Faith Mortimer-author of crime, suspense, romance & action
  • HOME
  • SIGN UP TO MAILIST
  • Faith's Blog
  • CRIME BOOKS
    • Excerpt from The Assassins' Village
    • Excerpt from Children of the Plantation
    • Excerpt from The Surgeon's Blade
    • Excerpt from Camera...Action...Murder!
    • Excerpt from Childhunt
    • Excerpt from Devil's Brae
    • Excerpt from A Deadly Learning
    • Excerpt from Behind a Twisted Smile
    • Excerpt from A Brutal Trade
    • Excerpt from The Green Room
    • Excerpt from Paradise Prison
  • ADVENTURE/ROMANCE BOOKS
    • My Action & Adventure books & synopsis
    • Excerpt from The Seeds of Time
    • Excerpt from Harvest
    • My Romance books & synopsis
    • Excerpt from A Very Distant Affair
    • Excerpt from A Very French Affair
    • Excerpt from On Christmas Hill ~ A Seasonal Affair
    • Excerpt from A Very English Affair
    • Excerpt from Not Just For Christmas
    • BOOK REVIEWS
  • The Diana Rivers Page
  • Book Reviews
    • Reviews for The Assassins' Village >
      • Cyprus Weekly Feature 27th May 2011
  • Friends & Links.
    • Independent Writers
  • About the Author
  • Writing

Writing the blurb for your new fiction novel

3/2/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Bon jour Peepsickles!

I don’t know about you, but occasionally I find this one of the hardest things to do. Imagine – you’ve spent the last few months or perhaps a year writing that new novel and you’ve finally written, ‘the end.’ But is it?

Hardly. Before you can publish that book one of the most important things you have to consider is how to compose good copy for that essential blurb which goes on the back of a paperback or the inside flap of a hardcover book.

This blurb is a teaser for the whole plot and essence of your novel. Writing this blurb is no easy exercise because there is skill in how much plot you give the reader at the same time as ensuring they buy the book.

Looking at the majority of fiction blurbs you will find they are round about 150 words or so long.

What do I do?

They say copying is the highest form of flattery, and although I don’t advocate you find the top seller of the day and copy their blurb word for word, I do recommend you sit down and study what some of your favourite authors have written. I first look at the length of the blurb and then study the flow of the piece. Voice and style is important and because I’ve read the book beforehand I know how it compares with the actual story.

Have you received any reviews from magazines or newspapers?

Occasionally you may be fortunate to have your novel/manuscript reviewed by a major publication before the book has actually been released to the public. The blurb is the perfect place to mention this. If your book has been well-received then you’d be silly not to say so from the beginning and this can be a definite unique selling point (USP).

Make sure your blurb is the right length

We’ve all been told from time to time that less is best, and this is a perfect time to use that adage. Your blurb is a short teaser for your novel. No one wants to read a six-page synopsis, but you have to learn how to do this. The best way I’ve found is to write a long blurb, and then to edit this by cutting out superfluous words. Remember how your prune your roses in the autumn? Think the same. Your blurb must be as concise as possible. Also ensure you write with an active voice.

Can you start with a Question?

This has been a favourite way to begin a blurb for some time now. It’s been shown that many readers are fascinated to read a fiction blurb which places them inside the story. It doesn’t matter how you do it; either by placing a question which leads into the plot, or the whole of the blurb may be one long question. It’s fun too.

What should I mention in the blurb?

How often does the blurb not cover the whole story? I would say unless the novel is very short or boring then this is the usual case. Your novel usually goes far beyond the scope of the blurb. Use your first exciting adventure as the start to your blurb. Your readers can only be thrilled when they discover that your blurb is only the beginning of a wonderful adventure.

Finally, I should say that writing a fiction novel blurb doesn’t have to be difficult, but it is important and should be taken seriously.  After all, this is your readers' first look at your novel and it should entice the reader to buy it!

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy reading everyone!

Faithx


Picture
The Seeds of Time (blurb)

How will Englishman Richard Barker come to terms with his grief after suffering a devastating loss? Will either of the two beautiful women in his life, quiet and smouldering American, Sorrel or the tempestuous and wilful, Miranda be the catalyst towards inner peace and perhaps love?

