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One of the biggest questions I get from clients I work with on independent publishing is how to write the copy for the back of their books. Indeed, crafting a compelling back cover book blurb can be daunting.
As the first point of contact between your book and potential readers, the cover must be captivating, concise, and convey the essence of your story. Therefore, you must give readers a punchy preview of the book's content.
But how do you whittle an entire book down into just a couple of paragraphs—or less? How do you choose the most essential details to include? And, of course, how do you ensure that the back cover book blurb is more than just a summary of the book?
Having done this myself and helped multiple authors with it, I understand the struggles writers face. So, allow me to help you navigate this critical aspect of your book's presentation.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through creating a back cover blurb that hooks readers, entices them to delve into your book, and ensures they’ll buy it, not just set it aside in favor of something else.
Start with a Hook
Begin with an engaging opening line that grabs the reader’s attention. This could be a provocative question, an intriguing statement, or a glimpse into a dramatic scene. The hook sets the tone and invites the reader to learn more.
Typically, the hook is laid out on the back cover as a question in a more prominent typeface, which ensures it’s the first thing readers see. It needs to be powerful and eye-catching enough to make readers move on to the rest of the book blurb.
Example: Ella Thompson thought she was an ordinary teenager . . . until she stumbled upon an ancient secret that would change her life forever.
Introduce the Main Character(s)
Introduce your protagonist and provide a hint of their situation. Readers should understand who the story revolves around and why they should care about this character’s journey.
Example: Fourteen-year-old Ella longs for adventure—something to break her out of the doldrums of her daily life.
Set the Scene
Give readers a sense of the setting and time period. This helps them visualize the story and understand the context of the story.
Example: After all, life in suburbia is pretty boring, especially in a neighborhood where all the houses look the same, and all the people have about as much personality as cardboard cutouts.
Highlight the Conflict
The core of any good story is conflict. Briefly describe the main problem or challenge your protagonist faces. This adds tension and stakes to your blurb, making the reader eager to see how it will be resolved.
The power word for highlighting the conflict is “but.” In the previous sentences, you’ve given the reader a look at your character’s normal, everyday life. Now, it’s time to preview the struggle your character is thrust into.
Example: But when Ella discovers a portal to an enchanted forest in her backyard, she stumbles into a world of fairies, talking animals, and a family of magical beings that embraces her, and for the first time, she feels like she’s where she belongs.
Raise the Stakes
Make it clear why the conflict matters and what’s at risk. This emphasizes the importance of the protagonist’s journey and builds suspense. Knowing what the character has to gain or lose introduces immediate emotional appeal, allowing readers to connect with the story—even without reading a single page.
Another trick at this point in the blurb is to give a “teaser”—a question that adds to the suspense and intrigue. Think about the big question readers will want an answer to as the story unfolds and weave it into the end of the plot description.
Example: However, she quickly learns that the forest is in danger—and she holds the key to defending it from the evil that seeks to throw it into chaos. Will Ella unlock her true potential in time to save the forest—and possibly her own world—from destruction?
Give a Call to Action
In marketing, a call to action is a direct statement of what you want your prospective customer to do next. You see them every day, usually on a button enticing you to subscribe to a newsletter or buy a product.
This same concept applies to your back cover book blurb. After you’ve outlined the plot by focusing on the character and the central conflict, you want to clinch the deal with one last statement about why readers should pick up your book.
This statement should be descriptive and include one last statement about what your audience can gain by reading it. One way to do this is to think thematically. Now that you’ve given an overview of the story, zoom out and think about what you want readers to discover, learn, or be enthralled with.
You don’t have to be didactic with this—in fact, you shouldn’t be. Don’t oversell it either—avoid saying that the book is “a brilliant debut,” “an astonishing tale,” or anything that hints at melodrama. Focus on the story and what it offers to anyone who reads it.
Example: Join Ella on her quest to save the people and creatures she loves and discover what it means to love the places you come from, no matter what the cost.
Additional Tips for a Stellar Blurb
Keep it Concise: Aim for 150-200 words. Too much detail can overwhelm potential readers.
Use Active Language: Strong, dynamic words make your blurb more engaging.
Avoid Spoilers: Give enough to entice but not so much that you reveal key plot points.
Focus on Emotion: Tap into the reader's emotions to make a lasting impression.
Test It Out: Share your blurb with friends or fellow writers to get feedback and refine it.
Need More Help with Writing a Back Cover Book Blurb?
Crafting a back cover blurb is just one step in your writing journey, and you’re bound to have many questions as you navigate not just publication but all the other stages in the process.
That’s why I am pleased to offer Virtual Meetups—a free 30-minute consultation on Zoom that will help you work through any questions or issues you’re having with writing.
Brainstorm a project, talk about a story problem, discuss editing and publication, and learn what Inkling Creative Strategies can do to help you in the future.
It’s the fastest, easiest way to overcome the obstacles that stand between you and meeting your writing goals, and I’ve made it available at no cost to you.
Click the button below to access my schedule!
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