Marketing

The Art of Writing Compelling Book Descriptions

Writing a book is an accomplishment, but selling it is a challenge. One of the most important tools for selling your book is the book description. A book description is a brief summary of your book that appears on the back cover, online retailers, and other marketing materials. It's your chance to grab readers' attention and entice them to buy your book. In this article, we explore the art of writing compelling book descriptions that sell.

Frequently Asked Questions for Crafting Great Book Descriptions

Q: What should I include in a book description?
A: A book description should include the genre, tone, length, and keywords that describe your book. It should also provide a brief summary of the plot and characters.

Q: How long should a book description be?
A: A book description should be brief and to the point, usually between 250-500 words.

Q: How do I know what tone to use in my book description?
A: The tone of your book description should match the tone of your book. If your book is a thriller, the description should be suspenseful and exciting. If your book is a romance, the description should be romantic and emotional.

Tips for Writing Compelling Book Descriptions

Know Your Audience: Before you start writing your book description, you need to know your audience. Who are you writing for? What do they like to read? What are their interests? Knowing your audience will help you write a description that speaks to them and grabs their attention.

Identify Your Genre: Your book description should clearly identify the genre of your book. This will help readers know what to expect and whether your book is something they would be interested in.

Use Keywords: Keywords are important for book sales. They help readers find your book when they search online retailers. Make sure to include relevant keywords in your book description.

Keep It Brief: Your book description should be brief and to the point. Aim for 150-250 words. Don't give away too much of the plot, but provide enough information to entice readers.

Highlight the Unique Selling Points: What makes your book unique? What sets it apart from other books in the same genre? Highlight these unique selling points in your book description.

Use Active Voice: Active voice is more engaging than passive voice. Use active voice in your book description to grab readers' attention.

Show, Don't Tell: Instead of telling readers what your book is about, show them. Use descriptive language that paints a picture in readers' minds.

Examples of Compelling Book Descriptions

"Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn: "On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?"

This book description is brief, to the point, and uses active voice. It highlights the unique selling point of the book (the disappearance of a clever and beautiful wife) and uses descriptive language to paint a picture in readers' minds.

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins: "In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love."