Although your back cover is critical to your books marketing plan, your author bio is another key aspect to building your reputation and making money as a selfpublished author. 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. And then go and compare what you wrote to what they have on amazon, especially if its a traditionallypublished book and they have their back cover copy written by a professional. 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. The back cover copy you write for your book is among the most important marketing messages youll craft. There are many ways to develop compelling promotional text. The front cover has a critical role to play, of course, but todays post is about the strategic use of the back cover.
This entry was posted in marketing on march 17, 20 by admin. As already noted, writing a back book blurb is a marketing exercise. So when an author asks me to write the back cover copy, heres what i do, first. Aug, 2015 put the bulleted list in the middle of the copy you write for your back cover. Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio. Mar 15, 2016 backcover copythe blurb youll put on the back cover of your book is a key marketing tool. How to write back cover copy that sells ellen violette medium. Even though you dont have to write a lot, each word is vital.
Your cover copy doesnt just tell potential readers what your book is aboutits a critical marketing tool. Your back cover copy is the salespitch that will either draw in new readers, or make them put your book back on the shelf. It is the job of the book back cover to convince a reader to flip open a book and read a few pages. Hardcover book printing hardback book printer bookbaby. Sometimes its called book jacket copy or back cover copy. Not only will it appear on the book itself, but youll probably use it as your amazon description.
Work by convincing readers to take a chance on it, or. Focus on what your book is about not on what happens. How to create a back of the book cover blurb that sells. It will get reused and refashioned for dozens of purposes. Thats why friesenpress pays close attention to your books back cover copy.
Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio once you wow your potential readers with an excellent front cover, the next part of your book thatll hook them is your back cover copy, which is publishing speak for the information that appears on the back cover. Good back cover copy gives readers a taste of what your book is about in an appealing, intriguing way. Tips for writing the best back cover copy design for books. How to write the best back cover copy new shelves books. Before writing your pitch, examine the back covers for books in your novels category and genre at least ten. Make sure your cover reflects the best your book has to offer. The ability to condense a 100,000word manuscript into 300 words is no easy task, and writing copy for your own book presents unique challenges. How to develop strong copy for the back cover of a book. And out of the hundreds of books at your fingertips, it is the back cover copy bcc that helps you decide whether or not a specific book is for you. Learn how to write a back book cover blurb that not only intrigues readers but gets them to buy. Back cover copy dont kill the messenger is a genredefying ride with the suspense of a crime drama, the humor of a buddy picture, and a touch of the paranormal throughout. But, if you feel stuck in the process, use these four simple steps to help take your back cover copy to a higher level.
That descriptionwhatever its calledis a crucial element of your marketing strategy. More often than not, the wellcrafted copy gracing book jackets and back covers wasnt written by the author, but by a copywriter. If you are traditionally publishing, this copy sells your book first to agents and editors, then to readers. Editor jessi rita hoffman explains how to craft professional and compelling back cover copy for your book. If you are indie publishing, you skip that agenteditor thing, but the backcover copy is still critical for getting readers to click, buy.
Above the list, speak directly to the readers, and give them the primary reason why they should read your book. If im going to create a pitch, the back cover copy is part of that, and if im going to selfpublish, im going to need the back cover copy when i put the book up for preorder maybe even sooner, like when id do a cover reveal. What to put on the back of your book cover blurbs, taglines, teasers, and sales copy duration. Write your own back cover copy and share it in the discussion section for other column readers to give feedback. For nonfiction, establishing yourself as an expert and differentiating your book from the others written about the same. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell.
The next thing you do is read the back blurb, or if you are online, you read the first excerpt which is. In the last lines of his backcover, albom is strategic by proposing a question was it a heroic success of devastating failure. Below are a few examples of back cover copy for fiction. Youll want it to have a design that grabs their attention and portrays an accurate idea of what your book is about. A boring back cover text will cause the reader to lose interest and put the book back on the shelf. Back cover copy is sales copy, which means it has to be written with different considerations in mind. Book flaps contain information designed to help sell the book, as well as information about the book s author. The authors that do are usually the successful ones. Remember, your back cover copy can be just as powerful a marketing tool as your front cover. Its crucial it be compelling, because readers make buying decisions from the book description. Or you may go to the back cover before opening the book. You haveat best150 to 200 words to work with, because thats all that will attractively fit on the back cover of most volumes. Unfortunately, while most authors will hire a professional to create their cover, very few hire a professional to write their book description.
