For some of us, writing the book is easier than writing the synopsis, a brief promo piece or\u00e2\u20ac\u201ddread of all dreads\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe back cover copy.<\/p>\n
Who wrote (or will write) your back cover copy\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthe bit on the back of the book designed to influence browsers to buy it? Did you ask your editor to write it? Maybe you left it to your POD publishing service. Or did you write it yourself? <\/p>\n
I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m often asked to write the back cover copy for my clients\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 books. But I never do this on my own. I always get as much input from the client as I can. After all, the author is the one with the vision for this particular book. He created the story or wrote and organized the material. He is intimate with the content of his book, but he may not feel confident writing the all important back cover copy. So who should write it? It really doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter, as long as the author is involved. <\/p>\n
Even after editing the book and maybe even going through it a second time to tie up any loose ends, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel qualified to write the cover copy on my own. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not my book. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not a result of my vision. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not my story or a product of my passion. So when an author asks me to write the back cover copy, here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what I do, first:<\/p>\n
I ask the author how he or she responds to someone who inquires about their book. I ask the author to describe his book to me using as many words as he or she wants. And I pose the following two questions:<\/p>\n
1: Why did you write this book?
\n2: What is the purpose of this book?<\/p>\n
As the editor or even a casual reader of the book, I will certainly have my impressions of the content. I might define the story as an action-packed saga staged in Alaska during the gold rush. But the author may consider it a love story. While I might describe a book as a spiritual memoir featuring intimate religious visions, the author may see his book as a self-help book for Christians. <\/p>\n
Certainly, if I think the author is off in his description, I will say so and attempt to steer him in the direction of reality. Or I will help him to change the book to fit the desired category and depiction. But I will always listen to the author\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s translation before I do any of the above. <\/p>\n
Your Reason and Purpose<\/strong> Poor reasons for writing a book: Better reasons for writing a book: I hope that, after reading this blog entry, you will all sit down and re-examine your project\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyour reason for writing it and your book\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s purpose. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d love to hear from you. Tell me, for example, whether your reason and purpose are reasonable or if you needed to make some changes.<\/p>\n
\nHave you explored your reason and purpose? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a good idea to do this even before you start writing your book. If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have a clear and rational reason for producing this book and if you haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t examined the purpose of this book, I suggest that you do so NOW. You want to make sure that your reason and purpose are logical and pure. Otherwise, you may be on a path to sure disappointment. <\/p>\n
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tTo change people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s thinking about something.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve always wanted to be an author.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tI had an interesting life and I want to share it.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tI want to get rich so I can quit my job.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tI might as well, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have anything else to do.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tPeople tell me I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a good writer.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tI have a very rare hobby and there are no books about it, so I want to write a book for the handful of others who share my interest.<\/p>\n
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tTo add to my credibility in my field.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tMy extensive research shows there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a need for this book.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWriting is my passion and I hope to break in as a serious author.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve worked hard to get where I am and I believe I have something of value to share with others.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tI love writing stories. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve studied the publishing industry. I understand my options and my responsibilities as an author. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m willing to do what it takes to break into publishing as a novelist.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a high-profile celeb, I have a close connection with one or I have experienced something highly unusual and exceptionally media-worthy and I want to write about it.<\/p>\n