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Rayne Hall
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Writing Book Blurbs and Synopses: How to sell your manuscript to publishers and your indie book to readers (Writer's Craft) Kindle Edition

by Rayne Hall (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 94 ratings
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Do you want a synopsis that persuades agents to request the whole manuscript? Does your book need a description that entices Amazon customers click the 'Buy Now' button?

This guide shows you step-by-step how to create six effective short forms for selling your manuscript to publishers and your indie-published book to readers:

* The SYNOPSIS shows the novel’s plot structure. You use it to communicate with industry professionals – publishers, editors, literary agents.

* The CHAPTER-BY-CHAPTER OUTLINE tells industry professionals about your non-fiction book or short story collection.

* The PITCH serves to convince publishers, editors, literary agents, booksellers and marketing people of the book’s commercial potential. Use it during pitching appointments when you have only few minutes to talk about your book, and as a hook in query letters.

* The BLURB is a product description for the book’s backcover and Amazon page, designed to entice readers.

* The ENDORSEMENT BLURB recommends another writer’s book.

* The TAGLINE is a short slogan to hook readers.

Click ‘Look Inside’ or ‘Download Free Sample’ to see how this guide can help give your book the success it deserves.

Rayne Hall is the author of over seventy books, both indie and traditionally published.
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    Writer's Craft
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    115 pages
  3. Language
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  4. Publication date
    September 20, 2016
  5. File size
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Writer's Craft
Writer's Craft
Bundle price: Kindle price
$14.97
Bundle price: Kindle price
$22.95
Bundle price: Kindle price
$47.90
Bundle price: Kindle price
$175.62
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01JT0FHVS
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 20, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 115 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 94 ratings

About the author

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Rayne Hall

Rayne Hall

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Rayne Hall MA is the author of over 100 books, mostly Dark Fantasy and Gothic Horror, e.g. The Bride’s Curse: Bulgarian Gothic Ghost and Horror Stories. She is also the acclaimed editor of Gothic, Fantasy and Horror anthologies (e.g. Among the Headstones: Creepy Tales from the Graveyard) and author of the bestselling Writer’s Craft series for advanced-level writers, including and the bestselling Writer’s Craft series e.g. Writing Gothic Fiction Writing Scary Scenes, Writing Vivid Settings, Writing Vivid Dialogue, Writing Vivid Characters, Writing Deep Point of View.

Born and raised in Germany, Rayne Hall has lived in China, Mongolia, Nepal and Britain. Now she resides in a village in Bulgaria, where men perform the annual demon dance, ghosts and sirens beckon, and abandoned decaying houses hold memories of a glorious past.

Her lucky black rescue cat Sulu often accompanies her when she explores spooky derelict buildings. He delights in walking across shattered roof tiles, scratching charred timbers and sniffing at long-abandoned hearths. He even senses the presence of ghosts… but that’s another story.

Rayne has worked as an investigative journalist, development aid worker, museum guide, apple picker, tarot reader, adult education teacher, belly dancer, magazine editor, publishing manager and more, and now writes full time.

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4.5 out of 5 stars
94 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides helpful examples and practical advice. They appreciate the clear, concise instructions for writing a synopsis. Readers recommend it as a good resource for indie authors.

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Information qualityClarityAuthor recommendation
20 customers mention "Information quality"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides helpful examples and practical advice. They appreciate the clear, easy-to-understand language and the insights it provides. The book helps them organize their thinking and stay on track. Readers also mention that the advice is relevant and logical.

"...Her examples were well-chosen, not only helping me with samples of badly written blurbs that weren’t going to work, alongside the good ones that were..." Read more

"...Succinct and yet brimming with examples, I love that Rayne spells out the different strategies needed by fiction vs. nonfiction writers...." Read more

"Very helpful overall. Helped me with narrowing down the task of synopsis writing...." Read more

"...These books jump right in and offer easy to follow advice. Advice that WORKS WONDERS for your manuscript!..." Read more

13 customers mention "Clarity"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for writing a synopsis. They appreciate the clear instructions and examples provided. The book helps them organize their thinking and focus on what's important in their story. The tools and guidance are useful for writers of all skill levels.

"...Succinct and yet brimming with examples, I love that Rayne spells out the different strategies needed by fiction vs. nonfiction writers...." Read more

"...It was a great learning experience. Writing a synopsis early can actually help you focus on what’s important in your book...." Read more

"...I devoured the section on writing a book blurb because it was exactly what I needed to strengthen mine for my book. I highly recommend these books...." Read more

"...It's easy the read and understand. I liked the example the author provided. They were very helpful." Read more

4 customers mention "Author recommendation"4 positive0 negative

Customers like the author's writing books. They say they are good and great for indie authors.

"...Just not this one. Her good, even great books are about writing...." Read more

"Recommended for indie authors and those seeking traditional publishing. Having read all such books, I can endorse this as one of the couple best...." Read more

