How to Write an Enticing Book Summary (Blurb)

From Santa's Dog by Joann Sky

“Why does the summary have to be enticing? My book is great!”

As an editor, I hear these words from authors quite often, as they try to avoid writing the summary for the back of their book. Following a mini-lecture from me about the importance of the summary, many authors follow up by doing one of two things:

1. Write a vague synopsis of the story. Example: A girl loves horses and wants to be a great rider when she grows up. Or…

2. Go into overdrive and tell the entire story.

Example: Alice realizes that she loves horses more than anything in the world. She learns to ride when she is very small. The more she rides, the better she becomes. Even whenshe falls off, she gets right back on and tries again. She is encouraged by her riding instructor who keeps telling her what a great jobshe is doing…and on…and on…

Sadly, neither of these summaries work well.

The Purpose of a Summary When prospective buyers are looking at a book, the first thing they see is the cover. Hopefully it catches their eye. Then they look at the title. Hopefully it is clear and easy to read. If the buyer’s interest is piqued, their next step is usually to turn the book over to read the summary on the back. Important: It has long been a belief in the publishing community that most people will read only the first three sentences of the summary before making a decision whether or not they wish to purchase the book.

And that is why the summary must be short! Not only must it be short, but it needs to contain a hook to grab the readers’ attention and make them want more. The longer your summary, the less likely it is that people will read it. You need to capture the essence of your story in as few sentences as possible, highlight the key ideas, and keep the descriptive words to a minimum.

Never tell the entire story! Revealing too much is as sinful as telling someone how a movie ends. If you tell prospective readers the whole story, they may not need to buy the book. The formula is simple: Just tell the reader who the main character is and offer a promise of fun, discovery, mystery, or intrigue.

Examples of Book Summaries Here are a few samples to get you started: •Kelly tries to overcome her fears while still enjoying the excitement of learning to ice skate. She learns that bravery comes from kindness and encouragement from those you trust. Will the courage she gains from her instructor and her friends provide the boost she needs?

•Three unlikely friends—a cat and two noisy mice—are out to solve a mystery. What is that giant hole in the ground? Join the clumsy team as they unravel the secrets of a strange object that has landed on Earth.

• Billy loves to brag. Feeling confident that he knows more about science than anyone, he sets out to construct a mind-boggling invention. Billy’s amazing idea drives the story forward as he vows to create the most original entry in his class science contest.

Important note: It is imperative that your summary be free of grammatical and/or spelling errors. This important blurb offers an insight into your ability to write, so have your editor look at it to be sure it is clear, effective, and free of mistakes.

What’s an Elevator Pitch? You’ve probably heard of an elevator pitch. It’s similar to a summary, but it’s not in writing. In essence, it’s what you would say to someone about your book if you are riding in an elevator with them and they are getting off at the next floor. You have only 30 seconds to tell them about your book. What will you say?

Elevator Pitch Examples Here are a few examples of what you can say in 30 seconds:

• A shy girl earns the love of her horse by doing something that ultimately saves their lives.

• Billy the Bully learns the true meaning of never giving up, but not in the way he intended.

• This book tells the story of the fairy who tangles your hair while you’re sleeping.

So take the process seriously. Write your summary. Scratch it out and write it again if it isn’t succinct. Choose your words carefully. Omit any unnecessary words. Read it out loud. Then, if it isn’t right, do it again—and don't be afraid to ask your editor for assistance.