For my Writer's Group tonight. I am the one who is teaching the class. Here is what I'm sharing.
After your book is written, take a moment to congratulate yourself. One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. Times up. The real work begins now. I’m not kidding. You thought writing the book was hard wait until you send it out. I’m here to make it easier on you from what I’ve learned. Let’s jump right in.
I recommend making sure the first three chapters of your book is the best it can be. You still need to edit the rest of the book. If you’re thinking that is what the editor is for, dream on. You need to get it in their hands. They want to make sure you have some comprehension of the English language. They will try to find any way to deny you. I’ve seen a page, three pages, ten pages, three chapters, and the rest of the novel asked for when I was submitting my first book. Publishers are learning that writers are making their first three chapters shine. When they ask for the rest, they want it just as good if not better then what they have read in the first query.
If your book is not edited do not start sending query letters. The main reason is because when a publisher wants the whole novel, they don’t want it next week, a month, or etc. from now when your editing is done. Make sure you are ready to send it all when they request it.
Well Karrie, I am done editing what’s next. Since I’m nice, I’ll give you a leg up on the competition (everyone sending a novel out). Here are some places you can check out to send too:
www.writersdigest.com – has agents seeking authors all the time. Join their mailing list.
Writer’s Market is a book your library might have
Run a google search on “your genre submission” fastest way to find areas to look at.
Pit2Pub – is a twitter party where you can “Pitch your work to Publishers” Next one is in July 2017. Check out the rules here
PitMad – another twitter party where you can Pitch to Publishers. Next one is March 17, 2016. Check out the rules here
Check your favorite book for publishers in your genre to send too.
You can also check to see if a freelance writer will help you. Since there is already a guide use this, Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Freelancer. There are tips to find one too.
After you find a publisher/agent to send to check out Writer Beware AND join the blog http://absolutewrite.com/forums/ . You need to make sure they are good places/people to send to.
The Query Letter
The object of the Query Letter is to make the publisher/agent care about your work. I boiled it down to 5 areas.
The query follows a simple format:
Introduction
Hook
Mini-synopsis
Biography
Conclusion/pitch
Before we begin everything should be in third person & present tense. No matter what your POV is in.
The Introduction
Start out with Dear so-and so. Get their name right!!! Be generic if you don’t know who will see it. So-and-So Editor. You can either do two things next:
Research what they are looking for and add in why your novel will work for it. If you never heard of something and can’t google it. They made it up. Don’t include it. I’ve seen the word count done here (or at the end with submitting your manuscript).
Get right into your mini-synopsis/hook.
Follow rule 1 above.
Dear So-and-SO:
I read on your website/blog you’re interested/seeking BLAH. I think that my novel BLAH will interest you.
Example (Lisa Sherain): *All got novels published!!!*
I read on Publishers Marketplace that you're interested in female-oriented fantasy. I think that THIEF OF SOULS, the first novel in my fantasy detective series, might interest you.
Example (Joshua C. Lisec):
I am seeking representation for my 156,204-word thriller novel THE PHOENIX CONSPIRACY. I have chosen to submit to you because of your interest in adult fiction projects.
Example (Sherry Thomas):
I’m a faithful reader of your blog. I admire your enthusiasm, your humor, and your candor. Since you represent all subgenres of romance, I’d like you to consider SCHEMES OF LOVE, my historical romance set in late Victorian England. The manuscript is complete at 100,000 words.
**Great Introductions will lead into your novel.**
The Hook
The hook is one-sentence tagline for your book. You might not even need it for your query letter. The hook is used for:
Capture readers/editors/literary agent’s interest or attention.
Bring a reader into the story.
Tips for the Writing the Hook:
Start with your main character
Give details to the major plot of your book
Feature something that sets your book apart
Never be vague
Keep it short and powerful
Use words to showcase your voice
Another way is to write a hook is the When Format:
When such and such event happens, your main character—<insert a descriptive adjective, age, professional occupation, etc.>—must confront further conflict and triumph in his or her own special way
Good Examples:
House of Sand and Fog When Massoud Amir Behrani, a former colonel in the Iranian military, sinks his remaining funds into a house he buys at auction, he unwittingly puts himself and his family on a trajectory to disaster; the house once belonged to Kathy Nicolo, a self-destructive alcoholic, who engages in legal, then personal confrontation to get it back.
