Most people dont have the time to read your book and carefully consider a blurb, but they dont feel comfortable blurbing something they havent read. Blurbs were originally printed on the back or rear dustjacket of a book, and are now found on web portals and news websites. Creating a book blurb, while still technically writing, is closer to a science than an art. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Imagine a universityeducated lesbian charles dickens with a similarly keen eye for mendacity and melodrama, and youll have some idea of the pleasures lurking in waterss impudent. A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb september 25, 2016 september 25, 2016 kaitlin hillerich in my last post, i mentioned that ive been working on a novella and shared some reasons why you should write.
Blurb, back cover copy, jacket copy, or promotional copy whatever you call it, a great book description is your second best marketing tool your cover is number one. Pdf download fingersmith pdf book ebook online to pdf. Waters is known for writing lesbian fiction, and is a lesbian. A blurb is a short description of a book used for promotional purposes but this blobby word is often shorthand for a book endorsement from another author. Print as you go sell one copy at a time and let blurb fulfill the orders or place a large order and sell inperson. In this post, we tell you how to write a book blurb in five easy steps. Sue trinder, an orphan child of a murderess, raised in the borough of london by kindly baby farmer grace sucksby. I do love a bit of sarah waters, and im pretty sad that this book has ended.
Other than the cover, it is the other most important selling feature of a book. One blurb, two blurb, three blurb, thirty blurbs poetry. Sometimes it can feel like writing the book is the easy part. Whether its your first or twentieth book, enticing a reader to buy your book relies on an eyecatching cover image as well as an intriguing blurb. Sue trinder is an orphan, left as an infant in the care of mrs. Part one of fingersmith is comprised of sues memory of the events related in the book. But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb is what will sell your bookand convert readers.
Fingersmith is the first sarah waters book ive delved into, partly because ive been scarred by terrible victorian fiction in the past, and partly because i was afraid how her novels would treat their overtly lesbian material. Many writers find writing book blurbs really difficult. The blurb equation how to write a kickbutt blurb youtube. Buy fingersmith at the guardian bookshop why should any contemporary novelist not only set a novel in the 19th century, but also take the novel of the time as a model for this new work of. Do you think she has arms and legs, with flesh and cloth upon them.
Six writers tell all about covers and blurbs the awl. Sara waters is an excellent writer and keeps you gripped with the tale. Fingersmith is a novel that is strongly based on its plot so i will not say too much about it here. It may be written by the author or publisher or quote praise from others. Fingersmith by sarah waters book club discussion questions.
This article gives you simple steps to follow to write a book blurb, and gives examples of both fiction and nonfiction back cover blurbs. Oct 04, 20 an easytofollow, practical guide to writing the best blurb to sell your selfpublished book, provided by ya author sarah juckes of completelynovel. We deliver three different lengths of blurbs for one price. Feb 02, 2002 fingersmith sarah waters 416pp, virago. But if the writer and critic in me asked these questions, the reader never did, not for a single moment. This video from new york times bestseller alessandra torre details why your books blurb is crucially important and shares her easy equation for creating one. Fingersmith is an archaic term for a petty thief, but given the content of the novel, it can also be assumed to have intentionally sexual connotations. How to write a great ya fantasy or scifi book blurb. Design and publish beautiful photo books, trade books, ebooks, and more. A simple outline for writing a killer book blurb ink and. Sarah waters was born in neyland, pembrokeshire, wales in 1966. However, this task typically comes just when youre at your least able. How to write the perfect blurb examples, formula, opening. The process is exactly the same as writing a blurb for a fiction book, although the blurb will focus on selling the benefits of the book to the potential reader and how the book.
She has won a betty trask award, the somerset maugham award and her books have been shortlisted for the man booker prize and the orange prize. Why should any contemporary novelist not only set a novel in the 19th century, but also take the novel of the time as a model for this new. Apr 04, 2011 six writers tell all about covers and blurbs by matthew gallaway april 4, 2011 writers by definition spend a lot of time on the inside of books, which is why what happens on the outside namely, cover art and blurbs can feel precarious and daunting. Fingersmith is a 2002 victorianera crime novel written by the welsh author sarah waters.
Fingersmith quotes by sarah waters goodreads share book. This study guide consists of approximately 68 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of fingersmith. She grew up in a family that included her father ron, mother mary, and a. The novel is like charles dickens meets gillian flynn, mixed. We supply you with a catchy 150200 word count blurb and an accompanying tagline optional. This book, as to be expected in a first novel does have some creaky bits, however waters passion for research is on full display. Fingersmith, as usual, had the gorgeous, atmospheric qualities that i think is sarah waterss trademark. Sucksby, a baby farmer, who raised her with unusual tenderness, as if sue were her own. Kinnells landmark the book of nightmares was published in 1971. How to write a novel synopsis with an example jericho writers. Fiction or nonfiction basic blurb cover copyproduct description for fiction or nonfiction extended product description. Get a professionally written book blurb that will sell.
