Finding the Words: Blurb Writing for Literary Translators with Louise Willder and Clodagh Kinsella (Chair)

Online 

Monday 12 October, 5—6pm (BST)

A great blurb can make the difference between a book being picked up or passed by. But what makes a blurb compelling? 

Join Louise Willder, one of publishing’s most experienced blurb writers, for an informative exploration of the art of capturing a book in a few irresistible words. Aimed at literary translators, this session will explore how to find the hook, the angle and the emotional heart of a book — whether it’s a gripping thriller, a quiet literary novel, a short-story collection or a work of nonfiction. Louise will share examples of good, bad and memorable blurbs, look at how the same book can be presented in radically different ways, and tackle the particular challenge of writing about books where “not much happens”. Most importantly, she’ll explore how to make readers feel something — and want to read on. 

Louise Willder has been a copywriter at Penguin Books for thirty years and has written blurbs for thousands of books. Her book Blurb Your Enthusiasm was named a Times Book of the Year.

Clodagh Kinsella is a French-to-English literary translator and travel writer. She has carried authors including Michèle Bernstein and Ève Guerra into English and is currently completing a PhD in translation at UEA.