Why is it that even the mention of writing a blurb strikes abject terror into the normally calm and sane writer?
The task of describing and summarising a whole book, months or years of work, into a few short paragraphs seems nigh impossible. In the process the blurb has to be unique, capture the reader’s attention, excite them and tempt them to read on, ultimately to buy the book. The blurb and obviously the cover are often the first and only sales pitches for the book. The undertaking ahead feels hopeless.
Fear and dread of the blurb were my immediate reactions once I’d committed to publishing my anthology…I knew I needed one, yet every time the thought surfaced I erased it from my mind and dove even further into editing! As ever I needed a deadline and one evening I cleared my schedule for the following day, ensured I would not be disturbed and made a promise to myself to complete the blurb within 24 hours!
Early the next morning I entered my study and was confronted by my desk…the aforementioned one from my Frazzled! post. I could not work here. First I had to clean my desk – literally!
Over the past couple of months my working space had become chaotic with piles of paper and books balanced precariously and riotously on top of one another. There wasn’t even space for an A4 notebook. My solution was to move everything into the spare bedroom and once the desktop was polished I faced the gleaming wooden surface. Perfect! With reverential care I placed a notebook, pen and pencil on the desk, followed by my notes for my blurb as well as the print-out of how to write a blurb.
Yes, I lied a little…for weeks I’d been researching blurbs.
A blurb is tricky under normal circumstances and even more complex for a short story collection, I feel. First of all, I studied blurbs from other short story anthologies and I tried to pinpoint what drew me to them and what elements jarred – making notes all the time.
Next, I read ‘How to Write a Blurb’ articles online. One particular website provided fantastic information and I’d highly recommend The Author Society’s ’17 Tips on How To Write a Blurb That Sells’. Some tips were redundant for my anthology as the article was geared for novels. However, here are some points I found particularly useful and relevant:
- The best length for a blurb is between 100 – 150 words. I would also like to add that it’s important to leave good line spacing for ease of reading.
- Treat your first sentence like a pick-up line. It should entice them to read on and needs to be clever, engaging and new.
- Use a cliffhanger. The reader needs to leave curious and hungry for more.
- Use words that cater for your audience. They should evoke atmosphere and meet the readers expectations of the genre.
- Use short sentences as buyers usually skim through the text.
- Use hyperbole as these are powerful tools to spark curiosity.
- Stay true to your voice. This piece of advice remained with me as I wrote my blurb. I felt it was vital to retain my voice which runs through the stories to be part of the blurb.
- Use fresh eyes. Let it rest, print out and read in different formats such as phone, paper, computer.
- Rewrite it many times.
With these notes to hand I started to scribble down ideas as I skimmed through my stories again; however there were two major stumbling blocks.
How could I include two of the most important elements of a blurb into mine; namely giving readers a setting and introducing the main characters? With so many different locations and characters; what could I do? In the end, I decided to give a flavour of some settings and some characters. With my short stories in front of me, I scanned back and forth, jotting down compelling and memorable characters, places, themes and feelings.
Gradually nuggets of a plan appeared, gems of ideas developed, but my initial blurb idea was still too vague. All the time I imagined a future customer, standing in a shop, quickly glancing at the back cover. How could I entrap them with my words, coax them to stay and read on and finally seduce them to buy a copy?
I rewrote the blurb time and again; examining every word and taking breaks as I paced around my study, reading aloud to myself, standing over my words, studying them, amending, rereading my notes.
Gradually an overall theme emerged and with this core central stabilising factor to the beginning, middle and concluding paragraphs I created my final blurb. One hundred words exactly!
The final blurb will be revealed soon! I have been promised the book cover this week and hope to post both together.
“A short story must have a single mood and every sentence must build towards it.” Edgar Allan Poe
Annika Perry 
Very helpful, although not self publishing yet but have spent a week agonising over a covering letter to an agent! However it has helped me yet again hone my writing skills. Will look for your anthology on Amazon as I love short stories and your quote from Poe.
