I used this guide this week to write a blurb for a client and it worked a charm. If youre just not sure how to write that important copy, polly letofsky of my word publishing has a nifty little guide for you. Find out the 4 biggest nonfiction topics to write about, and what else you need to write a bestselling book. If you get these right, and if youre story is any good, you will have to delve with only a small minority of enraged readers. Overview of creative nonfiction purdue writing lab. If you plan to selfpublish your nonfiction book, the most important thing you will ever write is the cover blurb for your book. Nov 15, 2019 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. Do you want to write a nonfiction book but dont know whe. How to write a blurb for your nonfiction book determine your market. If youve just written a selfhelp book that focuses on time management. The pieces can vary greatly in length, just as fiction can. I struggled with how to start, where to start, and what to write. At the end well deconstruct blurb examples for books in seven bestselling nonfiction categories on amazon.
My 4step process for writing a nonfiction book blurb that sells 1. This website and its content is subject to our terms and conditions. For me, writing a blurb about my latest book s takes me only minutes, but that is after mulling over and thinking about it for hours and even days at times. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading how to write a blurb or book description for fiction and nonfiction titles. Writing nonfiction proposals when writing nonfiction, the key is to write a proposal and a sample chapter or two and get a publishing contract before youve finished the manuscript. The blurb is often referred to as a synopsis or simply book description. It can be a daunting task, so heres pins giving you a step by step approach for creating your fiction or nonfiction book blurb. The front cover has a critical role to play, of course, but todays post is about the strategic use of the back cover. Your potential reader needs to know with a quick skim what kind of book this is. How to write a nonfiction book cover blurb that sells. I have seen nonfiction blurbs that are more about the author than the content of the book and i have seen fiction blurbs that are a synopsis of the story and even tell the reader the ending. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more. Your blurb is not a plot summary, a vague overview of the themes, or the backstory of how you came to write your book.
How to write back cover blurb for your non fiction book publishing your book, resources some people argue that the front covers job is to sell the back cover and the back cover should sell the flap. Writing a book blurb is harder than you think, and is an excellent way of getting yourself noticed. How to write a blurb for your novel peter reys blog. Writing memoir and writing for therapy creative nonfiction. The truth is, a synopsis for a nonfiction book is as important as one for fiction. Writing the book description is a rather daunting task, which is why many authors would rather avoid it.
Are you ready to write the book description for your back coveryour blurb for a book of nonfiction but dont know where to start. Print as you go sell one copy at a time and let blurb fulfill the orders or place a large order and sell inperson. If youd rather have someone else write you an amazing blurb then let us know, but if you want to write your own. For how to write non fiction, it was obvious that i needed a section on before you write, then one on the actual writing, then publishing and then marketing. How are you supposed to condense an entire novel into a few lines or paragraphs. How writers can optimize their books description on amazon. This is because writers dont really understand what a blurb is meant to do. How to write a blurb or book description for fiction and nonfiction titles kindle edition by alison penn. Jan 18, 2014 not having read author trish nicholsons published work, i cant speak for her prowess as an author, but i can say that writing your nonfiction book is a superb collection of everything one needs to know about writing from defining your subject through to marketing the finished product. The book blurb s main purpose is to lure readers in and captivate them enough to buy the book. Now that the reader knows you truly understand their. How to write a back cover blurb for nonfiction pages. Jun 12, 2015 the back cover book blurb can be the hardest part as an author condensing your book into a few, short paragraphs in a way that makes your book impossible to overlook.
To each genre their own, one thing to keep in mind when it comes to writing book. But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb is what will sell your bookand convert readers. Many writers find writing book blurbs really difficult. The only tip on writing the actual book is eating protein shakes, running around the house and writing 24 hours a day.
My 4step process for writing a nonfiction book blurb that. Here, the author is using her own personal journey as a reflection of. Youll also find some useful links to websites with further information. Figure 1 shows that the reflective thinking process starts with. How to write the perfect blurb examples, formula, opening. Once youve taken in all of the above and gotten a feel for the promise you want to make to the reader, use the outlines below to write your book cover blurb. How to write a blurb for your nonfiction book following the article how to write a blurb for your fiction book is writing a blurb for a non fiction book. How to write a blurb or book description for fiction and. In this post, we tell you how to write a book blurb in five easy steps. Your book blurb must be wellwritten to get a readers attention. A reflective essay is a type of essay that requires you to analyze your own ideas, experiences, and insights and then put them together in writing. Downeys story, selected from nearly 400 submissions, is a reflection on weeks she spent substitute teaching english in the tense atmosphere caused by the escape of two dangerous. But im here to make it easier with these simple tips.
