If you plan to self-publish, part of your job will be to nail your blurb and sell more books! Second to your cover, the blurb is one of the first things your potential readers will notice and use to determine whether they want to read your book, making it vital to your sales.
The blurb, also known as jacket copy, is the description that goes on the back of your book and on the sales websites, letting your potential readers know what your book is about. Many writers often consider writing the blurb to be even harder than writing the actual novel. Your goal is to limit yourself to a tiny picture of what your book is actually about in an intriguing and attention-grabbing way. You are attempting to pique your reader’s interest enough that they purchase your book and read it from cover to cover.
Essentially, this is your elevator pitch. You only have a second or two to grab a reader’s attention and draw them in. If you manage to do that, then you must maintain their interest and hopefully convince them to click the “Buy Now” button.
What Works & What Doesn’t Work
In her book Blueprint for a Book, Jennie Nash provides a list of what works and what doesn’t work when writing your blurb. Here it is, verbatim:
What Works
- Snappy language that entices the reader
- Some context for what the book’s world is going to be (where/when is it set?)
- A clear sense of what the reader is going to get in the pages: conflict, stakes
- Potentially a bit about why you’re the right person to give it to them—if, say, you are a veterinarian writing a novel about dogs or a historian writing a novel that touches on your area of scholarship
- Approximately 250 words
What Doesn’t Work
- Vague language
- A hit parade of every little plot point or detail
- A full biography of the author
- Anything too long—it’s copy on the back of the book; you don’t have room to go on and on
Nash also suggests reading the blurbs of your favorite books for inspiration; using a clever tagline; and mentioning your protagonist(s), setting, major conflict, and the stakes involved.
Two Rules for Writing the Perfect Blurb
According to Reedsy, There are the two main rules to drawing in your potential readers and convincing them to buy your book:
1. Be concise! Ideally, a blurb should only be about two or three paragraphs, consisting of 150 to 300 words.
2. Follow the proven formula! Hook –> Synopsis –> Selling Paragraph –> Call to Action
The Proven Formula
Let’s take a closer look at that formula mentioned in rule #2.
Hook
Will Rogers once said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” If you can’t hook your reader from the very beginning, they are going to place your book back on the shelf and move on. This means the first three sentences of your blurb, also known as the hook, are the most important.
For your hook, focus on one main conflict or takeaway of your book. (Hint: in fiction, it’s usually death, love, or enlightenment; in nonfiction, it’s what you are trying to teach to the reader.)
Write your hook using one to three sentences, then rewrite multiple versions of it until you have the best one. The final result might end up being a mix and match of different versions.
Synopsis
For fiction, focus this part on the emotions of your character, making them relatable. What defines your protagonist? What are they going through? Be willing to sacrifice detail for flow (you don’t want to give away all your secrets), use transitions to keep the momentum going, and vary your sentence length to increase the energy and build intrigue.
For nonfiction, use this section to establish that you are an expert on the subject and explain some of the things the reader can expect to learn.
For both nonfiction and fiction, raise the stakes, use cliffhangers, and end with a bang so the reader is left wanting more.
Selling Paragraph
This is your closing argument. Why should the reader buy your book out of all the others out there? Your selling paragraph should consist of no more than two sentences that:
1) mention the genre (and the series, if applicable);
2) use pertinent adjectives to describe your book (think awe-inspiring, cerebral, daring, dangerous, edgy, insightful, inventive, light-hearted, magical, meaningful, moving, mysterious, paradoxical, passionate, powerful, spiritual, suspenseful, sweet, thought-provoking, thrilling, timeless, unforgettable, well-crafted, widely acclaimed, etc.);
3) are praiseworthy of yourself as the author (yes, this is important too!)
I’m going to talk briefly about this last point because many people struggle to speak positively about themselves and their accolades. Well, buckle up, buttercup, because you have to sell yourself just as much as your book. Present yourself as a confident boss (even if you don’t feel this way . . . yet). The more you speak about yourself in this manner, the more you will start to believe it, manifesting it into truth.
In addition, be sure to write this part in the third person, as though your publisher wrote it on your behalf. In so doing, your book will appear more professional, lending further credibility to the subject matter and your skills in the craft of writing, and ultimately selling more books! As a bonus, writing about yourself in the third person will help you take a step back and really see your own accomplishments. Be bold. You’ve earned it.
Call to Action
This is your final plea for the reader to buy your book. Use buzzwords such as buy, unlock, discover, explore, today, etc. Literally tell your reader to buy your book, but do so in a kind and professional manner.
Sample Blurbs
I’ve included four sample blurbs below—two fiction and two nonfiction. Horse Cents is my own book, while the other three were written by my clients. Click any of the covers to purchase your copy!
