Blurb
In short: The blurb is the short marketing text on the back of a book. Its job: to make readers curious and lure them in – without giving away the decisive twists or the ending.
Where the term comes from
The German word „Klappentext“ refers to the dust-jacket flap, where the promotional text originally appeared; the English „blurb“ was coined in 1907 by the humorist Gelett Burgess for a mock book jacket. Today the text usually sits on the back cover.
How to write a good blurb
A question, not an answer: Introduce the situation and the conflict – and stop before you resolve it.
Short and concrete: A few sentences, clear images. The blurb is a lure, not a summary.
Tone matches the book: The blurb promises a reading experience – its tone should fit the book.
The blurb on Fireside
On Fireside a short summary under the title takes on the role of the blurb – Fireside creates it automatically after you publish. That makes your title and first sentence all the more important: they help decide whether someone starts reading. More on writing short stories.
Related terms: Logline · Synopsis · Cliffhanger
Frequently asked questions
What is a blurb?
The short marketing text on the back of a book, meant to make readers curious without revealing too much.
Should the blurb reveal the ending?
No – it should make people want to read. The ending stays with the book.
How long should a blurb be?
For books, usually between 100 and 200 words. For a short story, two or three sentences that show the character, the situation and an open question are enough.