After writing and polishing an entire book, many authors are surprised when they become stuck when trying to write blurbs. People know you wrote this ad for the book, and if you write about. The backcover copy also functions as the primary ad for your book. Nothing sells a book like a wellwritten description. Generally, 150200 words are more than enough for a full blurb. Oct 16, 2018 book descriptions not only tell readers what a book s about but help them find it online in the first place. Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio once you wow your potential readers with an excellent front cover, the next part of your book thatll hook them is your back cover copy, which is publishing speak for the information that appears on the back cover. If you are citing descriptive copy or a quotation printed on the cover of a book, its preferable to incorporate the necessary details chiefly, the author of the copy or quotation you are citing, if known, and the source where the copy or quotation appears into the body of. There is a couple of nice twists towards the back of the book that keep it from being pedestrian. Correctly create a paperback book cover with kdpcreatespace. Get tips for how to write a good book description and learn the difference between a long book description and a short book description. The back cover of a paperback should also include a headshot, your bio and your credentials if the work is academic or professional. Apr 02, 2015 use keywords in your amazon book description. Jan 12, 2015 there are many, and in many cases ive read a book mainly because it was hard to put it down after reading the back cover description.
People were stuffing code on the description so as to send signals back so a server letting them know when the page fired sort of like the fb pixel does. Focusing too much on a description of the books content, rather than how the content will help, inform, or entertain the. Nov 23, 2015 but when it comes to the back cover of their printed book, many new authors skimp or are unconcerned with what goes on the back cover. Testimonials are incredibly persuasive in transforming potential readers into readers. And if youre publishing it in ebook form, your back cover copy becomes your allimportant book description on amazon and elsewhere.
Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell more books. How to write a back cover blurb with examples book editing. Blurbs are the second most important selling tool you have for your book, so. Im a published novelist, and i participate in several writing groups and online communities. So your back cover copy or book description needs to. Summary and synopsis are also used but, in my experience, are used only in. The author has form in writing booksscripts for tv miniseries.
What do you call the story description on the back cover of a book. How to write a book description that will sell your book. Sep 12, 2018 a blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes. The summary on the back cover of the book is called blurb. Dont give away anything that adds to the suspense or surprise. It goes without saying that the cover of your book is key. Once you wow your potential readers with an excellent front cover, the next part of your book thatll hook them is your back cover copy, which is publishing speak for the information that appears on the back cover. If youre stuck for ideas, research the back cover or inner dust jacket flap of books in your genre.
If theres any doubt at all about your content or the path of the narrative, then youll struggle to write those few hundred words that make up your back cover blurb or online book description. That sounds complicated enough but take the sheer amount of book genres out there, and coming up with a book cover to attract readers can be a monumental task. A soft back book also known as a paperback however is very. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more. What is the summary written on the cover at the back of a book called. Not only will it appear on the book itself, but youll probably use it. Unfortunately, while most authors will hire a professional to create their cover, very few hire a professional to write their book description. 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 essence of your book s most exciting features, distilled into a few hundred words. The space on the back cover of a book for blurbs, which are brief promotional paragraphs, is one of the more valuable spots for book promotion.
What is the description on the back of a book called. Writing your back cover copy book designer fiona raven. How to design your books back cover ny book editors. Unfortunately, while most authors will hire a professional to create their cover, very few hire a professional to write their. Its why ive pulled the back cover for mitch alboms the five people you meet in heaven for us to examine. Learn how to write a back book cover blurb that not only intrigues readers but gets them to buy. What do you call the story description on the back cover. Also on your back cover, youll include a description of your book. How do i cite descriptive copy or a quotation from a book cover or jacket in the text and in the workscited list. Oct 26, 2018 the back of a book cover is the perfect place to put this social proof.
Itll be easy to use, or fast to use, or itll keep your reader uptodate. It typically serves as the foundation for your online book descriptions, as well as any press releases or pitches you make to the media. Apr 12, 2017 this is our tutorial for the cover creator process that kdp kindle direct publishing has for their paperbacks at the moment. Joint the joint of a book is the small groove which runs vertically down the book itself between the book boards book cover and the. On the inside of the back cover page, extending from the facing page before it, is the endpaper. I would bet, whether youre at the library, at a bookstore, or shopping online, its the book description. Back cover definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Writers use the term blurb to describe the text on the back of the book. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents.
