How to Create a Back-Cover Blurb That Sells

We all know how important a book’s title and cover are for grabbing a reader’s attention. They’re what make someone stop scrolling or pick up a book from the shelf.

But here’s the thing: very few readers make a buying decision based on those two elements alone.

What usually tips the scales?

The back-cover blurb.

It’s the point where curiosity turns into action… or doesn’t. And yet, for something so critical, most authors dread writing it. I’ve lost count of how many writers have told me they’d rather draft three new chapters than tackle a 150-word blurb.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through a simple process for creating a back-cover blurb that not only hooks readers but also gets them to buy. By the end, you’ll have a clear framework you can reuse for every book you write.

What Is a Back Book Cover Blurb?

Before we dive into why most authors dread writing them, let’s get clear on what a back-cover blurb actually is.

In short, it’s the 150 to 200 words on the back of your book designed to hook the reader and make them want to buy. Written well, it’s one of the most powerful sales tools you have.

And that’s why most authors find them so tricky. Summarizing an entire book without spoiling it (and doing it in a way that sells) can feel impossible. Don’t worry… we’ll break it down step by step in this guide.

Quick side note: The back cover often contains other elements besides the blurb. One example is your bar code. You can get a custom one here.

Before we get into writing tips, it’s important to clear up a few terms that are not the same thing as a back-cover blurb:

• Synopsis. A detailed outline of your book, often used to pitch your book idea editors or publishers. It’s not meant for readers browsing in a bookstore.
• Blurb (endorsement). Those 1–2 line quotes from other authors or celebrities praising your book. These usually go on the front cover (somewhere beneath the book's title).
• Reviews. Short excerpts from media outlets or longer testimonials from well-known reviewers. These are often featured alongside your back-cover blurb to build credibility.
• Book Description. The online version of your blurb, found on product pages like Amazon. It may also include reviews and endorsements, essentially acting like a digital version of your book’s back cover.

Why Do Self-Publishers on Amazon Care?

For two simple reasons, self publishers on Amazon should care about their back book cover blurb because:

1. If you publish on KDP Print or IngramSpark, you're going to need a back book cover design
2. Because now, Amazon allows people to see the back of books on the book sales page

That last one is pretty big!

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How to Create a Back of the Book Cover Blurb that Sells

As already noted, writing a back book blurb is a marketing exercise. This means all the focus needs to be on the potential reader – their needs and expectations. Here are six rules to be mindful of before you put pen to paper on your back book cover blurb.

1. Give the reader what they expect

It’s so tempting to think “If everyone is doing x and I do y, then I’ll stand out from the crowd.” And sure, this works for a lot of things. Not with back book cover blurbs though. If you’ve written a non-fiction business book and your back blurb reads like a thriller novel, the reader is going to be very confused.

Do you know what confused readers do?

They put books back on the shelf or click on to the next Amazon book.

Before writing your back book blurb, choose 3-5 of the bestselling books in your genre and make a note of stylistic similarities. Then ensure you incorporate them into your back book jacket blurb.

2. Put yourself in the reader’s shoes

This can be really hard for authors. We get so caught up in delivering an enthralling story or a big idea, we forget who we’re writing for. And we forget why someone would actually want to read our book. Remember:

Fiction readers are looking for entertainment and escapism.

Here’s the book blurb for Stephanie Myers’ Twilight:

“About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him – and I didn't know how dominant that part might be – that thirsted for my blood.

Third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”

Regardless of whether or not you're a Twilight fan or not, that is a CAPTIVATING back cover blurb.

Non-fiction readers have a problem that needs to be solved.

Tony Robbins’ Unshakeable book blurb makes it very clear that if financial instability is a problem for you, his book can solve it. Plus, in an ever crowded publishing world, Tony's blurb also proves why he's the writer to do just that:

“From the man who brought you one of the bestselling investment books of the decade comes a playbook to help millions of people achieve financial freedom.

After interviewing fifty of the world's greatest financial minds, and penning the #1 New York Times bestseller Money: Master the Game, Tony Robbins returns with a step-by-step playbook, taking you on a journey to transform your financial life and accelerate your path to financial freedom.”

3. Keep it short

250 words is a good ceiling for a good blurb. If you need more words than that to ‘sell’ your book, fiction or non-fiction, you might be in a bit of trouble!

