7 tips for writing a good blurb - Blurb competition

Blurb-writing is like fly-fishing. Not angling. A reader’s attention in a bookshop or book site is limited, by time restraint, the overwhelming selection, and his attention span.

P’kaboo is running a blurb-writing competition:

Go to the “Freestuff” page of P’kaboo, at www.pkaboo.net/freestuff.html.

1. Write a blurb for any of the short-stories in the short-story project. The three best entries will win a paperback novel.
2. Alternatively, write a deliberately lousy blurb (specify this in the subject line). The three funniest entries each win an e-book from our shop, in pdf format (which every e-reader handles, even the intelligent phones).

Mail your entry to info@pkaboo.net, and specify which part of the competition you are entering for. You may email unlimited entries, and you may participate in either part.

The decision of the judges is final and no negotiations can be entered into.

 

7 Tips for writing a great blurb:

1. Start intriguingly.

2. End by leaving unresolved conflict in the reader. The more tension, the better.

3. Be specific to the story.

4. Include “hooks” (e.g. shoutlines and questions)

5. Spoiler-alert. Beware of telling too much.

6. Keep it short – under 30 seconds to read, between 50 and 100 words. Make every word relevant.

7. Go for the jugular – and leave the reader wondering whether it will be ripped .

Also read here http://www.scribd.com/doc/112540710/7-tips-for-writing-a-good-blurb-Blurb-competition for common mistakes to avoid.