Narayan there are writers tolstoy and henry james to name two who. Apr 28, 2016 two of the most common mistakes that nonfiction authors make in crafting their back cover is. Some informative blog posts have addressed techniques for creating an effective front cover, but an often overlooked aspect of book cover design is the back of the book. This is our tutorial for the cover creator process that kdp kindle direct publishing has for their paperbacks at the moment. This article has helpful approaches to writing back cover blurbs. Our friends at bookbub carried out an ab test in which they sent group a a book description with a testimonial and group b a version without a testimonial. The next step is grabbing the readers interest with a tempting back cover synopsis that leaves her guessing. A blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes. You might ask, does the back of the book even matter.
You need to know how to write a book description, preferably a great one. Not only will it appear on the book itself, but youll probably use it as your amazon description. By emily evansmiller last week we talked about how to design a great front cover, but the dust jacket and back cover are some of the most important real estate on a book. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents. What are some excellent back cover descriptions of books. The book description, often overlooked as a means to drive traffic to your page, is also a great place to use keywords. Beyond the familiar distinction between hardcovers and paperbacks, there are further alternatives and additions, such as dust jackets, ringbinding, and older forms such as the nineteenthcentury paperboards and the traditional types of handbinding. A book description should draw the reader in, but authors tend to get too flowery with these. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell. Ill say it impossible, without examining dust jackets from successful novels, that is. The 150 to 200 words youll choose to place on your book s back cover might just be the most important words in your entire book project. Nov 15, 20 it goes without saying that the cover of your book is key. In a nutshell, its the 200 odd words on the back cover of your book that describes the book to the reader.
Aug 14, 2017 how can you write a strong back cover. How to write a book description that sells with examples. Its not writing the book but writing the back cover text. Both authors explain first why a books amazon description is actually a sales description. 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. What is the summary written on the cover at the back of a. To improve your own story description, read the book marketing copy for dozens even hundreds of books in your genre, and pay attention to.
Learn more about timelines for updates to published books. How to write successful back cover copy mascot books. It is a brief description of a book and book plot that should immediately attract the attention of your. But help is at hand as bryan cohen and joanna penn podcast on how to write your book sales description. Book cover or book board the front and back covers of books are often referred to as book covers or book boards as they are often made of bookbinding board and cover the book. In this video i answer a student question regarding how to get a logo on the back cover of a paperback without having to create the back. Aug 30, 2011 5 great fonts for book covers including chunkfive, league gothic, baskerville, franchise and trajan three of which are free for book cover design. What do you call the story description on the back cover of a. Let readers know what makes your book interesting, and give them a sense of what kind of book it is. Nov 18, 2016 im a published novelist, and i participate in several writing groups and online communities. Its a very straight forward process if youve already had a cover. The back of a book cover is the perfect place to put this social proof.
You dont want to reinvent the wheel with your back cover. Access my free amazon book description generator tool so that you can create amazing book descriptions that sell. Book descriptions not only tell readers what a books about but help them find it online in the first place. Aug 11, 2010 where you read what the book is about. Regardless where you choose to put it, your photograph should always be included somewhere on the front or back cover of your book. Grab readers attention in a good way incite curiosity about this book tell us roughly what the story is about introduce us to the. How do i cite descriptive copy or a quotation from a book. How to build the back of a book cover with template.
