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:

--Blurb:

Author: DB Martin

Title: Patchwork Man

He has a brilliant future ahead of him and a dangerous past behind him. Now someone is spilling his secrets...

But she's already dead.

Renowned British barrister, Lawrence Juste, is a man with a past so cleverly stitched together he thought it could never come unravelled - until now.

Two things are about to pick it apart, piece by sordid piece: a child, and a blackmail note from a woman hiding as many secrets as him.

As Lawrence's world collapses in a twisting conspiracy of mysteries, lies and revelations, in the wreckage he encounters a child who reminds him sinisterly of himself, the family he'd denied and a secret even he wasn't aware of. For all of them, the repercussions could be lethal unless Lawrence can find the dead woman who knows everything about him, and the psychotic enemy from his past determined to destroy him and everything he comes to care about.

Patchwork Man is the winner of a BRAG Medallion Award.

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

Simplify your hook to its coolest common denominator!

--Other Stuff:

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:

--Blurb:

Author: Sophia Sinclair

Title: Worth the Wait: A smart and steamy single mom romance (Small-Town Secrets Book 1)

Small-town romance novelist Sophia Sinclair delivers the smart and steamy HEA!

Molly is a librarian and single mom who is so busy trying to take care of everyone else that she never gives men a chance.

She's standing on a ladder reshelving books one day, her great legs contrasting with her prim little librarian's dress, when a good-looking stranger walks in, takes one upward glance and is immediately captivated.

Molly is not as wowed by David. Sure, he's sexy, but he's also conceited and irritating. But despite her refusal to give him the time of day, he manages to become ever more entangled in her life.

When she lets her guard down, the passion that erupts between them tempts her into believing this arrogant man might bring her a second chance at love. But she's worked so hard to carve out a good life for herself. Is it worth risking it all for a man she isn't sure she can trust?

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

For your selling paragraph, consider the events and ideas as a whole.

--Other Stuff:

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:

--Blurb:

Author: E.A. Copen

Title: Shadows over Hemlock (Felix Cross Book 1)

His salvation rests in exorcising the demons of her past.

Felix Cross is no stranger to demons. He's traveled the globe, studying under the world's foremost demonologists and exorcists with one goal: open a door to Hell to retrieve the soul of an innocent man.

After he's hired to perform an exorcism on Raina Hemlock, a Kentucky senator's daughter, Felix may have found what he needs. The possessed girl claims to have been to Hell and back…literally. Now all he has to do is interrogate the demon before it destroys the girl he was hired to save.

Yet not all is as it seems in the Hemlock household. A dark presence hovers over the house, one with a fondness for violence and blood.

Is Raina's possession the true evil in the Hemlock house? Or is something even more sinister lurking in the mansion's forbidden rooms?

Shadows over Hemlock is a slow-burn mystery of creeping horror that is best read with the lights on.

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

Play Taboo or create your own version. Create a list of genre-focused clue words. Brainstorm common words associated with it (these are your taboos). Play a few rounds.

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:

--Blurb:

Book: JJ Finn 1: King of the Sharks

Author: Nathan A. Stout

JJ Finn was a normal kid with dreams of becoming a marine biologist and avoiding homework . . . well, and bullies. His days volunteering at the Aquarium where his dad works are almost like living his ultimate dream and escaping the grasp of summer break boredom until he catches some strangers dumping a mysterious substance into one of the tanks.

After falling in the tank, on accident, he begins to feel different. Then his dad gets dad-napped at work and his world really begins to fall apart.

Can JJ and his friends figure out what shady group is behind these acts? It would help if JJ could keep his head in the game, but after getting wet he starts to change. No, not puberty. Change as in, grow a fin on his back, gills on his neck, and flippers instead of feet when he gets wet.

They must follow the clues and figure out what's going on before they're captured too, or worse.

The JJ Finn series follows the exciting transformation of a group of teenage friends that face a sinister organization, set on manipulating human DNA for their own mysterious purposes. Grab book one today join their journey.

Sales Copy

Part teen, part shark, JJ is mixed up with a dangerous organization. Can he and his friends save his dad in time?

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

Spacing can make or break a blurb. Try experimenting with yours to find the strongest option.

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.

Jim's on the road today, which creates some fun surprises for the show!

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

Here are this episode's read-along selections:

--Blurb:

Author: Franka Hughes

Title: You never said good-bye: A mourning

A daughter mourns the loss of her father and finds words for the indescribable. Sober, loving and absolutely honest, she describes the emotional chaos after the loss, her fears and doubts and her hope. The texts are surprisingly different from anything that the funeral literature usually presents: instead of self-help its a summary of thoughts, in the style of quotes.

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

Selling nonconformist books requires extra effort. Sticking to a tried and true blurb format provides common ground for potential readers.

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:

--Blurb:

Author: J.D.L. Rosell

Title: A Throne of Ice and Ash

From the author of the Amazon bestselling Legend of Tal series!

In the deadly storms of winter, leaders and warriors are forged... Can the Jarl's heirs become who they must to protect their throne and city?

Oakharrow, the City of Iron, has long stood strong against its enemies — but its foundations are crumbling.

When tragedy strikes, Bjorn and Aelthena, son and daughter to the Jarl, rise to their inheritance. But their adversaries seek the throne for themselves.

Bjorn, a cowardly student of myth and law, is forced into a throne he never wanted. Now he must decide between two bad choices: rule Oakharrow, or pursue vengeance for his family.

Aelthena is eager to prove herself a worthy leader. But wresting power for her own will challenge more than her skills and conscience. The city stirs in unrest from both without and within, and even her allies question her right to command.

Yet more than Oakharrow's fate hangs in the balance. Ancient foes emerge from the shadows to conquer all of humanity — and they will stop at nothing to succeed.

