Blurbs Sell Books

Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.

To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.

Here are this episode's read-along selections:

Author: C McIntosh

Title: Transplant Dance

Three teens face dramatic choices as they come to terms with life, death and other priorities.

Aiden Corwin adjusts to the terror of waiting for a kidney, but can he forgive his father for leaving him when he was younger?

When Zafirah Negrassi returns home after her heart transplant, she expects life to be the same as it was. Can she accept that things are different?

How can Tanya James repair her relationship with her sister when her twin is in intensive care in the local hospital?

This is a fictional story for YA readers, written from alternate perspectives.

If you like thoughtful, inspiring stories filled with courage then you'll enjoy C. McIntosh's Transplant Dance.

Unlock Transplant Dance and discover this touching story today!

YA blurbs should include both humor and heartbreak.

Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to [email protected]

Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.

To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.

Here are this episode's read-along selections:

Author: Annie Rae

Title: Shattered Illusions

Sexy, growly mountain men with protective instincts must be her kryptonite because the harder Evie fights her attraction to Wyatt the more his sweet smoothness breaks her down.

When life drops a Texas-sized bomb in her lap, by way of a crooked boss, the mafia, and some very muscled, very scary bullies, Eveline Amos packs up and heads to the one place she never thought she'd live again, her tribal lands, where everyone knows everybody. It's stifling.

But while Evie adjusts to life at home with her family, she is constantly running into one of the sexiest mountain men she'd ever seen. Continuously… all over town. Wyatt's magnetism and sexy brown eyes are impossible to resist, so is his big heart and love of animals. What is her lonely veterinarian heart to do?

For Wyatt McAllister, future alpha of the Big Paw Mountain Shifters, the responsibility on his shoulders is crushing. He's growing a tourism business for his family's survival and most stressful of all… dealing with his family.

It's the absolute worst time to find his fated mate, but somehow, in the middle of giving an adventure tour, there she is. He knows she's human, but her pull is irresistible and the longer he fights the attraction, the crazier she makes him. But how will Wyatt break his big secret to a human? Could she ever love him back?

By the time Evie's demons catch up with her, Wyatt realizes that nothing else matters. He's paws to the ground determined to save his mate before it's too late. Wyatt will have his happily ever after, even if he has to tear through the entire mountain to get it.

Be purposeful with every contradicting word or idea.

Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to [email protected]

Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.

To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.

Here are this episode's read-along selections:

Author: Katja Waski

Title: Light Me Not (YA Sci-fi Dystopia)

"In the wastelands of Europe, the last citystates fight for survival.

Seventeen-year-old Noa Engel wants to train as a lightfighter for the Federal Proto Agency. She's determined to avenge her father's death by exterminating Lights—the invisible enemy eradicating the electricity grids and feasting on human lives.

As Noa's home citystate becomes increasingly unsafe, Noa's mother decides to bribe their way into the safe haven known as Amsterdam, defended by the secretive AIDE-initiative.

Their illegal entry rendered all of Noa's dreams void, and she has to adjust to living as a non-stat, without a purpose.

But when her mother's past life as a genetic engineer catches up with them, secrets start to unravel and Noa is forced to put her own wants aside to expose the AIDE-initiative's true face and save humankind.

Get to your book's central storyline before the end of your first paragraph.

Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to [email protected]

Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.

To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.

Bryan Cohen joins us today for episode 100! We recap the Top 10 targeted tips from all 100 episodes!

Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to [email protected]

Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.

To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.

Here are this episode's read-along selections:

Author: Ermelinda Makkimane

Mary's life is about to undergo a drastic change. A simple, normal village teen, she is day dreaming of leading a quiet life with Joseph after marriage. But she never expected to receive a personal revelation from God through an angel. And life, for her, becomes a series of roller-coasting, cataclysmic events, which, finally come to a rest at the tomb of her murdered son.

Some Reviews

...

What is the book about?

Explore the mind of Mary in this inspired poetic account that gives a glimpse into her struggles during

- her teenage pregnancy

- her marriage to an older man

- her life in Nazareth

- her motherhood to a hugely blessed (read: rebellious) son

- her witness to his turbulent ministry

- her presence at his death

- her life post-Resurrection

For whom is this book? Who should buy it?

Even a poetically challenged reader can easily find their way around this book. A student of literature and feminism has a lot to infer from the portrayal of a strong female character. As also do women's groups. This book is ideal for contemplative meditation as several Biblical instances are referred to thereby drawing the reader to their own personal insights. Read it aloud for better poetic understanding and effect. And, in the words of the protagonist, may you reach that place of mercy and "timelessness,/less of a place and more a space/of boundlessness, abundance, overflowing."

Repurpose powerful words from reviews.

Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to [email protected]

Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.

To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.

Here are this episode's read-along selections:

Author: Ellie Pond

Title: Wicked Water

There's a lot of fish in the sea . . .

As crown princess of Skyrothasia, a mermaid kingdom hidden from humans and shifters, I know I've had it good. But I'm not ready to start my own royal pod like my loving mother and three fathers want. There's a whole world out there I've never seen and so much I want to experience before I become Queen Melody.

When danger arises and I'm sent away with Harrison—my BFF's cousin and the merman everyone, including me, thinks will be my first pod mate—I finally get my chance at freedom.

Except the real world isn't the way it looks in books and movies. And finding my mates is a lot more complicated than I expected.

She's the siren I want . . .

I've wanted to be part of Melody's pod since I was old enough to think about her as more than my cousin's best friend.