The Kite Runner An epic tale of fathers and sons, of friendship and betrayal, that takes us from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the atrocities of the present.
Example (Lori Sjoberg):
Lifelong skeptic Sarah Griffith doesn’t believe in ghosts, or ghouls, or things that go bump in the night. Imagine her surprise when she discovers her next-door neighbor is Death Incarnate.
Not so good Examples:
The Smoke Thief (This one worked for them. Sometimes rules are broken)
The Right Honourable Christoff René Ellery Langford, Earl of Chasen, was bored.
Die a Little
Later, the things I would think about. Things like this: My brother never wore hats. When we were young, he wouldn't wear one even to church and my mother and then grandmother would force one on his head. As soon as he could he would tug it off with soft, furtive little boy fingers. They made his head hot, he would say. And he'd palm the hat and run his fingers through his downy blond hair and that would be the end of the hat.
Example (using Harry Potter):
Harry Potter wanted to find somewhere he belonged. –NOPE (not the main point)
Eleven-year-old Harry Potter hates living with his cruel Aunt and Uncle, the Dursleys.-NOPE
Harry Potter is the boy who lived. –PERFECT
Example (using Hunger Games):
Katniss Everdeen wanted to protect her little sister Prim. –NOPE
Katniss Everdeen is a hunter. –NOPE
Katniss Everdeen does not plan to survive The Hunger Games. –PERFECT
Example (my own): (from Soul Reader)
Misty wanted one thing—my soul. –NOPE (missing name of main character)
Phoenix Chase knew that her soul was on the line. –NOPE (almost there)
Phoenix Chase battles a demon for her soul. –NOPE
Phoenix Chase fights a demon for her soul. –PERFECT
**Great Hooks will leave behind questions.**
Using a hook in a query letter might not be needed. Sometimes it’s better to get into the mini-synopsis. If you do have a hook, make sure it is a part of the mini-synopsis like you’ll read below.
Mini-synopsis
One to three paragraphs about 150 words. Expand your hook. Give a little bit more information about your main characters, their problems and conflicts, and the way in which adversity changes their lives. I say it’s a mini because not everything is given out. You want the publisher/literary agent to be hooked and want more of your story.
There are several ways to do this. I even made up one.
The 1-2-3 punch paragraphs (by me):
State info on your main character
State info on second character with tie in with the main character at the end
State the main issue with the two characters and give us something that will make us want to read it
My own from Soul Reader (1-2-3 punch paragraphs):
*Phoenix Chase fights a demon for her soul.* She is a Soul Reader and uses this unwanted ability to save souls from hell. In the process, she hopes to save her own.
Homicide Detective Abraham "Ab" Dalca is the lead investigator on the first serial killer case in West Garfo, North Dakota. The murderer is caught, but a new body arrives in the morgue with the same MO. With no leads, no hope, and FBI ready to take over, Phoenix walks in.
Dalca resists her help at first but desperation makes him willing to try anything. With his faith tested and the brightest soul on the line, together they may be able to figure out who is the real serial killer. Unless the demon that is always with Phoenix steals her soul first.
Other format:
Set protagonist on course towards goal
Event(s) opposition to the story goal
Climax
The resolution (but don’t say it) Get us to want more.
Example (Harry Potter): *I did it.*
* Harry Potter is the boy who lived.* He stays with his mean aunt, uncle, and cousin after his parents died. On his eleventh birthday, a giant man named Hagrid tells him that his parents were murdered by a killing curse done by Lord Voldemort, and he survived. On top of all the revolution, he is a wizard.
Attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry changes his life. He is assigned to Gryffindor House, and for the first time, he has friends. They embark on magical adventures together.
But all events lead irrevocably toward a second encounter with Lord Voldemort, who seeks an object of legend known as the Sorcerer's Stone.
Example (The Hunger Games):
* Katniss Everdeen does not plan to survive The Hunger Games.* The Capitol’s harsh and cruel punishment to keep the twelve outlying districts in line by forcing them to send one boy and one girl to fight to the death on live TV.
A cruel fate happens when Katniss’s younger sister is chosen to participate in the annual Hunger Games. She volunteers to represent her district in the Games and to save her sister.
