So the book is written and about to be published but it will be jostling for space in the book stores alongside ten other biographies all about the same person. So how can a writer ensure that it is their book that makes it to the checkout and not someone else’s? A book buyer will sometimes spend only 5 minutes in a book store grabbing a book in their lunch break or on the way to catch a train or a flight. An author needs to work hard to make the 30 seconds spent looking at their book cover turn into the decision to buy that book.
Shopping Psychology
An author will rarely get carte blanche on what their book will look like (unless they are self publishing) however they will often get the opportunity to let their feelings be known. When an author is asked for input as to how they think their book cover should look they should first stop to think what sort of person will be buying their book and what sort of cover will appeal to them. It is impossible to predict every person who will read the book but it can help to imagine the stereotypical audience.
A biography about an entrepreneur will possibly attract a young business reader who reads the book on a commute. They will probably be more comfortable reading a classy and professional looking book whilst on the train.
A biography about a historical figure may attract a historian reader who will appreciate the antiquated or classical look.
A biography about a sassy female supermodel may appeal to young fashion conscious women so it can afford to be bright and cute.
An author should imagine their reader, what they will be wearing, where they will be reading the book, what they will be carrying (e.g. a briefcase with room for a large tome or a clutch bag with room for a small paperback).
What’s In a Name?
After a book or two has caught a reader’s eye they will often next look at the title of the book. Again the reader and the book subject should influence what the book is called. When choosing a book title the author should keep the following tips in mind;
- Unless it is the absolute perfect title for the book avoid over used clichés
- Avoid overly long title
- Unless absolutely necessary avoid difficult to pronounce words in the title. This could be the one thing which discourages a potential reader from going into the book store and asking for the book
- Consider using a title which is a line from the book. Use a catchy line which leaves the potential reader wanting to find out more
- Say the title out loud to see if it sounds catchy
- Do not attempt to be overly clever or obtuse. This could irritate a potential reader straight away
- Do not use swear words or offensive language. This may discourage some book stores from ordering or displaying it
Writing the Blurb
The blurb is the short narrative on the back of a book which tells a reader what the book is about. This can sometimes be found inside the book cover if on a hardback book with a dust jacket.
If a potential reader has not lost interest by the time they have looked at the cover and read the title then they will usually read the blurb. This is the deal maker (or breaker) which will result in the book either being bought or making it’s way back to the shelf. Here are some hints to help authors write a catchy blurb:
- As with titles do not be overly clever or obtuse. Readers look at the blurb to find out a bit more about the book not to be made more confused
- Keep the language simple. The place for articulation is inside the book. The blurb needs to be easy to read and digest in a very short space of time.
- Get the key points about the book through but do not give everything away
- Use clinchers; statements about the biography subject that are little known or surprising
- Leave the reader wanting more by posing a question. For example “How did a poor Catholic girl from an American town population 200 end up the most scandalous women in media history?”
- Pull out some of the best lines and statements from the book and incorporate these into the blurb
Dulcinea Norton-Smith - Dulcinea is a writer, an avid reader, a loving wife, a terrible housewife, a mother of two, a Civil Servant and of course a freelance ...
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