Set your book up for success with an expertly crafted back cover book blurb. The section of a magazine that comes after most of the content. May 17, 2016 these three statementsof extent, of illustration, and of size and formatform a complete physical description in a library catalog. It tells you briefly what the story is about and then leaves you hanging so you have to read it. When you enter a series name, enter only the name of the series. The story follows the experiences of seven children as they are terrorized by an evil entity that exploits the fears of its victims to disguise itself while hunting its prey. They were homeless or lost and were found and taken in by an american family. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. It has been quite a while since i felt so strongly about a book as i did for hold back the stars. A book description should draw the reader in, but authors tend to get too flowery with these. Comprehensive list of synonyms for parts of books, by macmillan dictionary and. Apr 02, 2015 use keywords in your amazon book description.
Usually the spine will contain important book information so it can be easily found when up on the shelf in book stores or libraries, information might include the book s title, name of author and publishers name or logo. Physical description in book cataloging the collation. But if you want a book that adds to your own understanding about our relationship with god, this book is a good read. Get tips for how to write a good book description and learn the difference between a long book description and a short book description. Aug 17, 2010 a short paragraph wetting their appetite and letting them know what your book will do for them is a good way to do this.
The table of contents typically starts about a third of the way down a righthand page. How to build the back of a book cover with template. Writers use the term blurb to describe the text on the back of the book. But most book content is arranged in a traditional, prescribed manner. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and. Jan tschichold 19021974 the father of modern typographic design what are the various book elements. A wellwritten description assures readers that the book itself is of similar quality. Do not include the series number or the title of the book. Aug, 2015 if all of this sounds daunting, consider hiring an editor or marketing writer to help you craft your books backcover copy in the most compelling way possible. Home rare books book collecting guide abebooks glossary of book terms. Bookbinding is a specialized trade that relies on basic operations of measuring, cutting, and gluing. The description is a readers first experience with the content of your book. Heres a question for you about back cover copy for a nonfiction book. Even though you dont have to write a lot, each word is vital.
A synopsis sums up the plot of a written work, providing a brief description of the main events of the storyline. Shouldnt the collation be part of the physical description of a book. The series name field will show up after your book s title on your detail page. A blurb is the book description you find on the back of a book or online to describe a books contents. Most run several paragraphs, but some publishers want them shorter or in a special format so be sure to check with your publishers guidelines before you begin work. Check out our guide to writing a book description for more information. A blurb is a short description of a book that is written for promotional purposes.
See the example below for a weak amazon description. Book summary and author bio on the back of the book. Nevertheless, back of the book ads usually cost the same as ads elsewhere in the magazine. An endorsement is a short, pithy statementby someone wellknown in your genre if youre a novelist or your field if you write nonfictionwho recommends your book to prospective. The book may have been opened and read, but there are no defects to the book, jacket or pages.
Free thesaurus definition of parts of books from the macmillan english dictionary. What is the summary written on the cover at the back of a. It was his 22nd book, and his 17th novel written under his own name. Aug 11, 2010 where you read what the book is about. Finding a book when youve forgotten its title the new york. In the interests of full disclosure, here are mine. The glossary is a list of term definitions used throughout the book that might be unfamiliar to the reader. My favorite character in the book is the dog and his name is buddy because he saves digger a bunch of times and my least favorite character is the garbage man because he is very stupid. Given to a book that is slightly creased in the spine. The blurb that appears on the back cover of your book, and on your amazon. Its not every day you run into someone whose specialty is back cover copy for your book. Remember the back cover is prime real estate and if your book descriptionblurb doesnt convince the. What is the descriptive text on the back of a book or dvd. Or perhaps you have no intention whatsoever of writing a novel.
What is the descriptive text on the back of a book or dvd called. But when it comes to the back cover of their printed book, many new authors skimp or are unconcerned with what goes on the back cover. Book metadata may sound complicated, but it consists of all the information that describes your book, including. This could be the description for a book that has been lost in a warehouse for years, never shelved, thumbed or even opened yet may still be some years old. If you dont find it there, post a description on our unsolved message board and we can try to help each other out. Oct 16, 2018 book descriptions not only tell readers what a book s about but help them find it online in the first place. Your book description is what customers see as they shop the kindle store. What about the a 4 ao 8 p 10 part mentioned at the start of this post. The book description, often overlooked as a means to drive traffic to your page, is also a great place to use keywords. To produce perfect books these rules have to be brought back to life and applied.
