We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Linguistics

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Blurbologist?

Michael Pollick
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 5,575
Share

In the film Forces of Nature, Ben Affleck portrays a professional writer who specializes in book jacket blurbs, the short biographies and glowing reviews usually found on hardcover books. Sandra Bullock's character asks him what he does for a living, which he reluctantly admits. "Oh, you're a blurbologist!" she exclaims, much to his chagrin.

In reality, being considered a blurbologist is not the worst fate to befall a professional writer. The skills of an experienced blurbologist are quite in demand by publishing houses, public relations firms and advertising agencies. A blurbologist specializes in writing short but evocative paragraphs called blurbs in the publishing world. A new book by an established crime writer might be handed over to a blurbologist for a positive spin on the book's potential: "Author John Doe has once again succeeded in capturing the seedy splendor and gothic sadness of organized crime in the Roaring Twenties. Following in the footsteps of his acclaimed crime novel, Knock 'Em Dead, Doe's new book explores a new generation of the Diamante crime family..."

A blurbologist might also be asked to create a short biography of the author for publicity purposes or to create copy for promotional commercials or ad campaigns. If a picture requires a humorous caption, a magazine editor may consult a staffer known to be a talented blurbologist for some creative ideas. The title of blurbologist is not always an official one, and any number of professional writers could generate short, effusive blurbs for their clients. An experienced blurbologist, however, is very proficient at creating blurbs which tickle the line of hyperbole but do not cross it.

There is no specific course of study to become a professional blurbologist, other than a keen interest in the creative writing field and an ability to write copy that is tight and condensed. A blurbologist is in the promotion and publicity business as much as the writing business, so he or she must feel comfortable using highly descriptive language and some hyperbole in order to generate positive public interest in a new book or other media release.

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Pollick
By Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to Language & Humanities, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range of topics. His curiosity drives him to study subjects in-depth, resulting in informative and engaging articles. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael honed his skills as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.
Discussion Comments
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to Language & Humanities, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a...
Learn more
Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-is-a-blurbologist.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.