Writing book cover copy

Aug 14, 2017 keep your backcover copy in the moment. Editor jessi rita hoffman explains how to craft professional and compelling back cover copy for your book. Back cover copy also called flap copy is the text that goes on the back cover of a book or on the back cover and flaps of a dust jacket. How to write winning back cover copy that sells books. Before we get into why most authors hate writing their back book cover blurb, lets clarify what it actually is. How to get massive amounts of free promotion and visibility for your selfpublished book.

Thats why an objective party whos read your book is the best person to write your back cover copy. Craft cover copy that will convert browsers into buyers at a higher rate, entice readers to buy and read immediately, and sell more books. Below are a few examples of back cover copy for fiction. Write a one hundred and fifty to two hundred word pitch that illustrates a character to root for, large canvas of. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. Aug 26, 2019 nonfiction back cover copy must spell out the benefits for readers as well as the authors expertise in order for the book to be taken seriously. In other words, if your book is for children, make sure their parents know why they need to buy your book for their children. Front cover copy for book covers this section is designed to help you use copy effectively on your book covers. How to write jacket copy that will help sell your book. The focus should be on credentials andor experiences that indicate that you have qualifications for writing the book. The examples you find will make everything you read in this article clearer. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading writing killer cover copy indie inspiration for selfpublishers book 2. How to write successful back cover copy mascot books.

Feb 02, 2015 how to write winning back cover copy that sells books. I recently wrote a description for a back cover for a client the other day and he loved it. Readers will most definitely judge your book by its cover. How to build a profitable online business you can run from anywhere. Front and back cover copy for book covers cover design. I cant offer you tips for creating a clever title or a descriptive subtitle. You haveat best150 to 200 words to work with, because thats all that will attractively fit on the back cover of most volumes. Back cover copy also called flap copy is the text that goes on the back cover of a book or on the back cover and flaps of a. These 50 awesome book covers will inspire you learn. The next step is grabbing the readers interest with a tempting back cover synopsis that leaves her guessing.

Writing back cover copy for nonfiction books is significantly different than writing back cover copy for fiction. When i read the book i was a complete novice to copy writing and needed to work on writing headlines. Cfe curriculum browser literacy and english first level writing tools for writing i can present my writing in a way. Ill say it impossible, without examining dust jackets from successful novels, that is. Book cover design is a crucial part of your marketing effort. Jul 11, 2017 yes, an old pulp trick but i did it a number of times in the hundredplus books i wrote in my days of traditional publishing.

For nonfiction, establishing yourself as an expert and differentiating your book from the others written about the same. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. And depending on your genre, clever and descriptive might not be the way to go. Editor jessi rita hoffman explains how to craft professional and compelling backcover copy for your book. What makes a good book blurb best back cover copy for book. Relevant awards, memberships or previous books are valuable to mentioned. Essay writers write different stories, books and news that are related and certified to other personalities for example celebrities, artists, politicians. These readers want to know they are receiving help or education from an expert on a particular topic. How to write back cover copy that sells ellen violette medium. Our team of awesome designers have worked hard to create quality layouts which will help your book look professional and sell out. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents. The backcover copy also functions as the primary ad for your book. Nov 23, 2015 while you might not remember the back cover content of the last book you read, it surely played a major part in your buying decision. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times.

You wont need to spend hundreds hiring a designer when you create your own awesome cover in canvas book cover maker. Convincing copy that makes the reader impatient to find out whats inside. In fact, aside from the front cover, the back cover is what will motivate the reader to buy your book. Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio. How to build an author website and actually get people to show up.

Theres a reason why these books are bestsellers back cover copy is the second thing book buyers look at to help them make a buying decision the front cover is first. A cover letter introduces you and your novel to potential publishers. How to build the back of a book cover with template. Heres how to make a book cover that will help you sell books. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells kindlepreneur. Compare the writing side by side on several books, watching how they build the case for each book what information they. How to write kickbutt bcc back cover copy the wise. A free infographic and spreadsheet to write the back cover copy for your novel, based on the hunger games and harry potter.

