Dont squander this moment by going into a blow by blow of what happens in your book. Amazon complains of invisible characters if when you go to publish your book description, and amazon says no and responds with something like description may not contain invisible characters this means that there are some tags that dont have anything. After the title and the book cover, your description is the most important book marketing material. Back cover book description come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and i will give you rest matt. Dont give away anything that adds to the suspense or surprise. You already know that, in fact, everyone does judge a book by its cover. But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb is what will sell your bookand convert readers. Learn more about timelines for updates to published books. Aug 14, 2017 in the last lines of his backcover, albom is strategic by proposing a question was it a heroic success of devastating failure. 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. Here are some additional tips for how to write a book description for a nonfiction book. If youre stuck for ideas, research the back cover or inner dust jacket flap of books in your genre. A blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes.
They are aching for a bold challengeone that will bring rest to their longing souls. Sep 12, 2018 a blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes. Create a definite, confident voice for your back cover. Nov 23, 2015 write a short summary of what your book is about. The back cover copy you write for your book is among the most important marketing messages youll craft. The back cover often contains biographical matter about the author or editor, and quotes from other sources praising the book. Not only will it appear on the book itself, but youll probably use it as your amazon description. Summary and synopsis are also used but, in my experience, are used only in. Write your own back cover copy and share it in the discussion section for other column readers to give feedback.
Childrens book cover art what goes on the front and. The backcover copy also functions as the primary ad for your book. Its crucial it be compelling, because readers make buying decisions from the book description. Childrens book cover art what goes on the front and back.
For nonfiction, establishing yourself as an expert and differentiating your book from the others written about the same. What do you call the story description on the back cover of a. Tips for writing compelling back cover copy blogger. Nonfiction books have slightly different descriptions that fiction books. Punctuation or grammar goofs in this highly visible spot broadcast the message that your book was not professionally written.
Although it should give a broad overview of the story, it should never contain spoilers for the book. So really the question we have to ask folks, is does a book cover sell a book. Not to mention, once your book arrives, the back layout can color readers expectations as much as the front cover. But once that reader picks up your book and flips to your back cover, this is your chance to sell your book. Back cover definition and meaning collins english dictionary. How to write a back cover book synopsis pen and the pad. Most of the times, a book cover sells you on the idea of reading the back cover copy, or if youre on amazon or online, that description thats on the page. Amazon complains of invisible characters if when you go to publish your book description, and amazon says no and responds with something like description may not contain invisible characters this means that there are some tags that dont have anything in between the two. Get access to my full free amazon ads video course. In the words of renowned typographer jan tschichold 19021974, book design, though largely forgotten today, relies upon methods and rules upon which it is impossible to improve, and which have been. The third example shows how part of the back cover copy the author bio, in this case can show up on the inside flap of a hard cover book. So youve written your book, youve chosen your title and cover design, and youre breathing a sigh of relief. Jodie renner has published two books to date in her series, an editors guide to writing compelling fiction.
There are writers tolstoy and henry james to name two who. 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. Also on your back cover, youll include a description of your book. One of the most consistent and easily corrected mistakes i see with book covers that are designed by authors is weak or inappropriate typography. If its a novel, you must include the storys most engaging plot points. 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. In this guide, ill walk you through how to write a book description, provide you a template, and include. Its design matches the front endpaper and, in accordance with it, contains either plain paper or pattern, image etc. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell more. You haveat best150 to 200 words to work with, because thats all that will attractively fit on the back cover of most volumes.
Im a published novelist, and i participate in several writing groups and online communities. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. What is the description on the back of a book called. The back cover of a paperback should also include a headshot, your bio and your credentials if the work is academic or professional. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more. There are two metadata fields for your book description. Nov 18, 2016 im a published novelist, and i participate in several writing groups and online communities. Apr 11, 2010 this is what is on the back cover of the giver. These words, if written well, will hook the reader and convince them they need to buy your book. How to write a book description that will sell your book. Click the publish button at the bottom of the page. Book design is the art of incorporating the content, style, format, design, and sequence of the various components and elements of a book into a coherent unit. Depending on your topic, your writing should emanate authority, compassion, wisdom, insight, humor, suspense, intrigue, mystery, etc.
You also know that you have only two or three seconds to attract a potential reader with your front cover. When jonas turns twelve he is singled out to receive special training from the giver. Choose a voice for your back cover that matches your book and fuel it with emotion. In the last lines of his backcover, albom is strategic by proposing a question was it a heroic success of devastating failure. What is the summary written on the cover at the back of a. For fiction, this is your opportunity to introduce characters, setting, plot, and the overarching themes of the book, usually framed around the main characters driving goal throughout the story. A hard cover book is usually a book that has a hard cover. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents.
