In the secret, she explains with simplicity the law that is governing all lives, and offers the knowledge of how to create intentionally and effortlessly a joyful life. When writing a novel, there are few selling tools as important as a solidly written book blurb. Countless thousands of people have found the principles espoused in the secret to be lifechanging. Early rate through december 4 at least a few times a week i receive messages from people asking me how to write a book. If youre wondering how to do that and where to start, it involves penning multiple drafts, lots of cutting, losing your sanity, and planning your blurb with the help of these steps. Four secrets to writing a blurb for a sequel andrea lundgren. The book blurb s main purpose is to lure readers in and captivate them enough to buy the book. I dont have a secret formula for getting an author to say yes, but i do have a few tips to make the process less frightening and, possibly, more successful. This is a threepart series on getting a reader to buy your book. Now with an awesome story to tell, we need to tell it just as well and for that we need narrative drive, because thats what readers of spy books want. When a teacher or anyone else asks you to write a book summary, he or she is requesting that you read a book and write a short account that explains the main plot points, characters and any other important information in your own words. Rewriting your book description with bryan cohen reedsy live. Early rate through december 4 my fifth book is going through final edits as i t. Every summer, countless thousands head to the port of piraeus to flee athens for the greek islands.
The secret is a 2006 selfhelp book by rhonda byrne, based on the earlier film of the same name. Its been on the new york times bestseller list for 31 weeks. To quickly acquaint the reader with your hero, mention his profession andor the role he identifies with. Even if they get a lot of blurb requests, saying yes isnt a huge time.
This kind of metadata optimization is critical ahead of a book launch, but can also be extremely effective in revitalizing a backlist. Jan 10, 2020 a book blurb, or the book jacket description, summarizes the best part of your book in only 150 words yep. First, id strongly recommend getting a copy of bryan cohens book how to write a sizzling synopsis. I picked this up when it was launched, just over a month ago. A decent blurb offers a fair representation of what readers will find within a book, and frames it in a way that stimulates curiosity. Jul 19, 20 writing a book blurb is a little like online dating, i suppose.
How to write a blurb to sell your book writing tips. Each blurb gets my full attention and im always proud of the. Aug 22, 2019 your top job in writing a blurb is to tell your readers why they want to read an entire book about your mc. 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. As much as hed love to sing the praises of his book he is very vain, he wouldnt want you to hear about his brave 11year old heroes, cass and maxernest. The 5 core elements of a book blurb and why you should. Twotime usa today bestselling author of scififantasy and books for authors. Friendship and the restorative powers of nature help the children gain good. You will find many of the books that inspired the secret teachings available for free here free pdf books. The book has been compared to thomas keneallys the chant of jimmie blacksmith and to peter careys true history of the kelly gang for its.
May 11, 2020 the secret garden by frances hodgson burnett. Start by studying some blurbs of books in your field. Thats why you want to write a book blurb that sells. Twelve top tips for writing an academic book blurb lse. So you have to write a blurb for your novel a writers path. How to write a blurb to sell your book writing tips pen. Its been discussed on larry king, ellen, oprah, today and nightline. They can skim your book and make sure its good enough to recommend, and write something catchy and simple in just 5 minutes. Gratitude thinking about what is good in my life puts me in a much happier mood than thinking. Good devotional writing says, walk with me a few minutes.
A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and quills. Im often asked to write blurbs for books that i edit or proofread. Hyperbole in a blurb is actually a good thing if used wisely. Here are four steps for writing a blurb to boost your books success. Ten things you need to know about writing your book blurb whitefox. In 2006, a groundbreaking featurelength film revealed the great mystery of the universethe secretand, later that year, rhonda byrne followed with a book that became a worldwide bestseller. The secret river is a 2005 historical novel by kate grenville about an early 19thcentury englishman transported to australia for theft. That oneliner can also be placed on the front cover of your book.
The book is influenced by wallace wattles 1910 book, the science of getting rich, which byrne received from her daughter during a time of personal trauma, in 2004. Secondly, introducing the protagonist in a way that creates intrigue without delving into details. Your book blurb aka online description, like your dating profile. Make it so droolworthy that everybody will want to buy a copy of your book. How to write an intriguing book blurb by lindsay redifer better. The secret is split up into different sections and explains how you can utilise the law of attraction into every aspect your life. When advertisers create copy, the idea is to ensure that 1 the reader can identify with everything in the ad, 2 that they clearly understand the benefits being presented and 3 that. How to write a fiction book cover blurb that can make your. A good blurb formula for nonfiction books imagine looking forward to actively enjoying the outdoors with energy to spare being able to wear everything, even. Writing devotionals for teens is not the same as writing for seniors. May 02, 2017 each new book you write will need endorsements from fresh authors so its a chore you can look forward to again and again. But once again mary is neglected and left to her own devices. Jan 14, 2019 what works best for me is to write a partial blurb at each major milestone during the drafting stage. But dont give up your secrets and all the fun stuff.
