We all know that we have to write a synopsis of our book. If you've tried it, you know how very difficult that is.
What I didn't know was how many different versions of a synopsis I was going to have to write. Or that somehow new ones keep appearing. Here's a starter list. I invite my fellow authors to add to the list.
Amazon Ads: 140 characters (characters, not words!)
Promo sites such as Fussy Librarian and Book Barbarian: 900 characters
Promo site Bargain Booksy: 300 characters
Facebook Link Click ad: 90 characters (yes, ninety)
Amazon book description: 2000 characters
Back of paperback: 150 to 200 words
Note that you can't get away with just making something shorter or longer. Different blurbs--synopses, whatever--serve different purposes and speak to somewhat different audiences. At the same time, you want consistent messaging.
And this leaves out traditional publishing, with its endlessly varying lengths of letters to agents, samples, and summaries. I also don't know what the length limits are over at Kobo, Ingram Spark, etc.
Finally (or probably not finally), there's the various versions of an elevator pitch--what you say verbally to someone when they ask what's your book about. Saying it's about 300 pages only gets you so far.
What I didn't know was how many different versions of a synopsis I was going to have to write. Or that somehow new ones keep appearing. Here's a starter list. I invite my fellow authors to add to the list.
Amazon Ads: 140 characters (characters, not words!)
Promo sites such as Fussy Librarian and Book Barbarian: 900 characters
Promo site Bargain Booksy: 300 characters
Facebook Link Click ad: 90 characters (yes, ninety)
Amazon book description: 2000 characters
Back of paperback: 150 to 200 words
Note that you can't get away with just making something shorter or longer. Different blurbs--synopses, whatever--serve different purposes and speak to somewhat different audiences. At the same time, you want consistent messaging.
And this leaves out traditional publishing, with its endlessly varying lengths of letters to agents, samples, and summaries. I also don't know what the length limits are over at Kobo, Ingram Spark, etc.
Finally (or probably not finally), there's the various versions of an elevator pitch--what you say verbally to someone when they ask what's your book about. Saying it's about 300 pages only gets you so far.