Blurbs Sell Books: Recent Episodes
Best Page Forward
A podcast for authors who want to improve their copywriting skills and create better book descriptions. Hosted by author Jim Heskett and copywriting expert Abigail Dunard.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief John Phythyon and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Men of Bone by David Penny
1501: London, England
Can a man turn his back on all hope to protect those he loves?
Returning to an England now alien to him Thomas Berrington falls foul of a thieves’ guild. In his efforts to protect a stranger he becomes their target. When the bonemen come to inflict punishment he has no choice but to kill one of their order. Fleeing London in the company of Arthur, Prince of Wales, heir to the English throne, Thomas believes he has escaped retribution for his actions. But it is a mistake that may get him and his companions killed.
Sent to England by the Spanish Queen to watch over Catherine of Aragon on her marriage to Arthur, Thomas intends the duty to be short-lived. But he hasn’t reckoned on the bonemen, who are spreading their influence ever wider. As danger mounts, Thomas is no longer sure he is the man for the task but has no option but to fight, as he always has. For the innocent, for justice, and for his life.
Politics and crime collide in Tudor England in a new series of adventures for Thomas Berrington. Join him on his latest journey in Men of Bone now.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief John Phythyon and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Hopeless for You by Raquel Riley
Cyan was hired to tutor Griffin in the ways of love. He never expected to become the student. Will their lessons in love lead to the real thing?
Griffin Clark
A twenty-one year old virgin college freshman? Yep, that’s me. But I didn’t wait this long to just throw it away. I dream of the perfect romantic night, straight out of one of my favorite novels. So, I hired a professional to get the job done right. Cyan isn’t the playboy I expected, he’s—unexpected.
Cyan Morrison
I’ve been described as easygoing, charming, and a natural born flirt. It's for those reasons I’m one of Lucky Match’s most sought-after escorts. It’s also why Griffin Clark wants to gift wrap his V-card and present it to me on a silver platter. Everything about him throws me off-balance and inspires me to be a more authentic version of myself; a version I’m coming to love more than the playboy facade most people see. The trick is to make him want to stick around, but he seems to only want one thing from me; love lessons.
Class is now in session…
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
A Last Gift: One Midlife Crisis by Beca Lewis
Five women. One dead husband. Too many secrets.
A letter from her dead husband turns Bree Mann’s world upside down, forcing her to confront not only his past but hers.
When four childhood friends come to her rescue, they uncover secrets and lies that will change all their lives forever.
Was the gift Bree received a blessing or a curse? Will Bree be able to build a new life, or will the death of her husband be the end for her?
Take this journey with the Ruby Sisters in this first book, introducing you to the women of Spring Falls as they recover what they have lost and become more of who they are.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Old Debts by T.L. Riffey
Detective John Hanlan hates these kind of cases. 'Normal' murders were bad enough but add the uncanny and he really disliked them. Called to a peculiar murder scene, he immediately knows there's more than the usual insanity involved. He deduces that the killer is after the Ruv's Blood Book, their grimoire, and has no problem killing to get it.
After more bodies drop, Hanlan fears he will always be one step behind and others will pay for his failure to catch this cunningly mad killer. Will he be able to stop this Janus-faced scourge or will the world literally become hell on earth?
If you love contemporary murder mysteries with ties to the supernatural you'll enjoy this different and unique take on werewolves.
Buy this preternatural read and find out if this killer forces the Ruv to come out of hiding to save humanity.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Good Vibrations By Patrick J. O’Connor
A human. An alien. A one-afternoon stand and a fertilized egg. What could possibly go right?
Greg and NaDii are going to find out. They're about to become a hybrid family, it turns out.
In book one of this series, during the life of their first child, Robby (or Bobby) Firestone, the two parents discover their children have a hybrid vigor that makes them far more than the sum of their parts. When his unexpected, half-human genius is revealed, Bobby galvanizes the Terran and HaChii races both ways. The admirers, and the ones who want him dead.
Can salvation from the future save Bobby in the present? Can Bobby's sister keep a low enough profile to avoid the people—dangerous ones—who stalk her brother? Why bother? She's way more dangerous than they are!
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Hook:
The Death of the Groom in the Ceremony Room By Suz Williams
A witch sworn off magic, a bad-tempered bridegroom with a peanut allergy, and a cunning killer who considers he’s above getting caught. The death of the groom in the ceremony room is only the beginning of the story.
Blurb:
Blurb Theory by Dennis Stevenson
The Book Bard with a lyric voice. The Blurb Whisperer with all the chair moves. Will their blurbic grimoire languish in the aetheric void or will it set the writing world on fire?
Dennis Stevenson loves book craft. When he discovers the dulcet tones of the blurby podcast, the aspiring word-mage hears the Angel choir sing and electrify the aether. Yearning to grasp the marketing wisdom in his hands he campaigns to record the mighty ancient words and craft a spell book of mystic power.
Armed only with Scrivner and Vellum, the scrappy wordsmith seeks the Bard and the Whisperer to aid him in his selfless quest. Only with the dynamic duo can he scribe the tome of power that will free struggling storytellers everywhere and slay the domineering dragon of marketing. But should he fail, indie writers the world over will hemorrhage cash and the deepest selling magic will be silenced forever.
Blurb Theory is an entertaining masterpiece of book marketing wisdom. If you love getting your stories in the hands of readers, you won’t be able to put down this epic collection of book description wizardry.
Act now for your chance to join the quest party and catapult yourself into the greatest book marketing adventure of the age.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
NECESSARY SINS book 1 in Lazare Family Saga by Elizabeth Bell
In antebellum Charleston, a Catholic priest grapples with doubt, his family's secret African ancestry, and his love for a slave owner's wife.
Joseph Lazare's life is built on lies. He believes his black hair and olive skin come from a Spanish grandmother. He thinks his father is a villain. Joseph is certain his own desires are sinful and his only hope of Heaven is to become a celibate priest.
Then young Father Joseph meets Tessa Conley, a devout Irish immigrant who shares his passions for music and botany. As he comforts her through a miserable marriage, Tessa helps Joseph see his father through new eyes. Joseph’s ordered world cracks at its foundation.
His "Spanish" ancestors? Enslaved Africans. Tessa's husband? A plantation owner who treats her like property. A man of conscience cannot do nothing.
In a society obsessed with purity and propriety, can two broken people heal each other? Will Joseph and Tessa find Heaven on Earth, or will there be Hell to pay?
NECESSARY SINS is the first book in the sweeping Lazare Family Saga that transports readers from the West Indies to the Wild West, from Charleston, Paris, and Rome into the depths of the human heart. Passion, prejudice, secrets, and a mother's desperate choice in the chaos of revolution echo through five generations. If you enjoyed THE THORN BIRDS or the novels of Sara Donati, dive into Elizabeth Bell's epic historical fiction today.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth: What Time Has Done: a Pride and Prejudice Variation Romance by Alyssa Jefferson
“Do not refuse me now. I have waited so long.”
Elizabeth Bennet has lived a life of deprivation and penance for six and a half years. After refusing the pompous marriage proposal of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, she embarked on a tour of enjoyment with her aunt and uncle—only to discover upon her return that scandal and tragedy had torn her family apart. After the dust settled, she found herself the governess of Charlotte Collins’s family, fixed in Longbourn in the employ of its new master. Without fortune or reputation, connections or resources, Elizabeth had only her resilient spirit and lively mind to keep her from sinking into regret and misery.
When a chance visit to Rosings Park throws Elizabeth again into the path of Mr. Darcy, she expects him to be angry with her—or at the very least, indifferent to her. She is pleasantly surprised to find that he is neither. His manners to her are everything a gentleman’s ought to be, and she begins to wonder if she could have been happy with him, after all. However, the point is moot. If the thought of marrying her when she was poor was enough to mortify Mr. Darcy six and a half years ago, how could so proud a man ever condescend to marry a governess?
This is the first book in the What Time Has Done Series.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Untitled Cozy Mystery by Marisa D'Vari
Ambitious new college grad Nina Brown exploded with excitement when assigned to oversee a fancy weekend competition in Provence, France. As assistant editor for a trendy lifestyle magazine, this foodie scribe knows her success will make or break her editorial career.
Eager to escape her "Nice Girl Nina" moniker in romantic Provence, Nina shakes her long red hair- and big city inhibitions- free.
Within hours, she falls under the spell of a handsome French contestant, local charmer who shows her secret corners of his lavender-scented village.
Yet just when our chowhound thinks she's found her soulmate, a cantankerous judge collapses on stage during his gastronomic evaluation.
The local detective is quick to accuse Nina's paramour of attempted murder via poison, throwing the competition in disarray.
Can Nina exonerate her lover and save her magazine from a PR nightmare before it's too late?
If you're a fan of the Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series, have a penchant for precarious French Bulldogs who wear Prada, and enjoy suave male leads with charm, this book is for you.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
The Legacy: Scotland Bay the Return by Cecly Ann Mitchell
For almost four decades, Rhys Le Noireau has been a man out of place, trying to fit together the jigsaw pieces of his life. When his mother Astral, is injured and hospitalized in a coma, Rhys, a single successful architect, is tasked with cleaning out her home and setting her affairs in order.
What he finds when he unlocks an ancient family Bible hidden among his mother's treasured possessions, a Deed, Birth certificates, old weathered photographs, and notes on snippets of parched paper, opens the portal to a life lived in another time and place.
A place that fits his soul and forces him to do the unthinkable, return to Scotland Bay.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Off Campus by Charles E.P. Murphy and Jeff Westwood
If these teenagers don't unite, they're all going to die.
Ken Sakamoto's girlfriend has been abducted by a necromancer and the only way to get her back is to play the monster's game. The youngest son of a British military family who is decidedly not in the military, Ken is already out of his depth in American college. Will he dare place his soul on the line for someone he's known for a month? How can he not?
Worse, he's not alone: Josh Hartman, all-American athlete whose oldest friend cannot love him back, is in the game too. They’ve both been told only one can save their girl.
But Lizzie Higgins won't wait for Josh. She won't wait for anyone. With everything she has, Lizzie is breaking herself and the other hostages out, and organising them to fight their way through every trial and creature in their way. What she doesn't know is that she's not saving anyone - she's just made them all part of the necromancer's trials. And now he's looking right at her.
All will suffer through the warping of flesh and reality, all will risk their lives and souls, and most won't be coming home. But if these teenagers don't break the rules and stand together, nobody has a chance in hell.
Murphy and Westwood unleash a tale of relentless horror and violence, and no one is safe.
(c/w: prolonged torment, extreme injury detail)
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Bitter Bayou by Kailee Saunders
Her death was accidental... Or was it?
Together, they'll uncover the truth.
Overworked and underpaid, Maren Sharpe craves a career change. But when her sister is accepted into law school and tuition bills loom, the biographer shelves her desire and travels to Louisiana for her next project. The goal at Thurstan Manor? Finding secrets to sell. Only one stands in her way...
Fresh from losing his business, Cade Thurstan is struggling. The last thing he needs is some fiery brunette invading his space and investigating his past. Yet, when dark discoveries raise questions about the cause of his mother's death, Cade turns to Maren. And this mystery isn't the only thing heating up...
As attraction flares into passion and fatally into murder, somebody watches. Somebody willing to kill again if their deadly secret is discovered. Will the duo identify the killer? Or will their romance be snuffed out when Maren becomes the next stage?
