Oh, Those Blurbs...And The Daily Challenge Update

This week in the writing workshops, we discussed the importance of the back cover blurb, what it's supposed to do, and how we can write them effectively. Let's have a look.

Make no mistake, the blurb is the second most important marketing tool you have (your cover is the first). When someone picks up your book, or these days, clicks on your cover link, they are introduced to the back cover blurb. This is part of the negotiation between you the storyteller, and the reader. The blurb will introduce the major thrust of the story while enticing the reader to purchase to find out more. If the reader puts your book back on the shelf, it usually means they're not the right audience for your book (which is fine, by the way), or, your blurb sucks and failed to entice the reader enough to make the purchase.

So what is  blurb?
I can tell you what it's not: the blurb is not a synopsis or summary of your story. Too often, this is what I see. No, the blurb is a well-written 100-200 word outline of who the main character is, what they're after, who's stopping them, and what are the consequences if they fail. This is often followed by a Call To Action, like "pick up your copy of XXX today".

That's the template. Check out any book that sells a lot, and you will see a blurb that accomplishes those four items above.

You can see the blurb I put together for The Quantum Awakening right here. Don't just read it: study it. Notice how I'm enticing the reader to step into my world without giving the plot away.

Take it, change my words with your own. Write an awesome blurb.

Meanwhile, the challenge to write the first draft of my Sissy Jupiter series in 4 weeks is progressing well. Another day yesterday with over 6,000 words, and that despite my regular coaching and writing business activities. Don't think I'll be able to keep up that pace, but let's see!

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