Georgina, I would be quaking to write a covering letter – that is a real craft. Is this for a novel or short story collection? Best of luck at finding an agent…fingers crossed! 😀 Thank you so much for looking at my anthology and I hope you are tempted! xxx
Yes, very tempted. The covering letter is for my novel but I have thus problem with age range. Reading age 9 to 99 ! God knows how to measure a 99 year olds reading! We tried once with adults and the calculations threw a wobbly.
First of all, congratulations on writing a novel!! 😃 A massive accomplishment! What is the problem with the reading age? Surely the reading ability for a 99-year-old various as much at that age as for anyone else. Perhaps eye-sight and other problems would play more a handicap. At 92 my grandfather still read profusely and very learned tomes at that!
There seems to be an American idea of middle grade readers. I find once the skill is there it is maturity and interest that counts more than the years!
Some great tips to keep in mind! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Many thanks and hope these can help in writing a blurb for your debut novel – best of luck with it and a great title!
I can’t imagine how difficult writing a blurb must be! And once more I had to laugh at the mention of your overflowing workspace 😉
I once read that one could try to write a blurb before writing the actual novel to give a sense of direction. But I don’t think this would made much sense with an anthology of short stories.
I look so much forward to see the cover and read the blurb! 😄 xoxo
Haha! 😀 My overflowing work space is like the tide, I feel…sometimes lots of flotsam seems to float in and is deposited on the surface then it disappears a few days/weeks later! 😀I have also read about writing a blurb before the main novel but I must admit I would never try this – I feel it might limit my imagination and scope for the story although I’m sure it works for others. Thank you so much for your great comment and excitement about my book! hugs xx
I think Einstein had the same problem with his desk and said something like that an empty desk represents an empty mind 😉 So in that sense I’m proud to say that mine looks like what I imagine the other side of a Black Hole to look 😂 xoxo ❤
Yay and congrats! I’ve definitely been there.
Many thanks, Kathy! 😀😀 The further I get into this process the more respect and awe I have for all writers!
I learn something every time I stop by!! You have given me something to think about: How do we use words to create trust in a potential reader that will encourage he/she to open the first page? How do we create the first sentence of a blog post that will invite people to participate in a deeper conversation! Thank you!
Ahh…thank you so much, Rebecca! 😀❤️ Words are a powerful force and they have their own energy and strength… I always think we need to respect them and think how we use them….this goes for posts and blurbs too! So glad to have given you something to think about. Wishing you a lovely weekend. Xx
This is a great post, Annika, and one that reflects many authors’ feelings about writing the dreaded blurb. Thank you for sharing all the useful tips. It sounds as though you’re now doing brilliantly with your blurb – and of course, you’ve rendered your workspace perfect for the purpose in the process. I’m looking forward to the reveal of both your blurb and book cover. 😀
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Millie! 😀 I am pleased with my blurb in the end and even my son praised it (I nearly fell over in shock!). The clean empty desk seriously helped and prepared me mentally for the work ahead! I’m so glad you’re looking forward to the blurb and book cover…the final version of this is now promised so I hope to post them together during the week (fingers crossed!).
I’m touched by your sharing
fear of blurbs & overcoming it, Annika.
Wishing you continued success
finding joyful freedom 🙂
David, warmest thanks for your lovely comment…it was a matter of overcoming a fear -I hadn’t thought if it quite as such! 😀 your sense of peace resonates through your words…much needed during stress of trying to sort final details of the book. I love the idea of ‘joyful freedom’ and hope to be there soon. 😀
Enigmatic is right! After reading this, I’m thinking I should have spent more time writing my blurbs 🙂 It’s such a good feeling to finally work out something you’re satisfied with. Thanks for the link to the Author Society article. Terrific post, Annika! ❤
Tina, I must admit a friend and thesaurus helped with the Engimatic part of this title for the post! How accurate though! I really don’t think it’s the amount of time spent on a blurb that is important – rather are you pleased with it and does it fulfill the function of a blurb. Yours are terrific…I just had a look. For the main two novels you start with questions that grab the readers’ attention…hooked I read on and you give just enough information to pique the interest and curiosity further. Perfect!!
