Writing a novel is hard. Writing a book description is even harder. Let’s take a look at an example and see what we can learn!
First off, I think that the author does a wise thing in making her protagonist a “poetry blogger.” I’d venture a guess that a very significant percentage of the people who see this description either ARE poetry bloggers or follow them. Making this choice for Tessa increases the likelihood that the prospective customer will identify with her on some level.
The “loses her eyesight for 100 days” bit along with the title strike me as a POWERFUL CONCEIT. This is a good thing. Abbie has a hook that we can all understand very quickly. If a reader discusses this book with someone else, he or she can simply say, “Oh, it’s that book about the girl who lost her eyesight for 100 days.”
I’m a little curious as to how a young man who has no legs gets around without Tessa noticing, but I like the way the characters fit each other in a number of ways. (I mean…Tessa would hear a wheelchair. She would be able to hear him get around without one.)
The description is ever so slightly vague on the plot of the last two acts of the book, but that’s okay in this case. Abbie makes it clear that there is a big decision coming. She makes us a promise that I’m sure she keeps.
Something I might change: I think my “what I might change” is a relatively personal one. I like plot and story. I would like a little more of the plot. However, there is no one right way to attract readers, and I think Abbie has hit the fundamentals just fine according to her own instincts.
What would make me click “purchase?” I like that the book feels honest in that poor vision and missing limbs are indeed significant challenges. They just are. No one is happy about it. On the other hand, there are countless people who overcome these and greater setbacks, and this is the point. We all have things that are holding us back…what matters is how we respond to our unique circumstances.
As an example, Jim Abbott was born without a right hand. That didn’t stop him from becoming a big-time major league pitcher, and even twirling a no-hitter.
Abbie is also a YouTuber who has posted quite a few videos about self-publishing and the craft of writing. Check out !
Here’s a recent video of hers:
Visit the author’s web site and read her book!