Writing a book blurb is harder than you think, and is an excellent way of getting yourself noticed. Are you worried that it might let you down because copy writing is a particular skill and it can be especially hard when its your own book. Way overlong melodrama in which true love, after a truly astonishing series of events, finds its way. Sep 01, 2017 pure textuality pr now offers blurb writing services for authors. Jun 09, 2006 john mullan on the plot of fingersmith by sarah waters. So, for me, a blurb is for first books and its use is to place the book in context. Feb 04, 2002 imagine a universityeducated lesbian charles dickens with a similarly keen eye for mendacity and melodrama, and youll have some idea of the pleasures lurking in waterss impudent revisionist historicals. In a nutshell, its the 200 odd words on the back cover of your book that describes the book. How to write an effective blurb for a selfpublished book. This is because writers dont really understand what a blurb is meant to do. Each blurb includes keywords pertinent to your book to hook both the reader and search engines. Examples of good fiction book blurbs writing rights.
Our experienced copyteam will write a blurb that showcases your books best elements, and sells these to your intended audience. In the opening paragraph, the reader learns that susan trinder grew up in the home of mrs. Oct 16, 2014 writing the blurb for your selfpublished book is one of the privileges of being an indie author. Malcolm gladwell hands out book blurbs like santa does. But, if you have caught a potential readers attention, the blurb. I agree with erin moures stance on this, which is that it is important to welcome a new author into the book world.
Sucksbys household, with its fussy babies calmed with doses of gin, also hosts a transient family of petty thievesfingersmithsfor whom this house in the heart of a mean london slum is home. Before we get into why most authors hate writing their back book cover blurb, lets clarify what it actually is. Sarah waters has been named author of the year four times. The one thing that kept me going through that dark, soulnumbing. Tips on how to write a good book blurb by author tina. Download blurb bookwright, a powerful and free book publishing software anyone can use. This fingersmith book is telling about sue trinder is an orphan, left as an infant in the care of mrs. She is a book, from which the words have peeled and drifted. How to get incredible blurbs for your book scribe writing. A blurb also referred to as a synopsis or a glossary is the summary of the story found on the back cover of a book. On back covers of books there is usually a summary which attempts to get the reader interested.
One of the regular visitors to the house, gentleman, makes sue an offer she cannot refuse. The worst job i ever had was in debenhams hosiery department, nottingham, 1977. The blurb that appears on the back cover of your book, and on your amazon page, will either. Sarah waters is the new york times bestselling author of the paying guests, the little stranger, the night watch, fingersmith, affinity, and tipping the velvet. Jun 26, 2012 tipping the velvet, affinity, fingersmith and the night watch have been adapted for television. Tipping the velvet is the fourth sarah waters book i have read. It is further revealed that maud is now writing erotic fiction to sustain herself financially, publishing her stories in the. For me, reading fingersmith, was like unwrapping a gift, but you have absolutely no idea what is actually inside. Great characters and amazing transitions between the narrators. Fingersmith is a 2002 historical crime novel set in victorian era britain by sarah waters. This is a poet i had never heard of, but the book spoke to me and i attempted to say why. For me, writing a blurb about my latest book s takes me only minutes, but that is after mulling over and thinking about it for hours and even days at times.
Design and publish beautiful photo books, trade books. British book awards author of the year, 2002 crime writers association ellis peters historical dagger, 2002 finaliste prix booker, 2002. Its broken into my lineup of top ten favorite books of all time, which is quite a feat. Fingersmith and the the paying guests being ones i have particularly enjoyed. Reviewers have praised waters negotiation of sexual themes. For some reason we leave our fiction writer tools at the doorstep when it comes to writing a bio blurb and always write something like this. Your book blurb must be wellwritten to get a readers attention. It is written in sues voice and from her point of view. Author stephen hise has worked in emergency medical services administration for many years. Thats why we will be looking at some more good book blurbs in a few more genres a continuation of the examples of good fiction book. This short video is brought to you by publishnation.