I’m pleased with mine in the end…although re-reading it today noticed one small grammar error!! Phew…glad I didn’t post it! Many thanks for your great comment, Tina! ❤️
Most welcome, Annika. Thanks so much for reading my blurbs and for the kudos! Feedback like this is most encouraging. You’re fortunate to have caught the error before publishing. I just found one on the back cover of one of my books. So I have to fix it and republish. But CreateSpace does get books up in a timely fashion. Looking forward to your book! ❤️
I’m sure your blurb will be great – you always put so much thought into what you write. When you are limited to a few words, the process of writing something becomes very difficult. Like the elevator pitch!
I remember doing those elevator pitches at school for our text books…certainly focuses the mind and so tricky. I reckon it’s a good idea to have one prepared for one’s work though…thanks for the reminder. So often you meet people and once you mention you’ve written something the next question is ‘what’s it about?’ – but they’ve only got another couple of minutes before heading off!
I was happy with my blurb in the end and it ticked all the boxes for me at least…see what others think! Thank you for your kind words and confidence in me, Barbara! 😀
It’s so hard to summarise in a few words what you’ve poured your passion into writing – and to make it sound good! I also wonder if there’s a little bit of that reluctance to sell ourselves – which is what a blurb does ultimately 🙂
The blurb makes the ‘selling’ aspect of a book a frightening reality, I agree and that is unnerving! Until then it has been a more hypothetical notion. Also I wanted to do justice to the anthology and all the stories…as well as providing that all important hook and build up of curiosity! Many thanks for your thoughts, Andrea!
Reblogged this on M J Mallon Author and commented:
Fantastic tips from Annika Perry about the enigmatic blurb.
Marje, thank you so much for the reblog! 😀 I really hope these can help other writers in the same position.
My pleasure Annika. Trying to reblog useful resources/articles like yours to refer back to and to help others.
That’s an excellent idea and will definitely be of lots of help to other writers. It is all so daunting so brilliant with any advice / articles to minimise the fear.
Blurbs are so hard! But lots of great tips here Annika, thank you for sharing. Good luck,sounds like all your hard work is paying off. 🙂
Did you also find them tricky, Marje? Have you got any tips from your experience… yours is excellent! 😀 I’m so excited and getting closer to publishing but there is still lots to do!
Be very clear with the blurb and make sure there are no ambiguities that would be my advice. Readers can so easily misinterpret details if the wording is not 100% clear!
Great advice! 😀😀 I hadn’t thought of this but it makes sense and I can actually remember reading some blurbs that are confusing and unclear…not a good start!
wow.. Such a lot of effort and thought that goes into it.. And will look forward to the final edit of your blurb Annika.. I am certainly learning loads just by reading your posts.. And nothing else has been written since my first chapter. let alone getting to the Blurb.. 😀
Have a wonderful weekend.. See you soon.. 🙂
Sue xxx
Sue, you’ll get there!! A first chapter is a good start and I wish you luck with the rest of your book – keep us posted! 😀 I particularly panicked as I’d read so many articles saying you should have started planning the blurb early on…so of course, I felt behind even before I’d written a single word! It came together well in the end I feel and look forward to sharing it on my blog soon.
Wishing you a most special weekend too. hugs xx ❤️🌼
Thank you for that Annika.. Love your way and enjoy.. the hard part is now over, 🙂 xx
Well if anyone can write a blurb, I know you can. I can’t wait to read it.
Ahh…many thanks, JC! 😀😀 Hopefully not too long until the book cover, title and blurb will be revealed!
Copies your points about blurbs, Annika. I had read someplace here on the net that writing the blurb before writing the story is a good idea. I can’t remember if it should be written before or after the outline though. I would think afterward would be the time when you have a firm idea of what the story is about.
Glynis, I’ve also read that many suggest writing a blurb the book is unfinished – as far as I’m concerned this would be very hard and possibly counter-productive. I agree it is much better once the book is completed and you have a thorough and concrete knowledge of the story etc. Many thanks for your comment and wishing you a lovely weekend. 🌼😀
This does sound like an almost impossible task! I always start any difficult job with a bit of tidying and cleaning too! 1. It puts off the actual start of the job for just a little while longer and I kid myself I’m doing something really important 🙂 – and 2. It really does seem to clear my mind of other extraneous things so that I can get on without distraction.
