How To Write Winning Back Cover Copy (for non-fiction)

by Angie Waikel

The back cover copy, or BCC, of your book is one of its most valuable marketing tools, and should never be skimped. Too many authors end up losing sales because of a poorly crafted back cover.

A successful BCC is the essence of your book’s most enticing features, organized and summarized in an easy to read place, and will often be the reader’s deciding factor to buy your book.

Your BCC also serves as your book’s metadata, which is crucial to your book’s discovery in online searches and platforms.

When crafting your back copy, ask yourself: How, and why, will the reader benefit from this book? Your BCC should address these questions clearly and succinctly.

The back cover copy, or BCC, of your book is one of its most valuable marketing tools of your book, and should never be skimped. Too many authors end up losing sales because of a poorly crafted back cover.

Two common mistakes nonfiction authors will make when writing their back cover copy is:
  1. Over-describing the book’s content, rather than focusing how it will help or entertain the reader
  2. Over detail the author’s background, instead of how the author’s experience and credentials are relevant to the book’s subject
A clean, concise back cover copy that will entice readers should include the following (in order):
  • A headline that clearly states the most important element or selling point of the book. Or, a quote from an authority who recommends the book
  • A summary of 100-200 words that expounds upon the headline and further details the book’s value
  • A numbered or bulleted list of the key features this book offers to the reader
  • A closing sentence that summarizes the why and how, including a mention of the author’s credentials
  • Optional: One or two testimonials that praise the book from known authorities
  • Optional: A brief (1-2 sentence) author bio and professional photo at the bottom of the cover

Consider hiring a professional designer to arrange your back cover information in a way that looks nicely tailored, especially if you have awards, testimonials, and optional elements.

The most important takeaway to remember is: Less is more. Organize, simplify, and don’t cram in copy – it will never be read.