HOT OFF THE PRESS! We love to share our information with writers, and we’re happy to pass some of our INSIDER’S SECRETS along to you. Feel free to print these posts to use as a reference. Pass the links along to your writer friends. It’s packed with great information this month. DEADLINE-DATED lists of anthologies, theme issues, and contests are included at no charge!

In This Issue:

* * We'll help you get going with BLURBS.

* * Use our teaser to get you writing with THIS ISSUE’S WRITING PROMPT.

* * Read about our NEWEST E-book, entitled UNTANGLING WEB SUBMISSIONS: ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PUBLISHING YOUR WRITING ONLINE.

* * LOTS OF HELP for CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHORS—100 CONTACTS and Everything You Need To Know To Submit Your Children’s Book.

* * Avoid PRIMER-STYLE LANGUAGE.

* * If you need help PREPARING YOUR MANUSCRIPT (formatting and/or proofreading), get a quote to have Writer’s Relief proofread your manuscript.

* * You won’t find a better list anywhere (AND IT’S FREE!) of upcoming ANTHOLOGIES, SPECIAL-THEMED JOURNALS, and CONTESTS.

↓ Scroll Down to Read These Exciting and Useful Articles!! ↓

What is a book blurb? A blurb is a short summation of your nonfiction book or novel to help readers decide if they want to invest the time in reading it. The blurb can also be a sentence or two of glowing praise written by a fellow author to help market your book, but for this article we'll focus on the copy that appears on the back cover of a book. 

A blurb in a query letter is much like a short synopsis—you have approximately 250 words in which to summarize your book in a concise, engaging package. And before you panic, you should know that traditional publishers have editorial staff to write blurbs for you. But if you're self-publishing or need to write a blurb for promotional purposes, such as for your Web site, that's cause for celebration not panic—you have something to blurb about! Your task is to give potential readers an enticing peek into the nature of your book and leave them wanting more.

Here's how to write a book blurb.

1. If you’re self-publishing, carefully follow the publisher's guidelines for length and other necessary information. You may also want to study samples of blurbs on other books they've published. The average length of a blurb is between 100 and 250 words. You don't have much wiggle room, and the blurb is no place to try to cover the entire plot. Make each word count.

2. Identify your audience. If you've written a book of poetry, sum up the general flavor or tone of your work—it could be "a dark collection of soul-wrenching prose," or perhaps your poems focus on relationships or nature or Southwest culture. Either way, potential readers will want to know what they're getting into. If your book is an action-packed adventure, you'll want to focus on the major plot points. And a blurb for a romantic saga with a dashing hero should focus on the element of romance and the heroic character rather than the plot itself, unless the plot is as strong as the element of romance. The setting can also be a crucial detail to include if it is central to your book.

3. Identify what makes your book unique. If your book has a quirky take on a subject, convey this to your potential readers. Is it a true story or based on actual events? If your book is nonfiction, consider the benefits to the reader—does it offer something important and valuable? Impart unique wisdom? Use whatever hook you've got to engage readers.

4. Match the tone and style of your book to your blurb. If your book is humorous, make sure your blurb reflects that. A dark, ominous tone works well for a thriller but not necessarily for historical fiction.

Once you've sketched out your blurb, check to make sure it's clear, concise, and engaging. An unfocused, wordy blurb gives the impression that your writing will be more of the same. Test your summary out on fellow writers or friends and colleagues who haven't read your book. You need their honest opinion. Specifically, does the blurb make them want to read more? If it does, you've accomplished your goal. Congratulations!

Click here for more advanced book blurb writing techniques and tips. 

Still having trouble writing blurbs, cover letters, or query letters? Writer’s Relief can help with all aspects of submitting your writing for publication.

Write about eating your favorite ice cream dessert, whether it's in a cup or cone. Once you've described all the possible ways you love it, now write about it without your sense of taste and smell. How do you make that hot fudge sundae appealing to someone who has never had fudge or ice cream before? This writing prompt is designed to bring out the poetics and metaphors in you. For more help finding your muse, check out Poetry—Finding Your Inspiration.

When you’re writing books for children, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using primer-style sentence construction. “Primer-style” gets its name from the old-fashioned reading primers many children were forced to read—with exciting stuff like “See Jane run. See Dick run. See Dick and Jane run.” Kids quickly get bored with this type of construction, and so do adults. Whether you write for children or an adult audience, watch for signs of primer-style language in your work. 

Children across America cheered when Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat was first released. It was easy to read and had cool pictures. But best of all, it was interesting. Theodor Geisel had changed the nature of children's primers by deviating from the traditional monotonous primer style. Instead of using nothing but short, simple, choppy sentences, as children were used to, Geisel worked the same 25 words throughout his text to reinforce vocabulary, and he did this in longer, silly, and varied sentences. It's no wonder his books continue to fly off the shelves today. When a child has a choice between a Dick and Jane primer and Green Eggs and Ham, that child is far more likely to choose "I like green eggs and ham! I do! I like them, Sam-I-am!"

Dr. Seuss’s books are a good reminder that capturing the reader’s interest is possibly the most important aspect of writing children’s books, and the lesson applies to adult fiction as well. Check the flow of your sentences. If they’re reading choppy, you may need to create more complex and unusual sentence patterns. There’s nothing wrong with short, simple sentences, especially when they’re used with a variety of other, more complex sentences. Short sentences pack a punch, but variety helps keep the reader—young or old—alert and interested.

Here’s how to create complex sentences:

Combine independent clauses

We traveled to the desert. We forgot to bring water.
We traveled to the desert but forgot to bring water.
We traveled to the desert; however, we forgot to bring water.

Use a subordinate clause

Officer Smith had only two years on the job. He was assigned to the toughest neighborhood.
Although Officer Smith had only two years on the job, he was assigned to the toughest neighborhood.

Eliminate repetition

My dog is a Beagle. My dog is named Sally. My dog loves to run along the riverbank.
My dog Sally is a Beagle who loves to run along the riverbank.

Use the conjunction "and" to join two related ideas

In school Sally learned to multiply double digits. She also learned how to divide fractions.
In school Sally learned to multiply double digits and divide fractions.

Use the conjunction "but" to show contrast

Officer Smith had only two years on the job. He was assigned to the toughest neighborhood.
Officer Smith had only two years on the job, but he was assigned to the toughest neighborhood.

Use a participle phrase

Mr. Jones decided to go bowling without his wife. He wanted to join his friends for a men's night out.
Deciding to go bowling without his wife, Mr. Jones planned to join his friends for a men's night out.

Use an absolute phrase

Bob clutched his trophy firmly to his chest. He left the bowling alley with a triumphant grin.
His trophy clutched firmly to his chest, Bob left the bowling alley with a triumphant grin.

For more helpful articles on writing techniques, sign up for our FREE Newsflash for writers, delivered monthly to your email in-box!

REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF WRITING CONTESTS and ANTHOLOGIES! You won’t find a better list anywhere (AND IT’S FREE!) of upcoming anthologies, special-themed journals, calls for submissions, and writing contests.