Feb 16, 2017 so you want to write a nonfiction book a few tips for those writers intimidated by the idea of writing something that contains many pages and a spine. Writing the perfect introduction for your nonfiction book. Most commercial nonfiction books are between 60,00080,000 words. As i mentioned in the previous article, is that this incredibly important aspect to the book, is often overlooked and left to the last minute. For a lot of firsttime authors, i think theres an instinct to make sure readers understand everything that happened in the books universe before the beginning of the actual story.
If youre looking for great nonfiction book blurb examples, youve come to the right place. Writing creative nonfiction by carolyn forche goodreads. So you want to write a nonfiction book the washington post. Because of the short length, writing a book blurb can be difficult. How to write a blurb back cover copy marilynn byerly. Writing a book blurb for your back cover, and other promotional uses, is one of the hardest steps for many authors. Great blurb examples for nonfiction books cascadia author services. A fiction book blurb, on the other hand, should convey atmosphere, specify its genre, and indicate what kind of book it is massmarket or literary fiction. Its important to keep in mind that the blurb must hook the reader, while not giving away any spoilers. When i purchased the book and according to the description, this book is supposed to show you how to write nonfiction.
That is a clear linear progression for this book and your journey as an author. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents. She took my poetry samples and current book blurb and wrote something amazing. How to write a book blurb in 4 steps the opening of your blurb has to be incredibly precise and dynamic, says editor rebecca heyman. These four points are the most important to keep in mind on how to write a blurb. See more ideas about writing, writing a book and nonfiction books. Your memoir should be written as if the entire book is a snapshot of.
The back cover copy of your book is your sales pitch to prospective readers and book buyers. How to write a blurb for your nonfiction book self. Youre asking your target to invest time into reading and commenting on your manuscript. There is a big difference between writing a cover blurb for a novel and writing a cover blurb for non. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. To learn more about writing a non fiction blurb, check out our guide to creating the back of a book. If youre unclear on how a blurb should read, take a look at the backs of some books produced by traditional publishers. How to write an effective blurb for a selfpublished book dee van dyk says. How to write a great nonfiction book blurb from polly letofsky of my word publishing. How to write a book blurb stand back and hover above. Tes global ltd is registered in england company no 02017289 with its registered office at 26 red lion square london wc1r 4hq. This is my second time working with authoreva and she has given me another outstanding experience. Writing a short book blurb is not only fun, but great practice for writing promotional copy of any kind. A year and a half into my undergraduate studies, my boyfriend matthew committed suicide, which threw a wrench into the straight line id envisioned my college life would follow.
Find all the books, read about the author, and more. If youre writing a more straightforward nonfiction book, such as a history or a howto, you also may want to start out with a story or anecdote to draw readers in. The process for writing a fiction and nonfiction book summaries is. A reflective essay and a memoir are two pieces of nonfiction writing that can be easily mistaken for each other, if you are not familiar with their differences. Heres how to write a non fiction book cover blurb that can really sell your book. Book cover express advises that on print books, there should only be 250300 words. How to write a nonfiction book synopsis pen and the pad. A non fiction book blurb should give a quick indication of the credentials of the author, which readers it is written for and why they need it. Writing about nonfiction books tip sheet butte college.
Fox emm shares how to write an effective book blurb for your memoir, or any piece of writing. This article gives you simple steps to follow to write a book blurb, and gives examples of both fiction and non fiction back cover blurbs. It includes information on writing memoir, biography, shorter essays and longer works. Sep 12, 2018 how to write a book blurb in 4 steps the opening of your blurb has to be incredibly precise and dynamic, says editor rebecca heyman. But then, your introduction should set up a clear explanation of your objective for writing this book and why readers should care. Reflective essay example on the novel to kill a mockingbird. Discover how to write a nonfiction book and suggested practices for success. So here are seven elements you should consider before writing your non fiction blurb.
Are you even sure you know what a back cover blurb is, what its supposed to do for you. When writing a novel, there are few selling tools as important as a solidly written book blurb. That may seem obvious for novels, but what of works of nonfiction. In this article, youll find out why blurbs are critical to the success of your book sales and youll learn how to craft the perfect blurb. However, this task typically comes just when youre at your least able. Dont expect someone to write a blurb about an unsold or unfinished manuscript unless he knows your prior work well. Your blurb will be an important part of your marketing. If youre looking for great nonfiction book blurb examples, youve come to the right. A book blurb should be a fair representation of the style of the book. I transferred schools before dropping out and then floated around for a while. Teaching, writing, and reflecting creative nonfiction. I find it much easier to write my blurb after thinking about it at length, not while still deciding what to say. Downeys story, selected from nearly 400 submissions, is a reflection on weeks she spent substitute teaching english in the tense. How to write a blurb for your nonfiction book blurb blog.