Reading blurbs of short story anthologies, I find that some are more like lists and others just concentrate on one or two of the stories. Neither are really ideal. I’m sure yours has worked out just fine!
Haha!!😀 Glad I’m not the only one who resorts to cleaning!! I agree, it achieves something, is a way to procrastinate but also does clear the mind, strangely enough! My family knows that if the house is sparkling there is a serious problem!
Clare, I have a feeling you’ve been studying blurbs for short stories as your comment matches exactly what I found … and I also came across a couple of mystical ambiguous ones which were very confusing! I tried to find a way between all these and hope you think it’s worked out well. Do let me know! I was very pleased with the final blurb … it even won over my son and I was bowled over with his positive reaction and praise!😀
Praise from a teenage son is praise indeed! I really look forward to reading your blurb but even more than that, I am longing to read your book!
Great advice, Annika! I’ve made notes! I’m already thinking about my blurb, and I might even have to use your ‘clean the desk’ technique 😀 Great points on what to include. I was hoping you’d post your blurb, but you left us hanging (see what I did there 😉 ) Can’t wait to see the anthology 🙂
I know you’re across the pond, but Happy Thanksgiving from here in the US! Have a great weekend!
Haha!! 😀 Yep, I’m already practising at leaving you all curious, eager to learn more! Julie, I had considered posting the blurb here but want to post the title, cover and blurb altogether – I’m so excited that your keen to see the anthology.
Wow! You’re already thinking of a blurb? Is this for your WIP for NaNo or for your novel with the publishers? The clean desk approach seriously worked for me…no distractions, although I was tempted to start cleaning the bookshelves – anything to get out of a tricky situation!😀
Hoping you had a lovely day yesterday and have a chance to relax a bit over the weekend! We are heading to a Swedish Christmas Fayre in London at the Swedish Church (our first visit ever!) and taking extra bags for all the loot! hugs xx ❤️
Thank you Annika for this both funny and educational post. You can’t help but amuse, can you ? ❤️ . I love the mixture of fun observations mixed with very organised research.
I can see that writing a blurb is frightening as it will come to represent the whole you have created in this book. You want to give it the best invitation card ever.
I really can’t wait to get this book in my hand and hope the cover will arrive promptly.🦋💕
Miriam
Miriam, thank you so much for your wonderful comment! ❤️As always you write lyrically … this time of my blurb research. How tantalising to call in an ‘invitation card’ for the book – I’d never thought of it as such but how true! Being organised is so much of who I am so I approached the blurb in this manner and luckily it seems to have worked. 😃 Oh yes, you certainly need a great sense of humour and to try and enjoy the process! Maybe you will have to try this some day for a book of your poetry – writing a blurb for that would call for creative thinking!!😀😀
I’ve been promised the cover so I hope to post the book cover and blurb very soon…and not long after you will be able to hold my book in your hands…bless you for your kind and generous words.hugs xx
I am so glad you can feel my warm wishes and smile.
Try to take it with calm that the publisher is running late. It must feel tough though as you were on a high roll.😊 .
As to me writing a blurb about my poetry 😉 , who knows……
I could whisper,….help 💕
Many thanks for your calming words, Miriam…they help a lot! ❤️ As for help…whisper away anytime and I’ll see what I can do! 😀
It sounds like you were very well prepared to write your blurb. I agree, it’s a scary thing to do. I don’t think I ever truly succeeded in writing a good blurb for my first novel. Maybe I’ll do better the second time around. When the time comes, I’ll have to come back and read this post. It was complete and instructive. I’m looking forward to reading your blurb.
Nicki, as is often the case I think this was fear of the unknown…I had no experience of writing blurbs. The research helped a lot and gave me a way to approach it. In the end, it was a very constructive day and I was so pleased to have completed one by the end! Good luck with yours if you decide to write one and I do hope my post can give you some tips!
Wishing you a lovely weekend! 😀🌼
I also did a bit of research on blurbs before I wrote mine, Annika. Sounds like you have done a great job. I look forward to seeing your cover.