Bitter Bayou is a medium-heat romantic suspense novel. If you enjoy witty banter, thread- snapping tension, and open-door intimate scenes, purchase today!
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Empire's End: Episode 1: The Senator's Daughter by JP Raymond
Haunted by his past. Hunted by aliens. Humanity’s last hope.
JaQuan Jones is just trying to make a living in space. But when an old friend smuggles a political prisoner aboard his ship, he finds himself caught in a conspiracy that may threaten the very existence of the human race. When Imperial warships arrive in pursuit of the kidnappers, the only choice is to flee.
Outgunned, outclassed, and on the run, JaQuan must unravel an insidious plot that has branded everyone aboard an intergalactic terrorist. The masterminds behind this vile scheme will do anything to stop him. If JaQuan can’t solve the mystery in time, all of humankind is doomed.
Empire’s End is a fast-paced, space-opera serial, featuring exciting starship battles, sinister political intrigue, and strange alien races. If you like Star Wars, Firefly, and Babylon 5, you’ll love Empire’s End. Get “Episode 1: The Senator’s Daughter” today and join the fight for the future of humanity!
Note: Empire's End is a TV-style serial. There are thirteen 13-15k-word (i.e., short) episodes that weave together to make a longer work. This is Episode 1.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Bred for Harvest by J.D. Sonne
A polygamist compound in her neighborhood. A violent patriarch abusing his daughters. Can she save the girls and stay alive?
Brogan Parr is a mess. The combination of a marriage going south, finances in the swamp, and a job teaching in the local high school jungle has her nerves jangled. Then she stumbles upon a startling anachronism in her neighborhood: young girls living a medieval life in a polygamist colony near her house. Intrigue fills her at this strange revelation, but how can she help with her three-ring circus of a life?
Through a friend, Brogan gets an in with the polygamists, and when she meets and bonds with Hepzibah Pilar, a young girl of 13 being bred to marry an ancient polygamist elder, she decides to get involved and stop the marriage. But, the dangerous patriarch of the order will definitely have something to say about that.
Read Bred for Harvest and find out if an ordinary schoolteacher can thwart a powerful polygamist who harbors as many secrets as he does spouses and children. Is their rescue even possible, let alone her survival?
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
So You Survived the End of the World by K.C. Cordell
Earth may be a nightmarish landscape, but that's no reason to stop the music.
Generations after civilization crashed and burned, life ain’t all doom and gloom for eighteen-year-old Sebastian Yun. He’s got his brilliant but prickly traveling companion, an epic tour bus to call home, and an endless supply of dope tunes.
From behind the wheel of his sweeeeet, double-decker ride, Sebastian lives for broadcasting his music to the end-of-world-weary masses. When making a pit stop at a small, dusty town, the self-made radio DJ runs into a shady old nemesis who totally kills his good vibes. This seasoned flimflam woman claims she can send the bloodthirsty creatures that prey on mankind back to hell.
But when Sebastian’s completely-not-selfish attempts to unmask the phony hit the wrong note, the very real danger is cranked all the way up to 11.
If you like charismatic characters, offbeat humor, and killer monsters, then you’ll love this YA twist on a post-apocalyptic future perfect for fans of Zombieland.
Download So You Survived the End of the World for a rockalicious short read today.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
The Dragon's Keeper by Tina Riffey
She escaped a cruel master. The dragon offered sanctuary. Will this save her or is she destined to be a sacrifice?
Riss'a been a slave since her Coming-of-Age celebration was crashed by the Denea invaders fifteen years ago when they attacked her village. She had been resigned to being one for the rest of her life until her cruel master crossed a line she didn't know she held. Her revived anger and outrage drive her to disrupt his plans and escape. The dragon Shrine offers sanctuary. But her master and his co-conspirator won't give up their plans so easily and the dragon is being mysteriously secretive. Is she leaping from a scorching fire or straight into it? Would becoming the dragon's servant save her or lead her to even more danger?
The Dragon's Keeper is a dragon fantasy about a woman who finds her destiny with the help of a dragon.
Buy this today and see what destiny brings the brave.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Mountain Menace by A.M. Proctor
Monsters come in all shapes and sizes. Some Prefer to own you, some demand to chase you, others crave to destroy you in the most beautiful ways possible.
Chased through the shattered dreams of a new life in the Appalachian Mountains. I'm humiliated and hunted down like a wild animal. Karma has finally caught up to Lee Denim, daughter of John Denim, the notorious Everglades Serial Killer for her part in his sadistic crimes. I should have seen this coming.
Just as my end nears, four mountain men perform a miracle and somehow save my wretched life. As I heal these men and their rugged way of survival charm me. Except they harbor mysteries too, and their secrets may be more horrific than mine.
All four men fill the doles of treacherous upbringing gouged out to me.
Bear is the affectionate and approving daddy I never had.
Silas is the caretaker that fills my soul the way my mother should have.
Cassius is hilarious chaos in a world I take too seriously.
Darius is... well, he's the punishing bully I hunger for.
When it comes time to return to civilization ad get justice for the crimes committed against me. I find leaving harder than expected. But when my dark and unstable past has the small-town sheriff interrogating me, will my mountain men unleash their monsters or let me go?
You won't encounter wolf shifters here. There is a wolf reverse harem with dark and taboo themes. Mature monster loving readers will devour Mountain Menace.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Raven Manor by T.L. Riffey
Raven Manor holds secrets humans aren’t meant to know.
Detective Hanlan didn't believe in fairy tales. That is until one tried to kill him.
Hanlan sees the evil humans do to one another every day as a Homicide detective and hates the necessity of his job. But this murder—it raises his hackles. What he uncovers is far more than a pathological motive, it's like something out of a horror movie or a Grimm's fairy tale. Everything points to a supernatural being, a werewolf, as the killer, causing Hanlan to doubt himself—and his mysterious new partner.
Will he be able to stop this otherworldly killer or will more pay the price of his failure?
Raven Manor is a contemporary paranormal murder mystery/Urban Fantasy with a twist. This suspenseful prequel to the Ghostwolf series has it all, werewolves, unbreakable bonds, and a bit of energy manipulation(magic!).
Delve into the secret world of the Del Mulanti Ruv with Detective Hanlan. Buy it today.
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Runestaff Chronicles: The Awakening by Helen Row Toews
An alternate universe. A perilous journey. No ordinary young man.
When Kayden discovers an ancient portal to a world beyond his own, his life will change forever.
Destiny marked him as defender of an enchanted jewel – an emerald possessing immense power. With the rise of a deadly legion, thirsting for dominance, Kayden must face unspeakable creatures and their master puppeteer, intent on his destruction.
Alone he will fail. Yet, fate has placed an unusual warrior named Talbot, a magical runestaff, and a remarkable girl in his path to help.
Battling the darkest of evils in a treacherous land of Kings and magic, they race to defy the forces bent on ruling their world. Only together may Kayden and his companions stand against the foul schemes threatening to destroy all that is good.
Will it be enough?
Today on the show, BPF Editor-in-Chief and Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard are back at it with another deep dive into the scintillating sea of book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Steam Team by Mary Wernke
Another year, another school- Sophia Clark would never fit in. After all, she liked getting good grades, but not loads of makeup and hair gel. And, she definitely wasn't boy crazy.
Thirteen is a difficult age for everyone, but perhaps doubly so for Sophie. Her mom is a local celebrity and her dad is something of a hermit from Nebraska.
Nebraska?
Happy to get away for an end-of-summer vacation, Sophie is surprised to meet a new girl with, well, issues. But she also fins herself in a new role as a protector when her mom is suspected of murder and her new friend becomes desperately ill.
Today on the show, Best Page Forward Editor-in-Chief and special guest Robert Scanlon explore the intricacies of great blurb writing!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Old Debts by T.L. Riffey
Detective John Hanlan hates these kind of cases. 'Normal' murders were bad enough but add the uncanny and he really disliked them. Called to a peculiar murder scene, he immediately knows there's more than the usual insanity involved and deduces that the killer is after the Ruv's Blood Book, their grimoire, and has no problem killing to get it.
After more bodies drop, Hanlan fears he will always be one step behind and others will pay for his failure to catch this cunningly mad killer. Will he be able to stop this Janus-faced scourge or will the world literally become hell on earth?
If you love contemporary murder mysteries with ties to the supernatural you'll enjoy this different and unique take on werewolves.
Buy this preternatural read and find out if this killer forces the Ruv to come out of hiding to save humanity.
T
oday on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Effigest by Amy Campbell
What use is magic if it can’t protect the ones you love?
Outlaw mage Jack Dewitt already failed his wife and his town, and he’ll be damned if he’s going to lose his daughter. Spurred by guilt, he seeks the one person who might know where she went…
Politician Malcolm Wells had everything, but he hadn’t counted on falling for Blaise Hawthorne, a young mage imprisoned as a war criminal. But Blaise is running out of time, and there’s no one left for Malcolm to turn to—except an outlaw with a grudge.
When Jack storms into town demanding answers, the men form an uneasy alliance. Jack and Malcolm plan a bold gambit, and it might be crazy enough to work—that is, until the nightmares of their dark pasts threaten all they care about.
A gritty yet uplifting fantasy set in an Old West-inspired atmosphere featuring found family, unbreakable bonds, and men and women who are unapologetically true to themselves.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
The Holler Thief by Jim Heskett
These woods hide a body. Can a rookie gumshoe solve the murder before he ends up six feet under?
Harry Boukadakis is a little too old to start from scratch. The retired hacker launched his private eye business in the Ozarks to the sound of crickets. But a neighbor’s broken window and a box of stolen cigars bring a jingle to his doorbell, and his first real case.
While hunting down clues with bodyguard Serena Rojas in tow, Harry hits a snag when his prime suspect turns up dead. And when pistol-packing goons try to scare him away, Harry grits his teeth and rushes headfirst into hill country to find answers.
Will this self-made sleuth catch a killer or face a hail of bullets?
The Holler Thief is a thrilling and funny private eye mystery. If you like small-town suspense, high-tech toys, and more twists than you can shake a stick at, you’ll love Jim Heskett’s jaw-dropping tome.
Buy The Holler Thief to stop a crook today!
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
American Girls by Cecily Wolfe
Love, loyalty, lies...twin sisterhood has a price.
How long could you keep a life-changing secret from your twin?
Victoria is the adventurous twin - fearless, friendly, and popular - so why is bookish and agreeable Thora suddenly distant, keeping secrets from her sister for the first time in their lives?
Written by two sisters, incorporating real childhood and adolescent memories with fictional details, American Girlslooks at the best and worst of growing up girls in the 1980s Midwest and the devastating power secrets can wield over the closest of relationships.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb One:
Time Blink by MJ Mumford
Syd Brixton doesn’t want to know what happened to her missing twin…unless a dead man can change her mind.
When Syd Brixton was eleven years old, her identical twin Isla vanished from a park in broad daylight and was never found, splintering her family apart, leaving Syd permanently scarred by guilt.
Fast forward twenty years. Syd has a comfortable home, a satisfying job at The Merryport pub, and a stable, long-term relationship with Coop, a handsome firefighter who wants nothing more than to start a family.
Then it all comes crashing down.
