tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post5250106144204517319..comments2023-11-30T07:21:38.040-08:00Comments on Writers in Residence: The Difficulties of the Back Cover DescriptionBonnieShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12642142065722406733noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-27629810184811216322015-07-04T17:32:00.596-07:002015-07-04T17:32:00.596-07:00Some great points, Jackie. As a reader, if I am no...Some great points, Jackie. As a reader, if I am not familiar with a particular writer, I always turn to the back cover. I reckon I can tell from the style of writing if it's something I want to read. I confess I get frustrated sometimes when publishers instead put several 'blurbs' or quotes on the back cover: "Great book!" "Another success from ...."- when what I really want to read is, as Jackie says, a brief synopsis from the author, so I can also get a flavor of what's inside.Rosemary Lordnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-52197123125252617612015-07-02T08:17:05.634-07:002015-07-02T08:17:05.634-07:00Excellent post, Jackie--for me back cover synopsis...Excellent post, Jackie--for me back cover synopsis are the hardest part of the whole book! But your post points out how important they are. For several of my books (including my last one), I had such a hard time I used my preface as the back cover blurb. I think it worked...not sure. Anyway, great post.M.M. Gornellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05610211516010193111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-7789693244202439262015-07-01T17:42:15.063-07:002015-07-01T17:42:15.063-07:00A very good post, Jackie V. Who would have though...A very good post, Jackie V. Who would have thought writing about back cover copy would be so interesting (and hard)! And I have to say, sometimes, with a new author, that copy is a deal breaker/maker with me if I am looking to buy it. Of course, Amazon lets you read some inside pages too, so that's good. Have you come up with a zinger for CIVILITY RULES yet? Can't wait to read it!Jackie Houchinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01753758587434594531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-52218938368426416942015-07-01T17:29:09.862-07:002015-07-01T17:29:09.862-07:00All of the above are so simple in theory, aren'...All of the above are so simple in theory, aren't they? I looked at your descriptions, Bonnie and Miko. Your word choices were excellent. I think it's more difficult to write a cover description for a non-niche book, like a mystery. I thought you both did excellent jobs of taking rich, complex stories and getting them across in a paragraph. Jacqueline Vickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17066655287551999883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-74650020619966595062015-07-01T12:21:00.300-07:002015-07-01T12:21:00.300-07:00So true. I agonize over my first page and chapter,...So true. I agonize over my first page and chapter, but in a sense the back cover is the true introduction to my books. Your advice reminds me that the blurb in back must be as 'eye-catching' as the picture on the front cover. Miko Johnstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02877203657513631557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-22136672118338210222015-07-01T12:16:08.043-07:002015-07-01T12:16:08.043-07:00The book blurb is the "elevator pitch" a...The book blurb is the "elevator pitch" authors need to sell their book to an agent. It has to be written like the TV Guide write-up that encapsulates an up-coming movie or television show. Easy to say, but hard to do, but oh so necessary. And when it's done well...it sells books. Great advice, Jackie.GBPoolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12190573764848658894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628814011025215047.post-21208398846771907102015-07-01T11:43:53.708-07:002015-07-01T11:43:53.708-07:00Great post! It really resonated with me, because I...Great post! It really resonated with me, because I agonized over the back cover blurb for "Mending Dreams" and to this day am not totally satisfied with it. I wish I'd read your post first and paid more attention to the verbs and modifiers! Next time I shall! Thanks.BonnieShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12642142065722406733noreply@blogger.com