What makes a great blurb?

[Brian Hoffman]

My first thriller is almost done (I've been saying that for 6 months but this time I mean it) and I'm trying to learn how to market it.  I'm to the point of writing the "blurb".  Of course, I want to have a great one. 

 

What do you think makes a great "blurb", one that makes you want to read the book, that makes you punch the download button?

[Jack Getze]

Best research is your own library -- read the back jacket copy on books similiar to yours. Usually present tense. Coben's are really really good.

[I. J. Parker]

Can't improve on that advice.

[Patricia Gligor]

Let me give you an example of a one sentence synopsis and a thirteen word blurb that I've written for my women's mystery/suspense novel, Mixed Messages.

"Ann Kern is struggling to save her troubled marriage to an alcoholic when, due to a series of threatening notes and frightening events, she becomes convinced that she is the Westwood Strangler's next intended victim."

"Ann Kern is terrified that she will be the Westwood Strangler's next victim."

I hope this helps. I've read countless articles on writing your "elevator" speech (in case you're ever trapped in an elevator with an agent or publisher and you want to pitch your book?), a short synopsis and a blurb. I continue to work on mine. Good luck with yours!

[Beth Groundwater]

I think a good book description or back cover blurb is one that raises a question, a thirsting curiosity, in the readers' minds, so they are compelled to open the book and read the first page. And then the first page hooks them, and they're lost!

[Jack Getze]

Who is the protagonist?

What does he/she want?

Who stands in his/her way?

If the answers to these questions are intriguing and set up conflict, it seems to me you have the basics of a good story blurb.

 

[Brian Hoffman]

Thanks Jack.  That's what I was after.  I've read dozens on paperbacks and on Amazon.  I didn't want to copy a famous author, I wanted to understand the elements.

[I. J. Parker]

There you go.  Jack has the answer.  As usual.  :)

[Jack Getze]

Trial and error and some solid advice from NY-published authors like yourself.

[Jack Getze]

If you Google "book blurb examples" you will see website after site give their take on how to do it. Many good lists ...

 

And can I say something to all us writers everywhere, something I've just learned in the last year?

Google it. 

It's a better dictionary than Websters (because you don't have to know how to spell it) and you can research ANYTHING! I recently took a visual tour of the California desert jail in which my protag had to spend the night. Accurate, tiny indivudual detail right there on the internet.

[Brian Hoffman]

Took your advice and went through the internet.  Found what I needed.

 

Thanks for everyone's help