Robbie, I think research is the key and it made what seemed impossible possible! 😀 I was pleased with the final result and hope others like it too! Not too long until the book cover, title and blurb reveal.
Oh yes, that journey of finding the perfect description is the final jab in a writer’s side, lol. I remember when I went on a blurb tangent years ago to read numerous pieces on writing the perfect blurb. I even posted about a most helpful little book – Writing the Synopsis a few months ago. But glad you finally got there, and congratulations Annika. ❤
How true, Debby! 😀 Just as you think you’ve finished the hard work this blurb comes as a surprise – which of course it shouldn’t be but I think many of us happily ignore its looming presence! 😀 Hands up from me!
I recall the book and your post about it, Debby and have bookmarked it for synopsis writing. Looking at it now, it seems to use blurbs and synopsis synonymously – in the UK at least the two are very different. A synopsis is much longer – up to two pages A4 and used as a pitch to publishers for your book. If I ever have to write one I’ll definitely consult this book.
Wishing you a great weekend! ❤️
You are so right Annika. A synopsis is much longer. There’s a good example of a book with not the best choice in title, because the book is essentially about writing the blurb more than it is about a synopsis! 🙂 Happy weekend to you too my friend. ❤
I always get blurb feedback at my online writing forum, in a sub-forum called Query Letter Hell (which also covers blurbs), so that’ll give you an idea of the level of critique. But I need people who will take it apart and nitpick. Someday I’d like to outgrow being a feedback junkie, but that happy day is not today.
I use the same length guideline you do, so great minds think alike. 🙂
Cathleen, what a terrific forum name!! I love it!! How apt and true. 😀 I’m not sure one has to outgrow needing feedback – isn’t that part of the creative/brainstorming process and it’s wonderful you know such a helpful group. Phew…your last sentence makes me feel a lot more confident in what I’ve done – thank you so much! 😀🌼
Oh my gosh! You have me dying to read your blurb! It is lovely to be part of this real life journey. And The desk! How symbolic. Great helpful hints too. 🙋
Dieing! Love the image too.
Thank you so much! 😀
Yeah!!😀😀 That’s the effect I was hoping to have…curiosity and eagerness to read the actual blurb…you shouldn’t have too long to wait. My blog was to allow others to follow my journey to publication … including all the ups, downs and tricky parts!
Hi Annika
There is nothing like a touch of the blurbs it seems. It must be difficult when trying to give an idea of what lies ahead in a book of short stories – but I bet you managed it. Can’t wait to read your book in a couple of weeks but promise I’ll read the blurb first.
Mike
Haha! 😀😃 Mike, I like that a lot – ‘a touch of the blurbs’ … I felt like I had something for a while, that’s for sure! It was so hard trying to give a flavour of the book without being bitty or giving too much away – think I managed it in the end. hehe…trying to push for advanced publication date, eh??😃😀 Still hope to have the book available so people can buy them as Christmas presents or for themselves…fingers crossed!
Blurbs are difficult as are answering the inevitable question, “What is your book about?” I do think it would be more difficult for a series of short stories. I guess you would need to find a common thread in the stories. I look forward to reading your blurb and seeing your cover. Exciting times for you! I’m afraid I don’t fit the normally calm and sane writer description, quite the opposite I’m afraid!.
Darlene, you got it exactly – that’s what I found – the common thread that unites them!! 😃😀 I’m so happy you’re excited to read the blurb and see the cover, not too long I hope – I’m just waiting the completed cover! It is very exciting but also nerve-wracking finalising everything.
Haha! 😀 I think I’ll have to amend the opening paragraph and realised afterwards that actually many writers feel neither quite calm or sane (I think that’s part and parcel of the creative personality!!). Here’s to the crazy world of writing and publishing!!😃
An excellent post and I can’t wait for your cover and blurb to soon appear! 🙂 Lots of great information in this post, Annika. Thanks so much for sharing… 🙂 xo
Bette, thank you so much for your wonderful enthusiastic comment – it’s fantastic to know you’re excited about my cover and blurb! Not long I promise and so hope you like them!😀😀 Thank you also for sharing this post…I really hope others will find it useful and make what seems difficult a little bit easier. Hugs xx❤️
I like writing blurbs. My writers critique group in Florida used to come to me with help for their blurbs. I had read their novels because of our critiquing, so they’d collaborate with me. I was happy to help, because I enjoy the challenge of hooking a reader in just few sentences.
