How to Write a Non-Cringe Online Book Description

Here’s exactly what a book description needs (and doesn't need) to hook readers.

A great book description can be the difference between getting a book sale and someone scrolling past your book. It’s the first thing readers see online—after your book cover. And your description plays a big part in grabbing their attention. But too often, authors fall into the trap of writing descriptions that come across forced, pushy, or just plain confusing.

I’m breaking down the biggest mistakes that make book descriptions cringeworthy and providing a simple formula that will help you craft a book description that will hook your readers and help you sell books. Stick around because we’ve got some practical examples to go through!

The Role of Your Book Description

Your book description is just as important as your cover. The job of a well-designed cover is to grab people’s attention, and your description is what convinces readers to click "Buy Now."

Your book description needs to do three things. It needs to:

1. Drive sales. A compelling book description can turn curiosity into a purchase.

2. Set expectations. Readers want to know what kind of story or information they’re getting and your description needs to provide that information.

3. Help with discoverability. A well-written description has the right keywords to improve your book’s visibility in search results.

Back Cover Blurb vs. Online Book Description

There’s a difference between the blurb on your book’s physical back cover and the book description that’s used for online retailers. The back cover blurb is shorter and designed to be read in person. An online book description, however, is longer and it’s optimized for digital browsing. The text is often structured with short paragraphs and bolded phrases meant to grab attention.

What Makes a Book Description Cringe?

Before we get into how to write a great description, I want to talk about what to avoid. A bad online book description can scare readers away before they even give your book a chance. Here are some common pitfalls every author should steer clear of: