As authors, we understand the importance of eye-catching book covers. When effective, they excite the imagination and serve like magnets to draw in readers. If engaged, the potential buyer may flip over the book and read the back cover blurb. And, unless already committed, the book returns to the sales table or library shelf. I’ve experienced such a letdown at my author events. Invariably, customers focus their attention on the back cover blurb with little regard for my sales pitch. Of course, I realize some bookstore browsers are like window shoppers who stop by, half curious, and smile their goodbyes or final words of “good luck.” Ultimately, I let go of the disappointment with a tentative smile.
Bottom line: back-cover blurbs sell books. So, what’s the key to a successful one? The obvious answer: a strong theme, evocative words, and clear imagery. A blurb’s average length is 150 words which is on the brief side. In the blog “How to Design Your Blurb’s Back Cover” at blog.com, the blurb’s recommended length ranges from 175 to 225 words which, for my taste, is treading on dangerous territory with losing the reader’s interest. I believe that brevity is key, i.e. less strokes on the canvas.
When I had my first novel, Unearthing Christmas, republished, I updated the blurb: “In 1955, fourteen-year-old Lori creates a Christmas room in her father’s bomb shelter. Sixty years later, fourteen-year-old Peggy and her friends discover the abandoned shelter, fully preserved. Peggy returns alone. As Peggy reaches for a prized object, Lori appears and the past and present collide into a fate-filled adventure.”
Yes, the blurb breaks a few rules! First, it’s only 50 words in length. Second, it reads like a book summary. Third, it didn’t matter because the book became an Amazon bestseller under the subgenre of Teen and Young Adult Christian Sci-Fi. So why did it sell if it has a less-than-stellar back cover blurb? Word of mouth among readers and a few good reviews. Otherwise, it’s a mystery to me! When it’s republished, I’ll be revising the blurb! One item that I haven’t mentioned are reviews that may share back cover space. I’m currently reading American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. The book foregoes a back cover blurb for good reason i.e. reviews by the likes of Stephen King with a one-word endorsement of “Extraordinary” emblazoned across the back cover in addition to an actual review. The other reviewers? Well, if you insist on name-dropping, I’ll drop a few: Kristin Hannah, Ann Patchett, and John Grisham.
Most of us won’t garner reviews that eclipse the need of a strong blurb. So, l’ll offer more advice from my own experience blended with what the experts at blurb.com suggest.
My advice – Honestly, it’s okay to add a bit of a book summary. I know that’s not in the blurb rules, but readers want to know a little of what they’re getting into. My second book, The Years In Between, adheres to more traditional blurb length coming in at 136 words. But I also added a testimonial from an award-winning author. I believe there’s too much white space at the bottom, so maybe I short-changed the blurb. For my purposes, it’s long enough. Also, the first few sentences sound like a book summary, But I’m okay with it. As long as you keep the imagery solid and a theme threaded throughout, the blurb should entice readers. Trust yourself as the writer and the reader.
Advice from self-publishers via blog.com – “End on a high note. Leave the description open-ended so they have to read more!” On that note, my second book’s blurb ends with the following: “Lori’s personal relationships, a patchwork of disappointments and triumphs, shaper her paramount journey to the truth.” Without earlier mention of storyline details, the attempt of an open-ended conclusion would’ve come across and vague and uninteresting. The other expert advice: don’t pile on adjectives and adverbs. Descriptive words should arrive at the heart of the story and theme, so avoid mere wordsmithing!
As you draft your story, fiction or non-fiction, always keep in mind how you will draw in a reader. Don’t wait until it’s completed. Keep working on the blurb as your story takes shape! Writing is rewriting and blurbs need your full attention! Happy writing!