We’ve all this moment…
We’re standing in the middle of a bookstore. Rows upon rows of beautiful covers wink at us from their neatly organized bookshelves, names we recognize and those we don’t. We’re simply there because we want to read something. Maybe it’s a mystery or a scary story, maybe it’s a great love story or emotional saga. We’re looking, actively seeking out an amazing book to lose ourselves in. We narrow it down based on the cover art, we look further into the Easter eggs a title teases us with. And finally, We find a novel that calls to us, we gently lift it from the shelves and turn it over….
A good blurb is the first foray into a writer’s style. It’s the first words of theirs we’ll read, it will either sell us on the story or it won’t. With a blurb, there is simply no middle ground to walk on upon. It’s kind of a big deal–you know–for us wordsmiths, since we have all of five seconds to capture our audience, invite them inside and entice them to stay. This is the moment where we sell our story.
My book will be available in both print and eBook, as well as audio. I’ve spent a lot of time worrying and finessing the finer points of publishing. I think I’ve done okay…but with a blurb…there is genuinely no “how to” that is one size fits all. Sometimes a call to action works, other times we have to pluck the heart-strings. But, whatever is our motivation, we must do it well.
So, I’m turning it over to you all. That’s right…
I’ll be imbedding four potential blurbs, and each vote matters–I want your opinions!! When you’re reading–ask yourself–does this pull you in, excite you, make you want to learn more. Remember, this is a work of women’s fiction or literary fiction. Polling closes in 24 hours from the moment this blog goes live. While I can’t promise I will use the “most popular”…I will consider all opinions sincerely.
And, as always, I welcome your thoughts. Tell me what you think–what feelings the blurb evokes in you as you read it. I’m anxious to hear from you all!
Thank you in advance for your vote!
BLURB ONE
Jenna Chamberland, a mother with a young daughter, Mia, she is dying of breast cancer and in the final months of an all out war for her life–one that spanned three years and hung always from a feeble string of hope.
When it is clear that no further medical intervention will save her, Jenna is forced to watch her life come together as the end approaches by inches. Desperate to help her husband Gabe make the gentle slip from married man to widower and single parent, Jenna longs to remain the devoted mother she’s always been, worrying about who her daughter will become. Jenna, in a moment of reflection and worry, decides to record tapes for her daughter, the milestone tapes.
In a story deep with sadness and grief, there is beauty and healing.
Mia reemerges from the tragedy of Jenna’s death nine years later as a precocious sixteen year old. Her life is changing all around her at once–and like any child, she just wants her mom. Through the recordings, Jenna voice returns, brought back on the thin-film of tapes to teach Mia the magic of life at large. Mia takes from the recordings what she will need to know to gain a better sense of self–to spread her wings and embrace the challenges and changes with humor, grace and hope.
THE MILESTONE TAPES is the story of a mother and her daughter, and the love that still holds them when time no longer can.
BLURB TWO
Jenna Chamberland adores her daughter, her husband and their life together, it was all she ever wanted. Now, after a three-year war with breast cancer, her life is ending and only mere months linger. Jenna must face the reality that awaits the ones she loves on the other side of her disease. Her husband, Gabe, will be forced to make the slip from married man to widower, left alone to raise their daughter, Mia. As Jenna watches the pieces come together, she wonders how her daughter will remember her. In a moment of reflection, Jenna decides to leave her voice behind–recorded on the thin-film of tapes, hoping they will serve as a touchstone for Mia as the years and milestones pass her by.
Mia emerges from the tragedy of Jenna’s death nine years later as a precocious sixteen year old. Her life is changing all around her at once–and like any child, she just wants her mom. Through the tapes, Jenna voice returns, brought back to teach Mia the magic of life; to remind her of how deeply she was loved and to encourage her to spread her wings and embrace the challenges and changes with humor, grace and hope.
The Milestone Tapes is the story of a mother and her daughter and the love that holds them together when time no longer can.
BLURB THREE
Jenna Chamberland never wanted anything more than to be a mother and wife. That was, until she realized that her life was ending after a three-year battle against breast cancer. Then, all she really wanted was more time.
With 4,320 hours of life left, Jenna is watching the pieces come together, knowing what awaits her loved ones on the other side. Gabe, her husband, will be asked to make to slip from husband to window, left alone to raise their seven-year old daughter. Mia, will be forced to embrace life without her mother by her side. Jenna worries what will become of them all. In a moment of reflection, Jenna decides to record tapes for her daughter, the milestone tapes, leaving her voice behind as a touchstone for her daughter.
Nine years later, Mia is a precocious sixteen year old. Her life is changing all around her at once with each passing day, and all she wants is her mother. Through the Tapes, Jenna’s voice returns to teach Mia the magic of life, and she’s able to show her daughter with words how to spread her wings and embrace the challenges to come with humor, grace and hope.
THE MILESTONE TAPES is the journey of love between a parent and children and the bonds that hold them when life no longer does.
BLURB FOUR
Dealers choice…
If you’re selecting this option, please feel free to leave your blurb suggestion in comment section of the posting. If picked, you will receive full credit in the book!
La Bella Novella 