Their lives are full, but oddly, their souls are empty. Back cover copy also called flap copy is the text that goes on the. The book description, often overlooked as a means to drive traffic to your page, is also a great place to use keywords. 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. How to write your book sales description with bryan cohen.
Writers use the term blurb to describe the text on the back of the book. 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. Testimonials are incredibly persuasive in transforming potential readers into readers. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. On the inside of the back cover page, extending from the facing page before it, is the endpaper. A soft back book also known as a paperback however is very flimsy, and breaks easily. Let readers know what makes your book interesting, and give them a sense of what kind of book it is. Learn how back cover copy is a powerful sales pitch to hook potential readers. Given that a book cover usually has very few words on it, and those words title, subtitle, authors name have a huge influence on buying decisions, this can be a major problem. As paperback publishing developed, readers began seeing the blurb appearing on the back cover.
Why a books amazon description is actually a sales description and not a summary of the books narrative what writers get wrong in their book sales descriptions the most important aspects of fiction and nonfiction book descriptions, including the importance of taglines, adjectives and other descriptive words, and quotes. But there are parts that you can write at any stage of the process. Jun 07, 2018 the answer is to let the kdpcreatespace online cover creators worry about the spine and back cover while you upload a front cover only. 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. How to master your books amazon description an author stresses the value of book descriptions on amazon. They often include bullet points to outline the books goals and procedures and they talk more about the author than the book itself. Now you have to decide what goes on the back cover. Apr 02, 2015 use keywords in your amazon book description.
It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. How to design your books back cover ny book editors. Its the essence of your books most exciting features, distilled into a few hundred words. Heres a screenshot of this book, how to sell a truckload of books on amazon.
Correctly create a paperback book cover with kdpcreatespace. When defining a blurb its important to distinguish between a description blurb that you write. Anyone want to share your back cover copy or book description with us. Think of your back cover copy like a movie trailer, giving enough details to interest readers, but not so much to spoil their fun. Jul 28, 2017 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. 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. Nov 15, 20 it goes without saying that the cover of your book is key. How to build the back of a book cover with template. 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. If you dont have a print version of your book and its only sold online, everything in this article about back book blurbs can be applied to your book description in online listings. When you create copy for a brochure or back cover, you assume that every word will be. 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.
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. Now youre seeing why most authors find them so hard to write. Traditionally, it would be found on the inside back cover of a hardback. Oct 16, 2018 book descriptions not only tell readers what a book s about but help them find it online in the first place. Description entice readers with a summary of the story and characters. Two of the most common mistakes that nonfiction authors make in crafting their back cover is. It will get reused and refashioned for dozens of purposes. In a nutshell, its the 200 odd words on the back cover of your book that describes the book to the reader. The answer is to let the kdpcreatespace online cover creators worry about the spine and back cover while you upload a front cover only. It typically serves as the foundation for your online book descriptions, as well as any press releases or pitches you make to the media.
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. Your books cover copy is the firstand sometimes onlyopportunity. However, most books on amazon have the look inside feature, allowing the potential reader to view the back of the book before ordering. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell. Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio. A book description should draw the reader in, but authors tend to get too flowery with these. Endorsements work great for nonfiction covers as well. Just think, how many times have you picked up a book and read the description to see. The next step is grabbing the readers interest with a tempting back cover synopsis that leaves her guessing. If all of this sounds daunting, consider hiring an editor or marketing writer to help you craft your books backcover copy in the most compelling way possible. Generally, 150200 words are more than enough for a full blurb.
How do i cite descriptive copy or a quotation from a book. A book cover is any protective covering used to bind together the pages of a book. How to write a book description that sells with examples. Below are a few examples of back cover copy for fiction. People know you wrote this ad for the book, and if you write about. 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. For a nonfiction book, authors should make a bullet point list of the books main features and actually put that list on the back cover.
Nonfiction book back covers are a little different. Get tips for how to write a good book description and learn the difference between a long book description and a short book description. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells kindlepreneur. Book metadata may sound complicated, but it consists of all the information that describes your book, including.
Aug, 2015 in todays guest post, editor jessi rita hoffman explains how to craft professional and compelling backcover copy. The authors that do are usually the successful ones. What do you call the story description on the back cover. On the cover, the publisher calls viet thanh nguyens the sympathizer a sweeping epic of love and betrayal. But its not just any description as you have approximately 200 words depending on your font type to grab the reader. The back of a book cover is the perfect place to put this social proof.
Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites. What are some excellent back cover descriptions of books. Narayan there are writers tolstoy and henry james to name two who. If you like this video, please click on the thumbs up icon. 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. Writing a killer thriller and fire up your fiction, which has won two book awards so far and is a finalist for 3 more. Jul 05, 20 anyone want to share your back cover copy or book description with us.
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