Writing book cover copy

Editor jessi rita hoffman explains how to craft professional and compelling backcover copy for your book. Do you still feel like writing your back cover copy is as difficult as drafting your resume. Writing killer cover copy indie inspiration for selfpublishers book 2 kindle edition by johnson, elana m. Writing killer cover copy is an essential skill for anyone whos written a book, especially authors running their own selfpublishing business. And even if youre planning on only selling through online retailers, bcc is still incredibly useful.

Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio. These 50 awesome book covers will inspire you learn. 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. Previously, i covered the why of writing book jacket copy. The back cover copy of your book is your sales pitch to prospective readers and book buyers.

Ill say it impossible, without examining dust jackets from successful novels, that is. 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. You haveat best150 to 200 words to work with, because thats all that will attractively fit on the back cover of most volumes. Learn how to write a back book cover blurb that not only intrigues readers but gets them to buy. 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. Aug 14, 2017 keep your backcover copy in the moment. I cant offer you tips for creating a clever title or a descriptive subtitle. The copy that appears on the cover of your book is some of the most important marketing copy youll need.

How to build an email list of supportive fans before you launch. How to write back cover copy that sells ellen violette medium. Go to the bookstore or a library, pick up books in your genre, and read the cover copy. Thata a lot of buying potential just waiting to be claimed by a snappy back cover. Make money writing ebooks with these simple 9 steps. Thats why an objective party whos read your book is the best person to write your back cover copy. 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.

What makes a good book blurb best back cover copy for book sales derek murphy. How to write jacket copy that will help sell your book. In other words, if your book is for children, make sure their parents know why they need to buy your book for their children. Even though you dont have to write a lot, each word is vital. It tells people who you are and why youre uniquely qualified to write your book. Feb 02, 2015 how to write winning back cover copy that sells books. How to get massive amounts of free promotion and visibility for your selfpublished book. Front and back cover copy for book covers cover design.

How to build a profitable online business you can run from anywhere. In a nutshell, its the 200 odd words on the back cover of your book that describes the book to the reader. Not only will it appear on the book itself, but youll probably use it as your amazon description. 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. How to build the back of a book cover with template. Writing back cover copy for nonfiction books is significantly different than writing back cover copy for fiction. A books back cover will usually have a brief synopsis back cover copy of the book. What makes a good book blurb best back cover copy for book. This letter is your first point of contact between you and a publisher, therefore, it is crucial that aspiring authors know. So, a couple other things youre going to do in your back cover copy, and then were going to give you an example. Below are a few examples of back cover copy for fiction. Grab your readers attention with a catchy headline.

The front cover has a critical role to play, of course, but todays post is about the strategic use of the back cover. Be clear about the benefits of buying your book, and youll deliver an irresistible message. Doing so will keep the reader excited, which will sell your book. Cover design secrets manipulate readers into buying books. First read the cover copy on other books in your genre. For nonfiction, establishing yourself as an expert and differentiating your book from the others written about the same. The next step is grabbing the readers interest with a tempting back cover synopsis that leaves her guessing.

How to write winning back cover copy that sells books. 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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading writing killer cover copy indie inspiration for selfpublishers book 2. 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. Writing your back cover copy book designer fiona raven. 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. The focus should be on credentials andor experiences that indicate that you have qualifications for writing the book. Book cover design is a crucial part of your marketing effort. What makes a good book blurb best back cover copy for. How your back cover copy is written depends on whether you write fiction or nonfiction. 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. As a reader, i wont usually buy a book unless i can read the back cover copy to see what the book is about.

Write a one hundred and fifty to two hundred word pitch that illustrates a character to root for, large canvas of. Anyone who picks up your book will look at and hopefully read the back cover after looking at the front cover. This is another way of how copywriting uses writing to. Jul 06, 2011 first read the cover copy on other books in your genre. 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.

Writing back cover copy for your nonfiction book xulon. Take some friends so that you can ask them why they liked certain books. If the book is not about dogs, there is no need to mention your dog. Take it one step at a time and vow to stay focused. In fact, aside from the front cover, the back cover is what will motivate the reader to buy your book. You wont need to spend hundreds hiring a designer when you create your own awesome cover in canvas book cover maker. A cover letter introduces you and your novel to potential publishers. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells kindlepreneur. How to write kickbutt bcc back cover copy the wise. Its the essence of your books most exciting features, distilled into a few hundred words. How to write successful back cover copy mascot books.