On a blustery night outside the pub, Syd's favorite customer, Morley Scott, falls victim to a horrific accident. Moments before he dies, he gives Syd an extraordinary gift: the power to travel back in time. Back to when he was alive. Back to the day Isla vanished.
Will Morley be able to convince Syd to uncover the truth about her sister's disappearance? Or will Syd avoid that painful and dangerous truth at all costs to focus on saving Morley's life instead?
If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything...her home, her family. Her life.
All in the blink of an eye.
Blurb Two:
Our Once Warm Earth by Matthew Rasnake
A deadly storm.
A beacon of hope.
One peaceful night on the mountain may be humanity's last...
Restless Army-brat Mel wants nothing more than to settle down to a quiet suburban life. A week after their honeymoon, Mel and her new husband are camping on a northern California mountain with her adoptive father when a deadly storm rises over the mountain. A government signal promises protection from the growing global catastrophe that may yet bring the world to its end. Mel must choose whether to stay put and die together or to drag her family through the storm and across the mountain in search of safety.
With her dream shattered and her family torn apart, Mel lands with other broken, weary survivors under the Army's familiar heel. Can she hold on to hope and find the strength to inspire and free them all, or will she finally give into the darkness and let the Earth swallow her up?
Our Once Warm Earth is the first novella from a near-future sci-fi post-apocalypse series. If you like realistic settings; believable, relatable characters; a dash of science-futurism; and a rich vein of hopeful promise, you'll love this compelling story of one woman's fight to preserve her family and humanity itself.
Back at our regular time, BPF Lead Trainer John Phythyon and the Blurb Whisperer Abigail Dunard get into the nitty-gritty book descriptions!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Shattered Loyalties by Ellen Martin
Revenge may be sweet, but is it worth betrayal, murder, and Shattered Loyalties?
Presidential hopeful Dylan Randle the III is no angel. Journalist Penelope "Pepper Mills" tried to reveal his darkside, but like always he and his reputation slither through the cracks unscathed. Pepper, who once interviewed global heads of state, lost everything and was condemned to writing obituaries in New Orleans.
Four years later the ostracized journalist convinces her editor to give her a second chance to redeem herself as a serious reporter. Just as she was getting her life and career back on track, Dylan, now a Presidential candidate, makes a campaign stop in New Orleans.
At the end of the New Orleans campaign rally and the crowd dispersing, Pepper will unexpectedly witness Dylan physically intimidate his wife. The inner demons she has carefully kept in check for so long reawaken with a vengeance. Unable and unwilling to control her compulsion to destroy Dylan's dreams, this tenacious journalist becomes even more determined to unmask him for the degenerate he actually is.
With the help of a cast of characters, "Pepper" will doggedly unravel Dylan's twisted past, but not without triggering a tsunami of life altering consequences.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and special guest BPF Writer-editor Robert Scanlon tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Breaker by Amy Campbell
Break or be broken.
Blaise Hawthorne fears all he’ll ever be is an unwanted outcast, stuck living at home with his parents for the rest of his days. Born a Breaker, his unbridled magic wreaks havoc with a touch. When enemy soldiers storm his town hunting for spellcasters, he escapes and flees the only life he’s ever known.
Chance encounters with a pegasus and a surly gunslinger set Blaise on the path to a new life where he’s accepted for who he is. But even an outlaw mage can’t outrun the past, and his returns with a vengeance. When his chosen family is threatened, can Blaise find the grit to harness his volatile magic into a saving grace, or will his most dangerous challenge be his last?
This gritty, uplifting fantasy is the first book in the Tales of the Outlaw Mages series, set in an Old West-inspired world. If you enjoy found family, LGBTQ+ representation, baked goods, and a whole lot of heart then look no further. Break away from the beaten fantasy path with Breaker today.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and former cohost Jim Heskett tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Good Vibrations by Patrick J. O'Connor
A human. An alien. A one-afternoon stand and a fertilized egg. What could possibly go right?
Greg and NaDii are going to find out. They're about to become a hybrid family, it turns out. In book one of this series, during the life of their first child, Robby ( or Bobby) Firestone, the two parents discover their children have a hybrid vigor that makes them far more than the sum of their parts. When his unexpected, half-human genius is revealed, Bobby galvanizes the Terran and HaChii races both ways. The admirers, and the ones who want him dead.
Can salvation from the future save Bobby in the present? Can Bobby's sister keep a low enough profile to avoid the people—dangerous ones—who stalk her brother? Why bother? She's way more dangerous than they are!
Targeted Takeaway:
A good blurb is all about simplicity. It doesn’t matter if you have written a fantasy epic with ten major characters all working to save the world from evil, a layered and deeply complex literary novel about the triumph of the human spirit, or a clever murder mystery with a ton of twists and a criminal mastermind slipperier than Professor Moriarty. To get the sale, the book description has to boil things down to their most easily digestible state.
To do this, you need to follow one character. No matter how important the others are to your narrative, your blurb needs to zero in on just one. When readers are skimming through Amazon listings, their brains are not in Absorb Complicated Ideas mode. They’re glancing quickly, trying to determine if what they’re looking at sounds like it’s worth gambling their money and time on. And in that mindset, they aren’t interested in lots of detail or remembering the names of everyone important to the story.
So, pick your “most” main character and focus on them. Follow their emotional journey through the early part of the novel. Make readers care about them, and they’ll buy.
And if you’re lucky, they’ll choose to follow you … through every book you write.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
The Veil by Benjamin Mahoney
She's never been really crazy about him, though she found his persistence charming. Will her feelings change when a hit accident leaves him in a coma?
Lisa is a visionary. Despite her family past riddled with misfortune, Lisa is certain that a better world is possible, and she works tirelessly to improve the lives of others. She is an accomplished fund raiser, and has established a foundation dedicated to helping families cope with disabilities. Inspired by the potential of architectural solutions, Lisa strives to become a professional architect. She dreams of one day building and running resorts that cater to these special needs family.
All of these dreams come to a crashing halt when the doctor discovers a tumor in her brain.
Matthew, a man of some means, sees the fire in Lisa's eyes, and he is smitten be her charm and her passion for the cause. Matthew pledges an undisclosed sum of wealth to Lisa's foundation.
When a hit-and-run accident leaves Matthew in a coma, Lisa find that he has left her his entire estate - a substantial fortune. However, Matthew's mother, Maura, is alarmed. Maura files for an injunction to prevent Lisa from seeing her son, citing Lisa as a danger to comatose Mattew because of her vested interest in his fortune.
Lisa decides to sign a statutory declaration waiving all her rights to the fortune that Matthew intended to leave her. Will that be enough to convince Maura of Lisa's true love for her son?
The Veil is a tale of sweet romance in the modern world, featuring fascinating characters and confounding plot twists.
If you like raw emotions, engaging romance, and tales of the triumph of the human spirit, you'll love Benjamin Mahoney's powerful novel.
We have a great show in store for you this week! Please be sure to leave us a review on Apple Podcast and answer the Question of the Week in the comment section. The winner this week is Erik Marshall. Top Tips of the week include how to master your author bio, who is helping new authors get started from zero, and how to utilize free bonus content. The 5 News stories that matter most to indies this week include why publishers are getting into the subscription game, what subscriptions Audible is rolling out in the UK, how to use the right keywords on Amazon, how to brighten your book pages on KDP and how to find your book’s comps and sell more. Question of the Week: Have you created a list of comp authors for your books? If so, who are they? If not, what’s the first step you’ll take toward building that?
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Liberty 2041 by Carolyn Feder Gold
A fighter, a force of nature seems to describe her best, but in reality, Jesica is anxious, insecure, and self-preoccupied. Her disguise, an inflated ego, is her worst enemy, except, of course, for the nefarious World Chancellor. Will she dare show her vulnerability to get rid of him, saving the world from a morass of toxicity or will she cave in and disappear into anonymity?
Targeted Takeaway:
Longtime listeners know we emphasize character development over plot. Readers identify with characters, not the stories surrounding them, and therefore a blurb needs to focus on that protagonist’s emotional arc through the early part of the novel. This helps readers identify with their problems and root for them to conquer them.
However, we do need to understand the world in which the person exists. For an emotional conflict to resonate, we must know why it matters to the character. In other words, we need stakes. Something has to be at risk for the MC, or your deep character study won’t matter. The protag simply exists in a white room – blank, featureless, isolated. We need to get them out of the White Room and into the world.
While we will always tell you the plot doesn’t matter, you have to give us enough of it that we understand the stakes for your protagonist. If readers see what your MC stands to lose, they’ll want to buy to find out what happens.
And that makes you the winner.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Of Seekers and Shepherds: Children of the Younger God, Book One by G.H Duval
For more than four centuries, the realm of Avelare has enjoyed peace. The nations of Farkoast, Kirin, and Senechal have learned, by necessity, to settle their disputes through non-violent means as the world’s super power—the nation of Coerdom—forbids war in the name of their pacifist younger god, Hirute.
Siare au L’espri is Hirute’s chosen Spirit Shepherd. A telepath and oracle, she is half of the pair known as the First Stewards. Together with her husband—a creature of primal power known as the Formynder who exists solely to serve and protect Siare—they govern the nation of Coerdom. With the threat of Coerdom’s Shepherds at her back, Siare has enforced Hirute’s centuries’ long prohibition on warfare. Serving decades longer than expected, Siare now questions the edicts to which she has been sworn as she grows weary of containing the self-destructive tendencies of the humanity she has worked so long to preserve. At the sunset of her reign with no successor in sight, her Shepherds are seceding and the Great Houses, once firmly under her control, grow insubordinate. Siare’s successor must soon be found if humanity’s fragile peace is to hold, for she finds herself increasingly willing to leave humanity to fend for itself.
Spring au Terre has the questionable luck to come of age at this perilous time. At 16—the age of majority—the time has come for Spring to make decisions she barely understands but will be forced to make. Should she heed her mother and marry her aristocratic suitor, embarking on a life of privilege but with little room for her Earth magic? Or should she heed her Master and enlist in service to the First Stewards—honing her already considerable magic and serving as a Shepherd of Coerdom, but leaving behind her younger sister, Mina, to whom she is deeply attached and whose long illness requires Spring’s healing touch? Both options leave Spring wanting, and she yearns to create a new path for herself that Coerdom has never seen.
As all three women struggle with a series of revelations that thrust them into new lives—ones they never could have imagined—they will find themselves at the very heart of a global struggle. Together, they will have to decide between the safety of the known and the very remaking of their world.
Targeted Takeaway:
Readers love happy endings. Ironically, though, they hate happy middles. They want to have some conflict in their novels. And by “some conflict”, we mean, “LOTS of conflict.”
So to make sure readers know they will be getting what they want, you’ve got to have conflict in your blurb. We need to see that MC wrestling with something that could keep them from getting what they want.
BUT, while a blurb needs to feature conflict, it can’t have a ton of conflicts. Remember that the human mind can only handle two or three new ideas at once. So the more problems you throw at the protagonist, the harder it will be for the reader to keep track of what’s happening. And if they get confused they’re going to say, “No.”
So stuff your blurb full of conflict, but make sure you there’s only one or two of them in total. After all, we don’t want readers feeling conflicted about whether or not they’ll enjoy the book!
Millie by M. Ross Potter
Being abducted by aliens wasn't part of her plan… falling in love, either.
