What is a blurb?
Your blurb is placed on the back cover and is a short description of the book for promotional purposes. It is not a synopsis of the plot of your book.
Many authors write the blurb for their book quickly, as an afterthought, but it is the most crucial element of your book when it comes to marketing.
Think of your front cover as your first impression. It should make a reader pick up your book off the shelf (or click the link on an online bookstore) and want to know more. When they flip the book over (or read the online listing), your blurb should intrigue them and make them want to buy the book.
How do I write my blurb?
Your blurb is placed on the back cover and is a short description of the book for promotional purposes. It is not a synopsis of the plot of your book.
Many authors write the blurb for their book quickly, as an afterthought, but it is the most crucial element of your book when it comes to marketing.
Think of your front cover as your first impression. It should make a reader pick up your book off the shelf (or click the link on an online bookstore) and want to know more. When they flip the book over (or read the online listing), your blurb should intrigue them and make them want to buy the book.
Fiction
Who is the main character/s?
Describe detail about who they are.
What is their central struggle?
It could be a problem, situation, or other characters.
What is at stake for the characters/s?
Provide some insight to the challenge ahead
Memoir
Who’s is the main character?
That’s you! Introduce a little about yourself and/or the part of your life your memoir focuses on.
What is the central struggle or theme?
Mention relevant life experiences included in your book that relate to this central theme.
What will the reader gain from reading about your experiences?
Explain why the reader will find your personal experiences valuable and relevant to their own lives
Do:
Make your blurb short and punchy – 100–250 words.
Write in the third person – ‘In her memoir, Jane Smith explores…’
Ensure your genre is clear – e.g. memoir, romance novel, science fiction.
Reference the themes or focus of your book – e.g. love, redemption, coming of age.
Start with a powerful line or hook.
Evoke emotion, if appropriate to your genre.
Finish with intrigue or a question. Leave the reader wanting to know more about how the events unfold.
Don’t:
Write a summary of the plot of your book.
Try to fit in every detail about your character/s.
Give away plot spoilers or the ending/resolution to the story.
Include overused and cheesy lines – ‘In a world where…’ ‘You won’t guess what happens next!’
Just say the book is ‘interesting’, ‘amazing’, ‘good’, etc.
Evoke emotion, if appropriate to your genre.
Finish with intrigue or a question. Leave the reader wanting to know more about how the events unfold.
Can your team help me write a blurb?
Of course! Email us your answers to the 3 questions on the previous page (as applicable to your genre) and we can help put together a blurb for you.
