with a blurb is to entice readers to buy your book. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. Youll also find some useful links to websites with further information.
It matters not only what a blurb actually says but who said it and when. Review of wonder by r j palacio childrens books daily. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic. Wonder is the best kids book of the year, said emily bazelon, senior editor at and author of sticks and stones. How to write a book blurb in 4 steps the opening of your blurb has to be incredibly precise and dynamic, says editor rebecca heyman for a lot of firsttime authors, i think theres an instinct to make sure readers understand everything that happened in the books universe before the beginning of the actual story. Blurb create, print, and sell professionalquality photo. For example, did you know that the deformity that auggie has is actually real. How to write a novel synopsis that sells your story. August or auggie pullman, a tenyearold boy living in new york city, was born with a facial deformity that has made it difficult for him to make friends.
A book blurb should be a fair representation of the style of the book. Lisa ferland writing a blurb mrs russells classroom how to write better stories, or. The blurb is crucial for ebook sales if youre like me, you probably think of a blurb as that bit on the back of a book. In closing, he stresses how important the blurb is if you want to successfully market your book. The writing style of the author is very clear and effective. When i was looking to get blurbs for my first book, i had asked, lets say, twenty people, ten agreed, and out of those ten, only about five of them were able to actually deliver the blurbs in a timely mannerthat could be though because we were on a time crunch and i didnt start soon enough. New selfpublishing options from blurb and book design. All you have to do is provide me with some information and i will write one undeniably catchy blurb. An easytofollow, practical guide to writing the best blurb to sell your selfpublished book, provided by ya author sarah juckes of completelynovel. It tells an inspiring story that makes you feel many different emotions. How to write a great blurb for your selfpublished novel.
The key with fiction is to excite and engage your reader. Sell your book in the blurb bookstore, through amazon, or in the global retail network of over 38,000 retailers, libraries, and schools. A set of literacy themed a4 page borders for children to use as a stimulus in their independent writing. This article gives you simple steps to follow to write a book blurb, and gives examples of both fiction and nonfiction back cover blurbs. Its in the bigger themes that palacios writing shines. Writing a book blurb for your back cover, and other promotional uses, is one of the hardest steps for many authors.
For most selfpublished authors, it really doesnt matter whats on the back of a hardcopy of your book people will only be reading that once. A blurb is the description of the story found on the back cover of a book. Youve snagged a prospective date by your alluring cover, so now youve got to show theres more than just surface appeal. Writing a book blurb is a little like online dating, i suppose. Youve written your book, but now you have to publish it and kdp has a box that you dread. Think about your favorite blurbs and what about them draws you in. Its briefno more than 100150 wordsand creates interest in the story without giving away major spoilers or the ending. Wonder is a book with such a big wide heart it shows how we are all fragile, imperfect, and perfectly beautiful creatures.
This handy book is a tool that will help you draw in readers and one you will. How to get awesome book cover blurbs build book buzz. Writing a short book blurb is not only fun, but great practice for writing promotional copy of any kind. How to write a nonfiction book cover blurb that sells. Once a readers interest has been whetted by the title and cover, theyll glance at the book description, the socalled blurb that decides what the potential reader clicks next. If you love to read, at some point you will want to share a book you love with others. How to write a book blurb part 1 tara sparling writes. Make sure you supply me with a general synopsis as well. One of the things an author is expected to do from timetotime is to produce at least a short biographical blurb.
Were more likely to associate them with the subtitles on movie posters or trailers, and most of us would be hardpressed to quote the. How to write an effective blurb for a selfpublished book. Theme in wondera short essay the actual essaytheme in. It uses twilight as an example, but dont hold that against me.
They wonder and ask if there is a solution to the problem. While many authors refer to their books description as their blurb, the established publishing industry uses book blurb when referring to a book testimonial or endorsement from someone who influences target. Blurb book border template classroom resource twinkl. Defeating the culture of bullying and rediscovering the power of character and empathy. The problem may not lie with the book, but with the blurb.
Blurb are a wellrenowned printondemand company, and they offer numerous book printing options, with a variety of paper types, book bindings and other options. Palacio brings her wonder message to younger readers. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more. And you can set your discount book by book, unlike some vendors, where you have to pick one discount and use it for all your books. Brownes precept for november, have no friends not equal to yourself, applies to many of the characters friend relationships, especially summers and jacks friend choices and henry and miless friendships with julian, the antagonist who bullies august, the protagonist of the story, because of his craniofacial disorder that gives him deformed ears. In sextons blurb, one cant help but hear an additional echo of plaths the blood jet is poetry. I wanted to print a photo book with blurb for a long time, and finally ordered my first blurb photo book in june 2014. Tom angleberger, author of the new york times bestseller the strange case of origami yoda. 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. 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. These may be used for an interview, a book jacket, or even an event program in which you are a presenter. Your book blurb aka online description, like your dating profile. However, titles, covers and blurbs play a much larger role in book marketing, so taglines aka straplines or endlines in the uk are rarely discussed. Blurbs are the second most important selling tool you have for your book, so.
When you hear about authors being asked to blurb a book, its this endorsement theyve been asked to provide. You have 15 days for someone either you, your friends, or your clients to order your book before we remove it from the site, and a copy is purchased, the book will remain on for as long as you like. A great tagline can help sell books and give readers an idea of what kind of story theyre picking up. Also available as lined, narrow lined, fully lined half lined and editable a wide variety of options to cover all activities. Palacios first picture book, were all wonders, introduces her. A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others.