The Art of the Blurb

[Teicha Hill Mailhes]

As A Reader

On Sunday evenings, I load my Nook with short stories for my daily commute. I search using key phrases for what I like. Often times, I get what I expected. But some times, I get what I didn't want. Neither the tags nor the blurb led me to a story I wanted to read. This can be very frustrating as it means that my nightly writing time is comprised by having to search for additional reading material for my 45 minute train ride to my day job.

As A Self Published Writer

I try very hard to write an interesting blurb that encompasses the plot and doesn't reveal the ending. I add tags that I feel are appropriate for my work. Still I get comments and emails from readers who either find the story too much for their tastes or lacking heat (I write romance).

For those with more experience than me, is there a remedy? Hire a professional blurb writer? Or do I put my big girl panties and just roll with it?