Blurb or Blub?

I can't believe it's not Blurber.

Sadly, this blog has nothing to do with Fabio...

Writing blurbs for me is a struggle. I find the task almost painful. It just doesn’t come naturally to me while others seem to do it with ease.

I recently asked this question on a writer’s loop “When shopping for books, what do you look for in a blurb?”

I heard many interesting answers but not the specific answers I was hoping for.

Most of us grab a book based on a familiar name or an eye-catching cover, but ten seconds later we are flipping the book over in our hands, or scrolling downward if we are shopping on-line, to read the blurb.

This is the crucial make-it or break-it point in the possible sale of the book.

Does the blurb tell us what we are hoping to hear? Readers are quick to pass judgment on a potential buy.

We all have to ask ourselves is this book, my idea of a good time and worth the money and mental energy to consume?

An author is often limited to 180 words or less in a blurb, so I would like to ask as a reader what are you looking for in a blurb? 

Are you looking for content, sub-genres, assurance of a happy ending, or key words or themes such as Master, kidnapped, bondage or bride?

What words are most compelling in a blurb to assure a reader they’re getting the type of book they want?

Judging a book by its blurb can easily go wrong…

Sometimes a blurb can be too good. I’ve read a few terrific blurbs that were obviously written by someone in marketing that had not actually read the book because the blurb had little to do with the actual story. Too bad for me. I've often wished the person who wrote the blurb had also written the book. 

It’s very disappointing when all you like about a book is the blurb. How many times can you re-read the blurb? No one enjoys getting stuck with a book that was misrepresented by its cover or blurb.

Another author asked me. What about excerpts? Shouldn’t a juicy well-written excerpt sell the book?

Yes, in theory a good excerpt should be the ultimate weapon of seduction but the trouble with depending on an excerpt to make the lasting impression is that in a book store or on–line, often the first thing a customer is offered is the book’s cover and blurb. If the cover and blurb don't immediately grab a reader's attention-they’ll never move forward to reading the excerpt.

So what’s up with 180 word blurbs and why is this so difficult for me?

When you're book shopping which words attracts your attention and what warns you away from a book?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

XXOO Kat

PS Happy slightly belated birthday Fabio, you're still fabulous!

Talk Dirty to Topaz

For some reason my books over at Aspen Mountain Press don't get enough exposure. These are some of my favorites. Today I'm going to give you a little taste of Talk Dirty to Topaz.

Buy Link: Talk Dirty to Topaz

Blurb:

Interior Designer Teagan Topaz doesn’t believe in love, after finding her fiancé in bed doing the nasty with another woman. Nine long months later Teagan finds herself sexually frustrated, due to a recent surge of explicit sex phone calls on her business line. Frank Black needs Teagan’s expertise to put the finishing touches on a room in his house, but he fantasizes about tying her up and ravishing her. Will Teagan be able to resist the designs Frank has for her?

Excerpt:

Holy shit!
Teagan couldn’t remember ever experiencing such intensity before. Stars flashed before her eyes as Frank drove her over the edge, tumbling to ecstasy.
Both feet back on the floor, Teagan rested her head on his shoulder, allowing herself time to catch her breath and time to wonder what the fuck she was thinking.
Yes, it was a mind-blowing experience, but she wasn’t the type to let her inhibitions go and succumb to a man she just met. But she had to admit, Frank Black wasn’t just any man. There was something about him, something that made Teagan want to stay and learn more about him. She wanted to figure out what this attraction was she felt. There was attraction; a deep one that scared the shit out of her.
She hadn’t felt this way since Tim and her instincts were dead wrong about him. She didn’t want to make the same mistakes trusting another man. Maybe it was the phone calls. They had her sexually frustrated and needing release. Maybe she was confusing the need for sex with attraction. But damn, Frank did know how to please her.
Teagan felt empty as Frank stepped back, but her emptiness didn’t last long. He wrapped her in his arms, planting gentle kisses on her face.
“You’re an amazingly beautiful woman, Teagan Topaz.”
She blushed, unused to so many compliments.
“I could make love to you all night long.”
Teagan’s stomach grumbled before she had a chance to respond.
“But first, I must feed you.”
She laughed nervously.
“You’ll need energy for what I have in store for you.”
“What about Susan?” Teagan asked. As exciting as the prospect sounded, his sister lived in his house and would be returning home eventually.
“We’ll worry about that after dinner.”
Frank helped Teagan put her clothes back in order, and then kissed the tip of her nose. “I’d rather have dessert first…”

Blurbs or Blubs?

