Writers Write is your writing resource. In this post, we tell you how to write a book blurb in five easy steps.
Your book blurb must be well-written to get a reader’s attention. Your blurb will be an important part of your marketing.
To write a good blurb, you have to make it short and exciting, yet relevant. Cut out sub-plots. Add tension to make it dramatic. Try not to mention more than two character’s names, and promise your audience a read they won’t forget.
How To Write An Irresistible Book Blurb In 5 Easy Steps
I’ve come up with this easy acronym to help you create a book blurb. I call it SCOPE. Follow these five pointers and see if it works for you.
Setting
Conflict
Objective
Possible Solution
Emotional Promise
- Setting: All stories involve characters who are in a certain setting at a certain time.
- Conflict: A good story places these characters in a situation where they have to act or react. A good way to start this part of your blurb is with the words: But, However, Until
- Objective: What do your characters need to do?
- Possible Solution: Offer the reader hope here. Show them how the protagonist can overcome. Give them a reason to pick up the book. Use the word ‘If’ here.
- Emotional Promise: Tell them how the book will make them feel. This sets the mood for your reader.
I saw The Edge of Tomorrow today, and I decided to write a blurb using this formula.
Book Blurb Example:
- London. The near future. Aliens have invaded Earth and colonised Europe. Major William Cage is a PR expert for the US Army working with the British to stop the invaders crossing the English Channel. Battle after battle is lost until an unexpected victory gives humanity hope.
- A planned push into Europe fails. Cage finds himself in a war he has no way to fight and he is killed. However, he wakes up, rebooted back a day every time he dies.
- He lives through hellish day after day, until he finds Sergeant Rita Vrataski who shows him how to fight the enemy.
- They painstakingly work out how to destroy the aliens. If they succeed, they will save Earth.
- This thrilling, action-packed, science-fiction war story will show you how heroes are made and wars can be won. Against the odds.
You can shorten this to suit your needs.
SCOPE will work for any blurb. Why don’t you try it on a book you’ve read or a film you’ve seen recently?
If you enjoyed this article, you will enjoy:
- How To Write A Query Letter In 12 Easy Steps
- How To Write A One-Page Synopsis
- 8 Points To Consider When You Name Your Book
Top Tip: If you want to learn how to write a book, sign up for our online course.
© Amanda Patterson
3 thoughts on “How To Write An Irresistible Book Blurb In 5 Easy Steps”
Great advice. I am using SCOPE to polish up my back cover blurb for one of my novels that’s getting a new cover. How is this for series setting?
The Hidden History of Oz – The Celtic roots of Oz go back more than one thousand years. Oz is a land powered by human dreams. Whimsy and wonder, courage and adventure await in this prequel series to L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz novel.
And then the specific novel blurb begins. I can see a few places where I can make some positive changes. Thanks for the advice.
We’re glad it helped.
Thanks for the inspiration, and i really appreciate it
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