Forces of Nature features Ben Affleck as a blurbologist, a writer who creates short, evocative paragraphs to promote books. This skill is in demand by publishing houses, PR firms, and advertising agencies. A blurbologist may also create author bios, copy for promotional spots, or humorous captions. To become a blurbologist, one needs a keen interest in creative writing and the ability to write tight, condensed copy with descriptive language and some hyperbole.
In the film Forces of Nature, Ben Affleck plays a professional writer who specializes in book cover storylines, short biographies, and rave reviews usually found on hardcover books. Sandra Bullock’s character asks him what he does for a living, to which he reluctantly admits. “Oh, you’re a blurbologist!” she exclaims, much to her chagrin.
Actually, being considered a blurbologist isn’t the worst fate for a professional writer. The skills of an experienced blurbologist are quite in demand by publishing houses, PR 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 could be handed over to a blurbologist for a positive spin on the book’s potential: “Author John Doe has once again managed to capture the seedy sheen and gothic gloom of organized crime in the Roaring Twenties. Winds. Following in the footsteps of his acclaimed crime novel, Knock ‘Em Dead, Doe’s new book explores a new generation of the Diamond crime family…”
A blurbologist may also be asked to create a short author bio for advertising purposes or to create copy for promotional spots or advertising campaigns. If an image requires a humorous caption, a magazine editor may consult a staff member known to be a talented blurbologist for some creative ideas. The title of blurbologist isn’t always official, and any number of professional writers might generate shorts and expansions for their clients. A skilled blurbologist, however, is very skilled at creating blurbs that tickle the line of hyperbola but don’t cross it.
There is no specific curriculum to become a professional blurbologist, other than a keen interest in the field of creative writing and an ability to write tight, condensed copy. A blurbologist is in the business of promotion and advertising just as much as he is in the business of writing, so he needs to be comfortable using highly descriptive language and some hyperbole to generate positive public interest in a new book or other press release.
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