While Richard is battling with his bitter despair, he enters into the dark, often surreal world of his dead father's past life during the Second World War. It is Sorrel's Grandfather, an American Air Force pilot, who contacts Richard with some intriguing news which helps Richard to his senses.

Richard lives in a world that is sometimes as tragic as ‘A Farewell to Arms’ and as sensuous as ‘The English Patient’. His story and that of his father are crafted from the ruins of war and the indestructibility of love. The action is non-stop, the locations are intriguing and the characters are appealing. There is tension, romance and harrowing escapes all woven within a story that captures the imagination and keeps the reader guessing until the very end.


Picture
Camera Action…Murder!

Why does suspense seem to find Diana Rivers when she least expects it?

An invitation to take part in a film-shoot seemed too exciting an opportunity to miss. Life had been quiet for the last year or so & Diana looked forward to renewing old friendships and meeting a handful of well-known film stars.

The only possible fly in the ointment was the venue. Years before, Diana had suffered a terrifying experience in England - an encounter which she thought she'd resolved. Reassuring her partner, Steve that all was well & that terrifying episode was behind them, she went ahead & confirmed their acceptance.
Little did she know that the filming was only a minor part of the show about to be enacted.
Once again, Diana is drawn into events which threaten to spiral out of control. When a beautiful young actress is accidentally killed, Diana's reaction is to consider sinister thoughts. Was it an accident or ...MURDER?
A second body leaves everyone reeling & this time there is no doubt. A callous & vicious murderer or murderers are at large. Diana is fast embroiled in discovering the hard facts, not knowing that she is placing herself in great danger. Watch out Diana! You could be next...

For all my books one click takes you to:

Amazon.co.uk                Amazon.com


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Awesome Indies Approved Author
    The Independent Author Network
    Follow this blog

    Archives

    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    July 2010
    March 2010
    January 2010
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009

