A blurb is a short summation of your book 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 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 the traditional publishers have editorial staff to write blurbs for you, or they hire freelance help. 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.

1. Carefully follow the publisher's guidelines for length and for other information that must be included. 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, so 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 they're poems that 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 teach 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 would scare off readers looking for historical romance.

Once you've sketched out your blurb, check to make sure it's clear, concise, and engaging. A rambling, 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 opinions, specifically: Does the blurb make them want to read more? If it does, you've accomplished your goal. Congratulations!

Copyright © 2008 Ronnie L. Smith Writer's Relief, Inc. is a highly recommended author's submission service. Established in 1994, Writer's Relief will help you target the best markets for your creative writing. Visit their Web site at http://www.writersrelief.com to receive their FREE Writers' Newsflash which contains valuable leads, guidelines, and deadlines for writing in all genres.