When you think of your book, the first that comes to mind is probably the manuscript you spent months or even years writing. But a self-published book is more than just the words in the story, and readers often consider the other elements before they ever read your book. As a self-publishing author, it is important to pay attention to all the details, such as the cover art, back cover text and author biography. In fact, these are the elements that influence a reader’s decision to purchase your book. While you probably already know the importance of great cover art, most self-publishing authors forget about the other text associated with their book. Here is why the back cover text and your author biography are so important and how to make sure both are great.
The Back Cover
The text on the back cover of your book is often referred to as a synopsis. This text pulls readers into the story without revealing all the details. Think about all the times you’ve browsed through a bookstore and read the back of a book. This synopsis probably influenced whether or not you purchased the book. This is also true for online shoppers. The synopsis is often used as the description for your book. Therefore, it is important that it is intriguing and professionally written. In the world of online shopping, it is also important to consider keywords.
The Biography
Most books include an author biography. This will also appear on your author website and online retailers information pages. You want to make sure this biography is interesting, reflects the image you wish to promote and is professionally written. Since most readers never meet the authors of the books they love, this is their first impression of you as a person.
How to Make Both Great
You probably spent a lot of time making sure your manuscript was interesting, clear and well-written. If you want readers to take you and your book seriously, you must do the same for your back cover synopsis and author biography. Here are a few pointers to help you.
- Don’t rush. Spend a quality amount of time writing the synopsis and biography. Think about what you want to say and how you want your readers to perceive you.
- Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! The worst thing you could do is submit text with errors. Ask someone you trust to proofread your work or consider hiring a professional.
- Ask for help. Sometimes, self-publishing authors are too attached to their work to write a good synopsis and biography. Plus, this type of sales writing typically requires different skills than those needed to write a book manuscript. This is why many self-publishing companies offer services to assist you. For instance, Outskirts Press offers a cover scribing option, which uses a professional copywriter to write your cover copy and biography.
I’d love to know, do you read the back cover and author biography before purchasing a book?
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ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 20 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Manager of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path. |
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