If she is to win, she must start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Example (Lori Sjoberg): *Got published.*
Lifelong skeptic Sarah Griffith doesn’t believe in ghosts, or ghouls, or things that go bump in the night. Imagine her surprise when she discovers her next-door neighbor is Death Incarnate. David Anderson is a Reaper, a damned soul given one final chance to earn his salvation by harvesting the souls of the recently departed. Sixty years on the job have left him burned out and emotionally dead – that is, until he meets Sarah. An analytical scientist, Sarah lives in constant fear of her own family history. Her late mother was diagnosed schizophrenic while her grandmother still swears she can see dead people. When Sarah witnesses David collecting a soul, she’s confronted with the reality that her family doesn’t suffer from mental illness, but is actually gifted with a connection to the spirit world. While David helps Sarah adapt to her changing reality, Sarah breathes new life onto the dying embers of David’s humanity, sparking a passion he never dreamed possible. When he learns that Sarah is slated to die, he alters the fabric of destiny in order to save her life. Fate, enraged with this blatant act of insubordination, gives David a choice: deliver the soul of Sarah Griffith, or surrender his own.
Example (Sherry Thomas):
Gigi’s marriage is doomed from the moment she decides that she must have Camden, by fair means or foul. Camden, who has come to adore Gigi, discovers her deceit on the eve of their wedding. Shattered, he responds in kind, gives her a tender, unforgettable wedding night, then coldly leaves her in the morning, devastating her. As the story opens, it is ten years later. Gigi has petitioned for divorce in order to remarry. Camden returns to England and sets the condition for her freedom: an heir. Despite the years and the sea of bad blood, the physical attraction between them remains as ferocious as ever. Though they each vow to make the act of procreation a cold, clinical one, the overwhelming pleasure of their marriage bed soon makes it apparent that the enterprise is fraught with emotional peril, for both of them. In an atmosphere thick with mistrust, desire, and incipient hope, they are torn between the need to safeguard their hearts and the yearning to reach out across the chasm of ancient mistakes. As they rediscover the easy rapport they’d once shared, they must decide whether to let the bygones rule the future, or to love despite their painful past and forge a new life together.
**Great mini-synopsis will want them to read the book and leave them wanting more**
Biography
This is all about you. Keep it about writing only. If you haven’t gotten any awards perfect time to beef up your mini-synopsis. If you don’t have anything, you don’t need a biography unless the submission requires it.
Example (Jen Malone):
I am a member of SCBWI and two critique groups. In addition, I have a strong background in promotion as the former regional Head of Publicity and Promotion for 20th Century Fox and Miramax Films.
Example (Lori Sjoberg):
I’m a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Central Florida Romance Writers.
Example (Lisa Shearin’s):
Thief of Souls is my first novel. I'm an editor at an advertising agency, with prior experience in corporate communications and marketing.
Conclusion/pitch
The final part of your query letter. I added the last few paragraphs together. They should include:
Your word count here unless it was in the introduction. I recommend rounding up to the nearest thousand because publishers have limits to word count. Don’t be exact.
Tell them who it will appeal to.
Alert the agent/editor that the manuscript is available upon request (unless you must submit it with the query letter)
State everything that is included that they requested. This is a good way to check out if you’ve included everything. If one this is missing, they might not even look at your work.
Thank the agent/editor for his/her time and consideration
Example (Emily Conrad):
Thank you for taking the time to consider representing my work. I look forward to hearing from you.
Example (Lisa Shearin):
I'd be glad to send you my complete manuscript for your review. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Example (Sherry Thomas):
Thank you for your time. I hope very much to work with you and look forward to hearing from you.
Rule’s to Follow:
Put yourself first.
Be respectful
Be professional
Get the agents/editors name right
Out of everything I have said, you must not lie to the publisher/literary agent. Let them know your word count to the nearest thousandths. Tell them if it has been published elsewhere and you have the rights to it (unless you posted it on Wattpad). Don’t post your work on Wattpad, take it done before you begin submitting. Understand when you sign a contract, you’ve given the rights over to your book and the characters. It will not be forever.
Follow what they want in their query to the letter.
For example, Carina Press is looking for a bunch of genres. Check out to see if yours fit. The want everything submitted. They are asking for: (glance over it and see what I mean, it’s a lot)
Required: In the submissions form, you will be asked for a brief, introductory query letter listing genre, word count and a short description of the book, as well as any pertinent information about the author, including both legal name and pen name and any writing credits. The query letter is your sales pitch and we use the information included in it from initial read through the potential acquisitions process and beyond.
