/book-marketing

Amazon Description Template (HTML-Optimized)

Purpose: Online browsing, mobile-first Length: 200-400 words

HTML Structure

<b>[OPENING HOOK - One compelling sentence in bold]</b>

[Expand the hook - who is protagonist, what's their situation? 2-3 sentences.]

[Conflict paragraph - what do they want, what's stopping them? 2-3 sentences.]

<i>[Italicized stakes question or tension builder]</i>

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<b>Perfect for fans of:</b>
• [Comp Title 1] by [Author]
• [Comp Title 2] by [Author]
• [Comp Title 3] by [Author]

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<b>[Optional: Editorial praise section]</b>

"[Quote from review or blurber]" —[Source]

"[Second quote if available]" —[Source]

Formatting Guidelines

Bold (<b>)

• Opening hook (always)
• Section subheads
• Comp titles header
• Never for emphasis within paragraphs

Italics (<i>)

• Stakes question or emotional emphasis
• One per description maximum
• Book titles within text

Line Breaks

• Between every paragraph
• Use --- for section dividers
• Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)

Lists

• Bullet points for comp titles
• Makes them scannable
• Use • character

Mobile Optimization

Amazon descriptions are often read on phones. Optimize for:

• Short paragraphs: 2-3 sentences maximum
• Front-load hooks: Key info in first 100 characters
• Scannable structure: Headers and bullets help
• No walls of text: White space is your friend

Comp Titles Section

Choose comparable titles that are:

• Recent: Published in last 5 years
• Successful: Readers will recognize them
• Accurate: Actually similar in tone/content
• Aspirational but realistic: Not wildly different in scope

Format:

• [Title] by [Author]

Include 2-4 comp titles. More than 4 dilutes the positioning.

Editorial Quotes

If you have them, include:

• Review quotes from recognized sources
• Blurbs from other authors
• Award mentions

Format:

"[Quote]" —[Source]

Keep quotes brief (under 25 words). Cut to the strongest phrase if needed.

Example

<b>She was supposed to be the weapon. She became the war.</b>

Sixteen-year-old Kira has spent her entire life hiding her fire—from the Empire that would conscript her, from the rebellion that would use her, from the family who'd never forgive what she really is.

When a training accident exposes her power, Kira is forced to choose sides in a war she never wanted to fight. But as she rises through the ranks of the rebellion, she discovers a truth that could destroy both sides—and the secret her mother died to protect.

<i>To save her people, Kira must become the monster they fear. But what happens when the monster looks back?</i>

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<b>Perfect for fans of:</b>
• Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
• An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

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"A fierce debut that burns with every page." —Kirkus Reviews

Checklist

• Opening hook in bold
• Hook captures unique angle (not generic)
• Paragraphs are 2-3 sentences max
• Stakes question in italics
• Comp titles included and accurate
• Mobile-readable (scan test it)
• Under 400 words total
• Genre signals match book
• No spoilers past first act
• Editorial quotes if available

A/B Testing Notes

If publishing on Amazon, consider testing:

• Different opening hooks
• Different comp title combinations
• With/without editorial quotes
• Stakes question placement

Track click-through rates to optimize.