The examples you find will make everything you read in this article clearer. But once that reader picks up your book and flips to your back cover, this is your chance to sell your book. Its not every day you run into someone whose specialty is back cover copy for your book. Front cover copy for book covers this section is designed to help you use copy effectively on your book covers. And depending on your genre, clever and descriptive might not be the way to go. 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. I recently wrote a description for a back cover for a client the other day and he loved it. The back cover copy you write for your book is among the most important marketing messages youll craft. Apr 28, 2016 the back cover copy you write for your book is among the most important marketing messages youll craft. 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. 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. Its the essence of your books most exciting features, distilled into a.

Heres how to make a book cover that will help you sell books. Back cover copy is sales copy, which means it has to be written with different considerations in mind. Remember, your back cover copy can be just as powerful a marketing tool as your front cover. 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. As a reader, i wont usually buy a book unless i can read the back cover copy to see what. 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. Craft cover copy that will convert browsers into buyers at a higher rate, entice readers to buy and read immediately, and sell more books. 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. Essay writers write different stories, books and news that are related and certified to other personalities for example celebrities, artists, politicians. That reader is already interested, and just needs convincing.

How to write a back cover book synopsis pen and the pad. Dont just repeat your books title on the back cover. Compare the writing side by side on several books, watching how they build the case for each book what information they. These readers want to know they are receiving help or education from an expert on a particular topic. Readers will most definitely judge your book by its cover. Design book covers with canvas free book cover maker. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. So when we say back cover copy this is the text that goes next to your book photo. Here are four tips to maximize your nonfiction back cover copy. 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. 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 8 brilliant fonts you need to use in your book layout with type combinations and samples. 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. Front and back cover copy for book covers cover design studio.

Theres a reason why these books are bestsellers back cover copy is the second thing book. For instance, if the writer isnt previously published, or lacks notable credentials. 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. Writing your books backcover copy book edits by jessi. 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. The 8 brilliant fonts you need to use in your book layout. Convincing copy that makes the reader impatient to find out whats inside. Professional and quality help with editing your paper.

Here are 6 mustdo tips for brainstorming back cover copy. Before we get into why most authors hate writing their back book cover blurb, lets clarify what it actually is. The back cover of your as yet unwritten book can help you write a better book, and write it faster, too. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Cfe curriculum browser literacy and english first level writing tools for writing i can present my writing in a way. 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. Book jacket copy isnt about summarizing your project or providing the reader with a clear synopsis or plot spoiler.

A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a book s contents. And who knows, maybe by this time next year youll be holding a published. Our team of awesome designers have worked hard to create quality layouts which will help your book look professional and sell out. But unless youve contracted with a traditional publisher, youre likely responsible for writing your own cover copy. 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. Book writing tips writing process writing resources writing help essay writing writing. 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. Back cover copy is the blurb on the back of a book.

Give your backcover copy the time and attention required so that it can close the sale. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. Proofreading and creating a paper from scratch, professional writers, intime delivery and 247 support. Visit a bookstore or library and read the back covers of bestselling books in your genre. Normally, the back cover copy is written by marketing specialistssometimes a person who only does that one task. Writing a book is a herculean task, but that doesnt mean it cant be done. It typically serves as the foundation for your online book descriptions, as well as any press releases or pitches you make to the media. A free infographic and spreadsheet to write the back cover copy for your novel, based on the hunger games and harry potter. The backcover copy also functions as the primary ad for your book. 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. As an author, how can we turn this to our advantage. So now lets roll up our sleeves and get into how to write a book jacket cover what is copy. 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.

You could actually become fairly skilled just doing that. Relevant awards, memberships or previous books are valuable to mentioned. Editor jessi rita hoffman explains how to craft professional and compelling back cover copy for your book. Tips for writing the best back cover copy design for books. But the truth is, book cover design can make or break a book. The next step is grabbing the readers interest with a. Canvas collection of book cover layouts is the best on the web. The words you place on your back cover are crucial to your books success or lack thereof. How to build an author website and actually get people to show up.

Jan 27, 2020 here are 6 mustdo tips for brainstorming back cover copy. When i read the book i was a complete novice to copy writing and needed to work on writing headlines. Best online thesis writing services, professional thesis writing services, and master thesis writing services at low cost. How can we write that back cover copy that hooks a passing browser, and turns him or her into a loyal reader.

If youd prefer not to copy blog titles, you can analyze the titles of best sellers in your niche. This section is designed to help you use copy effectively on your book covers. You wont need to spend hundreds hiring a designer when you create your own awesome cover in. Nonfiction readers care more about who is providing the information. At dog ear publishing, we really want your book to succeed it benefits both of us when our authors sell more books. 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. Referrals from other selfpublished writers, writing groups online or inperson and writer friends are a great way to find good designers at reasonable. Its the essence of your book s most exciting features, distilled into a few hundred words.