Before we learn “How to write a blurb?” Let’s first understand what a blurb means. A blurb can be defined as a miniature description of a book written on its back cover. The objective of writing a blurb is to bring the audience’s notice towards a book by giving a small and very effective description of the story and characters. This helps the readers to buy a book. Usually, a blurb is written within 100 – 200 words and it may differ from author to author and book genres.
It’s not easy to write the essence of the whole story in just a few words. Therefore the blurb needs to be very interesting so that the readers have an urge to buy the book. That’s why it is very important to learn a few tricks on “How to write a blurb?” so that you can allure the readers. These tips includes:
1. Keep it short and simple
Remember these golden keywords when you want to learn “How to write a blurb?”. If you want your blurb to be effective then keep it as simple and as short as possible. The author should keep it in mind that his book is read by a variety of readers across the demographic divisions. So, the language should be simple, using unconventional vocabulary in blurb is a big negative point. Whereas a short and compact story idea is the most effective way to write down a blurb. As when a reader is at a bookstore he/she has a few seconds to minutes to go through the book’s blurb to decide whether he/she wants to buy it or not. At that time a good blurb helps the most.
2. Introduction of the main characters of the story
Well, the trick here is to introduce the main characters of the story in such a manner that the reader knows what’s inside the book. In brief they know the writing style of the author with the help of characterisation. The main character of the story also helps in understanding the genre of the book. But that doesn’t mean you have to give away too many details. Sometimes the most precise intro of your characters are more than enough for e.g. Maya, the enchantress or Daniel, an insipid looking young teenager. At times the introduction of the characters also helps in differentiating between different genres like whether a book belongs to fiction or nonfiction genre.
3. Then comes the main plot of the book
Once the author has given a brief view of his central characters then comes the plot of the book. The plot is very essential for readers as it is a horror, mystery, comedy, etc. The plot also reveals the setting of the story like the time period, place, etc of the story.
4. Include the main selling point
Besides all the points every book has a unique selling point which can range from a phrase to a dialogue or monologue or any event of the story that is the highlight of the story. For example this blurb from Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur: “About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him – and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be- that thirsted for my blood. Third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”
This blurb is an excellent example of “How to write a blurb?” It is short and simple, tells about characters and the state of mind, story idea and the selling point which is Vampire’s love story.
5. Author should read more and more blurb samples
When we talk about the key points of “How to write a blurb?” This point is usually overlooked but it is one of the vital practices an author should follow. Whenever it’s possible for an author he should read more and more blurb samples. So that with every different type of book, he will learn what should be present and what should not be present in a blurb. Even a badly written blurb can teach you what not to write in blurb, which is a great advantage to excel in blurb writing.
6. Leave readers mind tantalizing
If your blub can leave your audience asking for more than you know you have a great blurb. The aim is to entice the audience in your world with your characters, theme and plot.
Book Blurb Examples:
After learning how to write a blurb, we shall now move on to some of the best written blurb. This will help in understanding how exactly a blurb works for readers and as well as for authors. They are as follows:
1. KILLING FLOOR – By Lee Child
“Ex-military policeman Jack Reacher is a drifter. He’s must passing through Margrave, Georgia, and in less than an hour, he is arrested for murder. Not much of a welcome. All Reacher knows is that he didn’t kill anybody. At Least not here. Not lately. But he doesn’t stand a chance of convincing, Georgia. Not a chance in hell.”
In this blurb, we can clearly see all the points which we mentioned above in the section “ How to write a blurb?” It is a short and simple blurb. It talks about the central character with the genre and theme. Plot is pretty clear in the blurb. Then comes the selling point which is, that its a murder mystery and in the end it leaves its auidence intruiged that how he will he prove himself innocent for this murder.
2. THE HUNGER GAMES – By Suzanne Collins
“In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capito; surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an island televised event called “ The Hunger Games’ ‘, a fight to the death on live TV. sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger site , regards it as a death sentence where she is forced to represent her district in the Games. the terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed”
3. THE DIVINE COMEDY — by Dante Aligheri
“Nowadays, who’s got the time for poetry, what with everyone gearing up for the Renaissance? But this laugh-out-loud comedy is a must read. Perfect for the beach one when taking a break from your fresco.”
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4. PARADISE LOST — by John Milton
“Call off the search party: paradise found, right here in the pages of this heart breaking, wet-yourself, order-for-father’s day publishing sensation. Milton puts the magnum into magnum opus. If this doesn’t make the shortlists, someone seriously needs to start a new literary prize.”
5. GREAT EXPECTATIONS — by Charles Dickens
“Absorbing, captivating, compelling, enchanting, engaging, engrossing, enthralling, enticing, intriguing. Riveting, spellbinding, alluring, hypnotic, bewitching, magnetic.”
The aim of discussing how to write a blurb is the fact that in fast moving life a short description is most likely a key to sales numbers. Blurb can easily be said as the pitch on which an author tries to sell its work. It might be one or two paragraphs but holds the essence of the story and theme of the book. So if you are an author planning to publish a book then go out and write the most expressive description of your book in the form of a blurb.
