Break into Book Jacket Copywriting

Even though you've probably read hundreds - if not thousands - of books, you might never have wondered who was responsible for the words on the front and back cover. Book jacket copywriters are responsible for coming up with just the right words to grace the books you find on the shelves at the store.

Although some book jacket copywriters work for publishing companies, there are also many firms and freelancers who provide this service. Publishers know that by outsourcing their book jacket copywriting needs, they save money on the benefits and salary they would have to provide for an in-house copywriter.

If you think that you could create scintillating copy for book jackets, this might be a career avenue you want to pursue. Not only can it be lucrative, but your work would be featured on bookstore shelves. If you are good at your job, you will find yourself at the top of publisher's lists when they need someone to create book jacket copy.

In order to break into book jacket copywriting, however, you'll need to learn the fine art of creating good copy. This can be learned simply by studying the market, but there are also courses available from institutions like WritersWeekly.com and WritersDigest.com.

One of the most important skills needed for book jacket copywriting is the ability to write short, succinct copy that still sends a message. Book jackets don't have much space after the cover has been designed and the author's name has been plastered on the spine; book jacket copywriters must write effective copy that will fit in the leftover space.

The sad fact is that most books can't sell themselves without excellent book jacket copy. If you're browsing the titles at a bookstore, you aren't going to know whether the author - much less the book - is worth checking out. That is why book jacket copywriters work to create copy that will not only sell the book, but get readers interested in the book's content.

For example, have you ever read the blurb on the back of a book jacket and still not been able to tell what the book was about? What many writers don't realize is that, just because you can write a book, doesn't mean that you can write effective sales copy, which is essentially what the blurb entails. Book jacket copywriting requires knowledge of keywords that get readers interested and excited about the book.

To break into book jacket copywriting, talk to people who are familiar with the publishing industry. Find out if publishers near you are outsourcing their copywriting needs and check freelance job sites to find out who's hiring.

You can also peruse the websites of service providers who write sales copy. Often, you'll find that their services include book jacket copywriting, so you can contact them and see if they're willing to educate you on the subject.

According to Writer's Market, book jacket copywriters earn between $41 and $100 per hour, which isn't anything to sneeze at. Further, book jacket copywriters also have the option of charging by the word or by the project, which can bring in between $350 and $700 per book.