Whats the word limit for a story's Back Cover?

[Deleted member 45782]

I sometimes write my synopses too long.

I wondered how descriptions on back covers of stories are like. Saw somewhere it mentioned 100-200 to 100-250, to less than 225 or 300 words. So not completely sure where to cut it off (I want to imitate the character limit of the back covers for my synopses so I don't get too wordy).

For those who have published their works, how mamy words are you allowed to write on your story's back covers?

 

[Saileri]

As many as it fits for the impression you are aiming for. One story might feel perfect with a single sentence capturing the most important part, other might strive with a paragraph or two. There are many styles to go for. I currently used storytelling ones for my novels, with the next one most likely not joining that wagon.

 

[ArcadiaBlade]

Mostly depends but my opinion would be to make it short and on point. While long is good, it bores the readers and might not even read it if your specific enough. Just go for what you want your novel to go by and its main goal of the story and its done.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

True, gp. I kinda want to see if there is like a limit to how many words for a back cover though.
Delusional but maybe someday...

 

[Valmond]

I sometimes write my synopses too long.

I wondered how descriptions on back covers of stories are like. Saw somewhere it mentioned 100-200 to 100-250, to less than 225 or 300 words. So not completely sure where to cut it off (I want to imitate the character limit of the back covers for my synopses so I don't get too wordy).

For those who have published their works, how mamy words are you allowed to write on your story's back covers?

Depends on a multitude of factors. However, the most important is the length of the story as well as the complexity of it. Which are two things I consider before even jumping into a book. If I see only one line, I view it as a lack of effort and don’t even bother opening the book.

If it is a bit more lengthy, I analyze the depth that goes into it. If I cannot be grasped with any form of excitement, I simply move on without opening it. When writing a summary, it is important to take into account specifically what can grip the reader. The hook begins in the summary, which means it also has to be impactful enough to draw in readers. Which may vary depending on the type of story. Genre is most notable, then comes the over all length of the story, and the complexity of it. Depending on the combination, it can call for longer or shorter summarizations.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Depends on a multitude of factors. However, the most important is the length of the story as well as the complexity of it. Which are two things I consider before even jumping into a book. If I see only one line, I view it as a lack of effort and don’t even bother opening the book.

If it is a bit more lengthy, I analyze the depth that goes into it. If I cannot be grasped with any form of excitement, I simply move on without opening it. When writing a summary, it is important to take into account specifically what can grip the reader. The hook begins in the summary, which means it also has to be impactful enough to draw in readers. Which may vary depending on the type of story. Genre is most notable, then comes the over all length of the story, and the complexity of it. Depending on the combination, it can call for longer or shorter summarizations.

True. I think I might've to change the title a bit. I kinda want to know more about back cover word limits, since Ik we can pretty much fit in as many words as we want on the synopsis here or even as few as one line...XD

 

[Valmond]

True. I think I might've to change the title a bit. I kinda want to know more about back cover word limits, since Ik we can pretty much fit in as many words as we want on the synopsis here or even as few as one line...XD

That varies in length as well. I’ve seen a few words, to a paragraph or more length. I don’t think it ever really goes over a few hundred. This may depend on the book size as well. A larger one has more room for details, a smaller one not so much. All in all though, reading is taking place more digitally now. So I don’t think you gotta worry about regular books.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

That varies in length as well. I’ve seen a few words, to a paragraph or more length. I don’t think it ever really goes over a few hundred. This may depend on the book size as well. A larger one has more room for details, a smaller one not so much. All in all though, reading is taking place more digitally now. So I don’t think you gotta worry about regular books.

Thanks. Someday one of these dreams will be seeing if I can make a go at traditionally publishing. But until then..

Thanks for the feedback! ;)

Hopefully writing my synopses to be shorter and better.

 

[Valmond]

Thanks. Someday one of these dreams will be seeing if I can make a go at traditionally publishing. But until then..

Thanks for the feedback! ;)

Hopefully writing my synopses to be shorter and better.

Yeah, if you are going for hard copy, that would be the way.

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Yeah, if you are going for hard copy, that would be the way.

Got it. Thanks.

 

[Jemini]

Thanks. Someday one of these dreams will be seeing if I can make a go at traditionally publishing. But until then..

Saw this and decided to go check out your profile on the main site.

Just FYI: The minimum word length for a young adult reader is around 70-80K words. Just bringing this up because the most words I saw out of anything you have written so far is 5K.

5K is about appropriate as an upper limit for a really young kids' book. (Maybe even too much in fact, but it all depends on presentation.)

EDIT: (For everyone else's information, upper limit for a non-fantasy young adult reader is around 90K. For a fantasy book though, it can go up to around 110K. 120K if you're really pushing it.)

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Saw this and decided to go check out your profile on the main site.

Just FYI: The minimum word length for a young adult reader is around 70-80K words. Just bringing this up because the most words I saw out of anything you have written so far is 5K.

5K is about appropriate as an upper limit for a really young kids' book. (Maybe even too much in fact, but it all depends on presentation.)

EDIT: (For everyone else's information, upper limit for a non-fantasy adult reader is around 90K. For a fantasy book though, it can go up to around 110K. 120K if you're really pushing it.)

Thanks for the tip. Ik, its because I haven't been active in writing yet. I'm just wondering for the future. If I ever do go that route, I'll definitely write more. I'm thinking about writing stuff later and writing it all out first instead of chapter by chapter. It'll be awhile before then.

 

[Aoibh]

I sometimes write my synopses too long.

I wondered how descriptions on back covers of stories are like. Saw somewhere it mentioned 100-200 to 100-250, to less than 225 or 300 words. So not completely sure where to cut it off (I want to imitate the character limit of the back covers for my synopses so I don't get too wordy).

For those who have published their works, how mamy words are you allowed to write on your story's back covers?

Should be a paragraph, some people even call the synopsis a paragraph because it is normally as long as one.