Writing on the back of a book

Theory and practice in postcolonial literature is a 1989 nonfiction book on postcolonialism, penned by bill ashcroft, gareth griffiths and helen tiffin. This should be broader in scope than the reasons you put in your bulleted list. The writing on a back of the cover or dust jacket is sometimes referred to as the book synopsis or blurb as much as i know youd love to read an article about dust jackets, in this article, we will dive deeper into the written matter on the back of the book cover more than the actual physical makeup of the cover itself. Heres how to write backcover that will hook new readers. The back cover copy you write for your book is among the most important marketing messages youll craft. In that sense, a good blurb is anything but subjective.

Authors spend a great deal of energy writing the book of course. What is the summary written on the cover at the back of a book called. Next is choosing a title and helping create an eyecatching cover. The space on the back cover of a book for blurbs, which are brief promotional paragraphs, is one of the more valuable spots for book promotion. How to design your books back cover ny book editors.

We get so caught up in delivering an enthralling story or a big idea. 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. Creating a book blurb, while still technically writing, is closer to a science than an art. Work by convincing readers to take a chance on it, or. How to write successful back cover copy mascot books.

Writing your back cover copy book designer fiona raven. To so charmingly instruct young and old in the great and ancient art of letterwriting is an excellent and enduring legacy, from poet karen benke, in her latest book, write back soon. Getting started is often the hardest part, so set up a. What is the writing on the back cover of a book called.

Back cover blurbs for books tips for wrting blurbs that. Then ensure you incorporate them into your back book jacket blurb. Writing back examines how repatriation unsettles the selfconstruction of the returning absentee by challenging the fictions of national and cultural identity with which the writer has. Writing a strategic, concise and easytoread back cover can be your key to making money as a selfpublished author.

You might not be writing a book as dense as greenes, but research is an integral part of learning how to write a book. In todays guest post, editor jessi rita hoffman explains how to craft professional and compelling backcover copy. Yet its important to learn how to write backstory that will. The writing on a back of the cover or dust jacket is sometimes referred to as the book synopsis or blurb as much as i know youd love to read an article about dust jackets, in this article, we. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. Put the bulleted list in the middle of the copy you write for your back cover. Dont just repeat your books title on the back cover. And the hardest part about writing it is summarizing your entire book in three short paragraphs. So youve written your book, youve chosen your title and. How your back cover copy is written depends on whether you write fiction or nonfiction. Once you wow your potential readers with an excellent front cover, the next part of your book thatll hook them is your back. What most people do after they finish their book is go back to page one and start line editing from the beginning, fixing typos, correcting grammar, and polishing sentences until they shimmer. Then ensure you incorporate them into your back book jacket. Book promotion expert ben cameron always says writing the blurb is the hardest 100 words youll ever write, and many authors are also stumped when it comes to writing the.

Anyone with a story to tell can write a book, either for their own enjoyment or to publish for all to see. The physical outer layer of book that can sometimes be removed from the actual bound cover is called a dust jacket. The back cover of your as yet unwritten book can help you write a better book, and write it faster, too. Most authors actually dread writing their back cover copy also known as book blurb because, well, it is a lot of pressure and a big deal. Book summary and author bio on the back of the book. Summary and synopsis are also used but, in my experience, are used only in. How to build the back of a book cover with template. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. The five s of blurb writing check these 5 awesome tips editage. This generally means the copy on your online book sales page.

The reading strategies book made the new york times best seller list by making it simpler to match students needs to highquality instruction. Writers use the term blurb to describe the text on the back of the. Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio. After all, all it takes to be a real writer is to do some writing.

Without someone whos done it before, you can end up making crucial mistakes. One way to write this primary reason is to present it as a question. Indie author ben galley provides us all with a licence to spend more time writing and shares his four top tips on how to make it happen. Check out our guide to writing a book description for more information. Before writing your back book blurb, choose 35 of the bestselling books in your genre and make a note of stylistic similarities. How to write effective, compelling book back cover copy. However, focus your back cover much more on how readers will benefit from. Its the essence of your books most exciting features, distilled.

There are way more names for it, but these are most common. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and. Its certainly acceptable to write about what happens in your book. The writhing on the back of a book that describes it, what is it called thanks. Your headline can be a short phrase or a whole sentence. Im a published novelist, and i participate in several writing groups and online communities. What is the summary written on the cover at the back of a. For instance, your story might take place in realworld locations, which. How to write a catchy backcover blurb that sells 2020. Writers use the term blurb to describe the text on the back of the book. Thats why an objective party whos read your book is the best person to write your back cover copy. The front cover has a critical role to play, of course, but todays post is about the strategic. Telling character backstory is sometimes necessary to show why your character has a specific motivation or mindset. Book blurbs are an oftoverlooked part of a writers marketing planafter youve spent so much time writing a new book, it can feel.

This episode will help shut down those distracting voices and get you started writing a book. Book promotion expert ben cameron always says writing the blurb is the hardest 100 words youll ever write, and many authors are also stumped when it comes to writing the front and back matter another task that usually falls just when youre feeling least like writing another word, after completing your book s final edit. When it comes to book design, your thoughts probably dont jump straight to a book s back its not as sexy or attentiongrabbing as, say, the front. The blurb that appears on the back cover of your book, and on your amazon page, will either. If you are a novelist, your back cover should provide a short summary of what your book is about. How to write backstory but not bog down your book now novel.