However, this task typically comes just when youre at your least able. The pointless book is an addition to the youtube channel of vlogger, alfie deyes. A book blurb should be a fair representation of the style of the book. The book came in the united parcel service ups very quickly on friday, 17 january 2020. It matters not only what a blurb actually says but who said it and when. The blurb says that this is tarantinos greatest movie. Actually, rippin originally published this book in 2002, but at the time, she was worried about some of the themes in the book and admits she selfcensored the story. When writing a novel, there are few selling tools as important as a solidly written book blurb. Think of the book blurb not as an annoying step between you and selfpublishing, but instead as an opportunity. Blurbs%20fail%20me%20%7c%20fiction%20%7c%20the%20guardian. The occult art of the poetry book blurb rachael mead. How to write a book blurb that sells with examples reedsy blog. Dont worry, in this article, well walk you through the important points to keep in mind while writing your book s blurb, as well as give you a simple blurb template that sells and some bestseller examples for different genres. A blurb is the back cover teaser that lures a reader or an agenteditor into wanting to buyread your book.
When we pick up any book, the first thing we normally look at is the back cover. Blurb noun definition and synonyms macmillan dictionary. Blurbed definition of blurbed by the free dictionary. Blurb authors get to keep 100% of the books markup. I just finished my first book with, and the people at did an excellent and outstanding job. Make sure you supply me with a general synopsis as well. But dont be fooled by the title its not so pointless. Blurbs that bore, blurbs that blare writers helping writers. Usually its in reference to a newspaper article that briefly mentions a barely newsworthy item. Definition and synonyms of blurb from the online english dictionary from macmillan education. Its safe to say that a wellwritten blurb is absolutely essential to your poetry books overall success and reputation. Antonyms for blurb include hiding, details, substance, thesis, body, crux, specifics, detail, heart and particulars.
The pointless book is a 2014 activity book by british vlogger, youtuber and presenter alfie deyes. Information and translations of blurb in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Writing the blurb for your selfpublished book is one of the privileges of being an indie author. In sextons blurb, one cant help but hear an additional echo of plaths the blood jet is poetry. The intention is the same as a book blurb to pique the potential bossclients attention. In october of 2007, the company introduced features that let users collaboratively create books and share photos. Once your title and cover have drawn the reader in, the blurb is what is going to make the difference between a missed opportunity and a sale. Thanks to dale ward and the rest of the tech guys at the seminary for making the video. Its the perennial question of whether the blurbs on book covers are still meaningful or have become just background noise.
The word blurb, meaning a short description of a book, film, or other product written for promotional purposes, was coined by burgess in 1907, in attributing the cover copy of his book, are you a bromide. Publishers summary and recommendation of a book, printed usually on the front flap of the books dust jacket, or in an advertisement or catalog. This is a novel not likely to raise a smile even from the authors oldest friend. From cambridge english corpus their synergy with other paratextual elements blurb, preface and dedication should be explored. When you need to write a blurb for a movie, book, or other project, start by writing a clever and catchy hook that introduces some of the characters and setting of the topic. Chuck arand from concordia seminary for making time to talk about my book. Definition of blurb written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels. This description, which is always full of praise for both author and the book, is called a blurb. The storyline is crazy, with tonnes of twists and turns, big betrayals, great action parts and some huge plans to do with the story. If youd like for me to read the entire book instead of just. Brought to you by youtube vlogger alfie deyes, the pointless book, accompanied by the free. Blurb blurb is a creative platform and community that enables and encourages people to make books of the things they love.
Here, for the confused, is the observers guide to what that blurb really means. By day, clumsy panda po works faithfully in his familys noodle shop, but by night he dreams of becoming a true master of the martial arts. Focus on the most important aspects, but dont give away any twists or surprises. You know, the ones that readers use to choose the book they want to read next or throw on the pile beside the bed where, among the. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more blurb blog. If you have a 5x8, 6x9, or 8x10 trade book that youve created with bookwright, the blurb plugin for adobe indesign, or our pdf to book workflow, you can list it on amazon via our global retail network option. Types of blurb books you can sell on amazon help center. For me, its all about the book blurbthat twoparagraph snippet on the. Top synonym for blurb another word for blurb is advertisement.
The pointless book by none other than one of my favourite youtubers himself, alfie deyes. Buy the pointless book 3 pointless book series by deyes, alfie isbn. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. How to write a book blurb part 3 tara sparling writes. Synonyms antonyms definitions examples parts of speech. So now that we have our basic definition out of the way, lets roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Writing to ask for a blurb was embarrassing, but ultimately composing a love letter to a favorite writer is kind of fun what was tough was sending several reminders. Find pomes what i have done wroted by jayechristopher at blurb books. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. Gladwells blurb from michael lewiss 2014 best seller, flash boys, saying he almost picked up the book after seeing mr. All you have to do is provide me with some information and i will write one undeniably catchy blurb. We live in a world filled with cruelty, indifference, and pointless suffe. On taking up writing it had not once occurred to me that one of the tasks of being a writer might be to come up with those concise, quippy phrases on the covers of books. Many authors write the book blurb as an afterthought. Sometimes coming up with the right words for a book blurb can be more stressful than writing the ebook itself. Her latest, chenxi and the foreigner, was published this year. Youre in the departure lounge, en route to paradise, but. The photos in the book were great i give my highest recommendation.
Forget the book, have you read this irresistible story on blurbs. Blurb definition is a short publicity notice as on a book jacket. This means if you know what genre your book is, you can follow a pretty standard template for writing your book blurb and yes i know this is easier said than done, but if everything was as easy as it should be, brexit would be last week, climate change deniers would. The blurb about a new book, film, or exhibition is information about it that is written. Malcolm gladwell hands out book blurbs like santa does. Thanks also to rod horton for reading robert frosts poem birches at our bible study that morning. I wanted to print a photo book with blurb for a long time, and finally ordered my first blurb photo book in june 2014. It sort of had everything you need for a great book.
Blurbs are the second most important selling tool you have for your book, so. Trade books can be sold on amazon through the global retail network. Armed with my trusty pens and sharpies i own no felts or pencil crayons i cracked the spine literally and began with the defacing. Dan poynter, known as the godfather of selfpublishing and author of the selfpublishing manual, the selfpublishing encyclopedia, is there a book inside you. Abstract the purpose of this paper is to present a preliminary approach to the study of blurbs, brief texts traditionally displayed on bookcovers, and nowadays also on the internet, which provide. Author sally rippin has written a range of books for kids and teen. Blurb definition and meaning collins english dictionary. You have one shot at introducing your story to your reader make it count. Change your default dictionary to american english.
Writing a book blurb is harder than you think, and is an excellent way of getting yourself noticed. Full of random things to do from origami and passing the book to a stranger and having them draw you, to making paper aeroplanes and baking a cake in a mug. Over the past few weeks ive been revisiting a series on book blurbs, and specifically, how they generally follow genre rules. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites. A blurb is just a short written peice about something. Heres a stepbystep guide to selling your trade book on amazon. This is an activity book for adults, fully illustrated and packed with a host of games, activities and pranks. Then, write 12 additional sentences that explain the plot of the story in a general way. Kinnells landmark the book of nightmares was published in 1971. 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. Blurb definition, a brief advertisement or announcement, especially a laudatory one. Alfie invites you to join his online following as he challenges you to complete your journal of pointlessness and do virtually nothing with pride. Im quite traditional, i want characters, a setting and a plot.
135 223 1522 1054 997 1184 936 178 1072 93 327 1000 619 592 1316 1041 151 941 649 159 1148 1007 811 1466 890 860 311 241 520 985 675 220 1034 448