Seems like you’ve got all the makings of a good blurb, and I look forward to reading it.
Challenge is the word! 😃 Lori, how wonderful that you were able to help members at your writing critique group – fantastic support for them and also terrific experience for you. It is a matter of hooking the readers…and not losing them in the next sentence or two! I was so relieved when I’d finished … felt like celebrating just that! In the end, I was pleased with mine and I look forward to your opinion about it.
It is both fun and educational to walk through this process with you, Annika. I remember struggling through my blurb as well, but I also remember enjoying the challenge! It is ever so gratifying to be at this point in the game. Looking forward to the results. –Curt
Haha! 😃 Fun!!😀 It’s sure a rollercoaster ride since I decided to publish this anthology and certain moments I’ve enjoyed a lot..I was incredibly happy once I’d finished the blurb! It is a challenge concentrating the mind to find THAT hook to pull in the readers and keep their curiosity piqued until the end. So glad you’re looking forward to reading the final blurb…not too long! Wishing you a great weekend, Curt.
Roller coaster is a good description, right down to that strange feeling the pit of your stomach… Thanks, Annika. –Curt
Oh, you’re so generous. Thank you for this informative and helpful post, I’m busy writing a blurb myself (shh…don’t tell anyone 🙂 ) I will use your notes to help me see how far am I in conquering the enigmatic blurb.
I’m excited for you. And I can’t wait for the reveal of your final blurb, book cover and the book, itself. Well done, my friend!
Khaya, I won’t tell anyone!! You’re writing a blurb?? 😃 How exciting!! What is your book about? When are you thinking of publishing? You’re being wonderfully enigmatic about this! I can’t wait to learn more. ❤️ I hope my post can give you a few pointers and help you with your blurb writing.
Ahh..I’m so happy you’re looking forward to the final book and hopefully, it won’t be too long until I can reveal the title, blurb and book cover….I’m just waiting for the latter! 😀 Wishing you a lovely relaxing weekend, my friend. xx
interesting post Annika. good to read about your process to writing a ‘blurb’. with my first book i just had a one-liner, or ‘elevator pitch’ on the back cover and then three reviews from well-known writers. they did a good job of writing a blurb for me as part of their reviews. with my second book i only had reviews from famous (relatively) authors on the back cover and no summary of the story. i took the lazy way out. for my third book, coming out next year, i’ll have a go at writing a 100 word blurb by going to the Author’s Society website that you mentioned. it’s tough. like writing a ‘pitch’ when submitting a manuscript to a publisher. we’re all on this steep learning curve together 🙂 thanks for the useful info. i look forward to further news. x
Libby, lovely to be travelling this road together…although you are far more experienced with your books!! 😀 The thought of writing a synopsis would make me flee the house … that does seem impossible! I like your other ideas on the blurb possibilities and maybe this will be useful to other writers. I hope this post and the Author’s Society website will be helpful to you, Libby and it is more geared towards novels. Good luck with yours and I look forward to reading it – keep us posted!😀
Total torture xxxxxxx
Shey, the worst was before I started!! 😀😀 Also, the sense of relief once I’d finished was immense. Hugs xx
Your title, alone, struck terror in this (slightly) calm, (somewhat) sane writer.
I don’t write epic tomes and the blurbs are still quite painful. It’s refreshing to see someone speak up for collection and anthology blurbs being complex and tricky. They really are. Thanks for the link (and tips). LOVE the Poe quote. ❤
Oh no, Sarah, I didn’t mean to strike terror into you!!😀 In the end, I found preparation was the key…also I kept looking through the stories, talking to myself (glad no one was at home!), bouncing ideas around my head. Some of the blurbs I came across for short stories weren’t that great…some (from some very famous writers) were mystical and enigmatic but not relevant to my anthology. It was tricky but I’m pleased with the final result! Yeah, so glad you liked the quote…from the master himself and one I keep in mind! Warmest wishes from one equally only slightly calm & somewhat sane writer! hugs xx ❤️
I copied all of your tips. I’m just a few months away from the blurb, or less, and it scares me to death. Maybe I’ll start by cleaning my desk. Seems to have worked nicely for you! I’m looking forward to this book, Annika.