Now we're racing towards Boston with assailants on our tails and a pushy dragon hired by her parental pod as body guard. I'm hoping my best friends, a wolf shifter and another merman, can help us out.

Or will they distract Melody from choosing me?

Wicked Water is a reverse harem, 'why choose' book in which the heroine gets to have all of her guys. It has explicit content and language, a cliffhanger, and no cheating. This four-book series takes place in the Dark Wing world with a HEA.

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

Consider sticking to one POV for reverse harem romance. Your female MC is flipping gender norms, and your copy could reflect that.

Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to [email protected]

Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.

To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.

Here are this episode's read-along selections:

Author: Ellie Pond

Title: My Not So Funny Valentine

She ran away once and he nailed his heart shut…

Gigi's got plenty of secrets. Like how she's married to her job, literally. The Order called on her family for a tribute and she answered. Even more secrets surround her not-so-deceased boss who's entrusted her to keep his location hidden from The Order. But through it all, she's never forgotten her first love.

Wallis remembers exactly how he felt when Gigi told him she was marrying a man she barely knew and moving to the West Coast. Wallis never told her what he'd found out at his wolf pack adulthood ceremony—that they're fated mates. He's kept the secret to himself through the years.

Eighteen years later, she's standing in the lobby of the Dark Wing cruise ship where Wallis works. Her couture exterior didn't match the shredding she'd done on Wallis's youthful heart.

Fate has brought Wallis and Gigi back together on the Dark Wing cruise ship. Now Can he stay away from her for the whole Valentine's Day cruise to protect his shattered heart? Or will Gigi's secrets turn both their worlds upside down?

This is book two in a standalone series, a full-length steamy read. Grab a box of chocolates and see how fate takes hold. HEA and no cliffhanger!

Introduce all worldbuilding-specific proper nouns with establishing clues or descriptors to avoid potential confusion.

Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to [email protected]

Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.

To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.

Here are this episode's read-along selections:

Author: E.M. Stone

Title: Aztec Curse

A race against time to decipher an ancient threat before it destroys us all…

A centuries-old mystery. A long-lost chronicle. An impossible puzzle. And a horrifying awakening.

Seven hundred years ago, a thriving but illiterate Native American civilization suddenly vanished, burying with it one of archaeology's greatest mysteries. The secret remained hidden…

Until now.

Today, archaeologist Dr. Angela Hunter, an expert in ancient linguistics, has discovered a primitive codex written in an unknown language. As she painstakingly deciphers the mysterious symbols, Angela finds clues that somehow connect a dormant evil, a mystical ritual, and a vindictive curse.

In a race against forces on the hunt for the codex's secrets, Angela must piece together the puzzle before it's too late… and prevent the tragedies of the past from returning.

If you enjoy action packed-mysteries and thrillers about ancient civilizations, you'll like this adventure that takes you on a journey in two timelines: the era of the Aztecs & Cahokia Mound Builders and the present with archaeologist Angela Hunter.

Fiction blurbs: always prioritize character and story over research

Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to [email protected]

Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.

To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.

Here are this episode's read-along selections:

Author: Shiv Harsh

Title: The Pandemic War: 12 Guaranteed Ways to Fail!

Can we beat the virus before it kills us?

Societies have struggled with pandemics for thousands of years. Plague and cholera, smallpox and influenza; deadly diseases spring up, kill thousands, if not millions, and we still don't learn. We make the same mistakes again and again.

Defeating an infectious agent should not be complicated. The principles of public health are straightforward and have not changed for more than a hundred years. But we are stubborn. Rather than learn from the past, we want to make our own mistakes. So that future generations can make them all over again.

There is still time for us to take the well-known steps to crush the novel coronavirus. But will our hubris and politics stand in the way? Will we allow a virus to beat us again?

Practice empathy to become a better writer. Pick a group you disagree with. Brainstorm a list of reasons why they may think differently (life experiences, influences, etc.).

Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to [email protected]

Today on the show, author Jim Heskett and copywriting guru Abigail Dunard tackle an author-submitted blurb to dissect it and understand how to write killer sales copy.

To watch video of this episode, view it on Facebook at Best Page Forward.

Here are this episode's read-along selections:

Author: Nathan A. Stout

Title: Nellybug 3: The Quest to Rescue Nelly

Being the head tooth fairy isn't easy. In fact, it's pretty hard and hazardous. If leading an organization filled with expectations sounds easy, try fending yourself off from a deadly Nightmare attack. Job number one for the Tooth Fairies of Neverland is to protect its lands from straying Nightmares.

Nellybug might be the first Tooth Fairy to wear the title but when her wings start to fail her, she risks being replaced by fairy leadership. She must team up with her fairy sisters to find their human child, the one who brought them to life and protect her from a poisonous plague of Nightmare activity.

Can they figure out what's going on in time to save all four sisters' wings before her replacement becomes official? Which side will the mysterious mice warriors join that show up on the scene?

And if their small team does face these Nightmares, will they be enough?

The Nellybug young middle-grade book series is a set of adventures following Nellybug and her friends and how they created the title and mythology of the Tooth Fairies. Book three is a heartwarming tale of bravery, sisterhood, and facing your nightmares head-on. Grab book three today or jump back and start with book one to find out how she became the first tooth fairy. Either way, you won't want to miss this newest adventure.

Sales Copy

Nellybug was never a very normal fairy, that's part of what makes her amazing. When her wings start to die, her position as Head Tooth Fairy might be lost to her forever.

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

Review every word to find the best match for your ideal reader.

Want to submit your own blurb for consideration? Fill out the form at www.bestpageforward.net/podcast or send an email to [email protected]