Note: My A-Z theme is linkage. Every day (at 7:00 a.m. EST), I'm going to list three helpful industry links per letter, and then I'll ask for suggestions in the comments—that way, we can pool our resources! :)
B is for Blurbs:
- Amy Wilkins' "5 Tips for Writing a Compelling Book Blurb" - She outlines different ways to approach the blurb.
- Marilynn Byerly's "How to Write a Blurb (Back Cover Copy)" - This woman gives hints based on a book's genre.
- Joanna Penn's "How To Write Back Blurb For Your Book" - This is an overview with an example and a video.
Have you ever had to write a blurb? What helped you?
P.S. Looking for my post on Lynn Rush, Faith Sullivan, and Juliana Haygert's new releases? Click here.
49 comments:
Great links!
Here's one from Writers in the Storm:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/gottcha-blurbs-easy-and-fun-to-write/
Those back cover synopsis are difficult!
So helpful...being able to write cover copy helped a ton when I was querying my agent and for any pitching I've done. Apparently, it worked! Great resources.
Savvy Book Writers: http://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/5-tips-on-how-to-write-a-blurb-for-your-book/
Great theme!
Very handy links - I know I've struggled with just what to highlight in a blurb (and what to leave out).
This is really great! I'm saving these. This is my first visit to your blog. Please visit ours at http://citymusecountrymuse2012.blogspot.com/ and please sign up to become a member if you like what you see!
I'm saving these too. I'm glad A to Z brought you to me.
Yes, and just like the dang query it's hard. I've also helped critique a few which can be quite a learning process. It helps when you can get input from both people who have read the book and from those who haven't.
Ooh, these are great. I'm gonna take a look.
I don't know how long I spent writing, re-writing and honing the query for my book. It became much easier when I started thinking of it like a blurb, the four sentences that would hook a reader.
Visiting from the A to Z challenge.
http://www.tonynoland.com
Blurbs are hard to write! Thanks for the links. :)
Very helpful. I find blurbs to be the bane of my existence...
Oo, thanks for adding to the list, Melissa! :D
They are! Summarizing (and enticing) is almost more difficult than writing. *shudder*
I am loving your A to Z theme. Blurbs are difficult for me to write. Some people are just naturals at condensing it all into one to three sentences. I am not one of them. Thanks for the links. I can't think of any to add today.
I remember when SSP asked for a short synopsis, I didn't realize it was for my blurb. I never really liked it. I much preferred my query blurb instead. Blurbs are so difficult. How do you condense 90,000 words into 200? UGH!
Hey Carrie,
Ah yes, a blurb that encapsulates the ambience of the story. In my case, I get Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar to write my synopsis :)
Enjoy the alphabet challenge. I'm only beginning to realise you start from the beginning of the alphabet. Doh!
Gary :)
I have yet to properly blurb. I'll have to keep an eye on those links for when that day arrives.
Oh, I bet! It's certainly a special skill set. :) Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca!
That's where outside readers come in handy. :) Thank you!
Thanks for sharing, Nick! :)
Thank you, Juliet! :) I'll come check it out.
I'm glad to hear that, Commonweeder! :) Thanks for stopping by!
I completely agree, Donna. Query and synopsis writing requires a whole new level of patience. *shudder*
Thanks, Ilima! :)
Aren't they? Yuck!
No problem. :)
And I'm sure all of the practice has helped you! :)
Thanks, Jenelle! :) Me too...
Maybe that's a good thing. I realized it, and it added that much more pressure! LOL
Thanks, Melissa! :) They're difficult for me, too. I always manage to get stuck on a few little details, and I lose my momentum.
I can tell I'm going to be doing a lot of note taking as I come here this month.
I know I'll need some of this info in the future :)
Hey Gary,
Any chance we could hire Penny, too? I think everyone wants a superstar to do their synopsis! ;)
Thank you!
It's something you might consider working on a little bit at a time--maybe after you nail down your query. That way, it won't hit you all at once. :)
Good! :) Thanks for stopping by, Mark!
I've never had to write a blurb--but I'll be returning to this post if I ever do!
Hey Carrie,
I shall have a word with her and her um 'pawblicity' department! :)
Love the linkage idea and the blurb!
These are great! I need to make a list!
HMG
Okay so I've created a new folder just for these links. Thanks so much Carrie :)
I don't think I've had to write a real blurb, though I did some for my own stories back in elementary school and junior high. I also probably wrote blurb-like things when I worked at a newspaper and had to do articles about local writers' books
Blurbs are real important. Thanks for the links.
Thanks, Eagle! :)
That's awesome! Thanks, Samantha. :)
Thanks, Regina! :D
I'm glad! Thanks for stopping by, Heather. :)
Hopefully, all of that experience will help when the time comes to write a "real" blurb! :)
Very! No problem. :)
I hate writing blurbs, so these are some great links to take a look at! Thanks!
I do, too. Thanks, Rachel! :)
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