Blurb Your Enthusiasm: An A-Z of Literary Persuasion by Louise Willder

The ultimate book for any bookish sort, whether that is a reader, writer or collector. Written by an experienced copywriter, this non-fiction book looks in depth at such marketing tools as titles, punctuation, book covers, opening lines, swearing and - blurbs. It literarily is an A to Z  of literary persuasion.  

And it's one of the best page turners I have ever read.

Besides telling us the history of promoting books from way back in the times of Dickens (and even centuries before him) there are one or two secrets revealed. For example, puffs - those quotes from other famous authors saying how 'unputdownable' this book is - are often, as expected, not genuine. Sometimes all that is needed is some clever wordplay to disguise the fact that the book hasn't been read, never mind liked. There are examples of dubious book titles, drabbles and personal letters to serve as blurbs all with the aim of selling someone's novel. Not to mention those who believe that they are above all that kind of thing.

Written by a professional copywriter and producer of blurbs, Louise Willder is based in London and works for Penguin Books. She has a way with words. Suffice to say that this is an enjoyable and fascinating read. The writing it witty and playful, concise and explicit. I've been reading books for half a century and feel like I've learned something else after reading this unique book. Get it in your collection...

​*Also has a cute cartoon mouse throughout.

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Published by Oneworld Publications on 11 October 2022.
​Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

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