She cannot trust any man again, least of all the tall, strong and mysterious alien warrior with whom she shares a cell or the burning and unexpected desire that awakens within her.
Being kidnapped by an alien race was not in Millie Hoving's plans, nor in those of her friends when they went to Las Vegas for a short vacation. But when they woke up in a cell inside an alien spaceship, they began looking for a way to escape and return to Earth ... If only things were that easy.
Bur'han doesn't believe in soul mates . When the commander of his squad orders him to infiltrate a ship full of slaves and rescue the destined couple of the crown prince of the planet Zhelora, he believes it is just a great waste of time. Soulmates do not exist, they are just stories that grandmothers tell their grandchildren to distract them from the war against the Anhamenkthys.
But if that little, defenseless, curvy human who awakens every protective instinct she possesses turns out to be the lifemate of her future king, Bur'han does not intend to hand her over.
You will make it yours regardless of the consequences.
Targeted Takeaway:
Ad copywriters are rebels. They may not have tons of piercings, toss tea in Boston Harbor, or fly X-wings. But they are bomb-throwing radicals intent on overthrowing tyranny.
And their target is the rules of English grammar. Chafing under the oppression of restrictive rules thunk up by boring dudes centuries before they were born, the copywriter fights for linguistic freedom. But these literary psychopaths are not rebels without a cause. Oh, no. They have a worthy aim in mind:
Sell more books. They use fragments and begin sentences with conjunctions – anything that makes for dynamic, punchy copy that gets a click on that buy button.
So join the revolution, my friends! Embrace your inner rule-breaker to bring energy, agency, and most importantly, conversion to your blurbs!
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Mortal Encounter by Luna Breid
A couple holds their human attacker by the neck; a predator once, now a tasty prey. From the street to a plate, is it hunger or lethal justice?
Clara and Thomas long a tasty piece of meat. When a human stabs Clara on their way home, they can’t believe their luck. Now they need to take him home for a well-deserved dinner without raising suspicions from the passersby. Otherwise, they risk the peace treaty between species, endangering their children and their kin. How can they take their unexpected prey breaking no rules?
This is the first book of the Numbered Stories series and can be read on its own.
Click on Look Inside or download the sample to see if you would enjoy this book.
Caution: This book is not recommended for young readers.
Targeted Takeaway:
In the short-attention-span world of the Twenty-first Century, you only have a precious few seconds to capture a reader’s interest. So you need to grab them right away. Both your hook and your opening sentence need to be brief.
At Best Page Forward, we keep our hooks to a mere 150 characters or less. That way, they stay punchy and grabby, and they can be used as Amazon Ad copy.
Our opening lines are even shorter. We restrict them to six to ten words and don’t allow any plot. Emotion only! This way, they land with the force of a devastating right hook, and that gets a reader’s attention.
When you’re crafting your blurbs, keep that first sentence super-short. Open a short, impactful sentence of just 6-10 words that lasers in on the protag’s initial emotional state. Hit your reader hard to get their attention, and then you can give them more detail.
That’s a surefire way to deliver a sales knockout.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Kate the Kitty Goes Potty by Kristine Hokstad-Myzyri
Is potty training going slow? You are not alone. Make potty training fun! Includes a free potty chart, coloring pages, and worksheets.
Kate loves to play outside. But today, playtime is at stake when strange noises in her tummy disturb her. Kate worries when her belly growls like a bear. What is making the sounds? Will she reach the potty in time and complete all the steps, or will she miss playtime?
- Story-driven step-by-step guide to potty training
- Rhyming prompts to make learning fun
- Written by a child care professional
- Beautifully illustrated
A happy, potty-trained toddler in just one easy step. That step is ‘Add to Cart’.
Targeted Takeaway:
Have you ever solved a problem? You know, one of those big problems? The kind that vexes you, that seems like a giant mountain you could never climb? I’m certain you have. Every one of us has experienced that sense of cutting the Gordian Knot. And it’s a powerful, satisfying feeling. Accomplishment makes us feel alive, strong, potent.
When we read, we want that same sensation. In literature, we call this agency. Your MC needs to be able to act on the universe, shape it, master it. They need to be in control of their own destiny.
And you have to show this in your book description. Your protagonist should always be the subject of the sentence. To have agency, the protag must perform the action, not have it forced on them. Make them the master of their destiny.
Everyone wants agency – in their lives and in their literary heroes. Make sure your protagonist has it and that it shows up in the blurb. Readers will thank you with sales.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Timeblink by M.J. Mumford
Syd Brixton doesn’t want to know what happened to her missing twin…unless a dead man can change her mind.
When Syd Brixton was eleven years old, her identical twin Isla vanished from a park in broad daylight and was never found, splintering her family apart, leaving Syd permanently scarred by guilt.
Fast forward twenty years. Syd has a comfortable home, a satisfying job at The Merryport pub, and a stable, long-term relationship with Coop, a handsome firefighter who wants nothing more than to start a family.
Then it all comes crashing down.
On a blustery night outside the pub, Syd's favorite customer, Morley Scott, falls victim to a horrific accident. Moments before he dies, he gives Syd an extraordinary gift: the power to travel back in time. Back to when he was alive. Back to the day Isla vanished.
Will Morley be able to convince Syd to uncover the truth about her sister's disappearance? Or will Syd avoid that painful and dangerous truth at all costs to focus on saving Morley's life instead?
If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything...her home, her family. Her life.
All in the blink of an eye.
Targeted Takeaway:
Focusing on the plot in your blurb fails to make an emotional connection with the reader. You want them rooting for your protagonist, wanting to know if they will succeed. In a blurb, we need to stay focused on the character’s emotional journey.
And that’s where the plot can help us. We use the plot to reveal emotion.
Put a plot event in the front half of the sentence, then show the MC’s reaction to it. We have to have some of the story in the description. But we don’t want to use it to tell the reader what happens. Make it work for you by using it to reveal your main character’s inner struggle. That will form the connection that will make them want to know what happens next.
Reveal your characters’ emotions, and readers will show you the love by clicking that buy button.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
TERF Wars by Dharma Kelleher
A Fight For Justice Has Become A Battle for Truth Bounty hunter Jinx Ballou has been hired to apprehend a fugitive who brutally murdered a transgender woman in a public restroom. As a trans woman herself, Jinx is more determined than ever to bring this bigoted killer to justice.
What Jinx didn’t anticipate was the powerful media machine her fugitive controlled. She finds herself in the middle of a war of media manipulation, disinformation, and deep-faked videos designed to further harm an already vulnerable community.
TERF Wars takes readers on an action-packed thrill ride that dives deep into the issues of identity and intersectionality, oppression and accountability. As one of the only openly transgender authors in crime fiction, Dharma Kelleher delivers a heartfelt tale that will leave readers cheering for more.
Targeted Takeaway: When writing your book description, it’s important to think about what readers want. That’s essentially two things: A main character they can root for and identify with and to buy books they enjoy reading.
Your description should let them inside your MC’s head. As we often say, don’t tell the reader what happens to your protagonist; show the character’s reaction to the events of the story. Readers want to walk alongside your MC, feeling what they feel and hoping for them to triumph. Give them that with show instead of tell.
It’s equally important to sell them your book. Once you’ve given them a brief taste of the action, you need a selling paragraph that identifies the title, whether or not it in a series, what number book in the series it is, the genre, and the tropes the reader will find inside. This helps them know that this is a book for them – one they will enjoy. And then you need a CTA telling them to buy.
A blurb is a sales tool. Its job is to sell the book. And you should not be ashamed to ask someone to buy your work. That’s what a reader is there to do!
For indie authors, that’s the ultimate happy ending.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
R.M.Sackville
She's running towards her future. He's hiding from days gone by.
When their present and past weave together they must learn to trust each other or die at the hands of the greedy.
Three Gems. One Destiny.
One small town is the epicenter of a battle waged between man and God. And man against man. The victor will save mankind. But are we worthy?
Time will tell.
Hawk McBride and Randi Ronin could never have expected their chance encounter would be the beginning of the rest of their lives.
Neither could they have foretold just how connected they both are in a scheme forged by three men with greed on their minds.
However, these men will have a fight on their hands because Randi is no longer a pushover and Hawk is downright determined to protect the one thing he thought he'd never have again--true love.
Targeted Takeaway: Have you ever really paid attention to a drug commercial? They all approach convincing you to ask your doctor to prescribe the medicine for you the same way: They make an appeal to your emotions.
Well, all those commercials approach convincing you to beg your doctor for this wonder drug in the same way. All of them appeal to your emotions. They feature people looking happy. They’re showing up to their kids’ sports games. They attend weddings. They laugh when something silly happens. They’re out in nature and the neighborhood, living their lives. This is a powerful message. It strikes deep in the heart and is designed to create an emotional connection with the viewer.
Your blurb works the same way. Telling the reader the details of your plot does not motivate them to buy any more than describing how the drug works would in a pharmaceutical commercial. You need to appeal to their connection to the character in your novel just the way the a drug ad does. The characters have to carry the story. Show us the MC reacting to and emoting as a result of the plot events instead of telling us what happens. It makes a huge difference in your conversion rate.
If you let the characters carry the story, you’ll discover the side effect is readers getting hooked on you as an author.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Our Once Warm Earth
Matthew Rasnake
One peaceful night on the mountain may be humanity’s last...
Restless Army-brat Mel wants nothing more than to settle down to a quiet suburban life. A week after her honeymoon, while enjoying a weekend camping with her new husband and her adoptive father on a northern California mountain, they're driven from their idyllic getaway by a sudden, deadly storm. An unexpected signal warns of disaster, but the promise of safety propels them across the mountain in a desperate race to survive the end of the world.
Her dream is shattered, her family is gone, and she and those who are left survive at the mercy of their would-be protectors. Can Mel hold on to hope and find the strength to free them all or will she, like so many others, give in to the darkness and let the Earth swallow her up?
Our Once Warm Earth is the first novella from a near-future sci-fi post-apocalypse series. If you like realistic settings; believable, relatable characters; a dash of science-futurism; and a rich vein of hopeful promise, you'll love this compelling story of one woman's fight to preserve her family and humanity itself.
Buy Our Once Warm Earth today, and help secure humanity's future.
Targeted Takeaway: The start of your story isn’t really the beginning. The opening scenes are establishing shots, setting things up for … the inciting incident! This is an external force operating on the main character, forcing them out of their original place or emotional state and into the action of the narrative. And it’s where your story really begins.
That’s why it has to be in your blurb. It creates excitement and gets readers invested in the MC’s journey and struggle. But just like with the opening of your novel, the inciting incident isn’t the first line. Take a moment to establish your character’s initial situation, so that when things change, it’s that much more dramatic.
As important as it is to recognize that the inciting incident is an external event acting on the character, it’s equally critical to remember the blurb needs to be about your protagonist, not the story they’re moving through. Stay zoomed in on the MC’s perspective rather than telling the reader what is happening to them. In other words, keep it personal. Potential readers are going to gravitate to your character’s struggle and triumphs, not the things that create that tension.
So make that inciting incident personal. If you do, you see your sales “begin” to rise.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Escape from Paradise
D. Richard Ferguson
He thought it was paradise. Was he wrong? Torn from his family, Adam lands in a world of giants, wild animals, and marauding mountain people. Unable to find his way home, he discovers an alluring paradise—a golden city where he builds a new life, safe from the terrors outside the walls.
