Back of the book blurb requests

You are not familiar with the author, and considering the price, you decide not to buy it. Most run several paragraphs, but some publishers want them shorter or in a special format so be sure. As the author of the work you will be very close to your manuscript and getting feedback on your blurb will be helpful. Aug, 2015 put the bulleted list in the middle of the copy you write for your back cover. Sep 27, 2015 whatever the old adage might warn, there is a bit of merit to judging a book by its cover if only in one respect. Ive been a creative person all my life, and blurb is a dream come true.

A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. Their technical staff is obtuse and they use a biased color profile. You are using some of the credibility and status of the person giving the blurb, and reflecting it back on your book. Oct, 2014 they say you cant judge a book by its cover, thats true, but remember a book s cover includes the stuff on the back. How to get awesome book cover blurbs posted on february 26, 2020 by sandra beckwith 21 comments affiliate disclosure. Ive known the writer for years and its a local press, so i told them i could do it, if they sent it to me in april when i was between deadlines. A blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes. The art of the blurb request nelson literary agency. Writing a short book blurb is not only fun, but great practice for writing promotional copy of any kind. During this time youll be working on your next book andor other writing. So there are 1,000 photos id have to skim through while also looking back at my blog posts to see which photos go to which post. Forget the book, have you read this irresistible story on blurbs. If you only had 10 seconds to tell potential readers why they should buy. Nov 16, 2016 this process varies by author and experience level, of course, but for newer authors, you, your agent and your editor will likely collaborate to create and then divideandconquer a list of authors who might be willing to read and blurb your book, focusing on 1 those you have an existing connection to, however loose authors youve met at.

When you hear about authors being asked to blurb a book, its this endorsement theyve been asked to provide. Print as you go sell one copy at a time and let blurb fulfill the orders or. An author can read only so many books when they are not writing or doing. So just a couple of things to keep in mind if you are a writer requesting a blurb. The blurb requests that are seriously considered come from authors who include a heartfelt note as to why. Now you have to write copy for the back and, if you dont have a publisher that takes care of it, get some blurbs.

Daphne uvillers to ask for a blurb is to feel like a turd. Mar 21, 2011 bestselling authors are inundated with blurb requests and have little to gain from doing them. One way to write this primary reason is to present it as a question. Book blurbs are one of those things that many selfpublishers dont even realize are a thing because they are so fully integrated into the book reading process that we dont notice them until they arent there. Sarah pinneo is a novelist, food writer and book publicity specialist. Would you consider writing a short blurb for the back cover. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dust. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more. Please welcome back guest sonja yoerg to writer unboxed today. No need to gush, just let them know there is a rational basis for your request. Imagine you are in a bookstore browsing the shelves of a book to buy. Blurbs those short endorsements on the front and back of your novel.

You pick one up, read the back jacket and the authors biography. A sample letter for writers requesting a book endorsement. You are not familiar with the author, and considering the price, you. The intention is the same as a book blurb to pique the potential bossclients attention. Above the list, speak directly to the readers, and give them the primary reason why they should read your book. My stuff was completely wiped out including stuff ive purchased the company still selling some of my books it can be found by.

Oct 08, 2012 for further reading about blurb requests, see. The occult art of the poetry book blurb rachael mead. It is a quote from an established author, the purpose of which is to help promote the book at hand. As for his customers, if the blurb is by a favorite writer of theirs, it may have an influence. Ashiful haque, bogdan kinga and more people faved this. I wanted to print a photo book with blurb for a long time, and finally ordered my first blurb photo book in june 2014. I have been a long time user but they are unable to print photo books true to the original images.

In a way, getting blurbs is worse than everything that came before. Blurbs are the second most important selling tool you have for your book, so. Consider the blurb, one of the most pervasive, longestrunning and, at. One days blurb and blog requests this is just part of. I wish i could read all of whats sent to me, but im physically incapable of doing so. Dec 17, 2015 one person on twitter posted a photo of mr. Then you found someone interested in publishing it and edited the whole thing again.

Bestselling authors are inundated with blurb requests and have little to gain from doing them. The next book you pick up is the same price and is also written by someone you have never heard of. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. How to get awesome book cover blurbs build book buzz. You can also use this backup if you want to work on your book on a different computer, or share your book with a coauthor. Discover how to make an ebook with blurbs ebook creator software. Malcolm gladwell hands out book blurbs like santa does.

George orwell way back in 1936 credited the decline of the novel even then. Heres a sample letter for a writer who wants to request a book cover quote. The more credibility and social status the endorser holds, the more powerful the blurb. Forget the book, have you read this irresistible story on. Easily design and share an ebook for amazon kindle fire, apple ipad, android, and mac or pc computers. How to get incredible endorsements and blurbs for your book. The 5 core elements of a book blurb and why you should know. Nov 19, 2010 you pick up a book because the cover or title looks interesting. Back up, move, transfer, or share your booksmart books. Think of the book blurb not as an annoying step between you and self. Add comments for more like this author, back cover blurb, back cover copy, book, collection, compilation novel, how to write, novel, selfpublishing back cover blurb, selfpublishing compilation. How to get blurbs for your book from famous authors creativindie. 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. If you want a way to independently publish something youve created without going through a tedious.