Cleaning is the go to activity for me when in trouble!! 😀😀 I hope these tips help you too, Jacqui but from your previous blurbs you seem to be a pro! ❤️
I can’t wait to see read your blurb, especially since I know how much effort has gone into writing it!
Ahh…thank you so much! 😀 Hopefully cover should be ready to reveal along with the blurb this weekend!
Writing a blurb can be pure torture for authors. 🙂 Coming up with the Logline is even harder. Great post, Annika and congrats to you!
How true about the tagline (I imagine this is what Logline means). 😀 I had written part of a post how I came up with mine but in the end, thought this would be too much to include in this post! Many thanks for your lovely comment, Jan! ❤️
Congratulations on getting it done Annika. I think the blurb for an anthology must be extra challenging.
Your tips are excellent. I can’t wait to see your blurb and book cover. 🌼
Thank you so much, Brigid…I honestly was terrified of writing one and didn’t know where to start…research is always good at such times! 😃 I’m glad if the tips can help others who are looking to write their first blub! I’m so happy you’re looking forward to the blurb and book cover – hopefully, the latter should be ready to reveal this weekend! I do so want to post them together!😃
Wonderful. It felt like giving birth to me although I don’t have any children. I remember being terrified too but oh the relief when it was written. 😊
Such an informative post, Annika! Bookmarking those 17 tips for my present WIP blurb.
Can’t wait to read your blurb and see the cover! 🙂
Jennifer, I hope this proves as helpful to you as it was to me…best of luck with your WIP and I look forward to reading more about it!😀 Thank you so much for your comment…hopefully not too long until my blurb and cover reveal!! xx
Oh, that is such a tease!!!! I kept waiting for the blurb and you left me with a cliffhanger. It sounds like you did tons of homework, Annika, and I’m certain the blurb will be everything you want it to be. I think an important part of blurb-writing is that “fresh eyes” part. It’s something that develops over weeks not hours. I favorited the link to the “17 Steps.” It sounds very useful. Can’t wait for your book 🙂
Diana…it was a close call whether I was going to include the blurb here today or wait for the cover to be ready…the latter decision I’m afraid! 😃 I want to make a bit of a ‘splash’ with the cover, title and blurb together – at least I’m fulfilling the cliffhanger part of the blurb so far in this post about blurbs! 😀 So glad you found the link useful … I have lots of editing/writing/publishing/promoting posts bookmarked which I also refer to often. So excited that you’re keen about my book release!!😃
I think you made an excellent choice, but had to tease a bit. Looking forward to it!
P.S. You just gave me a great idea of a writing assignment. Write a blurb for five of your favorite stories. Hmmmm, that could be quite a lesson in writing…blurbs.
Haha!! 😀 Great assignment, Pam – and I nearly feel sorry for your students. 😀 It really forces you to look closely at the stories, consider their strengths from all angles. I’m actually using this blurb as my homework for my writing group which was to write a 100 word story…well, this is exactly 100 words and I’ve got a heck of a story how I came to write it! Yep, it’s great to break rules! 😀
Hey, smart you! I’m going to practice and write a ‘blurb’ for the book I’m writing now. Maybe those 100 words will spur me on to write more pages a day. :-0
You teach us while you’re in the process of learning yourself. That’s a perfect teacher, and sharer of wisdom. Clever, too. Now I can’t wait to read your blurb!!!!
Ahh…I did like playing schools as young and always wanted to be the teacher on such occasions – maybe this is my opportunity again!! 😀 I know how tricky this writing lark can be so I’m happy if my posts about my publishing journey can help others. I bet you thought the blurb would be at the end, didn’t you, Pam!? It was in the draft stage of the post but I decided I want to post the title, cover and blurb altogether…hopefully this weekend if the cover is ready! 😃
Good!! xo
I agree—writing blurbs is a challenge. It can seem overwhelming at first. These are great tips you offer. Congrats on getting yours sorted out!