But when the city begins to crumble, a chance encounter with a strange little girl changes everything.
She claims to know why he was brought into this world and the way back to his family, but insists he leave the doomed city and follow her to the high country to join the mountain people.
Is she one of the many spies, sent to lure him into a trap? Or should he risk everything to follow her?
With plenty of action, mystery, and suspense, Escape from Paradise will take you places you’ve never been and open windows of insight into life in the kingdom of God.
Order your copy today and prepare to be thrilled, inspired, and changed.
Targeted Takeaway:
Ad copy may be a different beast than prose, but to be effective, it has to be evocative. It needs to show rather than tell. We do this by letting the reader see events through the eyes of the main character. We need to be inside the protagonist’s head, looking out at the world.
A few details that tell us who the MC is and what they’re dealing with are necessary to get the message through. But we want to see the protagonist reacting to the events, not be told what’s happening. Show what they’re feeling/thinking as you reveal each plot twist.
There’s no business like “show” business. Skip the tell and show us what the MC is feeling, and you’ll realize everything about is appealing – especially your sales.
Today on the show, BPF trainer and writer John Phythyon and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
Blurb:
Rich and Sexy: An Alpha Male Billionaire Romance Collection Love Alpha Billionaires? This “feel-good” short story collection gives you an “insider look” at the jet-set lifestyle in glamorous New York City. Meet Nina Brown, doe-eyed optimist virgin whose beauty and innocence captures the eye of the most coveted Alpha Male Billionaire in Manhattan. And “say hello” to Mandy Lane, spirited, fresh-faced, “escort” to Manhattan’s exclusive international glitterati. Only one of Mandy’s Alpha Male Billionaire clients knows her secrets …. Targeted Takeaway
Your blurb needs to feature strong language. No, not naughty words. Emotive verbs that show what a character is feeling and doing rather than telling the reader. By making choices like “yearns” instead of “wants”, “hammers” instead of “hits”, or “envisions” instead of “sees”, you’ll paint a picture that reveals the heart of your characters and the tension of their conflicts.
But it’s not enough to use strong language to convey those emotions. You have to complete the blurb by giving the readers a good idea of what they can expect. You can’t simply stop after you’ve painted a pretty picture. You need to follow through with a selling paragraph that gives readers a motivation to buy. Let them know that your book contains exactly the sorts of tropes they love, so they’ll want to dive in.
When you craft a description with powerful words that informs the reader that everything they love about your genre can be found between your covers, they reward you with strong sales.
Blurb:
Hypno-Planticus: An Alien Invasion Metaphysical Science Fiction R.M. Sackville
He's being held hostage...no wait, he's in an army...no wait, he's trapped in fire. Wherever he is, he better figure it out if he wants to survive. Stilhz isn't sure what kind of fresh hell he keeps waking in, but what he does know is how eerily familiar everything is, yet oddly different. With a stolen alien plant being used against its own kind, Stilhz must figure out which side of the fight he is on before an entire race is destroyed one by one. Includes bonus content consisting of two never before seen short stories--For My Boys and DUI Cry. Targeted Takeaway:
Every sentence in your blurb makes a promise to the reader about what sort of book you’re offering. From the hook to the final cliffhanger, if you introduce an idea, you have to bring it back around. Otherwise, readers can become confused about what sort of book it is.
Whether it’s tone, character details, or plot elements, an idea that crops up early in the blurb should make an appearance later. And in the later sentences, new concepts are jarring and cause readers to think they’re getting something different than they thought.
So make certain you’re fulfilling the promises you make. Living up to the expectations you create will bring home the result you want: A sale that leads to a satisfied reader.
Renegade Lori Cook Virtuous college freshman Maggie has always played it safe. That is until she ran into mysterious hottie Ethan and his eclectic group of extreme sports enthusiast friends. Now all she wants is to chase the seemingly forbidden love of Ethan on the thrilling, sexy, and dangerous adventures that Ethan experiences daily. Ethan gives off a dangerous vibe, yet Maggie has never felt so safe. She knows he’s keeping secrets and that’s the reason he won’t commit. But what could possibly be that bad? Tech millionaire Ethan is left stranded while on a camping trip with his best friend. Forced to bum a ride with a very innocent young girl, Ethan is instantly charmed by Maggie’s wholesome sweetness. He should say no and run away but he can’t. He wants her as fiercely as she wants him. But can he protect her from his perilous past?
Blurb:
The Undine's Tear (Rise of the Grigori Book 1) Talena Winters
She's destined to save the world . . . if she doesn't destroy it first.
As the most powerful healer in three millennia, Calandra has been raised to save the all-female undine race using siren magic to bond a human man. She's always done what's expected of her—except that time she promised to free a boy named Osaze, even if discovery means a death sentence. But with her powers getting weaker instead of stronger, following through on her promise might mean she can't fulfill her destiny—and then who would save her island?
Across the sea in England, her brother Zale is trying to outrun the merman identity he despises. When a beautiful sphinx-like angel tells him he's the first male of his kind in three thousand years, he's thrust on a quest to rescue his mother and the sister he's never met from an Order as old as the Earth itself. But if he can't control his fearsome elemental powers, he may destroy everything he's trying to save.
Meanwhile, Calandra is desperate to prevent the Madness that plagues all the powerful healers before she causes an accident like the one that sank Atlantis. When a mysterious dream spirit promises the answers she seeks, she jumps at the opportunity to train with him. But the more she learns, the darker and more far-reaching his intentions appear, and the closer insanity looms. If she can't find the brother her mother fled their island to raise, she doesn't have a hope of saving anyone—unless she re-bonds Osaze.
With the fate of their people and all of humanity in the balance, can Calandra and Zale break the bonds of their past in time to prevent a war with cosmos-impacting consequences . . . and to save the people they love most?
The Undine's Tear is the first book in the mind-blowing young adult epic historical fantasy series Rise of the Grigori. If you like complex characters, lush world-building, ancient cultures, mermaids, dragons, angels, and demons, join Calandra and Zale in a search for redemption that will threaten the very fabric of the universe.
Buy The Undine's Tear and dive into the adventure today!
Targeted Takeaway:
A good book description needs some of the details of your novel, but you need to make sure you’re not overdoing it. Readers want a taste of the action, not a nine-course meal. In the Internet Age of Constant Distraction, a long blurb works against you. So make sure you’re giving them just enough to whet their appetites.
At Best Page Forward, we recommend your description have only two short paragraphs of story description after the headline. The first paragraph introduces the main character, their central conflict, and the novel’s inciting incident. The second builds in complications and sets the MC up for the final cliffhanger sentence. Then you can add a selling paragraph and CTA to convince the reader to buy.
But that’s it. Keep it short and simple. Let them have a taste of the action, but don’t force-feed them more details than they can handle.
Do that, and you’ll have readers devouring your books.
It's Jim's final show!
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Amanda Jane Schiller
Title: Wicked Games and Wasted Years, Part 1
Sara is sad. Her brother and Darrel died in that horrible way, and it feels like everyone but her just wants to forget. Even her best friend Tanya who was there to see the gruesome aftermath doesn’t seem to care as much when it comes to Sara’s obsession with reliving their past - around the fire. But Tanya is just a forward thinker, and she does help Sara stay sane. Then when Sara met Brandon, her life too was propelled forward - into marriage - while she clung dearly to the past.
Sara is happy. Her husband Brandon is fun, a great cook, but most of all, safe. It’s easy to trust his advice, and she follows it by starting grief counseling. But then, Brandon starts acting, different. Yeah, he had his ways before they were married, like the whole friends thing. But Sara is quickly finding herself confused all of the time, and feeling uncomfortable around her husband. It’s hard to tell if her feelings are justified. And Tanya’s advice is always the same. Make him talk to you. But talking to Brandon is the thing she dreads most. It’s turned into a game of fighting for her sanity that Sara never asked to play.
How will Sara feel then, when she realizes only one way out of the narcissist’s game?
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Your blurb should have two layers of meaning: text and subtext.
--Other Stuff: Follow Jim here:
www.jimheskett.com
Storyonthespot.live
Authornewsweekly.com
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Holly Roberds
Title: Prophecy Girl (The Five Orders Series Book 1)
Loving her is not only forbidden, it could bring about the end of the world.
I am not a man. I am a weapon that fights the forces of darkness. The desire to make Emma mine goes against everything I’ve been trained to do. Yet she’s all I want.
When a demon from hell crashes into the liquor store where Emma works, we find ourselves caught in an ancient prophecy that has been set into motion, and it may bring about the end of the world.
Emma may appear to be a civilian who’s spent most of her life with her nose stuck in a book, but there is more to her than anyone knows. And I can’t stop Emma from turning my world inside out.
Dark secrets are spilling out, destroying everything I once believed, and bloodthirsty monsters are climbing out from every corner. They must kill the chosen one, and I will do everything to stop it.
But as the hell beasts begin to close in, I am left with one impossible choice.
Save the girl, or save the world.
Prophecy Girl is a gripping, slow burn, urban fantasy romance perfect for fans of Ilona Andrews and Karen Marie Moning.
"Prophecy Girl is a fast paced, exciting novel that left me wanting more!" - Alicia ★★★★★
"I really couldn't put the story down. The fast-paced, action-packed story took turn after turn and the bright descriptions were impossible not to get lost in." - Julia ★★★★★
Download and start binging this hot paranormal romance that will have you clutching your ereader! COMPLETE SERIES --Abigail's Targeted Tip: What’s at stake in your story? How can you communicate that?
--Other Stuff: Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: C McIntosh
Title: Transplant Dance
Three teens face dramatic choices as they come to terms with life, death and other priorities.
Aiden Corwin adjusts to the terror of waiting for a kidney, but can he forgive his father for leaving him when he was younger?
When Zafirah Negrassi returns home after her heart transplant, she expects life to be the same as it was. Can she accept that things are different?
How can Tanya James repair her relationship with her sister when her twin is in intensive care in the local hospital?
This is a fictional story for YA readers, written from alternate perspectives.
If you like thoughtful, inspiring stories filled with courage then you’ll enjoy C. McIntosh’s Transplant Dance.
Unlock Transplant Dance and discover this touching story today!
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: YA blurbs should include both humor and heartbreak.
--Other Stuff: Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Annie Rae
Title: Shattered Illusions
Sexy, growly mountain men with protective instincts must be her kryptonite because the harder Evie fights her attraction to Wyatt the more his sweet smoothness breaks her down.
When life drops a Texas-sized bomb in her lap, by way of a crooked boss, the mafia, and some very muscled, very scary bullies, Eveline Amos packs up and heads to the one place she never thought she’d live again, her tribal lands, where everyone knows everybody. It’s stifling.
But while Evie adjusts to life at home with her family, she is constantly running into one of the sexiest mountain men she’d ever seen. Continuously… all over town. Wyatt’s magnetism and sexy brown eyes are impossible to resist, so is his big heart and love of animals. What is her lonely veterinarian heart to do?
For Wyatt McAllister, future alpha of the Big Paw Mountain Shifters, the responsibility on his shoulders is crushing. He’s growing a tourism business for his family’s survival and most stressful of all… dealing with his family.
