Write your book’s “blurb”—the sharp, versatile pitch for submissions, promotion, and marketing that defines what your book is and why it matters.

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Whether you call it “jacket copy,” an “extended pitch” or the meat of your query, your book’s blurb is critical. This short piece of persuasive copy determines whether someone reads on, requests the manuscript, or buys the book. Just 150 words do a lot of heavy lifting: positioning your book in the market, introducing your protagonist and stakes, and making a promise that reading will be worth the commitment. 

But many writers get stuck with blurbs that sound generic or interchangeable with another author’s book. Shortcuts, AI, and borrowed language won’t sum up the heart of 100,000 words. You have to step inside your book and ask what it is truly offering—and then stress-test whether or not your manuscript delivers on that promise.

When I finally arrived at the right 150 words for my own memoir/reported nonfiction project, everything fell into place. I received thoughtful, encouraging passes instead of crickets, and in a very short period of time, two offers of publication. As I wrote and revised, the blurb became a microcosm of my story’s logic and the reason someone would choose my book over anything else in front of them.

Agents are looking for the blurb in your query letter (and will use it to sell your book to publishers). Editors are looking for the blurb in your book proposal. Marketers are looking for the blurb in your materials. And most importantly, your readers are looking to be fulfilled by the blurb’s promise. They want to read your book; give them every chance to be excited. This session shows you how to make those 150 words count.

Can’t make it live? No worries—a replay will be available to all registrants.

In this webinar, you will:

• DEFINE what a blurb is (and is not) and see how it functions across queries, proposals, websites, and sales materials
• ANALYZE real blurb examples to see how a clear, compelling story or concept is expressed in 150 words
• STRUCTURE a blurb for yourself that introduces the protagonist/author, stakes, and take-away (without summarizing the entire book!)
• IDENTIFY and AVOID common pitfalls that weaken blurbs, including generic language and over-reliance on trends
• EVALUATE whether your blurb makes a promise your manuscript actually delivers on

This webinar is ideal for writers who are …

• not getting responses from their query letters or book proposals
• planning to self-publish and needing strong sales copy for online retail pages and author websites
• finished with their manuscript and need to articulate what the book is about
• struggling to describe their book clearly, concisely, and in a compelling way
• getting stuck in the weeds of their book and need to refine the premise

Closed captioning is available. ✔
All registrants receive the recording. ✔

ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER

Michelle Cutler is an award-winning screenwriter, storytelling coach, and developmental editor specializing in true stories and memoir, as well as an enthusiastic teacher. She has written more than 1,700 advertising campaigns for global brands, humanizing brand copy for short form content.

She holds an MFA in film from NYU and a diploma in advanced creative writing nonfiction from Cambridge. She is currently writing I WON’T LET YOU DIE ALONE, a reported memoir from the trenches of modern elder caregiving for Bloomsbury.

Questions? Please email Info@writingcraft.com

Before the replay is sent, you may request a full refund less a $10.00 processing fee. For a refund, EMAIL us at info@WritingCraft.com. Canceling your Zoom invite will not initiate this process.

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