If there’s one thing harder than writing a book, it’s talking about it. And unfortunately, if you want anyone to read the story you just poured your blood, sweat, and (many) tears into, this is one struggle there’s no way around.
It might seem easier than writing thousands of words, but condensing an entire manuscript into 300 words or less can feel like torture. Don’t tell the readers about my loveable and fierce cast of side characters or give a detailed account of the first kiss? I don’t think so!
I know and I feel your pain.
Creating a strong pitch for your manuscript is a crucial part of the writing process whether you’re self-publishing or going on the traditional route. From plotting to querying to selling your story, pitching can serve many purposes. And while it might feel overwhelming to know writing a pitch for your story is unavoidable, I have good news for you! Pitch writing is not only a skill you can master, but it’s a skill that can pay in the form of agents, book deals, and acquiring readers.
So what is a pitch? A pitch (or a blurb) is a short description of your manuscript that has traditionally been written for promotional purposes. Pitches can range anywhere between 150-300 words long. They can also be referred to as book descriptions or back-cover copy or book descriptions.
During this digital age of publishing, they can be found on a product page on Amazon and other retailers. However, as we mentioned before, this isn’t the only place you will use them. Before you are published, these catchy descriptions are crucial for crafting a well-received query letter. There are also even shorter elevator pitches that can be used for things like social media pitch contests. These quick pitches are typically 280 characters or less.
Fun, right? It will be, I promise!
When creating your pitch, it can be helpful to have a format to abide by. There are many different ways to write a pitch/blurb, but my favorite is the three-paragraph structure. This structure translates well not only to querying, but also to back cover copy and even as a way to plot your manuscript. I love to look at this structure like a Taylor Swift song. The first verse (paragraph one) introduces you to the story, the second verse (paragraph two) hammers in the plot, and the bridge (paragraph three) is where she takes the stakes up a notch and leaves you begging for more. There is a rhythm to a strong pitch just like to a song and you always want to end with a mic drop.
Now let’s break it down...
Paragraph One: Hook and character introduction
With only a few paragraphs to pull in the reader, every word matters. In the first paragraph of your blurb, you should immediately introduce your hook and main character. Creating a strong first line that both introduces your character and showcases your voice and originality is key to grabbing your reader’s attention. This is also where you will want to introduce the genre and general theme of your book.
DO
✓ Dive right in
✓ Keep it short
✓ Reference the inciting event
✓ Establish goals
DON’T
❌ Introduce more than two characters.
❌ Bog the reader down with details instead of snappy writing.
❌ Summarize your first chapter.
❌ Fill the reader in with the character's tragic backstory, alluding to it will suffice.
Questions to ask yourself:
What is your hook?
Who is your main character?
What is the inciting incident?
What is the main character’s goal?
Paragraph Two: Plot and Conflict
What is your story about and what’s standing in the way of your character living their best life? Think of conflict and plot as interchangeable. After all, without conflict, there is no story. Now that you’ve introduced your main character, this is where you’ll discuss what your character wants, the challenges they face, and introduce another character if necessary.
Though your story might have multiple conflicts throughout, it’s crucial that you pinpoint the central conflict driving your overall story for the blurb. In terms of story structure, the second paragraph of your blurb should cover the second act of your manuscript.
DO
✓ Show what makes your plot stand out from other books
✓ Pinpoint the central conflict that drives your story
✓ Introduce a secondary character if needed
DON’T
❌ Discuss interior journeys instead of the main conflict
❌ Stray away from the focus of the story
❌ Summarize instead of creating intrigue
Questions to ask yourself:
What is your story’s plot?
What is the central conflict?
Is there a storyline that makes your story stand out from others within your genre? What is it?
Is there another character who is integral to the plot? Who?
Paragraph Three: Stakes
This is arguably the most important and most difficult element in a blurb. Now that the reader is invested in your character and the conflict of your story, the third paragraph of a blurb is where you hammer in the stakes.
What exactly are stakes? Stakes are quite literally what is at stake for your main character throughout the story. What is the worst thing that could happen if, when the story ends, they don’t succeed? Stakes are negative consequences and without them, your hook, characters, and conflict are all moot.
High stakes drive impact and intrigue.
It doesn’t matter how voicey your blurb is if it fizzles out instead of ending with a bang. In a romance, it is a given that there will be a happily ever after, so if your big stakes are “will she get the boy or not,” the reader will lose interest. What will happen if she doesn’t choose the boy? Or better yet, what will happen if she does? Will she lose her family or job or life? Find your focus and zero in on what drives your conflict and the consequences. If you aren’t sure, this is a good time to look deeper into your story and make the necessary changes.
DO
✓ Make your stakes as dire as possible
✓ Inform your reader that something hangs in the balance for your characters
✓ Conclude your blurb with lingering intrigue
✓ End with a mic drop
DON’T
❌ Give away your ending
❌ Have mild stakes that are easily overcome
❌ End with a cliché
Questions to ask yourself:
What is at stake if your main character fails?
What will they gain if they succeed?
Could the stakes be even higher? How?
What is a cliché ending? How is yours different?
Although a three-paragraph structure isn’t the only way to write a blurb, I recommend playing with this structure before you decide to alter it. Once you see your story structure laid out in three concise paragraphs, it is easier to get creative with your pitch. Allow yourself time to become familiar with the elements necessary to create a successful pitch before playing with structure.
A few extra things to keep in mind while writing your perfect pitch…
Different genres and age ranges have different requirements. In a blurb for a romance, you will need to introduce the couple and what stands in the way of their inevitable happily ever after. In a young adult novel, giving the main character’s age is crucial, whereas it’s unnecessary for a sci-fi story, but instead world-building is a must.
Questions are usually a no-go. Generally, a question will not get you the response you want and therefore, it is a variable you may want to avoid. Also, when querying, most agents just want you to tell them what the story is about instead of having to do the guesswork. Make it easy on your readers unless you’re positive it’s going to pay off.
Be choosy with the details. It’s hard. I know. However, in a blurb, the reader needs to focus and they can’t do that if you introduce them to five characters and three subplots. They will be left confused and have no interest in the story you’ve spent so much time crafting. You should name two characters at most in a blurb. If you need to mention a character’s big family, describe the loud, embarrassing group instead of mentioning each character by name. By condensing your blurb down to the bare bones, whoever is reading will be able to follow along and feel a deep connection with your main character instead of struggling to keep up.
A blurb should be written in third person. It doesn’t matter if your story is first person narrative, keep the blurb in third. What translates well within the pages of your story will not work if the reader is confused about who is talking. Step away from being your characters and write this as the author. This is a guide for you and the readers about what to expect. Obviously, there are exceptions to every rule, but make sure you understand the rule and why you’re breaking it before you do.
I know this process can be very tedious and time-consuming, but I know you can do it. Now go forth and create the pitch of the century!