Horse Cents
(fiction: children’s chapter book with a lesson)
Horse Cents is the story of a young filly named Clover who likes to spend her allowance money as soon as she earns it.
One day, Clover grows bored of the items she can afford with her weekly allowance and dreams of something more extravagant, like sparkly horseshoes! Mom and Dad encourage Clover to save her money by opening her very own savings account at the Golden Saddlebags Bank, but Clover doesn’t like the idea of waiting to get something new.
Will Clover learn the value of saving her money? Find out in Horse Cents!
Houston in September
(fiction: contemporary romantic comedy)
Widowed at the young age of thirty, a heartbroken Emilia Patric throws herself into her career. Five years after the death of her husband, the self-made billionaire business mogul is lonely even in her success. She flies into the city where her late husband proposed to launch a foundation, determined to make good on a promise to help others.
Meanwhile, Vincenzo Eton struggles to get his family business out of the crosshairs of another company. With the recent loss of his father and a wayward brother constantly stirring the pot, the stakes have never been higher. Recently divorced, love is the last thing on his mind… Until one September day in Houston when a series of unfortunate events brings Emilia into his life.
Neither is prepared to give their heart away, but Houston has made other plans. A single sweet kiss sets their future in motion, but not without a few bumps along the way.
Be sure to get your copy of Houston in September while it’s still hot!
Make God Famous: How to Go from Villain to Superhero to Beyond Your Best Self
(nonfiction: Christian self-help/inspirational)
Have ever you lost your motivation or struggled to get started? Maybe you wish you had more strength, energy, and resources to help more people with your God-given gift. Do you believe that you were destined for more, but never felt encouraged to do so? You just might be your own villain.
In this self-help inspirational, encouraging, and action-oriented book, Joe Moss presents steps to take you from villain to superhero to beyond your best self so you can use your God-given talent to help others by making God famous.
In this book, you will learn how to:
- Take Baby Steps: Don’t overwhelm yourself with the big picture. Break down your goals into smaller, more achievable, and longer-lasting chunks.
- Go Beyond the Beyond: You are representing a cause much larger that yourself.
- Do Your Part: God does the super, but you have to do the natural.
- Get In Line: Everyone starts at the back of the line, but you’ve got to get in it to reach the front. Make sure you are getting in the right line by listening for God’s guidance.
- Hire an Excellent Coach: Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready every time.
- Make God Famous: Use your gift for God’s glory and allow Him to stretch you outside of your comfort zone.
In his debut book, Moss gives us insight into pivoting from the villain of your own story into the superhero of everyone we come in contact with by using God’s help. Filled with inspiring anecdotes and motivational lessons, this method will show you that you can make that change for the better and make a difference in the world! Grab your copy to get started on your superhero journey today!
Balance: The Meno-Positive Chick’s Guide to Creating a Balanced Life
(nonfiction: nutritional self-help)
Do you see other people talking about having a balanced life and wish you could have it too? What if you could enjoy your food without feeling guilty? Balance: The Meno-Positive Chick’s Guide to Creating a Balanced Life is the comprehensive guide that will show you how to achieve your goals to live a healthier life.
In this book, you will learn how to:
- Have a healthy relationship with food and stop the dieting madness.
- Turn back the hands of time without using potions and lotions.
- Sleep better, recharge your batteries, and have the energy you need to enjoy life.
- Create and maintain a healthy relationship with food for your mental and physical well-being.
- Take easy steps to find the calm within—even when you’re feeling frazzled.
- Cook simple, scrumptious recipes that are healthy! That’s right, Gaetz has included over 40 recipes that are low in salt, fat, and sugar while still being full of flavor.
Balance is for anyone who is looking for effective and simple ways to take control of their diet. You will enjoy the recipes Gaetz has meticulously studied, tested, and tried so all you have to do is follow the simple instructions for healthy and appetizing meals. Purchase your copy today so you can get started living a healthier lifestyle without losing the flavors you crave.
Final Notes
Remember to take your time and really give your blurb the attention it deserves. It should excite you as the author just as much as your potential readers. Spend a month on it, longer if necessary. Write it, set it down, and return to it a week later with fresh eyes. If you were to read this blurb in a bookstore, would it make you want to buy the book?
I hope this has helped the blurb writing process seem a little less daunting. If you need further assistance with this part of your publishing journey, you can check out the Reedsy video with Bryan Cohen on this very topic (about 50 minutes) and download my Fiction Blurb Writing Toolkit that helps to take you step by step through the process (linked below). I’m also happy to take a look at your blurb and help polish it up after we’ve edited your manuscript.
Good luck!
Red Quill Editorial LLC
Think you might be ready for an editor? If you’re unsure what type of editing you need, want to know how much it might cost, or simply have a question for me, Let’s Discuss Your Manuscript! I offer discounts, a payment plan option, and value adds.