I recently asked a question on a writer’s loop and heard many interesting answers but not the specific answers I was hoping for.

My question was, “When shopping for books, what do you look for in a blurb?”

Most of us grab a book based on a familiar name or an eye-catching cover, but ten seconds later we are flipping the book over in our hands, or scrolling downward if we are shopping on-line, to read the Blurb.

This is the crucial make-it or break-it point in the possible sale of the book. Does the blurb tell us what we are hoping to hear? Readers are quick to pass judgment on a potential buy. They’ll ask themselves, is this our idea of a good time and worth the money and mental energy to consume this book?

An author is often limited to 180 words or less in a blurb so I would like to ask, “What are you looking for in a blurb?” Content, sub-genre, Assurance of a happy ending, key words or themes such as “Master, kidnapped, bondage or bride?” What words are most compelling in a blurb to assure a reader they are getting the book they want?

Sometimes a blurb can be too good. I’ve read a few terrific blurbs that were obviously written by someone in marketing that had not actually read the book. It’s quite disappointing when all you like about a book is the blurb. How many times can you re-read the blurb? It’s sad to get stuck with a book that was misrepresented by its cover or blurb.

Another author asked me. What about the excerpt? Shouldn’t a juicy well-written excerpt sell the book?

Yes, in theory a good excerpt should be the ultimate weapon of seduction but the trouble with depending on an excerpt to make the lasting impression is that in a book store or on–line, often the first thing a customer is offered is the book’s cover and the blurb. If the cover and blurb doesn’t immediately grab their attention-they’ll never move forward to reading the excerpt.

So what’s up with 180 word blurbs? Why is this difficult for me? When you are book shopping what attracts your attention and what warns you away from a book?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

XXOO Kat

Shameless Self Promo Day 2

I know I should be writing a blog about writing, but I'm on a shameless self promotion week. Today I'm sharing a tidbit from Mistletoe Studs. With the holidays just around the corner (ack!) I'm not a winter person, though I live in the northeast, this story will warm you up on a cold winter's night!

Blurb:

Meg Trainor has one wish for Christmas every year: Two men who will fulfill all her fantasies.

Santa's in a giving mood this year.

Brothers and co-owners of Turquoise Toys, Brad and Shane Griffin will give her a Christmas she'll never forget.

Excerpt:

Meg couldn’t believe her eyes. These were not the toys she had imagined. She thought he was talking about children’s toys. These were not intended for children. These were adult toys in every sense of the word. There were floggers, paddles, butt plugs, ball gags, straps with dildos attached and handcuffs—all Turquoise, explaining the name. Meg wasn’t naive about the BDSM world. When she realized her desire to submit she wanted to know the who, what, where and why. She read everything she could about the subject. She knew enough about it to understand.

She’d even bought a few toys to experiment with. Like the ping pong paddle she’d purchased when she was curious to know what it felt like to be spanked. It wasn’t something she did regularly but when she was in the mood for a good orgasm she’d slap her cheeks a few times before using her favorite vibrator. She never had dated a man who was actually part of that world.

Brad was gay so he wouldn’t be offering. What a shame because she could see them having fun together!

Could he be carrying a bagful of goodies? Maybe Santa was going to be extra special to her this year. Please Santa I’ve been a good girl all year long. Please tell me you sent Brad with something extra special for my stocking this year.

Halfway though the job, Meg decided it was time to go back to her stranger. He’d been out there long enough. By now, he knew she was aware of his secret.

Turning she ran smack into his broad chest again. “We really need to stop meeting like this.”

Clearing her throat, she took a step back only to come against the copier. “I was just coming out to see you.”

He stepped closer, closing the small gap between them. “How are you doing?” His voice dripped with desire.

“Fantastic. Your copies are just about done.”

Damn she wished he’d step back. He was much too close. He turned her on.

“Are you sure?” He traced his finger along her cheek.

She gulped, her body overheating.

He bent closer, taking her lips. He kissed her slowly. She melted against him; her arms snaked around his neck. He touched her breast, causing a moan to escape her lips. His bulge brushed against her. He wanted her.

While he kissed her, his fingers unzipped the back of her dress then unsnapped her bra. He pushed the garments down around her waist, exposing her breasts.

His mouth covered her nipple, sucking until it puckered. God his mouth felt good. How long had it been since a man had his mouth on her? Too long. Lisa was right; she needed to get laid, but not by Kenny.

When Brad moved to the other breast she thought for sure she was going to crumble to the floor. Her hands gripped the edges of the copier to steady herself.

“I’m going to f*ck you Meg, right now.