Most good blurbs follow a specific structurethey have three essential elements, and theyre usually in this order. Understanding the differences between the two types of nonfiction prose is crucial to beginning writers. What exactly will readers take away from your book. For all intents and purposes, your publisher has written this. How to write an effective blurb for a selfpublished book. How to write a blurb, back cover copy or sales description. Oct 04, 20 an easytofollow, practical guide to writing the best blurb to sell your selfpublished book, provided by ya author sarah juckes of completelynovel. Write an effective blurb for a nonfiction book proof. Apr 15, 2017 reflective essay example on the novel to kill a mockingbird what is a reflective essay. Sometimes coming up with the right words for a book blurb can be more stressful. How to write a nonfiction book with pictures wikihow. If youve just written a selfhelp book that focuses on time management and ways to be more efficient, youll want to look at similar books.
How to write a fiction book cover blurb that can make your. Then, write 12 additional sentences that explain the plot of the story in a general way. How to write a book summary, stepbystep w templates. Its safe to say that a wellwritten blurb is absolutely essential to your poetry books overall success and reputation. If this is your first time writing, books are measured in wordcount because page formats differ. Jan 12, 2016 how writers can optimize their books description on amazon jane friedman if youre an author, you may not like thinking about your published books as products, but thats what they are. Make sure you supply me with a general synopsis as well. A short, practical guide to techniques and styles of blurb writing. How to write a blurb, back cover copy or sales description for your book that converts im working through the material for my next course, guerrilla publishing, but this part is. Have you started writing your blurb and gotten stuck. For general instructions on how to apply for financial aid, please visit the office of undergraduate financial aid website.
Youre shooting for a nonfiction book thats industry standard size. Make your portfolio book with our professionallydesigned portfolio templates or create custom layouts. The back page of your book is the next thing your buyer will see after picking it up from the shelf, so having a blurb which sells is just as important as having a great book cover design. A blurb is a short summary of a books contents, usually displayed on the back. How to write an irresistible book blurb in 5 easy steps. It can be a daunting task, so heres pins giving you a step by step approach for creating your fiction or non fiction book blurb. Apr 15, 2020 write and publish your nonfiction book whether you dream of becoming a fulltime author, writing books to advance your career, or penning your memoir or family history, this fun and informationpacked course will teach you how to plan, research, write, edit, and publish your masterpiece. Print 1 or 1,000 print one portfolio book at a time or print in volume with offset for deeper discounts and a lower per unit cost. Many non fiction descriptions do this by listing the topics covered with bullet points such as the amazon page for the 4hour workweek by timothy ferriss.
In the not too distant past, book blurbs needed to be written specifically for. For a lot of firsttime authors, i think theres an instinct to make sure readers understand everything that happened in the book s universe before the beginning of the actual story. The back cover of your as yet unwritten book can help you write a better book, and write it faster, too. Make it so droolworthy that everybody will want to buy a copy of your book. As an example, heres a reflective passage from elizabeth gilberts. Chances are, you will write a better book if you let the blurb guide you. If you are looking for someone to write a fresh blurb for your poetry book, you must hire her. To write a blurb for your book, youll need to know their basic structure. Yes, its still difficult and yes, its much harder to do for your own work, but it is possible. This article gives you simple steps to follow to write a book blurb, and gives examples of both fiction and nonfiction back cover blurbs. 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. To write a good blurb, you have to make it short and exciting, yet relevant. There is neither a right nor a wrong way of reflective thinking, there are just questions to explore.
Sell your book in the blurb bookstore, through amazon, or in the global retail network of over 38,000 retailers, libraries, and schools. How to write a catchy backcover blurb that sells 2020. In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling. While fiction writers are often required by publishers to submit a synopsis of their manuscripts, many nonfiction writers often dont think about writing synopses for their books. Aug 07, 2016 a blurb written in the same tone of the book is a blurb that makes sure perspective readers get what they want. Oct 16, 2014 writing the blurb for your selfpublished book is one of the privileges of being an indie author. Here are the top ten tips we believe to be the most essential to crafting a book description that sells. Being able to write a good blurb for your book is an important skill to have, whether.
If youd like for me to read the entire book instead of just. Then, and only then, write the manuscript that fulfills the promise. But there are a few tricks to making your blurb a successful part of your books marketing. However, nonfiction only works if the story is based in truth, an accurate retelling of the authors life experiences. And the description section on your books product page is the most important selling tool you have. To each genre their own, one thing to keep in mind when it comes to writing book blurbs. To help prevent you from falling into this unfortunate group, weve put together a few tips that should help you write a winning book blurb, whether its for the latest fantasy novel or for a non fiction selfhelp guide.
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