"...Recommended for all indie authors!" Read more

"A Must for Indie Authors..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Debi Ennis Binder
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tools and Guidance Written For Every Writer
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I downloaded “Writing Book Blurbs and Synopses” out of genuine need. I have two e-books indie-published, and I quickly realized that I needed help beguiling the reading public. I knew I needed to shorten my blurbs, but every time I tried it, the new blurb lost its punch. When I saw Rayne’s book, I grabbed it. If anyone was going to help me cut out the fluff, it would be her. And was I ever right! When helping an author, the adage “show don’t tell” is critical. If I can’t learn to do it, it’s not going to work, and I’m right back where I started. I found her coaching to be relevant to me, logical, and to the point. Her examples were well-chosen, not only helping me with samples of badly written blurbs that weren’t going to work, alongside the good ones that were, but also why they were bad, and what was done to improve them. If you've finally realized that you aren't catching the eye of the readers you know will love your book, I recommend you read this book cover to cover, then go back and reread what is applicable to your situation. “Writing Book Blurbs and Synopses” will become a go-to tool for any author, newly published or an old hand, as a means for helping you develop your own techniques for blurbs and synopses.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Harriet White
    5.0 out of 5 stars Useful little goldmine
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Another Rayne Hall gem. Indie publishers looking for “the right stuff” to get their book noticed will find answers here. Succinct and yet brimming with examples, I love that Rayne spells out the different strategies needed by fiction vs. nonfiction writers. Her numerous illustrations are clear, actionable, and encouraging. Tuck this one under your pillow and refer to it as you revisit your pitch, tagline, blurb, and synopsis, and enjoy being taught how each of these is a separate entity with their own purpose when it comes to marketing your book. Rayne Hall even guides you in the correct language and approach to use based on whether you are directing your attention to a publisher (sending a query letter) or to readers (at online stores wondering if your book is going to interest them). This book is clear, helps me organize my thinking, and makes it easier to stay the course with these vital aspects of indie publishing.
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  • Shirley Mohammadi
    4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful & Handy
    Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Very helpful overall. Helped me with narrowing down the task of synopsis writing. Just a bit confusing when the authors states a specific number of paragraphs should be in a synopsis, but the examples are mostly over the recommended number.
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  • Frostfire
    5.0 out of 5 stars Rayne's insider knowledge will help you pitch like a pro
    Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Rayne Hall’s insider knowledge of the publishing world will give you what you need to write everything from your first pitch to publisher to the blurb on your book cover. There were so many things in this book that I never would have thought of. From formatting to how to write a tagline. It’s everything you need to know to look like a professional, not an amateur.
    I suggest reading this book long before you need to approach a publisher. Seriously. I used Rayne’s suggestions to attempt a synopsis for my current work-in-progress. It was a great learning experience. Writing a synopsis early can actually help you focus on what’s important in your book. Because you need to pull the synopsis right from the story, I was able to see a couple areas I need to work on to make it stronger. A big plus.
    I received this book free for an honest review. I have read a number of Rayne’s “Writer’s Craft” books and found her knowledge and experience invaluable. And while it wasn’t strictly her intention with this volume, I learned something more about writing a book, as well as how to sell it. My recommendation is to start writing your synopsis early, and your book with definitely benefit.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Cindy Kelps
    5.0 out of 5 stars WORKS WONDERS
    Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Rayne Hall is my go to resource for all things writing related. These books get straight to the point, you know, the GOOD stuff that will help you write a much better book, and I LOVE that. Other books are filled with paragraph after paragraph of filler, making you swim through the murk before getting to the information you need. These books jump right in and offer easy to follow advice. Advice that WORKS WONDERS for your manuscript!

    I was so excited when I discovered she had a brand new book coming out, and I pre-ordered this one right away. I devoured the section on writing a book blurb because it was exactly what I needed to strengthen mine for my book. I highly recommend these books. They are perfect for any writer's toolkit.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Susan Liberty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Writing Book Blurbs and Synopses: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors is an excellent book. It's easy the read and understand. I liked the example the author provided. They were very helpful.
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  • Kelly
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not her best.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    First let me say I'm a Rayne Hall fan and STRONGLY RECOMMEND most of her other books on writing. I've given several of her books five stars. Just not this one.

    Her good, even great books are about writing. This book is about the publishing and marketing part of being an author which, based on this book, is clearly not her strength.

    If you are an indie and looking for help with writing your book description / blurb you won't find much here. What is said for blurbs is basically one rather good idea about creating the first paragraph or opener, then it just sort of ends there.

    On the other side of the coin, if you are new and looking for a publishing deal she does delve into how to write a synopses for a publisher with some rather good explanations.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • OneForAll
    5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable help from an experienced editor
    Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Writers will find all the information here: short, long and chapter-by-chapter synopses, and formulas for creating blurbs. Hall includes abundant examples that allow us to see for ourselves what will help our work, and what would hurt. Going through the book, I got a reassuring feeling that all bases are covered, that the author knows what she's talking about. When it comes time to write a synopsis and blurbs, I can do so with confidence.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • nakisa
    5.0 out of 5 stars To the point, efficient, constructive.
    Reviewed in Germany on August 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I have read many blog posts and self-published books about writing synopsis. The more I read the more I was confused. A friend suggested this book and reading the first couple of pages revealed my biggest mistake: A synopsis is NOT an extremely short version of your story.

    The author shed light on the main difference between synopsis/pitch and blurb. They are B2B and B2C tools, respectively. The examples are great help.
    Report
  • Cizzi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 3, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I would recommend the book for people struggling with blurbs and synopsis. The concepts are explained clearly and the author gives advice on how to improve. There are also before and after examples. The first half of the book is about synopsis and what to think about when pitching to agents/publishers. The second half is about blurbs. It gives you a baseline on how a blurb should be written along with some advice on how to make it more engaging.
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  • E. Boyd
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, great author!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I love Rayne Hall's how-to books for writers! They are always both fun and informative! I've chosen the indie-publishing route so marketing is left for me to do myself. This book is a big help! Also recommend Twitter for Writers, another great resource!
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  • Kamy C
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent resource
    Reviewed in Australia on September 6, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I needed to write a synopsis for a submission and had looked up examples available but I knew something was missing. Then I came across this book and it was simple and easy to follow. The first paragraph was exactly what I needed- had all the elements and even though I knew other rules it was nice to have examples. I highly recommend this book if you want to simple easy to follow instructions
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  • P N G
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good tips
    Reviewed in India on January 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The tips are good, but I have read better books on this subject by other authors.

    I follow Rayne Hall and like all her other books. But I think this book could have been more detailed with more frameworks and examples.
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