The book blurb s main purpose is to lure readers in and captivate them enough to buy the book. Sucksby, a baby farmer, who raised her with unusual tenderness, as if sue were her. Sarah waters sets out once again to prove her majesty wrong in her latest novel, fingersmith, set as her other two novels, tipping the velvet and affinity in victorian london. In sextons blurb, one cant help but hear an additional echo of plaths the blood jet is poetry. But more than that, fingersmith is fantastic this novel told a darn good story. When you need to write a blurb for a movie, book, or other project, start by writing a clever and catchy hook that introduces some of the characters and setting of the topic. The blurb is often referred to as a synopsis or simply book description. A good part of the books power comes from its illicit undertow. Waters makes it clear, however, that though lillys sentiments on book keeping echo those of ashbee, he is in all other aspects entirely fictitious. Fingersmith weaves its way through victorian london and into your subconscious, a monster of a book that is genuinely difficult to put down.
To help prevent you from falling into this unfortunate group, weve put together a few tips that should help you write a winning book blurb, whether its for the latest fantasy novel or for a nonfiction selfhelp guide. Writing a book blurb for your back cover, and other promotional uses, is one of the hardest steps for many authors. Sucksby, proprietress of a baby farm, because she had been orphaned when her mother was hanged for murder. Feb 03, 2003 fingersmith weaves its way through victorian london and into your subconscious, a monster of a book that is genuinely difficult to put down. A blurb is a short promotional piece accompanying a piece of creative work. They assure readers that someone is vouching for the quality of the book, even if only in the form of a snappy oneliner on its cover. In that sense, a good blurb is anything but subjective. Here are the top ten tips we believe to be the most essential to crafting a book. This book, as to be expected in a first novel does. Every major plot twist, character, and any big turning point or climatic scene should get a mention. Fingersmith marks a major leap forward in this young and brilliant career. A synopsis is a 500800 word summary of your book that forms part of your agent submission pack. Waters is known for writing lesbian fiction, and is a lesbian herself. Download fingersmith pdf about fingersmith book pdf.
This is my first sarah waters book and im now a big fan. Julie myerson is hooked by sarah waters, a modern wilkie collins whose fingersmith reveals a vital victorian world of petty thieves, asylums and surprising passions. How to write a great ya fantasy or scifi book blurb posted on january 14, 2014 by conjurors its ironic, after writing thousands of words to create your novel, that a 100200 word blurb. Waters also states in the notes that all of the texts cited by maud in fingersmith actually existed, and lists their titles accordingly. This is hardly niche writing or even erotic fiction, although the few love scenes are tenderly drawn. Sucksby in victorian london house of schemers and thieves. New writers might think blurbs come from interested, wellwishing, famous authors who have gotten their hands on a book.
A book blurb should be a fair representation of the style of the book. Our blurbwriting service will give your book that extra edge with professionally written cover copy are you ready to selfpublish your book but cant write the back cover or jacket copy. I have seen nonfiction blurbs that are more about the author than the content of the book and i have seen fiction blurbs that are a synopsis of the story and even tell the reader the ending. When it comes to writing book blurbs, looking at genres is one of the best ways that you can figure out how a good blurb should go. It should outline your plot in neutral nonsalesy language and demonstrate a clear story arc. Tipping the velvet 1999, affinity 2000, and now this richly woven tale of duplicity, passion, and lots of other good stuff.
How to write an irresistible book blurb in 5 easy steps. When writing a novel, there are few selling tools as important as a solidly written book blurb. Work by convincing readers to take a chance on it, or. The fee for the blurb writing service is calculated in relation to the length of the manuscript. Stephen king, novelist the idea that a writer can bring his core audience into the tent with a blurb.
Sucksbys household, with its fussy babies calmed with doses of gin, also hosts a transient family of petty. Writing a short book blurb writing4success help for writers. How to write a blurb definition, examples, and more. Sell your book in the blurb bookstore, through amazon, or in the global retail network of over 38,000 retailers, libraries, and schools. The story is difficult to distil confidently into a short summary.
Dec 17, 2015 malcolm gladwell hands out book blurbs like santa does presents malcolm gladwell, the bestselling author of the tipping point, and some of the book covers that feature his blurbs. Its title refers to either a petty thief or pickpocket but is also an allusion to female masturbation as the story. Your blurb will be an important part of your marketing. The editorcopywriter producing the blurb will be an experienced professional with many years of experience in editing and the writing skill to put together good copy for your work or an experienced copy writer. Great ideas to write a blurb that works for your book. If necessary, the blurb writer will provide one revisionrewrite of the blurb additional revisions will be negotiated between author and blurb writer depending on the changes being requestedremember that the purpose of the blurb is to drive readers to purchase your book and that is what the blurb writer. From the celebrated author of tipping the velvet and affinity comes an extraordinary. Despite the fact that this book consists of over 500 pages, i can say, that it certainly doesnt feel like a slog when reading it.
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