Finding a book when youve forgotten its title by gwen glazer, communications november 22, 2017. Book plate an ownership label, usually placed inside front cover. The summary on the back of a book is called a synopsis. Book covers are just one part of the book design process. How to write a book description for a fiction book. From the very beginning hold back the stars was a thrilling, somewhat stressful adventure. Nov 22, 2017 finding a book when youve forgotten its title by gwen glazer, communications november 22, 2017 make 2020 your best reading year yet. Back of a book crossword answers, clues, definition. Complete index of books by max heindel this index has been prepared primarily for the purpose of aiding students to find quotations by max heindel dealing with particular subjects. Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio. Its crucial it be compelling, because readers make buying decisions from the book description. Oct 18, 2007 what is the descriptive text on the back of a book or dvd called. After the title and the book cover, your description is the most important book marketing material.
In the words of renowned typographer jan tschichold 19021974, book design, though largely forgotten today, relies upon methods and rules upon which it is impossible to improve, and which have been developed over centuries. Authors use their back matter to offer readers further context or information about the story, though back matter can also be extremely simple. My heart was pounding, my hands were sweating, i just wanted the main characters to be okay. This uber nerd got to work on one of his favorite books and help so it will sell better. In comprehensive nonfiction books, the table of contents often extends onto a second pageits okay to put that on the back of the first page, on the immediate next lefthand page.
If you use author central, changes to your main author name or description made through your kdp bookshelf will update automatically on author central within 24. The back matter also known as the end matter is you guessed it material found at the back of a book. Also make sure you include what the book is about and not just why people should buy it. Avoid being too fancy and make sure you stay on topic.
A short paragraph wetting their appetite and letting them know what your book will do for them is a good way to do this. We hope that the following list of synonyms for the word spine will help you to finish your crossword today. The series name field will show up after your books title on your detail page. Advertisers argue that ads in the back of the book have the lowest response rate because so few people read magazines all the way to the end. And thats how i wrote the book description for a super famous book that i happen to love. But wouldnt it be nice to know what your book would be called, if you did. Back cover copy includes the book summary and author bio once you wow your potential readers with an excellent front cover, the next part of your book thatll hook them is your back cover copy, which is publishing speak for the information that appears on the back cover. She writes well, and the last half of the book made it worth it for me. Ask yourself, what part does the back cover play in the sale of my book. The designer will add this to your book layout, although if you have a specific idea of how you want this to look, you may include it. Ioba book terminology independent online booksellers. So are bullet points and additional testimonials which reinforce your message and the content of your book. The same copy is often used by online retailers when your book is listed on their sites.
Its not writing the book but writing the back cover text. Book design is the art of incorporating the content, style, format, design, and sequence of the various components and elements of a book into a coherent unit. Check out which masterclass i took after checking out all the courses from topnotch authors. Nov 23, 2015 but when it comes to the back cover of their printed book, many new authors skimp or are unconcerned with what goes on the back cover. Think of it like the inside flap of a hardcover book. What is the description on the back of a book called. The title page is the part of your book that shows your full book title and subtitle, your name, and any cowriter or translator. Nine things that need to be on your book cover alicia dunams. It was an odd name but the book itself was narrated by a young muslimmiddle eastern girl about her and her young brother. Weve arranged the synonyms in length order so that they are easier to find.
This is one of the most important pieces of copy youll write, since it has a lot of work to do representing your book and showing people whats unique, interesting, or especially valuable about what you. If the reader cant tell exactly what the book is about by the description, theres a small chance heshe is going to read it. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. The boy who came back from heaven was nonetheless published with alexs name on the cover in july 2010. Once you wow your potential readers with an excellent front cover, the next part of your book thatll hook them is your back cover copy, which is publishing speak for the information that appears on the back cover. He did not look at the block when it came out of the truck. If you have just one or two, the endorsements can appear along with the description. The most important part of the back cover is a description of the book that offers up. Before we get into why most authors hate writing their back book cover blurb, lets clarify what it actually is.