The third example shows how part of the back cover copy the author bio, in this case can show up on the inside flap of a hard cover book. Book jacket copy isnt about summarizing your project or providing the reader with a clear synopsis or plot spoiler. It tells people who you are and why youre uniquely qualified to write your book. Theres a reason why these books are bestsellers back cover copy is the second thing book. The copy that appears on the cover of your book is some of the most important marketing copy youll need. If youre writing back cover copy for books youve read, that will teach you a great deal when you approach your own back cover copy, and i love that. What makes a good book blurb best back cover copy for. This section is designed to help you use copy effectively on your book covers. In a nutshell, its the 200 odd words on the back cover of your book that describes the book to the reader. The back cover of your as yet unwritten book can help you write a better book, and write it faster, too.

If youve ever bought a book on impulse, it was probably due at least in part to the blurb on the back or the sales copy on the website. Aug, 2015 before sitting down to the task of writing your back cover copy, examine the backs of other books in your genre for examples of how the copy should read. Writing your back cover copy book designer fiona raven. What makes a good book blurb best back cover copy for book sales derek murphy. This is one of the most important pieces of copy youll write, since it has a lot of work to do representing your book and showing people whats unique, interesting, or especially valuable about what you. Remember, your back cover copy can be just as powerful a marketing tool as your front cover. Apr 28, 2016 the back cover copy you write for your book is among the most important marketing messages youll craft. Writing your books backcover copy book edits by jessi. Anyone who picks up your book will look at and hopefully read the back cover after looking at the front cover. That reader is already interested, and just needs convincing.

Design book covers with canvas free book cover maker. Before sitting down to the task of writing your back cover copy, examine the backs of other books in your genre for examples of how the copy should read. Apr 04, 2006 i bought this book to try and improve my sales copy, overall its a great read and i love how there are inspiring quotes throughout the book. Writing back cover copy for your nonfiction book xulon.

For book cover text if you are citing descriptive copy or a quotation printed on the cover of a book, its preferable to incorporate the necessary details chiefly, the author of the copy or quotation you are citing, if known, and the source where the copy or quotation appears into the body of your text and then create a standard entry for. Proofreading and creating a paper from scratch, professional writers, intime delivery and 247 support. The back cover copy of your book is your sales pitch to prospective readers and book buyers. How to build an email list of supportive fans before you launch. So when we say back cover copy this is the text that goes next to your book photo. If the book is not about dogs, there is no need to mention your dog. Here are four tips to maximize your nonfiction back cover copy.

To that end, wed like to offer some advice on writing book cover copy and promotion copy self publishing is an industry that has many opportunities, but you need to know how to get at them. It typically serves as the foundation for your online book descriptions, as well as any press releases or pitches you make to the media. And even if youre planning on only selling through online retailers, bcc is still incredibly useful. The front cover has a critical role to play, of course, but todays post is about the strategic use of the back cover. Professional and quality help with editing your paper. Most run several paragraphs, but some publishers want them shorter or in a special format so be sure to check with your publishers guidelines before you begin work. Take some friends so that you can ask them why they liked certain books. But unless youve contracted with a traditional publisher, youre likely responsible for writing your own cover copy. But once that reader picks up your book and flips to your back cover, this is your chance to sell your book.

Book writing tips writing process writing resources writing help essay writing writing. A books back cover will usually have a brief synopsis back cover copy of the book. Make money writing ebooks with these simple 9 steps. Here are 6 mustdo tips for brainstorming back cover copy. Back cover copy is the blurb on the back of a book. How your back cover copy is written depends on whether you write fiction or nonfiction. Authors put a lot of creative energy into writing stories and instructions, so writing a few paragraphs of texts for a back cover might seem easy. Visit a bookstore or library and read the back covers of bestselling books in your genre. Dont just repeat your books title on the back cover. Its not every day you run into someone whose specialty is back cover copy for your book.

