Publication day is not far off now. We have
been rehashing the blurb for The Gallows
on Warlock Hill. My first effort wasn't right. It concentrated too much on
the wrong part of the story. Which part? Never mind which part. It was the
wrong part. The publisher quite rightly asked for a new blurb.
Did you know that the word blurb goes back to
the year 1907? An American humour writer called Gelett Burgess didn't like the
cover his publisher used on one of his books. He wanted something slightly
saucy, so be drew a character he called Belinda Blurb. She's been with us ever
since.
I had to give some thought to the new blurb for
my book. It had to capture a potential reader's imagination while, at the same
time giving a very broad overview of the story. Few words but big impact. Not
easily done. I cast my mind over the idea of Belinda Blurb. She was presented
as the sort of sultry female who often appeared on the cover of a lurid
paperback. Her role was to excite the reader's imagination. My few words had to
do the same thing... excite the reader into buying the book. Instead of a
sultry seductress, I used the idea of character conflict. Sparks fly between
two sisters. But one needs the other in order to stay alive. Will they sort it
out? I also introduced a hint of mystery. Who… why… get the reader guessing and
wanting to know the answer.
I'm pleased to say that the publisher is happy
with my new blurb. All that remains is to find out how many potential customers
are captured by the Belinda Blurb effect.
Belinda Blurb! Never heard that story before but isn't it wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a Belinda Blurb, enticing the reader in! Great story, and good luck with your novel.
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