When you hear about authors being asked to blurb a. You cant expect to write a fabulous blurb in an hour, it may take many rewrites before you feel the blurb hooks your reader in. After 2 years of great sales with some books getting max rating, some incompetent, moron\\s decided, that my content is forbidden,despite selling the same content for so long, it seems ppl running the place went facebook. How to write an effective blurb for a selfpublished book. Blurb is a basic service useable for basic book printing.

Look at samples go to amazon and click on the bestsellers in your genre. Back up, move, transfer, or share your booksmart books help. Their technical staff is obtuse and they use a biased. As i look back on those posts as well as ahead to my march 28, 2017 release. The blurb requests that are seriously considered come from authors who include a heartfelt note as to why they are making this request to this particular author. Its such a feelgood moment to do a service for a fellow author. This article gives you simple steps to follow to write a book blurb, and gives examples of both fiction and.

What no one tells you about page proofs, blurb requests. Ebook creator software easy online ebook maker blurb. The fine art of getting blurbs writing, book editing. As paperback publishing developed, readers began seeing the blurb appearing on the back cover. For you, the author, walking this fine line, and getting it right, means you have to have the utmost clarity on what youre writing. If you dont hear back from an author that you contact about a book. If you want a way to independently publish something youve created without going through a tedious, confusing process, being harassed by corporate employees who only want your money and dont care about your project, or losing authority over your work, blurb is the answer. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. In order to promote a book, the publishers printed a resume on the dust jacket. The curious history of book blurbs and why theyre still around. See also carolyn roybornsteins when the blurb is on the other foot. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents. Three publishing experts show you how to write a book blurb and optimize it. Book blurbs are one of those things that many selfpublishers dont even realize are a thing because they are so fully integrated into the book reading process that we dont notice them until they arent there blurbs short testimonials of the book and they are featured on the front and back covers of books.

A blurb generally doesnt sway me that i should bring a particular book into the store, but it does give me a feel for how a publisher is trying to position a book. Prominent writers can receive large volumes of blurb requests from aspiring authors. You can usually put up to three of them here, without crowding the back. A short book blurb from a fellow author could be your ticket to. When identifying potential sources to blurb your book, choose people who will matter to your audience. Traditionally, it would be found on the inside back cover of a hardback. But they didnt send me the book, and now my next deadline is upon me, and i cant read it and respond, even though i really. Even if they get a lot of blurb requests, saying yes isnt a huge time commitment. Vintage romantic tales of fright, i struggle with writing back cover copy, also known as, the blurb. Generally, 150200 words are more than enough for a full blurb. Blurb create, print, and sell professionalquality photo. How to write a book blurb that sells with examples reedsy blog. Instead, people pay attention to who gave the blurb, and judge your book based on the person endorsing it.

To trigger actual sales, your blurbs need to come from people your audience knows and. Jun 01, 2015 the occult art of the poetry book blurb on taking up writing it had not once occurred to me that one of the tasks of being a writer might be to come up with those concise, quippy phrases on the covers of books. Aug 04, 2009 a blurb is not the backjacket description of a book. What should be included in the back of the book blurb. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and. Blurbs are ideal to request from people in your network who are well known, important, or have. Blurb distinct from the back book cover blurb is this 12 line endorsement of a book by a celebrity or another author that sits on the books front cover. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites. We all found the social media aspect of this novel quite clever and it added a. If theres any doubt at all about your content or the path of the narrative, then youll struggle to write those few hundred words that make up your back cover blurb or online book description. Then ensure you incorporate them into your back book jacket blurb.

I dont think the average consumer buys a book strictly on the basis of a blurb. Sell your book in the blurb bookstore, through amazon, or in the global retail network of over 38,000 retailers, libraries, and schools. What no one tells you about page proofs, blurb requests and more. Blurbs short testimonials of the book and they are featured on the front and back covers of books. Please remember what it felt like to ask an author and deliver your blurb in a timely way. Just email them out of the blue and say, ive written a book. Before writing your back book blurb, choose 35 of the bestselling books in your genre and make a note of stylistic similarities. I wanted to print a photo book with blurb for a long time, and finally ordered my first blurb photo book in. Back up, move, transfer, or share your booksmart books its always a good idea to create a backup file of the book project youve been working hard on. This should be broader in scope than the reasons you put in your bulleted list. One days blurb and blog requests this is just part of one. The blurb that appears on the back cover of your book, and on your. Think of the book blurb not as an annoying step between you and selfpublishing, but instead as an opportunity. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, i will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

As a writer requesting blurbs, lalami says the idea is to find an. She didnt want to embarrass either of them by giving the reasons she didnt want to endorse the book. The next thing you do is read the back blurb, or if you are online, you read the first excerpt which is usually the same thing. Sarah pinneos how to ask for a blurb even when youre intimidated. Gladwells blurb from michael lewiss 2014 best seller, flash boys, saying he almost picked up the book after seeing mr. As for his customers, if the blurb is by a favorite. Print as you go sell one copy at a time and let blurb fulfill the orders or place a large order and sell inperson. That stuff, also known as a blurb, typically goes a long way in determining a potential readers likelihood of purchasing and reading your book. How to get incredible blurbs for your book scribe writing. How to score a blurb for your new book alice osborn. We get so caught up in delivering an enthralling story or a big idea. I would love to have a blurb from you to put on the back cover.