It’s the absolute worst time to find his fated mate, but somehow, in the middle of giving an adventure tour, there she is. He knows she’s human, but her pull is irresistible and the longer he fights the attraction, the crazier she makes him. But how will Wyatt break his big secret to a human? Could she ever love him back?
By the time Evie’s demons catch up with her, Wyatt realizes that nothing else matters. He’s paws to the ground determined to save his mate before it’s too late. Wyatt will have his happily ever after, even if he has to tear through the entire mountain to get it.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Be purposeful with every contradicting word or idea.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Katja Waski
Title: Light Me Not (YA Sci-fi Dystopia)
“In the wastelands of Europe, the last citystates fight for survival.
Seventeen-year-old Noa Engel wants to train as a lightfighter for the Federal Proto Agency. She’s determined to avenge her father’s death by exterminating Lights—the invisible enemy eradicating the electricity grids and feasting on human lives.
As Noa’s home citystate becomes increasingly unsafe, Noa’s mother decides to bribe their way into the safe haven known as Amsterdam, defended by the secretive AIDE-initiative.
Their illegal entry rendered all of Noa’s dreams void, and she has to adjust to living as a non-stat, without a purpose.
But when her mother’s past life as a genetic engineer catches up with them, secrets start to unravel and Noa is forced to put her own wants aside to expose the AIDE-initiative’s true face and save humankind.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Get to your book’s central storyline before the end of your first paragraph.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Bryan Cohen joins us today for episode 100! We recap the Top 10 targeted tips from all 100 episodes!
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Ermelinda Makkimane
Mary's life is about to undergo a drastic change. A simple, normal village teen, she is day dreaming of leading a quiet life with Joseph after marriage. But she never expected to receive a personal revelation from God through an angel. And life, for her, becomes a series of roller-coasting, cataclysmic events, which, finally come to a rest at the tomb of her murdered son.
Some Reviews
...
What is the book about?
Explore the mind of Mary in this inspired poetic account that gives a glimpse into her struggles during
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her teenage pregnancy
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her marriage to an older man
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her life in Nazareth
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her motherhood to a hugely blessed (read: rebellious) son
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her witness to his turbulent ministry
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her presence at his death
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her life post-Resurrection
For whom is this book? Who should buy it?
Even a poetically challenged reader can easily find their way around this book. A student of literature and feminism has a lot to infer from the portrayal of a strong female character. As also do women's groups. This book is ideal for contemplative meditation as several Biblical instances are referred to thereby drawing the reader to their own personal insights. Read it aloud for better poetic understanding and effect. And, in the words of the protagonist, may you reach that place of mercy and "timelessness,/less of a place and more a space/of boundlessness, abundance, overflowing."
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Repurpose powerful words from reviews.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Ellie Pond
Title: Wicked Water
There’s a lot of fish in the sea . . .
As crown princess of Skyrothasia, a mermaid kingdom hidden from humans and shifters, I know I’ve had it good. But I’m not ready to start my own royal pod like my loving mother and three fathers want. There’s a whole world out there I’ve never seen and so much I want to experience before I become Queen Melody.
When danger arises and I’m sent away with Harrison—my BFF’s cousin and the merman everyone, including me, thinks will be my first pod mate—I finally get my chance at freedom.
Except the real world isn’t the way it looks in books and movies. And finding my mates is a lot more complicated than I expected.
She’s the siren I want . . .
I’ve wanted to be part of Melody’s pod since I was old enough to think about her as more than my cousin’s best friend.
Now we’re racing towards Boston with assailants on our tails and a pushy dragon hired by her parental pod as body guard. I’m hoping my best friends, a wolf shifter and another merman, can help us out.
Or will they distract Melody from choosing me?
Wicked Water is a reverse harem, ‘why choose’ book in which the heroine gets to have all of her guys. It has explicit content and language, a cliffhanger, and no cheating. This four-book series takes place in the Dark Wing world with a HEA.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip:
Consider sticking to one POV for reverse harem romance. Your female MC is flipping gender norms, and your copy could reflect that.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Ellie Pond
Title: My Not So Funny Valentine
She ran away once and he nailed his heart shut…
Gigi’s got plenty of secrets. Like how she’s married to her job, literally. The Order called on her family for a tribute and she answered. Even more secrets surround her not-so-deceased boss who’s entrusted her to keep his location hidden from The Order. But through it all, she’s never forgotten her first love.
Wallis remembers exactly how he felt when Gigi told him she was marrying a man she barely knew and moving to the West Coast. Wallis never told her what he’d found out at his wolf pack adulthood ceremony—that they’re fated mates. He’s kept the secret to himself through the years.
Eighteen years later, she’s standing in the lobby of the Dark Wing cruise ship where Wallis works. Her couture exterior didn’t match the shredding she’d done on Wallis’s youthful heart.
Fate has brought Wallis and Gigi back together on the Dark Wing cruise ship. Now Can he stay away from her for the whole Valentine’s Day cruise to protect his shattered heart? Or will Gigi’s secrets turn both their worlds upside down?
This is book two in a standalone series, a full-length steamy read. Grab a box of chocolates and see how fate takes hold. HEA and no cliffhanger!
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Introduce all worldbuilding-specific proper nouns with establishing clues or descriptors to avoid potential confusion.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: E.M. Stone
Title: Aztec Curse
A race against time to decipher an ancient threat before it destroys us all…
A centuries-old mystery. A long-lost chronicle. An impossible puzzle. And a horrifying awakening.
Seven hundred years ago, a thriving but illiterate Native American civilization suddenly vanished, burying with it one of archaeology’s greatest mysteries. The secret remained hidden…
Until now.
Today, archaeologist Dr. Angela Hunter, an expert in ancient linguistics, has discovered a primitive codex written in an unknown language. As she painstakingly deciphers the mysterious symbols, Angela finds clues that somehow connect a dormant evil, a mystical ritual, and a vindictive curse.
In a race against forces on the hunt for the codex’s secrets, Angela must piece together the puzzle before it’s too late… and prevent the tragedies of the past from returning.
If you enjoy action packed-mysteries and thrillers about ancient civilizations, you'll like this adventure that takes you on a journey in two timelines: the era of the Aztecs & Cahokia Mound Builders and the present with archaeologist Angela Hunter.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Fiction blurbs: always prioritize character and story over research
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Shiv Harsh
Title: The Pandemic War: 12 Guaranteed Ways to Fail!
Can we beat the virus before it kills us?
Societies have struggled with pandemics for thousands of years. Plague and cholera, smallpox and influenza; deadly diseases spring up, kill thousands, if not millions, and we still don’t learn. We make the same mistakes again and again.
Defeating an infectious agent should not be complicated. The principles of public health are straightforward and have not changed for more than a hundred years. But we are stubborn. Rather than learn from the past, we want to make our own mistakes. So that future generations can make them all over again.
There is still time for us to take the well-known steps to crush the novel coronavirus. But will our hubris and politics stand in the way? Will we allow a virus to beat us again?
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Practice empathy to become a better writer. Pick a group you disagree with. Brainstorm a list of reasons why they may think differently (life experiences, influences, etc.).
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Nathan A. Stout
Title: Nellybug 3: The Quest to Rescue Nelly
Being the head tooth fairy isn’t easy. In fact, it's pretty hard and hazardous. If leading an organization filled with expectations sounds easy, try fending yourself off from a deadly Nightmare attack. Job number one for the Tooth Fairies of Neverland is to protect its lands from straying Nightmares.
Nellybug might be the first Tooth Fairy to wear the title but when her wings start to fail her, she risks being replaced by fairy leadership. She must team up with her fairy sisters to find their human child, the one who brought them to life and protect her from a poisonous plague of Nightmare activity.
Can they figure out what’s going on in time to save all four sisters’ wings before her replacement becomes official? Which side will the mysterious mice warriors join that show up on the scene?
And if their small team does face these Nightmares, will they be enough?
The Nellybug young middle-grade book series is a set of adventures following Nellybug and her friends and how they created the title and mythology of the Tooth Fairies. Book three is a heartwarming tale of bravery, sisterhood, and facing your nightmares head-on. Grab book three today or jump back and start with book one to find out how she became the first tooth fairy. Either way, you won't want to miss this newest adventure.
Sales Copy
Nellybug was never a very normal fairy, that’s part of what makes her amazing. When her wings start to die, her position as Head Tooth Fairy might be lost to her forever.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip:
Review every word to find the best match for your ideal reader.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: DB Martin
Title: Patchwork Man
He has a brilliant future ahead of him and a dangerous past behind him. Now someone is spilling his secrets...
But she's already dead.
Renowned British barrister, Lawrence Juste, is a man with a past so cleverly stitched together he thought it could never come unravelled - until now.
Two things are about to pick it apart, piece by sordid piece: a child, and a blackmail note from a woman hiding as many secrets as him.
As Lawrence’s world collapses in a twisting conspiracy of mysteries, lies and revelations, in the wreckage he encounters a child who reminds him sinisterly of himself, the family he'd denied and a secret even he wasn’t aware of. For all of them, the repercussions could be lethal unless Lawrence can find the dead woman who knows everything about him, and the psychotic enemy from his past determined to destroy him and everything he comes to care about.
Patchwork Man is the winner of a BRAG Medallion Award.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Simplify your hook to its coolest common denominator!
--Other Stuff: Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Sophia Sinclair
Title: Worth the Wait: A smart and steamy single mom romance (Small-Town Secrets Book 1)
Small-town romance novelist Sophia Sinclair delivers the smart and steamy HEA!
Molly is a librarian and single mom who is so busy trying to take care of everyone else that she never gives men a chance.
She’s standing on a ladder reshelving books one day, her great legs contrasting with her prim little librarian’s dress, when a good-looking stranger walks in, takes one upward glance and is immediately captivated.
Molly is not as wowed by David. Sure, he’s sexy, but he’s also conceited and irritating. But despite her refusal to give him the time of day, he manages to become ever more entangled in her life.
When she lets her guard down, the passion that erupts between them tempts her into believing this arrogant man might bring her a second chance at love. But she’s worked so hard to carve out a good life for herself. Is it worth risking it all for a man she isn’t sure she can trust?
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: For your selling paragraph, consider the events and ideas as a whole.
--Other Stuff: Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: E.A. Copen
Title: Shadows over Hemlock (Felix Cross Book 1)
His salvation rests in exorcising the demons of her past.
Felix Cross is no stranger to demons. He’s traveled the globe, studying under the world’s foremost demonologists and exorcists with one goal: open a door to Hell to retrieve the soul of an innocent man.
After he’s hired to perform an exorcism on Raina Hemlock, a Kentucky senator’s daughter, Felix may have found what he needs. The possessed girl claims to have been to Hell and back…literally. Now all he has to do is interrogate the demon before it destroys the girl he was hired to save.
Yet not all is as it seems in the Hemlock household. A dark presence hovers over the house, one with a fondness for violence and blood.
Is Raina’s possession the true evil in the Hemlock house? Or is something even more sinister lurking in the mansion’s forbidden rooms?
Shadows over Hemlock is a slow-burn mystery of creeping horror that is best read with the lights on.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Play Taboo or create your own version. Create a list of genre-focused clue words. Brainstorm common words associated with it (these are your taboos). Play a few rounds.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Book: JJ Finn 1: King of the Sharks
Author: Nathan A. Stout
JJ Finn was a normal kid with dreams of becoming a marine biologist and avoiding homework . . . well, and bullies. His days volunteering at the Aquarium where his dad works are almost like living his ultimate dream and escaping the grasp of summer break boredom until he catches some strangers dumping a mysterious substance into one of the tanks.
