Book Cover Chaos | Cover Blurbs
Words have incredible power. This principle holds a special weight in the minds of readers, as their hobby is about consuming books. But most people would think of the story itself—the words on the page. But another application of the power of words in publishing starts as early as the cover itself.
Let me set the scene: It’s 2014. I’ve been methodically perusing the children’s and YA sections of my tiny town library for a few months. I’ve finally reached the M section, and I spy a book with a purple spine. The title sounds interesting enough, so I pull it out. As I take in the cover art, my eyes drift up to the top and spot a quote from Kirkus Reviews. “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.” I gasp in delight. I’ve read and loved both of those books! How on earth do these wonderful story concepts combine? I need to know IMMEDIATELY. I barely even glance at the description before taking a seat in the library’s reading chair and opening to page one.
This is how I discovered one of my favorite middle grade series, the Unwanteds. But more specifically, it is one of my most significant memories about choosing a book to read. And it didn’t come from just the cover, or the title, or even the description on the dust jacket: it came from a book blurb.
Book blurbs are quoted reviews that endorse the story or author, typically from trusted book reviewers or recognizable authors in a similar genre. They can be as short as one word, or extend into two sentences—it depends on the cover space and the intended impact of seeing the quote’s source. The purpose is to capture the reader’s attention in a few short words, which will intrigue them to pick it up and read it for themselves.
For example, consider this blurb about This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone: “This book has it all.” Yes, that’s all of it. The impact of this blurb comes from its writer, Madeline Miller. She’s the New York Times bestselling author of The Song of Achilles and Circe, each completely decorated with awards.
Blurbs can also be so hyper-specific that readers can figure out the book without the title or author. Look at this one by Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author: “Contemporary romance’s unicorn: the elusive marriage of deeply brainy and delightfully escapist.” A majority of romance readers could piece together that this is referring to The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, even if they hadn’t read it yet.
Lastly, blurbs can pull the reader in by using the second person. For example, when celebrity Reese Witherspoon chose Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid as a book club pick, she said: “Beautifully layered and complex … Daisy and the band captured my heart, and they’re sure to capture yours too.” This is a call to action, bordering on a challenge. Reese confidently claims the reader will enjoy the book for the same reason she did, almost daring them to read the book and disagree.
When it comes to marketing a book, the cover is one of the most valuable resources. Despite the adage, most people judge a book by its cover, so it’s important to put the story’s best foot forward. Although book blurbs are only one of the many items a cover can include, I would consider it one of the strongest strategies in a book’s marketing.