Ever try to fit a stadium full of people into a Yugo? Picture herding them one by one, cramming, shoving, resorting to chainsaws and needing wadders to avoid the blood spillage only to find out that no matter how hard to push, it’s not gonna work. That’s how writing a blurb feels to me. Taking a100k novel and condensing it into a two hundred word bait and buy paragraph. Not always fun to do but I’ll be the first to admit it’s important and must be done. Some houses do this for you. (To you, I offer my first-born.) Others want it done only to have someone fine tune for you. Finally, at some houses the buck stops at you. It’s your responsibility as the author of the book to write your blurb.
What’s that sound? Could it be nails scratching down a chalkboard? Why, no… it’s the sound I make before I sit down to work on my blurb. Tell me your secrets for blurb writing. Also, readers, how much do the blurbs impact your buying decisions?
Want to see one my attempts (this was blurb bitch slapped by the company as well… thankfully!)
Going the Distance by Mandy M Roth
The ultimate battle is waged with one’s heart.
Paranormal Deathmatch, Book 1
Extreme fighting champion Quinn Padgett once had it all. Fame, fortune, freedom. One fateful night it was all stripped away, and for two years the alpha male has endured a torturous life, doing the bidding of a madman in a different kind of ring. The Deathmatch, where the only rule is kill or be killed.
It’s as primal as it gets, and Quinn must draw on all his werewolf instincts to survive. Especially with Carri. Her very presence brings him to his knees, demanding he do all to protect her.
Carri had no idea how close danger lurked until she witnessed her boyfriend’s sick idea of “entertainment”. Now all she wants is to get away from the bastards who are hell-bent on ridding the world of that which they do not understand. But her boyfriend’s reach is long—and brutal. Quinn is her only hope. And the only man who awakens a fire within her, body and soul.
As Quinn and Carri go on the run in a fight for their lives, they find themselves engaged in an even deeper and more dangerous battle—a battle of the heart.
Warning: This book contains a kick-ass alpha male, a crazed madman, towel-dropping sexual tension, smokin’ hot sex, a woman who is more than capable of taming the beast, and the normal “Mandy” death, destruction and mayhem.
(thanks for letting me come over and play Bradford Ladies!)
May 16th, 2009 at 11:25 am
[...] guest blogging over at the Bradford Bunch today! Stop by and see me! Posted by Mandy M. Roth [...]
May 16th, 2009 at 11:28 am
[...] guest blogging over at the Bradford Bunch today! Stop by and see [...]
May 16th, 2009 at 11:30 am
LOL I hate writing blurbs. If you can’t shut up for 100k in a book, what makes them thing we can do it in 180 words or less.
Thanks for stopping by Mandy! (love the cover, btw)
May 16th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Aww, thanks for inviting me over. I had to cut almost 20k from a book once… I talk that much. 180 words is the equivalent of asking me to sit on my hands when I speak.
Just not going to happen.
May 16th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
As a reader…
If I have never read an author before, the cover and the blurb are what get my attention…but since you can’t judge a book by its cover
, I then look for reviews from other readers that I think might share my tastes.
Sometimes, though, I will just take the plunge based on that blurb like seeing a 2hr movie based on the 30sec preview. Sometimes you are blown away and sometimes you’re left feeling fooled…all the good bits in that 30sec!
May 16th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Amy,
I’m with you. That’s how I handle new (to me) authors as well. There have only been a handful of times I’ve had a WTH moment after reading the book and then looking at the blurb again wondering if the person who wrote it–read it. LOL
May 17th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Welcome, Ms Roth!
Me, I have a hate/mostly hate relationship with blurbs–they mostly say too much or have nothing to do with the actual novel.
Before spending so much time online exchanging impressions and recommendations with other readers, I had to rely on blurbs. It was frustrating, as I discovered much more dross than grain.
So while a well written blurb still catches my eye, I won’t be plunking down my cash until I know whether it reflects what’s between the covers (so to speak–ebooks and stuff).
May 17th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Blurbs are hard. I second Michelle! Welcome Mandy. Your book sounds really, really good! I do like me some kick ass and smokin’ hot scenes!
May 17th, 2009 at 10:47 am
azteclady–that’s good to know not everyone puts all their stock in them. I think that makes for smart shopping!
juliana–thanks! I can’t be sure but I don’t think I’ve written a book without a least one fight scene in it. *blush*
May 19th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Mandy just one fight scene? LOL. You know I read them but I never decide to buy a book based on them…but I have read them after the fact and then looked puzzled because that isn’t what the book was about to me