However, because the blurb is marketing material, it needs to stand alone as a story. Youve snagged a prospective date by your alluring cover, so now youve got to show theres more than just surface appeal. A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and. The story explores what might have happened when europeans colonised land already inhabited by aboriginal people.
Find out how to write a blurb for your next novel to intrigue and entice your readers. So if you have books out there that arent selling, consider giving them a second wind and have a professional optimize the metadata for you. Great blurb examples for books a guide for nonfiction authors. A cholera epidemic kills her parents and she is sent to england to live with a wealthy uncle. But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb is what will sell your book and convert readers. It is based on the belief of the law of attraction, which claims that thoughts can change a persons life directly. Use the best of what youve learned when crafting your blurb. To each genre their own, one thing to keep in mind when it comes to writing book blurbs. Great blurb examples for books a guide for nonfiction. The secret is now a modern classic and has a lot to offer for stress relief, but. Pulitzerwinning novelist viet thanh nguyen would have preferred that his forthcoming book, the committed, have no praiseladen blurbs at all, he says.
The secret contains wisdom from modernday teachers men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. This is not the time for passive language and narrative filtering, abundant adverbs and adjectives, weak verbs, and snoozy syntax. Here is an example of a shout line, taken from one of my own books. New writers might think blurbs come from interested, wellwishing, famous authors who have gotten their hands on a book early and who are rushing in to exclaim that eureka, a new star is born. The secret, which discusses the law of attraction and how to use it in your life, rose to the top of many bestseller lists and inspired offshoots like the secret gratitude book, the secret daytoday calendar, and its own official website. Demonstrate your command of language and enduring pledge to suck readers in. Aug 15, 2018 a blurb is a short description of a book used for promotional purposes but this blobby word is often shorthand for a book endorsement from another author. Nov 04, 2019 why you need the perfect book blurb and how to write it november 4, 2019 welcome back to my occasional series on marketing your book. Then, and only then, write the manuscript that fulfills the promise.
By applying the knowledge of the secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible. I have come to really love melissa keils writing and i was eagerly awaiting the release of this, her latest title. She says, i was inspired to write the little story blurb up above when reading about how story is important for communicating in a book written by alan alda. Then, write 12 additional sentences that explain the plot of the story in a general way. There is a formula to blurb writing that works every time.
The name of this book is secret the secret series, book 1. View it here as youll recall from our previous blog post, the second thing that sells a reader on your book is the cover copyyour book description you may have the best hook on the first page of your book, the first sentence evenbut what if no one. Ten reasons why we love donna tartts the secret history. Your book s unique personality is the secret ingredient in your blurb recipe. Keep the writing so simple the reader can understand it during a quick scan, without needing to think. In this post, three publishing editors have shared their secret behind writing the best blurb for your novel. Tenyear old mary lennox was born in india to wealthy british parents who left her upbringing to their servants. How to write a nonfiction book cover blurb that sells. Get the best blurb for your book career authors write. How to write a book blurb that sells with examples reedsy blog. Each added name actually makes your blurb less interesting. A good blurb formula for nonfiction books in order to create a good blurb, you need to follow a wellestablished formula borrowed from the world of advertising.
You absolutely cannot do this if you have an entire cast of characters in your blurb. So here are the simple, secret rules to writing a blurb for book two or twohundred. Optimizing your blurb for amazon and other online retailers. Your blurb is a sales page that should be designed to make readers buy and read your book. Lets look at how to make your nonfiction cover blurb sell your book. The book has sold 30 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 50 languages. If this leads to a good deal of ranting, it is because the author feels genuine anger and passion about the problems.
The 5 core elements of a book blurb and why you should know. Author rhonda byrne, like each of us, has been on her own journey of discovery. Ten things you need to know about writing your book blurb. The dos and donts of how to write a blurb for your novel. Compare yourself to other writers or your book to other books. Buy, sell and share photography books, wedding albums, portfolios and more. Most are blissfully unaware that piraeus is in fact an entryway into greeces best kept secretthe athens riviera. She excels at maths and calculations, but struggles with social situations. View it here as youll recall from our previous blog post, the second thing that sells a reader on your book is the cover copyyour book description. Here are the top ten tips we believe to be the most essential to crafting a book description that sells. Either fortunately or unfortunately, theres no single correct way. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more.