Thank you, Carrie – it was a huge relief to finish it! 😀 I am happy with the final result and couldn’t believe the word count was 100 exactly! Not knowing exactly what to do was overwhelming but the research and preparation helped so much!
I can’t wait to see the blurb and book cover together. 🙂
I’m waiting on a cover for my latest before sharing my blurb as well.Rolling them out together makes it all worthwhile.
I actually don’t mind writing blurbs. For some reason they come fairly easily for me. Now if you had mentioned a synopsis *shudder* That particular animal is the bane of my existence, LOL!
I cower at the thought of a synopsis and think I’d just rush out of the house for a walk!! 😃 I’ve read a few articles about them as well…but they don’t really seem to help.
Yeah…Congratulations on your forthcoming book…it’s so exciting, isn’t it!?😀 I considered posting the blurb here but like you say, it is much better to roll them out together and make a real impact!
Mae, best of luck with your book and I’ll keep my eyes peeled for your cover & blurb.
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving—one in which you don’t have to think about a synopsis, LOL. You’ve already nailed the blurb 🙂
I don’t mind blurb writing, I stick to Who, What, When, Where, Why as the key elements required and find it comes relatively easily. Then I play around with word choice to make it intriguing and exciting.
That sounds like a great technique…might give it a go with my novel! I wonder if it will be easier next time round!? Many thanks for your comment and sharing your tips. 😀😃
Wow this was so difficult! You are such a committed writer. I cant wait to read the blurb, must be marvelous coming from you!
Ahh…thank you so much, Lynz! 😀 I hope you’ll like it! It definitely took commitment to write the blurb…I told myself I wasn’t allowed out of my study until I’d written something decent!
When you started cleaning the desk I was worried about that distraction but you managed well!
You know me too well, Lynz…my procrastination was tempting me to start tidying my bookcases but I gave myself a strict telling off! 😀
I expect part of it is because the blurb requires a certain ‘marketing of your book’, element, which many authors shy away from.
Very true, Rosie…it’s not easy to put oneself and one’s book out there but all a key part of the process of selling books! I just hope people don’t get fed up of seeing me around!
Oh, Lord, yes. I hate writing them!
I heard the sigh of agony there, Mick!! 😀 I’m just so glad I managed it!
Absolutely, Annika.
Annika, I can’t imagine hoe difficult it must be to capsulize an anthology. It sounds like you did your homework and have been rewarded with a direction to pursue.
The preparation beforehand was the key, Bernadette…also to have the stories all in front of me to skim over and over. I promised myself not to rush.
What an exciting time this is for you Annika, even though you toiled over the writing of your blurb. Sounds like you researched it well and you covered some great tips here. Yes to an empty desk and plenty of open work space, that would definitely give good energy. Can’t wait to read it! Hugs and earnest wishes xo
Miriam, I see you totally understand my need to clear space to work, thereby clearing space for my brain to be creative. The preparation beforehand was invaluable and I would have been lost without it. The book cover and blurb should be revealed this weekend!! Crazy busy sorting last minutes details! warmest hugs back. xx
Don’t hate me, but I love to write blurbs, Annika. Of course, I’ve never written one for short stories, so I imagine that would be much more difficult. I can’t wait to read yours! No doubt, it’s brilliant! xoxo
Jill, you’re the sweetest!! 😀❤️ I love that you love to write blurbs…wonderfully unique and I’ll have to change my introduction to this post to ‘most writers’! At least next time I have some idea how to prepare and what to do! Oh, I hope you like it … in the end I was very happy with the final blurb. All should be revealed over the weekend! 😃😃
Oh my dear… Indeed writing a blurb is harder than writing a book. And short stories must be really hard cos they are all different xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Exactly, Shey…I pondered this one a long while and reading other short stories blurbs gave me good tips on where to go…I’m so happy when I’d finished it! 😃 I wonder what it will like writing one for a novel!?