The 8 brilliant fonts you need to use in your book layout. Best online thesis writing services, professional thesis writing services, and master thesis writing services at low cost. First read the cover copy on other books in your genre. As a reader, i wont usually buy a book unless i can read the back cover copy to see what the book is about. Previously, i covered the why of writing book jacket copy. This is another way of how copywriting uses writing to.

Writing a book is a herculean task, but that doesnt mean it cant be done. Canvas collection of book cover layouts is the best on the web. While you might not remember the back cover content of the last book you read, it surely played a major part in your buying decision. How to write a back cover book synopsis pen and the pad. Writing killer cover copy is an essential skill for anyone whos written a book, especially authors running their own selfpublishing business. Not only will it appear on the book itself, but youll probably use it as your amazon description. Do you still feel like writing your back cover copy is as difficult as drafting your resume. Its the essence of your book s most exciting features, distilled into a few hundred words.

I bought this book to try and improve my sales copy, overall its a great read and i love how there are inspiring quotes throughout the book. Its the essence of your books most exciting features, distilled into a few hundred words. As a reader, i wont usually buy a book unless i can read the back cover copy to see what. Grab your readers attention with a catchy headline. Learn how to write a back book cover blurb that not only intrigues readers but gets them to buy. Go to the bookstore or a library, pick up books in your genre, and read the cover copy. Be clear about the benefits of buying your book, and youll deliver an irresistible message. Tips for writing the best back cover copy design for books. The back cover copy you write for your book is among the most important marketing messages youll craft. So, a couple other things youre going to do in your back cover copy, and then were going to give you an example. Nonfiction readers care more about who is providing the information. The great thing about writing great book marketing cover copy and setting up the flow of your copy on the back cover is that its almost naturally great seo copy. Once youve taken in all of the above and gotten a feel for the promise you want to make to the reader, use the outlines below to write your book cover blurb.

The next step is grabbing the readers interest with a. You wont need to spend hundreds hiring a designer when you create your own awesome cover in. In book publishing, flap copy or jacket flap copy is the summary of a book which appears on the inside of a hardcover dust jacket. Jan 27, 2020 here are 6 mustdo tips for brainstorming back cover copy. 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. Before you start writing the early drafts of your jacket copy yes, just like your book, this text should probably go through several revisions, check out the following articles for some guidance, warnings, and inspiration. Back cover copy is sales copy, which means it has to be written with different considerations in mind. How can we write that back cover copy that hooks a passing browser, and turns him or her into a loyal reader. Even though you dont have to write a lot, each word is vital. Doing so will keep the reader excited, which will sell your book. So now lets roll up our sleeves and get into how to write a book jacket cover what is copy. For instance, if the writer isnt previously published, or lacks notable credentials. As an author, how can we turn this to our advantage. You could actually become fairly skilled just doing that.

At dog ear publishing, we really want your book to succeed it benefits both of us when our authors sell more books. Front and back cover copy for book covers cover design studio. Aug 23, 2012 i think a tricky part about writing back cover copy for fiction is writing it with a sense of urgency to grab a readers attention. Give your backcover copy the time and attention required so that it can close the sale.

I think a tricky part about writing back cover copy for fiction is writing it with a sense of urgency to grab a readers attention. Writing killer cover copy indie inspiration for selfpublishers book 2 kindle edition by johnson, elana m. But the truth is, book cover design can make or break a book. Jul 06, 2011 first read the cover copy on other books in your genre. Thata a lot of buying potential just waiting to be claimed by a snappy back cover. This letter is your first point of contact between you and a publisher, therefore, it is crucial that aspiring authors know. The words you place on your back cover are crucial to your books success or lack thereof. Take it one step at a time and vow to stay focused. Oct 19, 2018 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.

Normally, the back cover copy is written by marketing specialistssometimes a person who only does that one task. Referrals from other selfpublished writers, writing groups online or inperson and writer friends are a great way to find good designers at reasonable. If youd prefer not to copy blog titles, you can analyze the titles of best sellers in your niche. Its the essence of your books most exciting features, distilled into a. Cover design secrets manipulate readers into buying books.