Parents need to know that frances hodgson burnetts the secret garden is a beautifully written book about two selfish, disagreeable english cousins mary and colin whose lives and dispositions are transformed when they find their way into a locked, walled garden. Generally speaking i think thats a good thing, but when youre writing a blurb, you need to use a different register. Focus on the core dilemma the main character faces. People are like sea glass, the longer and harder they are tossed around, the more beautiful they are. I want to show you how to write an irresistible book blurb to sell your book. When you introduce your hero in your blurb, you want to accomplish two things. Twelve top tips for writing an academic book blurb helen. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more blurb. Blurb definition, a brief advertisement or announcement, especially a laudatory one. This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only. To begin writing a book, first create an outline that clearly lays out the beginning, middle and end, including chapter breaks if possible. Jun 24, 2020 when you need to write a blurb for a movie, book, or other project, start by writing a clever and catchy hook that introduces some of the characters and setting of the topic. Before you begin, start a collection of what you consider the best book blurbs for your category.
Though they vary in content depending on a storys genre or writing style, there is a simple structure that underpins 99% of successful book blurbs. Youre looking for the stuff that stimulates a strong emotional response in you for. Although your anecdotes and illustrations should be drawn from your life, the lesson should always be drawn from scripture. Never copy and paste, always write it fresh in a new document or just put it in the first draft. How to get blurbs for your book from famous authors. Who better to tell us what makes a good blurb than those whose business is selling books, i. Twelve top tips for writing an academic book blurb helen kara. Each day, start to begin writing a book, first create an outline that clearly lays out the beginning. On the official blog of penguin books uk, copywriters colin brush, sarah kettle, madeleine collinge, louise willder and helen williams tell us how they go about writing jacketcopy for the multitude of books they publish. Sharon crosby, a blurb coach, wrote a blurb about the authors struggle with blurbs. To order presentationready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers visit.
How to write a blurb, pitch or synopsis for your novel or book. How to write the perfect blurb examples, formula, opening. While theres no perfect formula for writing the best blurb for your novel, there are some patterns worth noting. Its a great challenge for a writer how do i boil down this complex, beautiful story into a description. Amazon, in case you hadnt noticed, is rather good at data, and if their publishing arm favours a very trimmeddown version of the book description, it clearly works for them. Worse than the cover, worse than the writing in the book itself, there are a lot of blurbs on amazon that are pretty near atrocious. It can be difficult to get this right, thats why writing a short synopsis of power is here to help you.
Check out our examples of blurbs, and the dos, and donts to help you craft. This book wasnt what prompted me to rewrite my blurb, though. Your primary goal is to make the reader want to know more. Take note of what appeals to you, what puts you off, and in. How to write a book blurb by far, the weakest part of many selfpublished books is the synopsis found on amazon and elsewhere. Twelve top tips for writing an academic book blurb impact.
Are you an advisor whos thought about writing a book. Jun 11, 20 the blurb is the short description on the back of the book. That way youll focus on new ideas, not worrying about where the commas go. Chances are, you will write a better book if you let the blurb guide you. How to write a great blurb for your selfpublished novel. This practice can be a great way to start your blurb literally the opening line, or step one in the snowflake method used to craft your book description. Many authors find that one of the hardest parts of writing a book, is cramming their 80,000word novel into a descriptive 250word blurb. By turns eyeopening, damning and hilarious, the secret barrister lifts the lid on a legal system where the system, the politicians, the lack of funding and sometimes the judges are the real villains and the victims are all of us tim shipman, author of fall out and all out war the secret barrister can write.
The secret barrister is packed with information and detail and a forceful argument is sustained throughout the book. Why you need the perfect book blurb and how to write it. The blurb is often referred to as a synopsis or simply book description. Many people have found it to provide significant relief from stress in that it can provide the reader with more of an internal locus of control, positive attitude, and clarification of goals.
Friendship and the restorative powers of nature help the children gain good spirits and health. There is a big difference between writing a cover blurb for a novel and writing one for nonfiction. In 2006, a groundbreaking featurelength film revealed the great mystery of the universethe secret and, later that year, rhonda byrne followed with a book that became a worldwide bestseller. If you think you have a book inside you, this is what you need to know.
What works best for me is to write a partial blurb at each major milestone during the drafting stage. Your blurb is going to feel overly dramatic, but thats the point. It needs to establish what sort of tale one finds in these books, and should clearly say i belong with other books while being enticing enough on its own. If you have a story youre itching to tell but dont feel confident in your writing, check out this guide to improving your writing. To each genre their own, one thing to keep in mind when it comes to writing book. If youre an entrepreneur who has been through the ringer in life or business and willing to share, selfpublishing can be powerful.
The secret was released as a film in march 2006, and later the same year as a book. Read the series thats sold more than 2 million copiesif you dare. Firstly, highlighting your success in the bookwriting world. The book introduced many people to the concept that their thoughts may influence not only their actions but the experiences that they.
1004 1519 362 866 67 434 972 9 1072 604 1670 1287 1335 1224 1217 664 1651 29 1685 1037 432 945 685 1094 1487 929 865 4 66 1223 302 11 1600 507 521 1622 1148 1035 821