The words “blurb” and “book description” are used interchangeably in most self-publishing conversations. They are not the same thing. Confusing them leads authors to use the wrong document in the wrong place — with predictable consequences for their marketing effectiveness. This article clarifies the distinction precisely. For the complete book description guide, see our guide to writing Amazon book descriptions.
What a Blurb Actually Is
In publishing, a blurb is an endorsement — a short, enthusiastic statement about a book written by someone other than the author. It is the quote from a well-known author, critic, journalist, or organisation that appears on the back cover of a printed book or in promotional materials: “A gripping debut.” — [Famous Author Name]. “The most important business book of the decade.” — [Publication Name].
Blurbs are earned, not written. You obtain them by sending advance reading copies (ARCs) to relevant figures and asking them to provide an endorsement quote. The quality and relevance of your blurbs signal a book’s credibility in the marketplace — a blurb from a well-known author in your genre has genuine commercial value.
A blurb is therefore: an endorsement, written by a third party, typically one or two sentences, expressing enthusiasm for the book.
What a Book Description Is
A book description — or “sales description” — is the marketing copy you write yourself to sell your book on Amazon. It is the text in Amazon’s “Product Description” or “Book Description” field. It is not an endorsement from a third party. It is your own pitch for your own book.
A book description is therefore: marketing copy, written by the author or on their behalf, designed to convert browsers into buyers, appearing on the Amazon product page and in promotional materials where a sales argument is needed.
The Key Differences
| Attribute | Blurb | Book Description |
|---|---|---|
| Written by | Third party (author, critic, publication) | The author or their representative |
| Tone | Enthusiastic, endorsing | Sales-focused, narrative, structured |
| Length | One to three sentences | 150–350 words typically |
| Purpose | Social proof — “someone credible recommends this” | Conversion — “this book is for you, and here is why” |
| Primary location | Back cover, Editorial Reviews section, front pages | Amazon product page description field |
| Can you write it yourself? | No — it must come from a third party to have value | Yes — it is your marketing copy |
Where Each One Goes
Your book description goes:
- Amazon’s Book Description field (the primary sales copy on your product page)
- The back cover of your paperback or hardcover
- Your Amazon Advertising copy (adapted for shorter formats)
- Your email list promotional messages
- Your website’s book page
Blurbs go:
- Amazon’s Editorial Reviews section (a separate field from the book description)
- The back cover of your paperback or hardcover, typically above or below the description
- Your book’s front matter (typically on the page before the title page)
- Promotional copy and press releases
On Amazon, the distinction is important: the Book Description field and the Editorial Reviews section are separate. Your description goes in the description field. Endorsement blurbs go in Editorial Reviews. Many authors put their blurbs in the description field and leave Editorial Reviews empty — this is backwards and loses the full marketing benefit of both.
Endorsement Blurbs: How to Get Them
Obtaining meaningful blurbs requires advance planning and relationship investment. The process:
- Identify three to ten relevant figures who write in your genre or whose endorsement would be meaningful to your target readers
- Prepare an advance reading copy (ARC) of your finished, proofread manuscript
- Reach out politely with a personalised request — explain who you are, what the book is, and why you thought of them specifically
- Give generous lead time — at least four to six weeks before your publication date
- Accept that many will decline or not respond — this is normal and expected
The most accessible sources of early blurbs for new authors are: other authors in your genre at a similar career stage (reciprocal ARC exchanges are common), bloggers or reviewers with established audiences in your genre, and subject matter experts for non-fiction.
Using Blurbs on Amazon’s Editorial Reviews Section
Amazon’s Editorial Reviews section appears on your product page below the book description. To add content to it, you must update it through Author Central (not through KDP directly). Go to your Author Central account, find the book, and edit the Editorial Reviews field.
What to include in Editorial Reviews:
- Endorsement quotes from other authors or critics
- Reviews from recognised publications or bloggers
- Awards or notable mentions
- For non-fiction: relevant credentials or institutional endorsements
Format each entry as: the quote in quotation marks, followed by an em dash and the source. Keep each endorsement to one to two sentences — the most powerful excerpt from a longer review.
Why You Need Both
A compelling book description and strong endorsement blurbs serve different functions in the conversion process. Your description creates want — it makes the reader feel the book is for them. Your blurbs reduce hesitation — they confirm that credible third parties have already vouched for the book’s quality.
Authors who have both optimised will consistently outperform authors who have only one. Invest in your description first (it is entirely within your control and has immediate impact), then build your blurb library over time as your network and platform grow.
For the description half of this equation, a KDP book description tool like KDP Rank Fuel generates a well-structured, conversion-optimised description from your book’s details — so you arrive at launch with both your description and your Editorial Reviews ready to work together.
And before any of your marketing materials matter, your book needs to be error-free. Manuscript proofreading for self-published authors from Vappingo ensures the book itself is as compelling as the marketing around it.