Required: The full manuscript saved as an RTF or DOC file and attached, with file name TITLE_MANUSCRIPT where you substitute your book’s title in place of TITLE. (example: WarAndPeace_Manuscript)
Required: 2-5 page synopsis of book that details character development, plot, and conflict/story resolution. Attach as an RTF or DOC file with file name TITLE_SYNOPSIS where you substitute your book’s title in place of TITLE. (Example: WarAndPeace_Synopsis)
Additionally, we recommend:
If your book is part of a planned miniseries, please include a short series/duology/trilogy outline, especially for paranormal, erotic, fantasy and science fiction submissions. The series outline doesn’t need to be more than 1-2 pages and should outline the author’s plans for related books, including how many books are planned and the overall series arc, themes and characters.
Please be sure to put the following information on the first page of all files: manuscript name, author pen name/legal name, email address, phone number, genre and word count. If you don’t include your phone number, it makes it impossible for us to make The Call!
Combined size of both attachments must be under 4 MB. We’re unable to send files larger than this to our editors due to restrictions in our email system. If your manuscript is over 4 MB, please remove extra images, delete extraneous styles or font use that may increase file size.
This is a lot of information if you didn’t do any of the above then they will toss it out. Sometimes without even looking at it. It takes time for them to read your Query. Carina Press has 12 weeks. Some will tell you, “if you haven’t heard from us in BLAH, assume it is a no.”
A good place to check out is http://queryshark.blogspot.com.es/
The next page is my query letter that I used. I went through a couple until I found one that worked.
Here is my query letter which gained me a publisher
I put in Wattpad and Creative Writing Groups because mine wanted writing credits. I didn’t have any.
Final Thoughts on Query Letter
1. Follow what is required when you submit. Do not give extra or less.
2. They WILL not even look at your manuscript if you do not follow their rules.
3. Do not lie.
4. If your query letter doesn’t work out for a few publishers/literary agents, change it for the next round of submissions.
5. Don’t submit it to the same place unless they say it is okay to do so.
5. Grow a backbone. I was rejected 18 times for Superior Species but number 19 worked out.
Synopsis
Synopsis - tells the story of your book from beginning to end. If the publisher/agent doesn’t tell you how many pages, it is three to five snapshot of your book.
The first thing I think we need to do is prepare for it. I recommend starting with the big one, 5 pages then edit down 3-5 pages, 2 pages, 1 page, 500 words, 1 paragraph, 1 sentence.
The standard format is in third person & present tense. No matter what your POV is in. When you first mention each character’s name put it in all-caps. We won’t do it yet. Trust me the method to my madness is easier. This is why I prefer the synopsis over the blurb and query letter. Your page will be Time New Roman size 12 font, one and half spacing. Not yet though. No italics.
Writing the Synopsis
1. Skim through the first chapter of your manuscript and look at important events
Your goal is to have one paragraph for each chapter with a focus on the plot and character. The beginning chapters will be longer but that it is fine. You’re first paragraph should include the important details. Who is the MC, where is the story taking place, and the issue they are facing.
Example (Superior Species):
Chapter 1: Ivory Ames arrives to Los Roshano excited and happy until she almost runs over a big black animal. She stops to get gas and meets Michael who warns her about the curfew because of wild animals attacking.
MC is Ivory, story taking place is Los Roshano, issue facing is the curfew because of wild animals attacking.
2. Do number one for every chapter. (Besides the extra information like who the character is and where the story takes place for chapter 1 since we already learned it.)
With 30 chapters that might be your 5-page synopsis or more. We are not done, yet. I heard a place wanted 10 pages, yikes!
Example (Superior Species):
Chapter 2: Ivory doesn’t believe the curfew but she gets her keys and the lady runs out the door. After speaking to Karen, who roommate, she tries to search for information on the curfew over the internet but nothing comes up.
3. Include the ending.
A publisher/literary agent is going to want to know who wins the battle or who hooks up or etc. The main point of a synopsis is to include the full arcs of your plot and subplot. Do not leave out any resolutions. Save the document and open a new one. We’re working the biggest 5-page synopsis one first.
