Novel Writing Made Less Impossible -- The Vitality of Your Cover Copy

Okay, it sits upon the bookshelf. The cover entices you, seduces you, whispers, "Pick me up ... caress me ... pull open my cover ... oooh ... now flip me over ... rake your eyes across my glossy flesh ... use me ... you know you want to."

Am I the only one who hears these voices? Anyway ...

So you flip the book over and what's the first thing you do? Yeah, you read the back cover copy (or the inner flaps on the hardcover's dust cover).

In one paragraph, your words must convince the reader that leaving the bookstore without your novel will rack him/her with hellish regret. The copy must carry a punch ... the maximum enticement with the fewest number of words.

If possible, there should also be a "If you liked (fill in the name of the best-selling novel or most-watched film or television program), then you'll want to read (the title of your book)." There also might be a short bio of the author, in case he/she wrote other books of note or brings a certain personal quality to the mix. Basically, this is the best advertising your book could have, short of being endorsed by Oprah. That's why there are writers who specialize in this short, sweet sales tool, and why the cover copy is reworked again and again and again until it's as close to perfect as possible. Also, on the front cover, what words would get someone to explore the book further? Sure, the title, the subtitle, and your name. But sometimes, you'll want a short blurb to draw attention to your tome. Sometimes, it might be a quote from the book, or a tease about the contents. For instance, with SANTASTEIN: THE POST-HOLIDAY PROMETHEUS, the front cover carries the tease: "A Tale of Holiday Horror Told With Much Inappropriate Humor ..." Believe me, that last line has sold more than its fair share of books. People like inappropriate humor, it seems. So while we discussed the importance of the cover artwork a couple of weeks ago, the cover copy is every bit as important. The cover art lures the buyer towards your product, but the copy can seal the deal.

NEXT WEDNESDAY: The Necessary Expenses of Publishing

TOMORROW: Your Online You

NEXT APPEARANCE: On April 14th, I'm at the Tippecanoe County Public Library Author Fair. The event features many of Lafayette, Indiana's top writing talents under one roof! And I'll be giving a talk on how to build a freelance writing career from the ground up.

The TCPL Author Fair will be at the main library at 627 South Street in Lafayette, Indiana in the McAllister Room from 11-2, to be followed by an hour of coffee and conversation. Admission is FREE and we fully expect to see you there! And on April 20-22, I'll be one of the honored guests at CAPE CON. It's Cape Girardeau's premiere pop media show and I'm elated to be there for Ken Murphy and his awesome family. The other guests of honor will be artist Mike Zeck (Captain America, Punisher, Master of Kung-Fu, etc.), Steven Grant (Whisper, Punisher, more), Lou Ferigno (TV's Incredible Hulk), and Reb Brown (TV's Captain America). In addition, my awesome friends will be in attendance, such as Amy Hale, Sean Dulaney, Jason Nugent, Heroes For Kids, Castle, Perilous, Nathan Bonner, Burg Comics, Jay Noel, Costumers For Christ, Brian Rhodes, StL Comics, Cakes Reanimated, Campus Comics, Pense Productions, and Villainous Grounds, and MORE! It's a low admission price for so much to see and do. We'll be at the Osage Center and you can get more information at www.cape-con.com. See you there!

SPECIAL NOTE: My newest book, The Haunting Scripts of Bachelors Grove​, is currently on sale. It's part memoir, part grimoire. The first half deals with my entry into writing indie comics and joining Silver Phoenix Entertainment. I print four of my comic scripts for The Haunting Tales of Bachelors Grove, three of which have not been produced yet. Then I add four horror prose tales, three of which are NEW.All this behind a great cover by my Art Sherpa, Trevor Erick Hawkins, over 300 pages of terror and history for only $19.95 in paperback, $2.99 in e-book (FREE if you belong to Amazon Prime).

If you have any questions for me, write to me at Brian@RisingTide.pub. No attachments, please, for security reasons.

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