How to Write a Killer Blurb Workshop March 15 + How to Submit Your Blurb

by John Byrne Barry

In the olden days, before self-publishing, publishers wrote book blurbs. Now you’re the publisher and you need to write the killer blurb that will sell your book in today’s crowded marketplace.

The blurb, a.k.a. the book description, appears on the back cover of the book and on your online sales page, and is arguably more important in attracting readers than anything but your cover and title. 

On March 15 at 10 am, I’m leading a BAIPA workshop on “How to Write a Killer Book Blurb.” (Registration is not yet set up, but will be soon.) We’ll start with a brief overview and some formulas and examples, and devote most of our time to strengthening and sharpening your blurbs.

We will put your blurb up on the shared screen and, together, brainstorm ideas and edit copy. 

Which means we won’t have much of a workshop unless you send me your blurbs.

I don’t know how many we’ll get, but it’s first-come, first-served, and we’ll aim to give attention to all of them. We will cover fiction and nonfiction. 

You need not have completed your book, or even started it, to participate. A compelling blurb can be just as important before you’ve written your book, because it can guide you as you write.

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A blurb is usually one to three paragraphs and less than 100 words, though there’s no required word limit. It is not a synopsis, but a promise that persuades potential readers they must read your book. 

You want to reveal enough to entice your readers, but hide enough so they’ll pay to find out more. You may also want to share setting, genre and tone. Is it light and funny or dark and tense?

And no spoilers. Blurbs are like movie trailers, which never give away the endings. 

But how do you distill your several-hundred page book into one or more memorable paragraphs?

Well, if I give away the ending, then who’s going to come to the workshop?

Blurbs are due by March 8.

1. Send a blurb of 100 words or less to [email protected] by March 8. One blurb per participant.
2. Check back to baipa.org soon to register for the workshop. It’s $25 for members, $40 for nonmembers. Members must log in to register. 

I look forward to working with you to make your blurbs better. We’ll post this again once we can include a link to registration.