4. Weave your short chapter summaries together.
Do what I said. Link the chapters together. I used a new document so I could reference my break down of the chapters, and used the proper format. My example is chapter 1-5 for my book. Each one is a paragraph.
Example (Superior Species):
IVORY AMES arrives in Los Roshano finding the town, almost runs over a large animal, learns of a city-wide sunset curfew because of wild animals attacking, and meets the highly attractive and playboy convenience store worker, MICHAEL. He tells her to leave because her life could depend on it. She doesn’t believe the curfew is true, and she doesn’t listen to him.
When Ivory goes to get the keys for her dorm room from the facilities worker, the worker practically shoves her out the door over fear of the curfew. Ivory starts to think there may be something to it.
Getting up early due to the curfew, Ivory goes with her roommate, KAREN BAKKE, and her friends go to the bookstore. Ivory meets the incredibly good-looking MARCER REGAL, who asks her out. She tells him no at first, but she decides he might be able to answer her questions about the curfew.
The next day before a tour begins, Ivory meets the tall as a Viking and just as handsome as a Norse god, HAVEN DRAKE. He tries to ask her out, but she won’t let him.
As Ivory attends her first class on Wednesday, she meets the boyish and charming, ROMERO RIVERAS. His also a trouble maker and gets kicked out of class. She can’t help liking him though and gets disappointed that he didn’t wait for her after class. She hopes to see him some other time...
5. Edit
Go through your work and edit. Choose the descriptive words carefully. Use words that pack more impact. Don’t worry about length, yet.
6. Trim
Once you have every chapter done with rule number 4 and number 5 check your pages. We need 3-5, 2 pages, 500 words, 1 page, 1 paragraph, and 1 sentence. Trim down to 5 pages. One way is to get rid of excess words.
7. Trim again
Trim again to 2 pages. Shorten everything up. I recommend when your shortening it keep the important arcs. Keeping tossing arcs out as you go. Do it for 1 page, and 500 words also.
8. Main Plot Trim
Trim everything down until you have the main plot. 1 paragraph in size, 3-5 sentences. By know you should know what it is if you followed my directions.
My main plot for Superior Species is with the curfew and the four guys.
9. Final Trim
Time to boil your work down to one sentence. Remember the hook from before? You can use it here now or make up a new one with what you’ve learned from trimming everything down.
Example (Superior Species):
IVORY AMES must solve the mysteries of her new hometown before it’s too late.
Something like that. You want people to want to know more. Now that we’ve learned all the synopsis sizes. This final one sentence trim leads us into the elevator pitch.
Elevator Pitch
Imagine you’re inside an elevator and someone asks what you do for small chit chat. You say writer. They ask you about you book. You have thirty seconds to explain your whole novel. Can you do it?
My advice is to keep it simple. Use the one sentence synopsis/hook and tell them about it. If they ask you more, you have them hooked.
I’d be like…My story is about an 18-year-old, orphan named Ivory Ames. She must solve the mysteries of her new hometown before it’s too late.
Too late from what? -Hooked.
If it doesn’t work, try something else. Everything is about trail an error.
Another thing you might need to send with your query letter is an outline of the next books in the series.
Outline
This is where you send over a short series synopsis over what you have planned. These can range from size to 1-2 pages. There’s several different outlines. One is by book and the other is by series.
The book one looks sort of like this: (Superior Species)
Chapters:
1. DONE New Town and New Man– Michael/Ciceron
a. Introduction: Sets the tone to dark.
b. Scene 1: Ivory arrives in Los Roshano (Friday)
i. Tone: Not dark yet.
ii. One Location: The view of the place.
1. Sights – the view of the town.
iii. Secondary Characters: None
iv. Goal: Get dorm room keys
v. Middle/Conflict hinder the goal: Running out of gas/hitting the animal
vi. End/Disaster: Finds the gas station
c. Scene 2: At gas station.
i. Tone: Building suspense to dark.
ii.Second Location: Gas station
1. Sights – place looks like
2. Smells - popcorn
iii. Secondary Characters: Michael
iv. Goal: Get gas
v. Middle/Conflict hinder the goal: Michael’s cryptic messages
1. Town curfew
vi. End/Disaster: Confusion over the town
You boil everything down. I’ve done it for some of my first book, but I’m more of a pantser then a plotter. I won’t spend much time on the book outline because you’ve already done it with your synopsis. (Do not use the format above.) I give you a clean version. I showed you a chapter by chapter outline I use with only the first chapter.
