Whether you are overhauling and relaunching one of your books, or launching a new one, the cover and blurb are two of the most important factors.
Make your cover sparkle
Your book’s cover is vitally important because it serves as the initial visual representation of the content.
It’s the first thing potential readers see, and it often shapes their perception of the book’s genre, tone, and quality.
A well-designed cover not only attracts attention but also communicates key elements of the book’s story or subject matter, helping to align reader expectations with the actual content. Additionally, in an increasingly crowded marketplace, a striking cover can make a book stand out against the competition, increasing its chances of being noticed and picked up.
It can seem like you need to make your cover a disjointed mishmash of every single element, but tone down that creativity. Just choose one or two things you want to convey and use that. Or something abstract that conveys a mood. And always remember images are the copyright of the artist. Get properly licensed images, create your own, or commission something. You can get images from websites like depositphotos.com, shutterstock.com, stock.adobe.com. istockphoto.com, amongst others. Don’t just download one off the internet because you liked it—imagine someone stealing your story, all your hard work, then sticking it in a book with their own cover image. That’s what you’d be doing. Ethically and legally wrong, so don’t do it.
Determining what would make a good cover for your book involves considering several factors:
- Genre and Audience: Understanding the genre conventions and preferences of your target audience is crucial. A cover should reflect the style and imagery commonly associated with your genre while also appealing to the specific tastes and expectations of your readership.
- Theme and Tone: The cover should visually convey the overarching themes and tone of your book. Whether it’s whimsical and light-hearted, or dark and mysterious, the design elements should align with the emotional experience you want readers to have.
- Visual Impact: A good cover grabs attention and creates intrigue. Strong visuals, bold typography, and vibrant colors can all contribute to the overall impact of the cover, making it more likely to catch the eye of potential readers.
- Professionalism: Investing in a professionally designed cover is essential. A well-executed cover design not only looks polished and appealing but also signals to readers that the book is of high quality and worth their time and money.
- Branding and Consistency: If your book is part of a series, or you’ve established a brand identity, it’s important to maintain consistency across your book covers. This helps readers recognize your books and reinforces your author brand.
Ultimately, a good cover should be visually compelling, thematically relevant, and effectively targeted to your specific audience, enticing them to explore further and ultimately choose your book.
What’s a blurb?
A blurb is a concise summary or endorsement typically found on the back cover of a book and in promotional materials.
It’s a teaser, providing potential readers with a glimpse into the book’s content, themes, and style.
A well-crafted blurb is essential to marketing your book because it acts as the second point of contact between the book and its audience, enticing them to pick it up and learn more. A compelling blurb can capture attention, spark curiosity, and convey the book’s value proposition, ultimately influencing a reader’s decision to purchase and engage with the material. By effectively communicating the book’s unique selling points and generating interest, a blurb plays a crucial role in driving sales and building an audience for the book.
Crafting a compelling blurb involves several key elements to capture the readers’ attention and entice them to choose your book.
- Hook: Start with a captivating opening that grabs readers’ attention and makes them want to know more. This could be a thought-provoking question, a compelling statement, or an intriguing scenario related to the book’s plot or subject matter.
In a world dying due to toxins in the air, water, and soil, no babies have been
naturally conceived in years.
- Synopsis: Provide a concise summary of the book’s main premise, central conflict, and key characters. Focus on the most engaging aspects of the story while avoiding spoilers. Highlight what makes your book unique and why readers should care about it.
But RaShell Bionics has a solution to solving the problem of the decreasing population; genetically engineered hybrid clones with the ability to reproduce.
That is, until the discovery of an underground settlement and its secrets changes everything.
Now Sabine Reed, a geneticist from RaShell, has fled her lab to join the settlement and uncover the key to restoring the world. With the help of ex-security officer, Xander Mitchell, she hatches a plan to convince the head of RaShell Bionics to stop using clones to reproduce.
- Emotional Appeal: Appeal to readers’ emotions by conveying the emotional stakes of the story or the relatable struggles of the characters. Show how the book can evoke powerful emotions such as excitement, suspense, empathy, or inspiration, making readers eager to experience the emotional journey themselves.
But when her plan fails, the cost is higher than she ever could have imagined.
- Social Proof: Include endorsements or accolades from reputable sources, such as bestselling authors, respected publications, or notable figures in your genre. Positive reviews or endorsements add credibility and reassure potential readers that your book is worth their time and investment.
- Call to Action: Encourage readers to take the next step, whether it’s purchasing the book, downloading a sample, or joining a mailing list. Use persuasive language to motivate readers to engage with your book immediately.
A futuristic thriller from Jodi Jensen to keep you on the edge of your seat. Grab your copy now and discover the spine-tingling world of supernatural suspense.
(Editor’s note: now we have you captivated, go buy Children of RaShell by Jodi Jensen here – https://books2read.com/Jensen-RaShell).
When putting together a blurb, consider the following tips:
●Keep it concise: Aim for a length of around 100-200 words to maintain reader interest and avoid overwhelming them with too much information.
● Focus on the most compelling aspects of your book: Highlight what sets your book apart from others in its genre and why readers should choose it over alternative options.
● Use vivid language: Paint a vivid picture of the book’s world, characters, and themes using descriptive language that engages the reader’s imagination.
● Test and iterate: Once you’ve drafted your blurb, seek feedback from beta readers, critique partners, or professionals in the publishing industry. Revise and refine the blurb based on their feedback to ensure it effectively communicates the essence of your book and resonates with your target audience.
By incorporating these elements and following these tips, you can create a compelling blurb that captures readers’ interest and motivates them to pick up your book.
Kimberly Rei
Kimberly Rei, in addition to writing creepy tales, is an editor with Black Hare Press and takes joy in offering the wobbly wisdom of her experience. She does her best work in the places that can't exist...the in-between places where imagination defies reality. With a penchant for dark corners and hooks that leave readers looking over their shoulder, she is always on the lookout for new ideas, new projects, and new ways to make words dance. Her debut novelette, Chrysalis, is available on Amazon. Kimberly lives in gorgeous Florida where the Gulf hides monsters and the sun is a special kind of horror.
Dean Shawker
Dean Shawker hails from Bracknell, UK, and now lives in Melbourne, Australia.
Dean is co-founder and editor of Black Hare Press.
Having found that his BSc in Bioengineering and BA in Digital Media were as useful in real life as calculus and geometric proofs, Dean now works in commercial non-fiction during the day and moonlights as a minion of the hell hare, Captain Woundwort, in the dark hours.
He writes speculative fiction and dark poetry under the pseudonym Avery Hunter, and edits under the name D. Kershaw.
You’ll usually find him hanging out with the rest of the BHP family in the BHP Facebook group, or here as a servant to the Stygian Lepus.