    Categories

    All
    #1 Dark Minds Novel
    2011
    #2 Dark Minds Thriller Suspense
    5 New Paperbacks
    99c/79p Special
    99c March Mayhem Days!
    99c Sale
    A Child Barefoot In The Far East
    Action
    Adventure
    Affairs
    Afghanistan
    Agatha Christie
    Agent
    A;isha Paige
    A King In A Court Of Fools
    A Mark Of Excellence ~ Phenomenal Books
    Amateur Dramatics
    Amazon Crime And Thriller
    Amellia's Call
    American Friends
    Anthology
    Are You Sitting In A False Comfort Zone?
    A Safari -Sibel Hodge
    As A Reader Or A Writer
    Assassins
    A Terrific May For The Assassins' Village And The Crossing
    Aubergine Chutney
    Author
    A Very English Affair
    A Very French Affair
    A Very French Affair On Kindle Books & Tips
    A Very Happy Christmas To Everyone
    Awesome Indies
    Azure By Chrystalla Thoma
    Bargain Book
    Bbq
    Beautiful Words
    Best Time To Be A Writer~Ever!
    Bible
    Blog
    Blogging -what's It All About?
    Blogging. What's It All About? Part 2
    Bookbub & The Diana Rivers Trilogy Vol 1
    Book Extraganza
    Book Giveaway
    Book Sale
    Book Signing
    Book Signings
    Boreal And John Grey
    Buy
    Camera Action...Murder
    Captain Bligh
    C C Mackenzie
    Character Writing
    Childhunt
    Children Of The Plantation
    Children Ofthe Plantation
    Children Of The Plantation 2 In Movers Shakersd37e39f2c2
    Christmas Romance
    Concentration Camp
    Cookery
    Cosycozy Mystery9b736d59c1
    Cypriot Village
    Cyprus
    Daily Cheap Reads
    #Dark Minds No 2
    David Ebsworth
    Death At Sea
    Devils Brae4fb8b26e5e
    Diabetes
    Diana Rivers
    Dire Straits Economy
    Does Genre Sometimes Confuse You8305e4eafc
    Donna Fasano
    Dont Lose Your Bottle Or Keep Your Pecker Up Take Couragee600336908
    Drama
    Drama And Romance
    Earthlink Series
    Earthquake
    Easter
    Echoes
    Echoes Of Life And Love
    Echoes Of Life Love02517c322e
    Editing
    Editing Penf56bf26058
    Egypt
    English
    Ent
    Eoka
    Ereader News Today
    Erotic
    Erotica
    Faith Mortimer
    Fans
    Fathers
    Fear
    Fig Recipes
    First Novel Pains
    First Person V Third Person
    Flooding
    Footprints In Singapore
    Free
    Free Kindle Books
    Free Today Children Of The Plantation
    Free Today The Surgeonaeab4e7c20
    Friendship
    Frugal Reader
    Gales
    Ghandi
    Giveaway
    Golden Eggs
    Grief
    Happy Valentine! Half-Price Special
    Harvest
    Hate
    Helthy Eating
    Historical Fiction
    Hopping The Boxes
    Hoppin The Boxes
    Hurricaines
    Hurricane Irene
    Indie Writer
    International Best Sellers
    Jacob's Ladder
    Jan Ruth
    Jealousy
    Jenny Twist
    Jeolousy
    John Locke
    Kindle
    Larry Enright
    Libya
    Loss
    Love
    Low Price
    Macbeth
    Magic
    Magic Teapot
    Managing My Expectations When Running Up That Hill
    Mandatory Evacuation On August 27
    Mastermind
    Midnight Skye
    Mountains
    Moving Swiftly To Autumn
    Murder
    Murder Mystery
    Murder She Said!
    Mutiny At Sea
    Mystery
    Mystery Sleuth
    Mystery Suspense
    Mystery Thriller
    Nazi
    New Release
    On Christmas Hill ~ A Seasonal Affair
    On Christmas Hill~ A Seasonal Romance
    On Not Hiring An Editor
    Or Money For Nothing.
    Osama Bin Laden
    Passion
    Questions Of Trust
    Radio
    Readers Beware! Your Favourite Author May Have Another Life!
    Rebecca With 2 C
    Reclaim My Heart
    Regret No More
    Rescue Ship
    Reviews
    Romance
    Romance & Drama
    Sailing
    Sale
    Sam Archer
    Sandstorm In My Heart
    Sarah Barnard
    Savoury And Dessert
    Seasonal Romance
    Seb Kirby
    Second Chance
    Seeds Of Time
    Sexy
    Shakespeare
    Sharks
    Sibel Hodge
    Silver Rain
    Singapore
    Sinking Yacht
    Soups
    Split Decisions
    Storm At Sea
    Storms
    Summer Sale
    Swallows
    Tarek Refaat
    Ten Brides For Ten Heroes
    Tenerife
    That All Important First Line
    Thea Atkinson
    The Assassins
    The Assassins\
    The Assassin S Village
    The Assassins Village
    The Assassins' Village
    The Assassins Village0948caef2c
    The Assassins Village Is Free!
    The Assassins Village Is Freea3cbdf90a5
    The Assassins Vllage
    The Assassin' Village
    The Atlantic
    The Atlantic Ocean
    The Baby Trap
    The Bamboo Mirror
    The Bamboo Mirror
    The Crossing
    The Diana Rivers Mysteries Volume 1
    The Magic Teapot
    The Seeds Of Time
    The Surgeon
    The Surgeons Blade65ffc6983f
    The Surgeon's Blade & Children Of The Plantation
    The Surgeons Blade Free Today4d74ca531d
    The With Love Project
    Thick As Thieves
    Tim Ellis
    Traditional Writer
    Tripoli
    Visitors
    War Of Hearts
    We All Have Choices -except The Glorious Dead
    Wenona Hulsey
    Wg2e Street Team
    What Price EBooks? A Writer Has To Eat!
    Whispers Indie Chicks
    Why Books Make The Very Best Christmas Presents! And Are You A Readaholic?
    Writer
    Writer And Author Libby Fischer Hellmann
    Writers Don’t WANT Everyone To Read Their Books
    Writers - Who Will Make It?
    Writing
    Ww2
    Yacht

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.