If you have several, they can take the place of the book description. Check out which masterclass i took after checking out. The designer will add this to your book layout, although if you have a specific idea of. This post details the process and provides book description examples from famous. The name and term stuck for any publishers contents on a books back cover, even after the. Back of the book financial definition of back of the book. Technically, the examination and notation of the physical makeup of a book.
Finding a book when youve forgotten its title the new. Heres a screenshot of this book, how to sell a truckload of books on amazon. Summary and synopsis are also used but, in my experience, are used only in formal. Recased a book that has been glued back into its covers after having been shaken loose. Description definition of description by the free dictionary. Hence there is a more detailed listing of references to basic topics, in words verbatim from their sources, than would otherwise be. The point of the headline is to get people interested and wanting to read more.
Sign up for the book of the day email, and youll get a daily book recommendation email delivered to your inbox each morning. Im a published novelist, and i participate in several writing groups and online communities. Im refering to the body of text on the back of a book, written to make you want to read it. A finished book might need dozens of operations to complete, according to the specific style and materials.
What is the summary written on the cover at the back of a book called. Synonyms, crossword answers and other related words for back of a book spine. Free thesaurus definition of parts of books from the macmillan. Fiction book descriptions also tend to follow a pattern. Curious to know another total nerd secret about me. This means that there are creases in the spine and maybe on the tips of the cover. The back cover of a paperback should also include a headshot, your bio and your credentials if the work is academic or professional. Theres a new bestseller out there which claims to give us the real story on jesus. If you make minor changes, its considered the same edition. Please provide plot details no spoilers and the genre of the book youre looking for in the topic header not something vague like help.
If you would like clarification on any term in a particular sellers description, please contact the bookseller directly for further information. Book descriptions not only tell readers what a books about but help them find it online in the first place. In a nutshell, its the 200 odd words on the back cover of your book that describes the book to the reader. Because titles are the most often used search attribute, your series name must adhere to the book title guidelines above. The book description goes most prominently on the back cover, and the top of your. This book really doesnt spend a lot of time with information about heaven, if thats what you are looking for.
It is a 1986 horror novel by american author stephen king. The 150 to 200 words youll choose to place on your books back cover might just be the most important words in your entire book project. Nov, 2019 the back matter also known as the end matter is you guessed it material found at the back of a book. The elements of this content share a common structure, and each element appears in a similar location in every book. How to write book descriptions for fiction and nonfiction. This generally means the copy on your online book sales page. The essential elements of a front cover include title and author name. Magazine but also mention the names of the alist athletes in the book. How to create a back book cover blurb that sells kindlepreneur.
Summary is a more generalized term for a short retelling of a longer work. How to write a book description that sells with examples. The 150 to 200 words youll choose to place on your books back cover might just be the. A fine book approaches the condition of as new, but without being crisp. This information usually falls into one of three parts. They basically serve as a wordofmouth recommendation. The physical outer layer of book that can sometimes be removed from the actual bound cover is called a dust jacket the writing on a back of the cover or dust jacket is sometimes referred to as the book synopsis or blurb. The front page edges of the book are bent back to expose a greater area and a watercolor painting is applied. Bookbinding combines skills from other trades such as paper and fabric crafts, leather work, model making, and graphic arts. Nowadays, a book may be published traditionally or selfpublished or not even published in print at all. Feb 28, 2017 the most important part of the back cover is a description of the book that offers up enough detail to ensure that the shopper cant say no to buying it. Your name must always be on the front and back cover of your book.
Might have name, initials, light stamp in the book. These three statementsof extent, of illustration, and of size and formatform a complete physical description in a library catalog. Synonyms, crossword answers and other related words for back of a book spine we hope that the following list of synonyms for the word spine will help you to finish your crossword today. The back of a book cover has a few different names. Many have become collectible due to the designer or owner.