How to Write a Catchy Book Blurb (+ Examples)
A good blurb gives readers a sneak peek of your book and encourages them to buy. Explore these seven blurb examples, with tips for creating your own.
August 14, 2023
10 minute reading
A good blurb gives readers a sneak peek of your book and encourages them to buy. Explore these seven blurb examples, with tips for creating your own.
People’s average attention span is only a few seconds long, and in a bookshop, there are hundreds of books vying for that sparse moment.
Once a reader picks up a book, they usually flip to the back and read its blurb. If written effectively, the book blurb may just push that reader to buy the it.
However, if it's too vague, uninspired, or convoluted, they may leave the book sitting on the shelves.
What is a book blurb?
Placed on the back cover, the blurb is a short description of what the book is about or what’s good about it. It usually consists of a few short paragraphs that include information that could entice the reader to dive into the piece.
What makes a good blurb?
For academic books, the blurb may describe a recent study finding that would appeal to the scientific community. A non-fiction book could share bits about time management challenges and invite readers to learn strategies for handling them. There are a variety of ways to present the blurb. For fictional books with multiple plot devices, authors have endless options for writing blurbs.
For instance, in the classic dystopian bestseller, The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood, there's a memorable quote along with a short, but still mysterious summary:
'It isn't running away they're afraid of. We wouldn't get far. It's those other escapes, the ones you can open in yourself, given a cutting edge'
Book blurbs are sort of what movie trailers do: give a sneak peek inside the content. It is a vital part of the overall publishing process, where you can't give away too much, but you can't be too vague either.
7 best book blurb examples
Writers understand that condensing ideas into one or two paragraphs is harder than expounding on a topic or a story. Book blurbs cannot be overlooked, but they are understandably intimidating to write.
Here are our proven blurb examples and techniques to help you craft the best one.
Find book blurbs writing services by professional writers
1. Outliers: The Story of Success
Stick to a short, crisp blurb, like this one for Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers: The Story of Success:
Learn what sets high achievers apart -- from Bill Gates to the Beatles -- in this #1 bestseller from "a singular talent" (New York Times Book Review).
The description is intriguing (what do the Beatles and Bill Gates have in common to achieve that level of success), and there’s praise for Gladwell included as well.
2. Outlander
The main function of a book blurb is to entice readers. It needs to relay the tone of the book. One example of this is a blurb of Outlander by author Diana Gabaldon:
“Scottish Highlands, 1945. Claire Randall, a former British combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding clans in the year of Our Lord . . . 1743.
Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of a world that threatens her life and may shatter her heart. Marooned amid danger, passion, and violence, Claire teaches her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior. What begins in compulsion becomes urgent need, and Claire finds herself torn between two very different men, in two irreconcilable lives.”
The blurb is successful in setting up the backstory to help make the concept understandable: Claire is a combat nurse from the Scottish Highlands, can go back to the 18th century, and is torn between two different men and two distinct lives.
3. Seabiscuit
One classic example of a simple blurb is Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand:
In 1938, a small crooked-legged racehorse received more press coverage than Hitler, Mussolini, Roosevelt or any other news figure. His name was Seabiscuit. He had become a most unlikely darling of the public thanks to an improbable meeting of three men who together created an international sporting icon.
Seabiscuit is an inspiring narrative of betting and winning against the odds, a classic tale of three embattled individuals who overcame the Depression and captivated the world.
Readers browse a lot of books when they are at a bookstore or looking at products online. A short blurb will be more memorable than a convoluted one.
4. The Girl on The Train
Book blurbs aren’t limited to plot synopses. You can give a blurb unusual flair by making it a two-part scene that depicts a twist in the story. This unorthodox style can be seen in a blurb for The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins:
EVERY DAY THE SAME
Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.
UNTIL TODAY
And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?
This blurb depicts what should be a mundane routine that suddenly becomes chaotic and foreboding. It doesn’t give away too many details about the protagonist, Rachel (who suffers from alcoholism), but it creates just enough conflict to entice readers to want to know what she saw.
If you’re struggling to create the right balance, an experienced blurb writer from Fiverr can give the right insight.
5. Comanches: The Destruction of a People
Blurbs need to tell a story on their own—one that makes readers want to read more. Many novels have twisting plots, so some hint of this in their blurb can captivate readers.
Non-fiction work can make a reader fascinated in a subject they previously knew nothing about. Case in point: Comanches: The Destruction of a People by T.R. Fehrenbach documents the story of the Comanches, the most powerful American Indian tribe. This blurb preview the tale of their unexpected dynamism:
'Master horseback riders who lived in teepees and hunted bison, the Comanches were stunning orators, disciplined warriors, and the finest makers of arrows. They lived by a strict legal code and worshipped within a cosmology of magic. As he portrays the Comanche lifestyle, Fehrenbach re-creates their doomed battle against European encroachment. While they destroyed the Spanish dream of colonizing North America and blocked the French advance into the Southwest, the Comanches ultimately fell before the Texas Rangers and the U. S. Army in the great raids and battles of the mid-nineteenth century.'