The Runewar is rising — and it begins with the fall of a throne.

Game of Thrones meets Blood Song in The Throne of Ice and Ash, a Nordic-inspired, coming of age and military fantasy tale. If you like epic fantasy brimming with political intrigue, vast sojourns, and grand-scale wars, you'll love the immersive world of The Runewar Saga!

Read Book 1 of this brand-new series today!

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

How does your main character plan to defeat the bad guys? Your blurb should provide some clue as to what this plan looks like.

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:

--Blurb:

Author: Nanci Sherman

Title: Follow your bliss, not your blisters

To be consistently and unconditionally happy is the single most important strategy for a good life, but rarely are we taught how. With Follow Your Bliss, Not Your Blisters, you will learn how to think differently and spend the rest of your life just feeling good. The principles are simple, yet unforgettable. They grew out of my work as the first Chief Happiness Officer of a global hotel company and expanded to everyday living. This book is not a typical self-help book. It is profound, funny, and will shift your perspectives affecting all areas of your life. In short and easy to digest chapters, you will discover newfound levels of awareness, enlightenment, and overall ease. To be happy is to be free of complaints! Achieve what you need to win The Happiness Trifecta: 1. Clarity: Improve all your relationships and learn how to fulfill every one of your goals and desires. 2. Joy: Feel refreshed and renewed without the clutter of recurring thoughts and criticisms. Enthusiasm for life is what you are left with when you, not anyone else, dictates how you feel. 3. Mental Fitness: Learn how to flex your happiness muscle and make choices that serve you, not deplete you. Stop the vicious cycle of being annoyed with others and reacting on old "triggers." The happiness I speak of is not shallow, a mood, or a mercurial emotion. You will develop new character traits that will alter your destiny. You deserve a lifetime of happiness. The good news is you are just a few thoughts and an "Aha!" away. Follow Your Bliss, Not Your Blisters is your companion guide on your personal journey.

• Life is supposed to feel good. Don't settle for less.
• The secret to happiness is being in control of how you feel regardless of conditions.
• Happiness is synonymous with personal freedom and peace of mind.
• You will no longer live conditionally – waiting for conditions to change so you can feel good. Joy is an inside job.

Happiness is our destiny, but we often bump into reasons and obstacles for why we can't achieve it in our lives. See all your "reasons" for what they really are and live happily ever "laughter." Order now to take your life to a more satisfying level and watch "Shift Happen!" Wishing you every happiness, Nanci The Happiness Expert

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

Consider the rewards and punishments to spur your reader into action!

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:

--Blurb:

Author: Vanesa L. Perillo

Title: Death with a Twist of Lemon

What would you do when your mind fails?

Stranded at Acun, a beachside nursing home in the lost village of Pehuen Co (Argentina), Clementina, an eighty-six year old, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and wants to go into one more adventure before she can't remember her own name.

The problem is she's short of money. Desperate, she plans to con the other women of Acun, but as always with Clementina, things don't go as planned.

A roulette of drugs, thefts, and murders flood the quiet of Acun, forcing Clementina to decide what she's willing to sacrifice to get her way.

If you're looking for a fast paced, dark humor crime story, Death with a Twist of Lemon will be out July 1st 2021. Sign up to my mailing list to keep updated as to when pre-orders become available at website.com

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

Does your reader-directed hook fit your story? It should echo your blurb's final line.

--Other Stuff:

Check out storyonthespot.live to see the world's only thriller fiction improv game show. It's crazy fun!

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:

--Blurb:

Author: Sian Ceinwen

Title: The Baby

Genre: Rock star romance

Sleep with a rock star, they said. It'll be fun, they said.

Lita Ciccone just wanted to meet her favorite band. She had no interest in tangling with sexy guitarist, Sebastian Fox, whose favorite past time is groupies.

Then she meets him. He's smart, he's funny, and he calls her princess. Suddenly, she understands why so many women fall at his feet, because that's exactly what she wants to do.

They spend one amazing night together, and their contraception fails. Now, Lita is facing a life tied to the world's biggest player.

Sebastian is sexy as sin, but can she really raise a baby with him?

The Baby is the third installment in the Cruise Control series by Sian Ceinwen. If you like sexy and funny books, that make you feel deeply for the characters, then you will adore falling in love with Sebastian and Lita.

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

Brainstorm! Before writing, spend 5-10 minutes to brainstorm relevant puns and phrases.

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:

--Blurb:

Author: Martha Henley

Title: Simon Says : Episode 1 Reunion Pact Series

A criminology student, thrown into a deadly game …

A shamed cop, demoted over his obsession …

The night in the past when chance produced a killer.

The Reunion Pact : Episode 1 Simon Says

Armed with a desire for revenge, a twisted mastermind killer takes a random game of chance and turns it deadly. His unwilling players must kill or be killed. The first one, fails and Simon upholds the rules. Both targets are gruesomely murdered.

Criminology student, Josie Baker is the latest player instructed to take a life-threatening turn. Former detective Dennis Henson is obsessed with the Simon Says Killer. Their thirty year age gap will hinder their ability to work well as a team. Baker and Henson will reopen closed cases, prove coercion, and dare the rule master to play to win his own fatal end game.

Simon Says is the first episode of the new crime thriller series, Reunion Pact by Martha Henley. If you're looking for a new novella length thriller series with realistic characters and psychological twists on the pages, then you'll love these episodes.

Reunion Pact is a nine-episode novella serial, written to be read in order and in its entirety. Each episode tells a complete story, but they are one part of the whole incredible tale. Preorder your copy of Simon Says today!

--Abigail's Targeted Tip:

Where have you placed your big reveals? Are readers discovering along with your main character?

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