Here is a blank version:
Chapters:
1. Name of chapter or opening information
a. Introduction:
b. Scene 1:
i. Tone:
ii. One Location:
1. 5 senses here
iii. Secondary Characters:
iv. Goal:
v. Middle/Conflict hinder the goal:
vi. End/Disaster:
c. Scene 2:
i. Tone:
ii.Second Location:
1. 5 senses here
iii. Secondary Characters:
iv. Goal: Get gas
v. Middle/Conflict hinder the goal:
vi. End/Disaster:
To write your series synopsis, you need to know what will happen in the next few books. I have a general idea because I write whatever I feel like but going toward my main plot goal.
For this, break it down to 1-2 paragraphs per book. If you haven’t written the book, be generic as possible. Don’t give so much detail out.
The final advice I can give you is if you plan a series then say it is a series. Don’t lie. If they don’t want an outline then don’t send it. Same format as before Times New Roman size 12, one and half spaces, in third person & present tense. No matter what your POV is in.
Social Media
I won’t cover much on this. Some places will ask for your account locations up front when you submit. I recommend Facebook Author page, Twitter, a website, and a blog. Time to move onto something I didn’t need.
Sale Sheet
Another thing you might be asked to send with your query letter is a sale sheet. I was glad that the publishers and literary agents I sent to didn’t want one. But times are changing.
Sale Sheet – a one page report on who your book will appeal to, marking plan, elevator pitch, and networking.
It’s not easy to do and I suggest you use templates out there. I don’t know why places are asking for one considering a good sale sheet includes the following:
1. Book cover
2. Title
3. Author
4. Category
5. ISBN and etc.
As you can see somethings you can't give out until AFTER your published.
That’s all I’ll touch on it. A lot of these things we covered already. And one we haven’t already, the blurb.
Blurb
The one final thing I want to talk about is the blurb. The blurb is the back of the book. There is a slight difference from creating a blurb compared to the mini-synopsis in the query letter. The blurb doesn’t give anything out and hooks the reader. Most are kept to the first 5 chapters. You can look up the mini-synopsis set up to do a blurb too. I’ll just post it again.
The 1-2-3 punch paragraphs (by me):
1. State info on your main character
2. State info on second character with tie in with the main character at the end
3. State the main issue with the two characters and give us something that will make us want to read it
other version:
1. Set protagonist on course towards goal
2. Event(s) opposition to the story goal
3. Climax
4. The resolution (but don’t say it) Get us to want more.
Set protagonist on course towards goal
Do exactly what it says. I think breaking down another is the best way to see it.
Example Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: (Amazon 2017)
"Turning the envelope over, his hand trembling, Harry saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms; a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter 'H'."
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive.
Harry Potters goal is to open the letter (which we all know will get him to Hogwarts)
Event(s) opposition to the story goal
Something needs to stop the goal from happening.
Example Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: (Amazon 2017)
Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle.
The opposition to the story goal is his aunt and uncle taking away the letter.
The resolution (but don’t say it) get us to want more.
Tell us what will happen. Make the reader want to read.
Example Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: (Amazon 2017)
An incredible adventure is about to begin!
We know HP is much more than the little blurb.
I had to show you an older version of HP blurb for a reason.
Example Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: (Grabbed my copy from 1997)
Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He’s never worn a cloak of invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry know is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry’s room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in eleven years.
But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds out only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him…if Harry can survive the encounter.
As you can see, you can change your blurb and update it when needed. Usually when your contract runs out. Trial and error.
Another piece of advice I’ll give you is look at your favorite authors or blurbs in your genre to help you write it. I have a strange way of letting my blurb be and it comes to me. So far it has been working for me.
Example Superior Species Book 1
Ivory Ames has caught the attention of four gorgeous guys. At Los Roshano University this isn’t normal, even when all the upperclassmen have perfect physiques, flawless complexions, and hypnotic looks. That’s not even the weirdest part. The town has a strict sunset curfew because of wild animals attacking.
To keep her friends and herself safe, Ivory must figure out the truth behind the town’s mysteries before it’s too late.
Thank you for your time. -K.A.
