Here are some tips to write an effective and engaging back cover blurb:
Think of your back cover blurb as a roadmap for readers.
It’s your job to highlight the key things they will get from the book.
- Start with a hook, something interesting to grab the reader’s attention right from the start. A poignant quote, pressing question, or pithy summary may be a great place to start. This is essentially the “pick-up line” of your book, so grab your audience’s attention with something powerful.
- Your blurb should include context or background information to set the stage. For non-fiction, this could establish the premise of the book, and for fiction, this might be the setting of the book.
- Next, you’ll need to introduce the main character(s) of the book along with some detail about their role in the plot development. Use adjectives that would help to characterize while keeping the description succinct.
- Now that you’ve established a premise, you’ll want to tease the reader with the main conflict or problem in the book. For non-fiction, this could identify controversy, challenges or struggle in the book, and for fiction, this could hint at the climax of the story – although avoid spoilers.
- It can be quite effective to end the roadmap with a twist or cliff-hanger to intrigue your audience. The twist could be phrased as a question or a dramatic statement, which tells your audience that reading the book will answer it.
You’re looking to strike a balance between giving your audience too much detail, and being so vague the reader has no idea what to expect from the book.
Consider who your target audience is when writing your back cover copy.
- Is the book perfect for young adults, fantasy enthusiasts or those who enjoy escape reads? Or maybe the book would appeal to fans of Harry Potter or The Hunger Games.
- Establishing the mood will help readers decide whether this is the right book for them by telling them why they would be interested in the book.
- Use vocabulary appropriate for your target audience. As you did when editing the contents of the book, take note of word choice used and make sure your main audience would understand the language you use.
- Avoid clichés at all costs! Remember, you’re trying to make your book stand out from the rest and overused phrases are not going to help.
Be clear, concise and convincing when describing your book.
Since the back cover blurb should be around 100 – 250 words in length, it will also help to use short, gripping sentences that maintain the voice and tone of the book itself.
Most importantly, REVISE, REVISE, REVISE!
Other than the cover, the back cover blurb is the first thing the reader will see when they look at your book. So, make every word count.
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