Jul 05, 20 and if youre publishing it in ebook form, your back cover copy becomes your allimportant book description on amazon and elsewhere. This one is no different and by mid2017 was being turned into a. The above amazon book description generator will help you to create those beautiful descriptions with just a couple of clicks of a button. After the book title and front cover, the back cover is the next thing readers look at when deciding whether to make a purchase. There are writers tolstoy and henry james to name two who. If you are citing descriptive copy or a quotation printed on the cover of a book, its preferable to incorporate the necessary details chiefly, the author of the copy or quotation you are citing, if known, and the source where the copy or quotation appears into the body of your text and then create a standard entry for the book in your workscited list. When you create copy for a brochure or back cover, you assume that every word will be. Traditionally, it would be found on the inside back cover of a hardback. Oct 19, 2018 by emily evansmiller last week we talked about how to design a great front cover, but the dust jacket and back cover are some of the most important real estate on a book. Its crucial it be compelling, because readers make buying decisions from the book description. Its design matches the front endpaper and, in accordance with it, contains either plain paper or pattern, image etc. How to write your book sales description with bryan cohen. The back cover often contains biographical matter about the author or editor, and quotes from other sources praising the book. Your headline can be a short phrase or a whole sentence.
Description entice readers with a summary of the story and characters. Nine things that need to be on your book cover alicia dunams. Aug, 2015 after the book title and front cover, the back cover is the next thing readers look at when deciding whether to make a purchase. See if you can pin what works well in this description, and. Your back cover copy is what sells your book to a potential reader and is one of your strongest book marketing tools. Nonfiction book back covers are a little different. 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 jacket. For you, the author, walking this fine line, and getting it right, means you have to have the utmost clarity on what youre writing. There are many, and in many cases ive read a book mainly because it was hard to put it down after reading the back cover description. This information usually falls into one of three parts. Feb 28, 2017 the most important part of the back cover is a description of the book that offers up enough detail to ensure that the shopper cant say no to buying it. How to write a back cover book synopsis pen and the pad. Jun 07, 2018 in this video i answer a student question regarding how to get a logo on the back cover of a paperback without having to create the back cover and spine yourself. Turn a 70,000word book into a couple of hundred words.
The authors that do are usually the successful ones. What is the first thing you check on a book after the cover art. Tell your reader what a great benefit your book will be. What makes this description so striking is that a hes super relatable.
Tips for writing compelling back cover copy blogger. Endorsements work great for nonfiction covers as well. A book cover is any protective covering used to bind together the pages of a book. Back cover blurbs for books tips for wrting blurbs that. But when it comes to the back cover of their printed book, many new authors skimp or are unconcerned with what goes on the back cover. Before we get into why most authors hate writing their back book cover blurb, lets clarify what it actually is. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell more. Jan 23, 2015 how to master your book s amazon description an author stresses the value of book descriptions on amazon.
The book blurb is one of the most difficult aspects to write, as many authors struggle to find the words to succinctly tease the story without it reading like a summary. These fonts are meant for display use like in your book title. After the title and the book cover, your description is the most important book marketing material. Focusing too much on a description of the books content, rather than how the content will help, inform, or entertain the reader. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells kindlepreneur. Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio. How to master your books amazon description an author stresses the value of book descriptions on amazon. Jul 28, 2017 how do i cite descriptive copy or a quotation from a book cover or jacket in the text and in the workscited list. A hard cover book is usually a book that has a hard cover.
When defining a blurb its important to distinguish between a description blurb that you write. But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb is what will sell your bookand convert readers. The back cover copy also functions as the primary ad for your book. Thanks to the programming side of the kindlepreneur team, weve created a book description generator that anyone can use, without having to know html. How to build the back of a book cover with template reedsy blog. The back cover copy you write for your book is among the most important marketing messages youll craft. The text on the back cover should use a text font, like the one you used for the text of your book. If you are citing descriptive copy or a quotation printed on the cover of a book, its preferable to incorporate the necessary details chiefly, the author of the copy or quotation you are citing, if known, and the source where the copy or quotation appears into the. Dont just repeat your books title on the back cover. Book covers today are often simple, revolving around a central imagery thats symbolic and can capture the essence or theme of the plot with one glance. It should give the reader a similar experience so that theyre not repelled by your unfamiliar cover design. If, however, you feel that your platform takes a back seat to the information in your book, you should include your photo on the back cover.
689 1560 466 569 360 1008 902 1231 948 1186 238 130 1341 688 859 1067 1102 52 128 270 727 1191 1252 1096 992 540 1426 502 1395 484 1 734 217 83 972 958