6. Milk and Honey
A blurb can be a synopsis, but it can also be a poem that shoots straight to the reader’s senses. Whatever style you prefer, consider applying a unique approach—something you think will resonate with your target readers.
Here’s an excellent example: a blurb for poet Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey that sets the tone for how gritty and impactful the poems in the collection will be.
this is the journey of surviving through poetry this is the blood sweat tears of twenty-one years this is my heart in your hands this is the hurting the loving the breaking the healing
7. The Name of the Wind
If you’re writing a science-fiction or dark fantasy novel, your blurb should have a sense of mystery or intrigue. This blurb for Patrick Rothfuss’s bestselling The Name of the Wind pushes against the blurb writing cliches. It takes a quote from the book that hints the reader is about to become absorbed in a story of epic adventures.
“My name is Kvothe, pronounced nearly the same as ‘quothe.’ Names are important as they tell you a great deal about a person. I’ve had more names than anyone has a right to…. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. ‘You may have heard of me.’”
Right away, you know who Kvothe is and that he is sensational—now you want to know why. Paired with an interesting book cover, the reader is ready to be transported to another world.
Still unsure about your book cover design? Hire a freelance book cover designer on Fiverr today.
How to write a good blurb
Here are our proven blurb examples and techniques to help you craft the best one.
1. Keep it short and sweet
Keep your blurb as short as possible. Readers probably won’t have the patience to read a 500-word description on the book’s back cover. In fact, too long a blurb could drive the reader away.
2. Make sure it’s readable
Readers commonly just skim a blurb to see if they feel a book is worth buying. Aside from being succinct, make sure your blurb is simple and easy to read, features clear descriptions, and is written cohesively.
Keep in mind that readers browse a lot of books when they are at a bookstore or looking at products online. A short blurb with a captivating first sentence will be more memorable than a convoluted one.
3. Align the tone with the genre
It wouldn’t make sense for a suspense thriller to have a blurb with a lighthearted tone. The blurb is a come hither to attract the right audience, so it should have the same theme as the book.
A mystery thriller should establish tension and conflict in a few sentences. At the same time, a self-help book should read approachable and straightforward.
Getting the right tone for your blurb helps set the proper expectations. Those who are looking for an informative piece will not be anticipating casual, chatty content. If you’re struggling to create the right balance, an experienced blurb writer from Fiverr can give the right insight.
4. Condense your vivid story
Authors need to create a story in a short blurb—one that will make readers want more. If the plot of a fiction title contains some twists, it might be a good idea to hint at this in the blurb.
But storytelling need not be limited to fiction. Non-fiction work can be told in such a way that you would be fascinated by that particular topic.
5. Try an AI tool
AI content tools like ChatGPT or QuillBot can help create a blurb for you. For example, you can add text to the bot and ask it to summarize the content. You can even ask it to create a blurb with specific styles, like the ones mentioned above.
Pique your reader’s attention with a blurb
Whether you’re self-publishing on Amazon, or going through a publishing company, book marketing starts with having a great blurb.
Giving readers a little preview can help stir up interest at your book launch and earn sales. You can share blurbs on social media, newsletters, and press releases, too.
If you need a second pair of eyes, or simply want someone to write a blurb for you, work with a professional writer on Fiverr.
Book blurb FAQ
What are the most important things to include in a blurb?
The most important things to include in a blurb are a brief description, the main characters or subject matter, and a hook that piques the reader’s interest. It should also be concise and compelling, to entice potential readers or viewers.
What is the purpose of a blurb?
The purpose of a blurb is to give potential readers a preview without giving too much away. It serves as a marketing tool to intrigue, engage, and convince people to read a book, watch a movie, or engage with any piece of work.
What are the rules for writing a blurb?
The rules for writing a blurb include keeping it brief (usually not more than 150 to 200 words), using short sentences, introducing the main characters or concepts without revealing too much, and ending with a cliffhanger or hook to entice the reader. It’s also crucial to maintain an appropriate tone that aligns with the book’s style and theme.
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About Author
Geri Mileva Content Strategist
A prolific and versatile writer, I have built a colorful portfolio that includes hundreds of published pieces reaching a wide variety of audiences. I like telling stories. I believe that a good story delivers value while capturing, influencing, and sustaining its intended audience. This has always been, and always will be, my primary aim as a writer.