Questions inevitably make readers think about the character and story more and more. How to write compelling backcover copy go teen writers. Regardless, the back cover copy is a critical element to selling your book once its available for purchase. On the back of your book cover, youll want an author bio and website usually but just one or two short sentences. A great way to practice this is, take the last novel that you read and write some back cover copy for it. How to write successful back cover copy mascot books.
To fully cover both points, weve split this post into two sections. Youll use the same blurb for a query, if youre querying agents and editors. This means all the focus needs to be on the reader their needs and expectations. Nov 26, 2015 im struggling with which approach to take with the back cover copy for my memoir. Creating a book blurb, while still technically writing, is closer to a science than an art. But there are parts that you can write at any stage of the process. Feb 02, 2015 how to write winning back cover copy that sells books. With a sleek, sturdy look and prominent sizing, they instantly pique curiosity and stand out on the bookshelf. Its the essence of your books most exciting features, distilled into a few hundred words. 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. Im trying to do a mix of both accolades and synopsis, but i want to make sure the copy makes women want to buy it. Back cover blurbs for books tips for wrting blurbs that.
A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents. Apr 28, 2016 the back cover copy you write for your book is among the most important marketing messages youll craft. Since the book back cover copy is one of the first interactions with your book that a potential reader will experience, you want to be very strategic so that it can capture their attention and interest. But first, you can use it to your advantage in your proposal to sell your work to an agent or editor. And its vital that you draw readers in and make them want moretheir reactions to your back cover blurb will determine whether or not they buy your book. The back cover can have a big effect on a potential readers decision to buy your book or put it back on the shelf. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells kindlepreneur.
Front and back cover copy for book covers cover design studio. Stephanie wrote a great post on writing back cover copy a few years back. It seems like all the traditional publishers now just print a slew of accolades on the back. Everyone who sees your book will do the same thing.
This is where you either make the sale or end up back on the shelfin a store or online. Putting together the copy package first allows you to cement your nonfiction ideas and message, work through your fiction plot, develop your character arc, and strengthen your motivation. And while a strong front cover can capture attention, its the back cover that closes the sale. You pick up a book because the cover or title looks interesting. Oct 19, 2018 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. What makes a good book blurb best back cover copy for.
Whether they see it online or in print, theyll flip it over or click to read the back cover text. One way to write this primary reason is to present it as a question. How to write kickbutt bcc back cover copy wise ink blog. How to write kickbutt bcc back cover copy the wise. The back cover of your as yet unwritten book can help you write a better book, and write it faster, too. Front cover copy for book covers this section is designed to help you use copy effectively on your book covers. Then part 2 contains tips from our top designers on the best ways to design an aesthetically beautiful jacket. Tips for writing a back cover that sells steuben press. As readers themselves, authors understand how the average person approaches buying a book see above, so they know the importance of a back cover blurb. Writing your books backcover copy book edits by jessi.
If its a novel, you must include the storys most engaging plot points. You need to tease the potential reader with cool stuff about your book but include no spoilers. After the book title and front cover, the back cover is the next thing readers look at when deciding whether to make a purchase. Here are six rules to be mindful of before you put pen to paper on your back book cover blurb.
As ring explains in her book, each chapter of how to write back cover copy walks you stepbystep through the creation of your copy package. Books with great back cover texts usually go up in high sales. The backcover copy also functions as the primary ad for your book. How to write a back cover copy for your book go teen writers. What makes a good book blurb best back cover copy for book. Despite the old adage, people do judge a book by its cover. Show dont tell woodland quill september 19, 2016 the back cover copy is your story synopsis. How to write a back cover book synopsis pen and the pad. Our job as authorspublishers is to convince readers that our books are wonderful. How to write a book description that sells with examples. In that sense, a good blurb is anything but subjective. Even after editing the book and maybe even going through it a second time to tie up any loose ends, i dont feel qualified to write the cover copy on my own. Oct 26, 2018 to fully cover both points, weve split this post into two sections. The flap of a book is the part of the cover folded to appear on the inside front and back of a book.
