Back Cover Book Design and Content
What goes on the back cover of my book?
Non Fiction Book
Back cover copy is seen as ‘extended sell’ and is written like an advertisement more than a part of your book’s interior message. It’s purpose is to hype up the interior subject content in a way that will move the reader to buy your book.
Category: (link to category list) This is usually the first line on the back cover. The category designates where the book will end up in catalogs, libraries, book stores and in peoples minds.
Price: This has several places on the back where it can be positioned. It’s a good idea to have the price one other place besides in the barcode.
Headline: Here is where the author presents the main benefit their readers will get out of the book.
First paragraph: is usually a descriptive short summary that pulls together the facts, stories, examples you wish the reader to connect to.
Sub heading and Bulleted list: the sub heading leads you into the features, the bullet points. The subhead plays off either the headline or the first paragraph and usually states… In this book you’ll find… or something along the line of inviting or making a point.
The closing paragraph /call to action : back covers don’t hold a lot of copy so use one or two sentences to sum up what the book is about and include a call to action.
Author Bio: if there is room a short intro to the author or their company helps the reader learn more about the author or subject.
Testimonial: are great to add, they are best requested from someone who is considered an expert in the books field of study or prominent celebrity who can help bring a feeling of trust and value to the subject presented.
Signature: company name and contact info, website and location if applicable. Usually on the bottom left.
Barcode: are made from the publishers assigned ISBN obtained at isbn.org or bowker.com and is usually positioned on the bottom right corner. The barcode is called EAN for the publishing industry.
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Fiction Book
A fiction book uses just a few of the above items. I’ve listed them here.
–Category
–Price
–Headline: optional
–Summary paragraph: is usually a short description about the book.
–Author Bio: optional
–Testimonial: one or more. Sometimes the back is only testimonials, no summary
–Signature: company name and contact info, website and location if applicable. Usually on the bottom left.
–Barcode: are made from the publishers assigned ISBN obtained at isbn.org or bowker.com and is usually positioned on the bottom right corner. The barcode is called EAN for the publishing industry.
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