Something that hooks or intrigues me. I ignore author reviews – some authors are paid to do them, some only so them so others return the favour for their books (a friend who is a published, best-selling author told me about the varied practises that go on regarding those comments).
Its not something I can define – yes its the hook but why one will work and another does not I can’t say. Anything that claims an unexpected or ‘unbelievable’ ending or twist, or else comparing the author to another writer is a turn off.
Any blurb that doesn’t compare the author to other authors e.g ‘the new Le Carré’ – ‘for fans of Lee Child’ – ‘if you liked Vince Flynn’ – ‘not since Robert Ludlum’…and so on. The practice is lazy and condescending.
Quite often very little!! I don’t want to know that it is for fans of Tom, Dick and Harry. or that I will like it if I loved x or y book! I really want to know what the book is about and sometimes there is very little information (publishers take note!!). x
I don’t want the first section of a blurb to be “reviews”. Keywords that tell the story both the out journey (FBI, crime, murder, suspects) to the inner journey (suffering, widow, loneliness).
I’m constantly amazed at how a blurb can turn me off or intrigue me. Even for books that are free, the blurb has to make me interested in spending my time. I am attracted to blurbs that give me a hint and a good idea of the genre and tone of the book, and I’m repelled not only by blurbs that confirm that the genre is not what I want, but by blurbs in a genre I would be interested in, but where the author is either too coy about the plot, leaving me too uncertain to spend the time, or where the story just doesn’t capture my interest. It really is critical to have a good blurb that draws in your target audience.
I know its not popular but ‘a twist you wont believe’ still attracts me x
Short, sharp punchy sentences. And no ‘a twist you won’t see coming’ 😉
Characters who are easy to remember and relate to.
A short teaser that makes me itch to know what happened.
Reviews by other trusted authors that say ..page turner…or cant out down …
I always go for the blurb
Something that hooks or intrigues me. I ignore author reviews – some authors are paid to do them, some only so them so others return the favour for their books (a friend who is a published, best-selling author told me about the varied practises that go on regarding those comments).
Its not something I can define – yes its the hook but why one will work and another does not I can’t say. Anything that claims an unexpected or ‘unbelievable’ ending or twist, or else comparing the author to another writer is a turn off.
@Jan I agree
Absolutely agree. If they feel the need to point out to me that there’s a twist, it can’t be much of one 😉 IMHO.
Same here. It just depends on the day… ?
A great many crime books are ‘puzzles’ by their very nature 🙂
@Jan Hopefully 😉
we try!
“If you liked (other writers), you’re sure to like this” always turns me off
because so often they are nothing alike
It can be such a powerful marketing tool, though. I don’t use it, but it can get lots of hits on keyword searches, of course.
Any blurb that doesn’t compare the author to other authors e.g ‘the new Le Carré’ – ‘for fans of Lee Child’ – ‘if you liked Vince Flynn’ – ‘not since Robert Ludlum’…and so on. The practice is lazy and condescending.
@Karl I dont think its condescending its obvious to compare to best selling authors sells ( even if annoying!! )
more often inaccuracy then condescension 🙂
Quite often very little!! I don’t want to know that it is for fans of Tom, Dick and Harry. or that I will like it if I loved x or y book! I really want to know what the book is about and sometimes there is very little information (publishers take note!!). x
@Alyson so true. I had been put off a lot of books because of comparisons. I ignore them now!
nearly every book used to say ‘for fans of Girl on a Train’ although as said above I know why they do it x
@Mark If its a book you didn’t much like the comparisons do backfire 🙂
@Jan very true but I guess with its success they banked on many liking it!
I don’t want the first section of a blurb to be “reviews”. Keywords that tell the story both the out journey (FBI, crime, murder, suspects) to the inner journey (suffering, widow, loneliness).
Drug dealers, con-men, outlaws, heists, robberies – I’m a sucker for books from a villain’s POV
We are all different it seems ..lol
The subject. Something that catches my attention in some way so that I want to find out what happens.
Short and snappy. There are a few key words that sell a book to me, but these can be personal choice. Likewise, other words put me off.
A hook…just enough to whet my appetite. If it’s followed by droning on about plot… I’m out.
Interesting topic as I am rubbish at them.
@Jane some authors have said it’s very hard to write a blurb
I love international settings. That always is a grab for me.
I don’t really know, but one book’s blurb can grab me while a similar blurb on another book can leave me cold…ESP maybe ??
Referencing an intelligent plot, by a writer I respect
I’m constantly amazed at how a blurb can turn me off or intrigue me. Even for books that are free, the blurb has to make me interested in spending my time. I am attracted to blurbs that give me a hint and a good idea of the genre and tone of the book, and I’m repelled not only by blurbs that confirm that the genre is not what I want, but by blurbs in a genre I would be interested in, but where the author is either too coy about the plot, leaving me too uncertain to spend the time, or where the story just doesn’t capture my interest. It really is critical to have a good blurb that draws in your target audience.
Quite often the reviews or a friend has read it