A book blurb is the writing on the back of a book telling you what the book is about.

It can also be called a back cover blurb or a book description. It’s a short description of the book’s main character and conflict and is usually between 100 and 200 words long. It’s usually found on the back of a book or the inside cover.

The blurb is the second thing, the first being the front cover, that a reader will look at before deciding whether or not to buy your book. The cover catches the reader’s attention, the blurb is what sells the book.

If you’re a self-published author, you’ll most probably write your own blurb, and I know a lot of smaller publishers in particular will ask for the author’s input when they’re putting together the blurb, or might even request they write it themselves.

Here’s an example of one of my own blurbs. It’s from my contemporary romance, Starstruck:

‘When newly divorced Kate finds school friend, now super famous rock star Joseph Wild, on her doorstep, her whole quiet, ordinary life is thrown into disarray.

Joseph has broken up with glamorous actress Genevieve Moore, and needs somewhere to retreat to until the paparazzi interest in his marriage calms down. Kate agrees to help him out and drawn to his simple, self-effacing charm, soon finds herself falling in love.

But can she cope with the problems a relationship with such a high profile celebrity brings? What happens when he jets back to his regular life of stardom in L.A.?

And how will Genevieve react when she finds out Joseph has moved on? She can’t possibly allow anything to sully her ever-so-carefully crafted public image.

Falling in love with a rock star is tougher than you’d think…’

I think it gives a really clear idea of the story’s genre and what it’s about, and the use of questions draws the reader in and makes them feel involved.

Remember, the blurb should intrigue readers into wanting to read your book, it should leave them wanting more, and it should fit with the story’s genre. A good blurb provides a short summary, but it doesn’t give anything away. 

My video on this topic can be found on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKJKt8kmDXrWQAGkTV1VHMQ