How deep is your blurb.. a classic cover

DO you judge a book by its cover? How about the blurb?

Louise Willder, the author behind Penguin Books’ captivating blurbs, invites readers on a whimsical journey into the mystical realm of book blurbs in her debut non-fiction marvel, Blurb Your Enthusiasm.

This is Louise Willder’s debut nonfiction title and she has been a copywriter at Penguin Books for 25 years.

During this time, she estimates she has produced about 5000 blurbs.

In this delightful romp through literary history, Willder unveils the secrets behind those tantalising 100-or-so words adorning the backs of books.

She reveals the craft of writing, the whimsy of authors from Orwell to Smith, and the kaleidoscope of genres from children’s tales to steamy bonkbusters. But that’s not all. Prepare to uncover the dark arts of persuasion and quirky anecdotes behind classics like The High Bouncing Lover.

Should all adjectives be slain? Are blurbs occasionally fibs in disguise?

These burning questions find whimsical answers in Willder’s expert hands.

With decades of experience in the blurb-making business, she deftly navigates the murky waters of literary persuasion.

As Willder unravels the tangled web of blurbs, she exposes the symbiotic relationship between words and cover, narrative, and manipulation. From the hyperbole of Americans to the French disdain for commercialism, no stone is left unturned.

Whether you’re a seasoned bibliophile or a fledgling writer, Blurb Your Enthusiasm is a must-read for anyone with a passion for the written word.

Intrigued by the alchemy of blurbs, the author sheds light on the evolution of publishing, the clash of sexism in literature, and the ever-changing landscape of reader expectations. ● Join me next Saturday as I host a Bookface Sip & Swap event with psychological thriller author Harriet Tyce (Blood Orange and Lessons In Cruelty) in Glasgow. Tickets £20 from Eventbrite with two free

drinks.

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