After falling in the tank, on accident, he begins to feel different. Then his dad gets dad-napped at work and his world really begins to fall apart.
Can JJ and his friends figure out what shady group is behind these acts? It would help if JJ could keep his head in the game, but after getting wet he starts to change. No, not puberty. Change as in, grow a fin on his back, gills on his neck, and flippers instead of feet when he gets wet.
They must follow the clues and figure out what’s going on before they’re captured too, or worse.
The JJ Finn series follows the exciting transformation of a group of teenage friends that face a sinister organization, set on manipulating human DNA for their own mysterious purposes. Grab book one today join their journey.
Sales Copy
Part teen, part shark, JJ is mixed up with a dangerous organization. Can he and his friends save his dad in time?
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Spacing can make or break a blurb. Try experimenting with yours to find the strongest option.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
Jim's on the road today, which creates some fun surprises for the show!
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Franka Hughes
Title: You never said good-bye: A mourning
A daughter mourns the loss of her father and finds words for the indescribable. Sober, loving and absolutely honest, she describes the emotional chaos after the loss, her fears and doubts and her hope. The texts are surprisingly different from anything that the funeral literature usually presents: instead of self-help its a summary of thoughts, in the style of quotes.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Selling nonconformist books requires extra effort. Sticking to a tried and true blurb format provides common ground for potential readers.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: J.D.L. Rosell
Title: A Throne of Ice and Ash
From the author of the Amazon bestselling Legend of Tal series!
In the deadly storms of winter, leaders and warriors are forged... Can the Jarl’s heirs become who they must to protect their throne and city?
Oakharrow, the City of Iron, has long stood strong against its enemies — but its foundations are crumbling.
When tragedy strikes, Bjorn and Aelthena, son and daughter to the Jarl, rise to their inheritance. But their adversaries seek the throne for themselves.
Bjorn, a cowardly student of myth and law, is forced into a throne he never wanted. Now he must decide between two bad choices: rule Oakharrow, or pursue vengeance for his family.
Aelthena is eager to prove herself a worthy leader. But wresting power for her own will challenge more than her skills and conscience. The city stirs in unrest from both without and within, and even her allies question her right to command.
Yet more than Oakharrow’s fate hangs in the balance. Ancient foes emerge from the shadows to conquer all of humanity — and they will stop at nothing to succeed.
The Runewar is rising — and it begins with the fall of a throne.
Game of Thrones meets Blood Song in The Throne of Ice and Ash, a Nordic-inspired, coming of age and military fantasy tale. If you like epic fantasy brimming with political intrigue, vast sojourns, and grand-scale wars, you'll love the immersive world of The Runewar Saga!
Read Book 1 of this brand-new series today!
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: How does your main character plan to defeat the bad guys? Your blurb should provide some clue as to what this plan looks like.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Nanci Sherman
Title: Follow your bliss, not your blisters
To be consistently and unconditionally happy is the single most important strategy for a good life, but rarely are we taught how. With Follow Your Bliss, Not Your Blisters, you will learn how to think differently and spend the rest of your life just feeling good. The principles are simple, yet unforgettable. They grew out of my work as the first Chief Happiness Officer of a global hotel company and expanded to everyday living. This book is not a typical self-help book. It is profound, funny, and will shift your perspectives affecting all areas of your life. In short and easy to digest chapters, you will discover newfound levels of awareness, enlightenment, and overall ease. To be happy is to be free of complaints! Achieve what you need to win The Happiness Trifecta: 1. Clarity: Improve all your relationships and learn how to fulfill every one of your goals and desires. 2. Joy: Feel refreshed and renewed without the clutter of recurring thoughts and criticisms. Enthusiasm for life is what you are left with when you, not anyone else, dictates how you feel. 3. Mental Fitness: Learn how to flex your happiness muscle and make choices that serve you, not deplete you. Stop the vicious cycle of being annoyed with others and reacting on old “triggers.” The happiness I speak of is not shallow, a mood, or a mercurial emotion. You will develop new character traits that will alter your destiny. You deserve a lifetime of happiness. The good news is you are just a few thoughts and an "Aha!" away. Follow Your Bliss, Not Your Blisters is your companion guide on your personal journey. * Life is supposed to feel good. Don't settle for less. * The secret to happiness is being in control of how you feel regardless of conditions. * Happiness is synonymous with personal freedom and peace of mind. * You will no longer live conditionally – waiting for conditions to change so you can feel good. Joy is an inside job.
Happiness is our destiny, but we often bump into reasons and obstacles for why we can’t achieve it in our lives. See all your “reasons” for what they really are and live happily ever “laughter.” Order now to take your life to a more satisfying level and watch “Shift Happen!” Wishing you every happiness, Nanci The Happiness Expert --Abigail's Targeted Tip: Consider the rewards and punishments to spur your reader into action!
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Vanesa L. Perillo
Title: Death with a Twist of Lemon
What would you do when your mind fails?
Stranded at Acun, a beachside nursing home in the lost village of Pehuen Co (Argentina), Clementina, an eighty-six year old, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and wants to go into one more adventure before she can’t remember her own name.
The problem is she’s short of money. Desperate, she plans to con the other women of Acun, but as always with Clementina, things don’t go as planned.
A roulette of drugs, thefts, and murders flood the quiet of Acun, forcing Clementina to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to get her way.
If you’re looking for a fast paced, dark humor crime story, Death with a Twist of Lemon will be out July 1st 2021. Sign up to my mailing list to keep updated as to when pre-orders become available at website.com
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Does your reader-directed hook fit your story? It should echo your blurb’s final line.
--Other Stuff: Check out storyonthespot.live to see the world’s only thriller fiction improv game show. It’s crazy fun!
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Sian Ceinwen
Title: The Baby
Genre: Rock star romance
Sleep with a rock star, they said. It'll be fun, they said.
Lita Ciccone just wanted to meet her favorite band. She had no interest in tangling with sexy guitarist, Sebastian Fox, whose favorite past time is groupies.
Then she meets him. He's smart, he's funny, and he calls her princess. Suddenly, she understands why so many women fall at his feet, because that's exactly what she wants to do.
They spend one amazing night together, and their contraception fails. Now, Lita is facing a life tied to the world's biggest player.
Sebastian is sexy as sin, but can she really raise a baby with him?
The Baby is the third installment in the Cruise Control series by Sian Ceinwen. If you like sexy and funny books, that make you feel deeply for the characters, then you will adore falling in love with Sebastian and Lita.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Brainstorm! Before writing, spend 5-10 minutes to brainstorm relevant puns and phrases.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Martha Henley
Title: Simon Says : Episode 1 Reunion Pact Series
A criminology student, thrown into a deadly game …
A shamed cop, demoted over his obsession …
The night in the past when chance produced a killer.
The Reunion Pact : Episode 1 Simon Says
Armed with a desire for revenge, a twisted mastermind killer takes a random game of chance and turns it deadly. His unwilling players must kill or be killed. The first one, fails and Simon upholds the rules. Both targets are gruesomely murdered.
Criminology student, Josie Baker is the latest player instructed to take a life-threatening turn. Former detective Dennis Henson is obsessed with the Simon Says Killer. Their thirty year age gap will hinder their ability to work well as a team. Baker and Henson will reopen closed cases, prove coercion, and dare the rule master to play to win his own fatal end game.
Simon Says is the first episode of the new crime thriller series, Reunion Pact by Martha Henley. If you’re looking for a new novella length thriller series with realistic characters and psychological twists on the pages, then you’ll love these episodes.
Reunion Pact is a nine-episode novella serial, written to be read in order and in its entirety. Each episode tells a complete story, but they are one part of the whole incredible tale. Preorder your copy of Simon Says today!
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Where have you placed your big reveals? Are readers discovering along with your main character?
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Randy L Scott
Title: Freedom – Just Another Word
Would you believe the crazy stories of a Dream Messiah? What if those stories led you into another world? How do you judge a man like Jake Barnes?
In wilds of the north, the land of misfits, Jake is living his dream. His survivalist neighbor who spent years in the jungle has other plans for his new friend.
Freedom - Just Another Word... is the first novel in this psychological adventure series. The Dream Messiah series takes you on a wild journey from the forests of the last frontier to the jungle of Borneo as Jake Barnes is forced into life-changing decisions.
Jake is building a cabin in remote Alaska when his fiancé Kat announces her pregnancy. As Jake experiments with lucid dreaming, he is thrust into a world he is unprepared for. Kat has her own agenda once their child is born. Jake doesn't know who to fear most; Kat, or his eccentric neighbor Dave Reagan, the resident grizzly bear, or the Alaska State Troopers.
Half-way around the globe, the Punan Dyaks, a nomadic tribe deep in the mountains of Borneo, are manifesting their Messiah in the dream world. The line between dreams and reality blur, and Jake's decisions may cost him everything he cares about, including his infant son, Luke.
More than one person wants Jake Barnes to burn in hell. Another force is pushing him into a baptism by fire. If he crosses that line, there's no turning back.
If you want dark adventure into the unknown, you'll love this epic saga of the human spirit's quest for purpose. Unlock Freedom - today to find out how YOU will judge Jake Barnes.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Replace “ands” with “therefores” or “buts.”
--Other Stuff: Check out storyonthespot.live, the world’s only thriller fiction improv game show!
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Eden Wolfe
Title: Love In and Out of Lockdown
BE A COUPLE THAT MAKES IT THROUGH LOCKDOWN.
"The TV anchor announces that the lockdown is coming. We don’t know how long it’ll last, but it’s going to be a while. At least six weeks. I’m guessing at least eight. But nobody really knows. Fast forward and it's FOUR MONTHS LATER."
Couples around the world have struggled to live and relate as lockdown came and went and might come again...
...and some couples don't make it through. The post-lockdown rates of divorce have gone up. Even now, stress, fear, and pressure continue to create rifts in couples, families and homes.
How can you keep your relationship healthy, strong and alive?
You’ve got to be creative. You’ve got to be innovative. You've got to keep your relationship healthy in the wake of the pandemic and the enduring lockdown.
In this book, you'll get insight, ideas, and activities for you and your loved one to try on your own and together, covering topics like:
- What's happening in your brain during lockdown
- Understanding your triggers
- Speaking the languages of love
- Hot Potato Topics
- Finding and keeping your happy
- Quality time truly together and Quality time apart: creating space
- The healing power of laughter
- How to Feel Heard
- Maintaining the Mystery
- And many more!
Read true stories from ordinary couples that survived some extraordinary circumstances in lockdown.
They learned together. They made it through.
The wisdom in these pages, tried-and-true methods as well as innovative experimentation, can help you and your partner navigate not just current circumstances...
...it can help you to be stronger in the unknown that is yet to come.
Lockdown leaves a wake behind it, and these waves will rock your relationship. Stories abound of couples breaking up when lockdown hit.
Take action now to be the strongest couple you can be.
This pandemic doesn't have to break you up.
Use this book to keep your couple moving on the right track.
Get Love In and Out of Lockdown today!
