Learn about which elements should go on your back cover to help sell more books.
- A tagline. Appearing at the very top of the page, use an enticing one or two line sentence to provoke interest or intrigue. Keep it short to grab your reader's attention and pull them further down the page into more details about the book.
- A book summary or blurb. This one or two paragraph block should be written with your reader in mind. However, it shouldn't be written in the same style as your book. Think of it more like ad copy, and to write effective ad copy it is critical to know who your reader is and then talk directly to them using language that they'll relate to. The book summary can help your reader understand why they want to buy your book and communicate to them how this book will benefit their life.
- Reviews, endorsements, testimonials. Include 2-3 of your best reviews on the back cover. These short statements of praise from others helps add a feeling of credibility to your book. Seeing that other people, maybe some of them well-known, have read, endorsed and recommend your book, builds a sense of trust with your potential reader. Be sure to include your reviewer's name and credentials if they have them.
Pro Tip: Obtaining reviews, testimonials and endorsements can sometimes be a lengthy process. Don't wait until your cover is ready to be designed to ask people for these. Plan ahead and start early so they are available when your cover is ready to be designed.
- Author biography and photo. Give people a way to start getting to know you as an author. Include a short bio about yourself and why you wrote the book. Keep it brief and clear, saving the longer list of achievements and story for your "About the Author" page in your book or on your website. Use a simple, professionally taken head shot for the photo.
- Publishing Information. This section is for your ISBN bar code and could include the bookstore category, price (if you choose to include that), and your website address.
After you have all of the copy for the cover, only then is it ready for the design phase. When I design the back cover of your book some of my goals include:
- Maintaining visual continuity that may come from the front cover and/or elements of the interior style.
- Keeping the information on the back cover easily digestible with the most important copy presented in a way that grabs the eye.
- Using various design techniques to eliminate any potential for an overcrowded, or cluttered feeling.
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Help for Independent Presses
Book Design & Production
Have you written a nonfiction or fiction manuscript? After it has been professionally edited, I can design the interior pages and cover, plus guide you through the maze of book publishing and printing. To get started, contact me to discuss your project and my helpful guide for authors.