Remember that a book description is not a summary of your book, it's a form of sales copy. The goal is to get people to want to find out more, not explain everything that happens.

4. Make it scannable

For fiction, use short paragraphs. Note how Twilight has its sentences laid out:

For non-fiction, bullet points are great. Here's a back book cover example for Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad:

5. Don’t tell the reader everything

Remember, a book blurb is not a synopsis. You need to make a strong promise to the reader (“I can help you,” “I will entertain you”), but don’t give away the whole story or big idea otherwise the reader has no reason to … read!

6. Nail that first line (or two)

Oh boy. If the first few lines of a book’s blurb don't grab you, that doesn’t bode well for the rest of the book, does it? Here are some great ‘first line’ techniques:

Ask a question

Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes pile up like a tangled mess of noodles? (Marie Kondo, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.)

Set a scene

At first sight, Ove is almost certainly the grumpiest man you will ever meet, a curmudgeon with staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People think him bitter, and he thinks himself surrounded by idiots. (Fredrik Backman, A Man Called Ove.)

Speak directly to the reader’s problems

Entrepreneurs often suffer from the misconception that to be successful, they must do everything themselves. (Chris Ducker, Virtual Freedom.)

Make a promise

Fitness, money and wisdom – here are the tools. (Tim Ferriss, Tools of Titans.)

The best ways to grab readers' attention in that first line #SelfPub #BookMarketingClick To Tweet

7. Include an Author Bio (Optional)

Many books have author bios and a profile picture attached. These are just a few short words that capture the readers attention. It's a great place for nonfiction authors to show off their credentials. But they aren't required, especially for fiction authors.

Steps to writing your back book blurb

Once you’ve taken in all of the above and gotten a feel for the promise you want to make to the reader, use the outlines below to write your book cover blurb.

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A base template for FICTION blurb writing

Beth Bacon, an award-winning author and marketer, suggests this formula for writing a fiction book blurb:

1. Situation. Briefly, describe the circumstances of the story.
2. Problem. Next write about the situation or hitch that makes change inevitable.
3. Hopeful Possibility. Here you provide the hope of overcoming the crisis. This is the cool main character or long shot possibility that gives hope that the difficult problem can be overcome.
4. Mood. This part describes the emotional state that readers will have from reading your story. Example phrases include: “dark, dystopian tragedy”, “humorous chick lit cotton candy”, or “suspenseful, romantic and awash in…magic”.

Here’s a back book blurb example for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ticking all the boxes above:

“Till now there's been no magic for Harry Potter. He lives with the miserable Dursleys and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny closet beneath the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years.

But then a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And there he finds not only friends, flying sports on broomsticks, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him … if Harry can survive the encounter.”

Does your back book blurb follow this proven template? #BookMarketingClick To Tweet

A base template for NON-FICTION blurb writing

This is a formula I’ve developed over the course of three non-fiction books of my own, and it’s served me well:

1. Introduce the problem
2. Outline how you propose to solve it (bullet points are good)
3. Tell the reader how their lives will be better after reading your book

Here's a back book cover copy example of Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass follows this formula:

“You Are a Badass is the self-help book for people who desperately want to improve their lives but don't want to get busted doing it.

In a refreshingly entertaining how-to guide … Jen Sincero serves up 27 bite-sized chapters … helping you to:

• Identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want.
• Create a life you totally love. And create it NOW.
• Make some damn money already. The kind you've never made before.

By the end of You Are a Badass, you'll understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can't change, how to change what you don't love, and how to use The Force to kick some serious ass.”

Over to You Now

Your back-cover blurb is one of the most powerful book marketing tools you have. It can be the deciding factor between someone scrolling past… or clicking “Buy.”

Yes, it’s tempting to rush through writing it after finishing your manuscript. But this isn’t the place to cut corners. Set aside time to get it right (your sales will thank you).

And don’t forget about presentation.

A strong blurb paired with a clean, professional layout makes a big difference. If you’re using book mockups or showcasing the back of your book online, a seamless front-and-back design helps your book look polished and worth picking up.

Invest the effort here, and you’ll give readers one more reason to choose your book over the rest.

Additionally, see this all-inclusive post about writing your book description.