Relying on Blurbs and Covers

 

Traverse City schools begin after Labor Day, but teachers ditch their shorts and return to classrooms in late August. Upcoming ‘back to school’ events prompt a flurry of activity. Before kids and families return, we must create eye-catching bulletin boards, arrange desks, gather activities, and attend meetings.

I’m retired now, but have fond memories of this annual transition from sandy beaches to classrooms. While I miss the kids, I enjoy writing, traveling with Dave and our two pups, gardening and searching for rocks. Honestly, I don’t know how I found time for work! 🙂

Vacation’s over, and kids are back in school. With festivals, reunions and Bar-B-Qs behind us, maybe we can finally finish those projects interrupted by summer. With this blog completed, I intend to scour secluded beaches for Petoskeys and Leland Blues and get lost in a great book. Before tackling those ‘must dos’ grab another cup of coffee, listen to the birds and read on.

I love fall, and not because my birthday lies just inside. Truth be told, I’d rather not count the years! I just prefer cool, crisp temperatures over summer’s heat. Days are growing shorter now, an inevitable trend that will continue until Winter Solstice. Mark your calendars…our shortest day begins on Saturday, December 21st at 4:19 am. (Eastern Time). But our favorite places are a little less crowded, and there’s still plenty of daylight left to visit a cider mill, get lost in a corn maze, and walk through a pumpkin patch. When was the last time you carved a huge pumpkin, went on a hayride or picked apples from a tree? And let’s not forgot Halloween, the Queen of Fall, and a favorite for kids young and old.

I’ve spotted a few colorful leaves. Granted, you have to look carefully, and with a hefty dose of imagination! 🙂 That’s all Dave and I will see of Michigan’s brilliant reds, oranges, and yellow. We’re headed back to the Tetons and Yellowstone, where Aspens will soon cover mountains and valleys in a sea of yellow.

I’ve meandered long enough. On to the main course:

 The Mystique of Blurbs and Book Covers – 
Readers rely on both to find new books…and authors create them hoping to lure new readers.

When book covers and blurbs (short summaries) are misleading, and don’t live up to expectations they end up in the Goodwill bin or worse. On the other hand, some blurbs fail to spark interest. I’m willing to bet we’ve all passed over at least one or two great books because the summary failed to lure us in. Bottom line is, poorly worded blurbs may not draw your intended audience and fail to entice new readers.

Just for kicks, let’s say you’ve written a middle grade fantasy adventure, and your amazing cover sparks interest. But does your blurb intrigue middle graders? As you’ve probably noticed, I tend to be wordy. So, short, snappy summaries don’t come easily. Using 200 or so well-chosen words, you must introduce key characters, present the main conflict, and spark interest. They say it’s doable, but I need guidance.

While there are many resources out there, I’ve discovered Jessie Cunniffe. Her entertaining blogs provide valuable insights, and her services are worth checking into. As we speak, that former teacher is ‘grading’ my latest attempt for The Polar Bear & the Dragon. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with. 🙂

Authors interested in reevaluating their blurbs can find Jessie at https://www.bookblurbmagic.com

Meanwhile, I dare you to log onto Amazon and read a few. Keep track of the number of words. I can’t promise you’ll find your next book, but it’ll be an eye-opener! By the way, authors sure appreciate reviews. So, while you’re there, take a minute to review one or two. 🙂

Recommendations are still an invaluable resource. So please use my email: d.watson@dwatsonauthor.com to share a favorite, new or old, and I’ll pass it along. I have three to share. If you like romantic fantasy, check out “The Dragon Heart Legacy, by Norah Roberts. For those who love dogs and heartwarming stories, look into “River Love”  by Tricia Frey – ‘The True Story of a Wayward Sheltie, a Woman, and a Magical Place Called Rivershire.’ Finally, for nonfiction buffs, and my former colleagues at Old Mission Peninsula School, there’s a short book on “The History of Education on the Old Mission Peninsula,” by Karen Rieser. Tricia and Karen are local authors.

Just below the pups, you’ll find information regarding subscribing and unsubscribing to this blog. 

Until next time…Buddy and Parker say farewell. Hope you stay with me and enjoy this beautiful Fall. 🙂

Welcome to Debbie’s Blog…A gathering place for Authors and Readers. Please share your thoughts and book recommendations at  d.watson@dwatsonauthor.com. 

Let’s stay connected. If you haven’t signed up for my blogs, breaking news and information, this link takes you to my website: https://www.dwatsonauthor.com Scroll to the bottom and fill in the blanks. Then, enjoy as long as you like. 🙂

Stay tuned for a teaser from my newest book, for adults this time. Growing up beside Michigan’s Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park, with its primeval forest of giant hemlocks, birch, and maples inspires a young woman’s lifelong passion to defend wild places. Riley journeys from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve. Protecting a wilderness the size of New Hampshire is a golden opportunity but presents unexpected challenges.

More next time. 🙂 Because I’m still getting bug iron out, use the email above to let me know you’ve subscribed.

I hate good-byes, but if you must go, do so below the pups.

Cheers to Great Books! 
Debbie