I recently wrote a description for a back cover for a client the other day and he loved it. Be clear about the benefits of buying your book, and youll deliver an irresistible message. Nov 23, 2015 write a short summary of what your book is about. How to write a blurb back cover copy marilynn byerly. Ive helped several bestselling authors improve their back cover copy, including both fiction and nonfiction books.
Oct 03, 2016 how to write strong copy for the back cover of a book. Received favorably by male and female readers from their twenties to their seventies, the novel captures the spirit of works by carl hiaasen and dave barry. Usually found on the back cover of the book, cover copy is often the first experience customers have with your writing after the title, of course. The blurb that appears on the back cover of your book, and on your amazon page, will either. 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. In summary, powerfully written book back cover copy turns a book browser into a book buyer. You have another author bio in the back of the book thats for connecting with readers and making your optin offer. Mar 23, 2017 the flap of a book is the part of the cover folded to appear on the inside front and back of a book. Ive also got an example spreadsheet for you to use. Five tips for a professional cover design authorhouse. Front and back cover copy for book covers cover design. In this video, well share with you five important tips to keep in mind when submitting your ideas for the design of your cover.
A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. People read the back of the book to decide whether to buy a book. For fiction, a book description should include content that speaks to the expected audience and category. Unless youre wellknown, you might want to go with the books copy rather than your bio. It is the front covers job to convince a potential reader to flip the book over and read the back cover. How to write compelling book back cover copy amazon started offering the ability to see the back cover in early 2017, much to the joy of selfpublishers. A books back cover will usually have a brief synopsis back cover copy of the book. The back cover texts can be divided into three main parts.
Writing a great story has little value if no one reads or buys the book. Put the bulleted list in the middle of the copy you write for your back cover. 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. How to write effective, compelling book back cover copy. It can also have an illustration or a picture of the author with the synopsis. How to write strong copy for the back cover of a book. Nov 19, 2010 you pick up a book because the cover or title looks interesting. Book flaps contain information designed to help sell the book, as well as information about the books author.
If youre traditionally published, your publisher or publicist will have a clear idea of how to position your book. It can help if what you write in the book description connects with the message of the front cover title andor subtitle, which is often what caused the person to become interested in the book. 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. If youre planning on selling your book in print form, a good bcc will boost your sales without any effort at all. In most cases, publishers choose book cover art and write back cover text that supports proven merchandising strategies.
Back cover copy is the blurb on the back of a book. How to write a blurb, back cover copy or sales description. Sep 12, 2018 creating a book blurb, while still technically writing, is closer to a science than an art. It typically serves as the foundation for your online book descriptions, as well as any press releases or pitches you make to the media. I cant offer you tips for creating a clever title or a descriptive subtitle. Its what gets your readers to take your book from the shelf to the checkout line. The first is sales copy, the second is relationship building and to get them to take the next step. This should be broader in scope than the reasons you put in your bulleted list. The cover of your book is important because its the first thing a reader sees. How to build the back of a book cover with template reedsy. So how do you grab readers interest to buy your book. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell more. Its the essence of your book s most exciting features, distilled into a few hundred words. 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.
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. Sep 25, 20 and out of the hundreds of books at your fingertips, it is the back cover copy bcc that helps you decide whether or not a specific book is for you. So lets take a closer look at these five aspects of the back cover. In this guide, ill walk you through how to write a book description, provide you a template, and include. Its not writing the book but writing the back cover text. Hardcover books, also known as case bound books, are all about showcasing quality. Youve hooked them with your great title and subtitle, now give them a reason. To do that, it must be persuasive, engaging, and to the point. How to write winning back cover copy that sells books. Start with a headline that makes or implies a promise. Write back cover copy thats tailored to sell your self.
A book flap also typically includes a photograph of the author. And depending on your genre, clever and descriptive might not be the way to go. Because the back cover is usually the last piece of promotional material that a buyer reads before making a decision, the copy should tip the scales in favor of a purchase. How to write sales copy for the back of your nonfiction book. Like a hook sentence, your backcover copy is a tool for selling your book. Hardcover books are also designed for durability, making them a valuable addition to any readers collection. 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.
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