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: How is your advice and/or main argument delivered to readers? Make this mode of education crystal clear.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Cyn Mackley
Title: American Goth - A Goode Grace Mystery
When her grandfather dies mysteriously, New York City artist and goth chick Trinity Goode heads back to her small Ohio hometown to take over the farm and figure out what really happened to the man who always accepted her just as she was. Trinity’s ready to lace up her Doc Marten boots to be a church lady and bake pies for the county fair, but is her hometown ready to welcome her back?
With some help from her old friend Deputy Bobby Grace, she tries to solve the mystery of her Grandfather’s death and track down just who has been hell-bent on ruining her reputation. What she finds out could get her killed.
You can take the girl out of the country, put red streaks in her hair, and dress her all in black, but you can’t take the country out of the girl. Pitchfork in hand, this American Goth is ready to find a killer, save the farm, win a blue ribbon for jam, and just maybe snag herself a good ole country boy.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip:
Put each sentence in your blurb on its own line, so you can see them individually and adjust the length.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
- Your hero drives the action. In blurbs, you almost never need to mention side characters. Most BPF blurbs mention only the hero (or dual heroes in a romance) and maybe the villain. Sometimes a character’s mentor will be mentioned, etc. But add too many and readers will get confused when they have to remember all the name soup (people skim!). Since your protag drives, every sentence in the blurb should be from that POV.
- When driving the action, verbs and plot points matter. In your blurbs, are your characters doing things like “realizing” and “deciding”? (unless enlightenment plot). Show us your character affecting the plot. If at some point your character has a serious dilemma (“point of no return” or “best bad choice”), show us that. That’s what keeps readers invested as they progress.
- A blurb should show an arc. Remember, you’re a storyteller. Your blurb should show us a microcosm of your character’s emotional journey through a series of escalating plot points (and don’t worry so much about spoilers!). Maybe in the first sentence, we see a shy-but-plucky teenager who has unexplained powers. Halfway through the blurb, she begins to accept her chosen one-ness during her first battle (or with death of mentor), then by the final cliffhanger, she’s going to war against the evil mega-demon. Look how far she’s come! Readers won’t consciously evaluate this, but showing change in a blurb is a great way to hook readers. It shows them you’re a storyteller.
- Always do your best... revisit your old work after you’ve learned more. Copywriting isn’t like riding a bike... it’s a skill you have to practice to stay sharp.
12 lessons Jim learned about copywriting:
- Echoes are not fine: what you want to avoid are “twice told tales” of repeating uncommon words too closely or saying the same thing more than once. Word count matters!
- Sentence construction is also important. You want your blurb to be a rollercoaster, not a pub crawl. People shouldn’t “self-pace” when reading your blurb. You want to grab them from the first line and propel them forward. You do this by mixing short and long sentences and transition words like “and, but, while, so.” Also, each sentence should contain up to one comma. Two commas is too long, and it probably means you’re stuffing too much info into a sentence.
- Finish strong... always put key words and phrases at the ends of sentences and the ends of paragraphs. “But when she finds a corpse in the bathroom, she wonders if she might stay a while in town.” vs. “But her visit might extend a few days when she finds a fresh corpse in the shower.” This is part of the rollercoaster, always propelling people forward.
- CTA goes at the very end... Have you ever received a long email with a question buried halfway in the text, then you get to the end and forget the question? Tell your audience what to do, then back out like George Costanza. Don’t give them a CTA then dilute it with reader reviews or a list of the books in the series.
Tune in next week to hear the final four lessons!
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Emotional response: good sales copy speaks to people on an emotional level. It used to baffle me why companies said things like “AT&T is proud to announce...” It’s why at BPF we like to include emotion words and actions, like showing teeth gritting, butterflies in the stomach, etc.
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Readers want to connect with a character on an emotional level. It’s why the first sentence after the hook is reserved for meeting the character, without introducing plot details.
- Clarity over cleverness: people skim sales copy. Especially with book blurbs. Word choice is critical. So if anything is confusing or unclear, most will disregard and move on. Think about when you search for a book on amazon. There are literally millions to choose from, so imagine you’ve narrowed it down to two books that both look enticing. Good covers, genre-appropriate titles. If one blurb is confusing, that could be the deciding factor that loses the sale. Speak simply: don’t use a word like “impetuous” when “reckless” will do just fine. Show your copy to people. If they find it confusing, don’t tell yourself “well they just don’t get it.” Explore why it’s unclear.
- Cliches are fine. Cliches get a bad rap because they’ve been done to death. But remember, clarity over cleverness. When you say someone is “in over their head” the reader will instantly know what that means. No confusion.
Tune in next week to hear the next four lessons!
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Elisavet Arkolaki
Title: How to Raise Confident Multicultural Children: Ideas and practical advice from diverse professionals for even greater success raising happy mixed heritage kids
'A must-read for all educators, parents, and everyone involved in the education of children. Inspiring!' - Lenia Tavares, Mum, Foreign Languages Teacher, Language and Communication Impairment in Children Specialist, B.Sc., M.Sc.
How to Raise Confident Multicultural Children is the uniquely empowering guidebook to the bilingual/multilingual and multicultural parenting journey. It includes practical tips and ideas from diverse professionals, for even greater success raising confident and resilient kids of mixed ethnic backgrounds. It includes full chapter contributions by Dr. Ute Limacher-Riebold, Dr. Brigitte Vittrup, Dr. Mary-Pat O'Malley-Keighran, Rita Rosenback, Lisa Ferland, Brian Vassallo, Tamara Yousry, Yui Mikuriya, Elisavet Arkolaki.
This book has been curated by Elisavet Arkolaki, founder of the popular parenting blog maltamum.com. Arkolaki is also the author of the children's books 'Where am I from?', which has been illustrated entirely with street art unique to this book, and 'Happiness Street', a picture book available in several bilingual editions.
Chapters:
- Inventing identities for our multicultural children by Elisavet Arkolaki
- The debate over multiculturalism and what we can learn from the Canadian model by Elisavet Arkolaki
- My identity crisis growing up in numerous cultures by Yui Mikuriya
- Why urging our children to embrace different cultures and learn different languages matters by Dr. Ute Limacher-Riebold
- The 5 most common challenges a parent faces while raising a multicultural kid and how to address them by Vivian Chiona, Dr. Brigitte Vittrup, Elisavet Arkolaki
- 5 mistakes parents make when trying to raise bilingual children by Rita Rosenback
- Language delays in multilingual children: what are they and what to do about them by Dr. Mary-Pat O'Malley-Keighran
- Raising multilingual children with additional needs abroad by Dr. Ute Limacher-Riebold
- Confident moms raise confident kids - On finding your tribe abroad by Lisa Ferland
- Media influences on children by Dr. Brigitte Vittrup
- The impact of culture on the education of the young by Brian Vassallo
- Promoting tolerance, practical tips - What we should do to enhance religious tolerance at home (parents) and at school (teachers) by Brian Vassallo
- Crossing the Deep Cultural Divide by Tamara Yousry
- The stories you should tell your multicultural kid every day by Elisavet Arkolaki
- A list of websites and blogs about multilingualism & multiculturalism
Praised by parents around the world...
If you're reading this on amazon.de/.co.uk/.ca/.au/.it, etc, visit the .com link for more reviews
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Your list of chapters is just the beginning! Pick out the best elements and show how they can solve readers’ problems.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: A.C. Ward
Title: Avoiding the Abyss
Blurb Version 1:
Aubrey has always been told she isn’t special.
If only that had remained true.
Aubrey grew up as part of the rebel movement, protected but lonely. All she wants is her mother’s love, but without an ability she’s worthless in her mother’s eyes.
When she’s captured by the government, Aubrey sees an opportunity to prove her worth. Instead, she realizes that her mother has been withholding many truths. Aubrey experiences an acceptance outside of the rebels that her heart has yearned for, and a discovery. She has an immunity that has never been seen before.
But Aubrey isn’t immune, she’s absorbing powers as the key to the Abyss—a portal into the demon realm. Her mother finally sees purpose in her daughter and hopes to use it for her cause. Aubrey isn’t as certain. If she doesn’t gain control of her ability, she’ll open the gateway to hell and destroy everyone she’s come to care about. Including herself.
The first installment in the Abyss trilogy, a coming of age YA dystopian fantasy. Perfect for fans of dystopian worlds, apocalyptic prophesies, and demon lore.
Download now to find out if Aubrey will succeed in Avoiding the Abyss.
Blurb version 2:
She was raised on lies. Now she must figure out what’s real, or the world is doomed.
Join a teen’s struggle with secret powers in a demonic dystopia.
Aubrey never realized there was a better life beyond being the rebel leader’s disappointing teenage daughter. But when she’s abducted by the government and taught the truth at one of their official academies, she feels torn between two worlds. Wielding a power she didn’t know she had and forced to open a portal to a dark dimension, she must choose who to save — her new friends or her family.
Can Aubrey master her power in time to prevent the world’s utter annihilation?
Book 1 in the page-turning YA dystopian fantasy series. If you like mind-bending journeys, complex characters, and a beautiful balance of hope and despair, then you’ll love A.C. Ward’s ominous tale.
Buy Avoiding The Abyss to confront the face of evil today!
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Could your hook work within a different genre? If so, try tweaking until it is undeniably within your own genre.
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
We're ready to reveal our big secret...
Author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Hooks: Author: Alexa Rivers
Title: Summer with the CEO (Small town contemporary romance)
- She's a disgraced journalist on a mission. He's a CEO with a hate-on for the press. They shouldn't want each other, but love doesn't play fair.
- Elijah Lockwood. Tall, dark, and delicious. About as approachable as an iceberg.
- They have nothing in common except chemistry. Their fling was supposed to be temporary...until a plus on a stick says otherwise.
- She wants a front page story. All he wants is to be left alone. Quitting isn't in her vocabulary, especially when there's so much on the line.
- Small town journalist Aria can't help lusting after endlessly frustrating Eli. He's hot, rich, and emotionally unavailable, but a girl can dream, right?
- She's all about family. He wishes he could escape his. When a one night stand leads to more, can he overcome his demons to make a family with her?
- Aria Simons. Sweeter than a frosted cupcake. All big eyes and tempting curves, but she's the type to want forever, and that means she's not for him.
- He's aloof. She's impulsive. Their secret kisses are dangerously addictive.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Simplify headlines to a single focus or idea
--Other Stuff: Send us your blurbs! BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com
Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.
To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.
Here are this episode’s read-along selections:
--Blurb: Author: Rebecca Bradley
Title: Shallow Waters
When catching a killer isn’t enough…
Detective Inspector Hannah Robbins is forced into the darker side of Nottingham when a body is dumped in an alleyway.
And all the while a member of her team is hiding a life-changing secret that could have serious repercussions for the investigation.
Things take a disturbing turn when a piece of evidence indicates a killer is only a hairs-breath away from claiming his next victim.
Just how far are the team willing to push themselves to save the next girl?
Shallow Waters is the compelling crime debut by ex-police detective Rebecca Bradley.
Download Shallow Waters to explore a tense police investigation with a real sinister side and a shocking finale.
For fans of Angela Marsons and Peter James.
--Abigail's Targeted Tip: Could your blurb stand in for a similar book? If so, add in some unique flair.
--Other Stuff: Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to BlurbsSellBooks@gmail.com