Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Share your tips and ideas on the best way to write an eye-catching book blurb. A book blurb and a synopsis are not the same thing. Sometimes authors give away so much of a book in the details-section that there's not much reason for people to buy the book. What are some great sources, guidelines or articles that you can share about writing a description that will tempt readers to read the preview of your book or possibly buy it without bothering with a preview.

Kathy wrote: "Share your tips and ideas on the best way to write an eye-catching book blurb. A book blurb and a synopsis are not the same thing. Sometimes authors give away so much of a book in the details-sect..."

Think of the blurb as a written type of trailer. If you would not put it in a book or movie trailer, don't put it in the blurb.

Kathy wrote: "Share your tips and ideas on the best way to write an eye-catching book blurb. A book blurb and a synopsis are not the same thing. Sometimes authors give away so much of a book in the details-sect..."

My publisher said you should keep it short and sweet and eye-catching. So mine is a few questions, to cause intrigue and then a brief overall description of the plot in just two sentences.

I think it always has to be relevant, without revealing anything, and adequately represent the story and genre of what's inside the cover. All too often I've read book blurbs that say one thing, but when you read the book, it's totally been mis-represented by the blurb. Which is no good, because that's when someone can take it back and ask for a refund.

Elaine wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Share your tips and ideas on the best way to write an eye-catching book blurb. A book blurb and a synopsis are not the same thing. Sometimes authors give away so much of a book in th..."

I agree, Elaine. I've read blurbs like that. They're like those movie trailers that don't deliver as promised.

In essence, the blurb is your logline: a 25 word or less description of the seed of conflict that drives your story.

Laurel wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Share your tips and ideas on the best way to write an eye-catching book blurb. A book blurb and a synopsis are not the same thing. Sometimes authors give away so much of a book in th..."

I see what you're saying, Elaine. You bring up a good point, indirectly. Some authors don't realize that book trailers shouldn't run two-to-five minutes long and give away the high points of the books.

Kathy wrote: "Laurel wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Share your tips and ideas on the best way to write an eye-catching book blurb. A book blurb and a synopsis are not the same thing. Sometimes authors give away so much ..."

sixty to one hundred twenty seconds for a book trailer. The point is "why" the person should buy/read the book. High concept only.

Example, "A medieval coming-of-age story about a princess who must discover the person she was always meant to be" (for The Great Succession Crisis).

Anything more and it becomes a synopsis.

I read somewhere possibly Twitter that you should have 3 Book blurbs. One should be similar to your synopsis, good amount of words and descriptive, second should be around 2-3 sentences and your third a very short one sentence summing up it all very short.

Kathy wrote: "Laurel wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Share your tips and ideas on the best way to write an eye-catching book blurb. A book blurb and a synopsis are not the same thing. Sometimes authors give away so much ..."

Exactly. I can't count how many times I've seen a movie trailer and thought 'WOW, that looks awesome' only to get to the cinema, or worse pay for the DVD, only to find that all the best bits were in the trailer.