Now, let's face it: writing a blurb is tough enough as it is when you're writing it for one story, but what in the world are you supposed to do if you're writing it for? Or a collection of poetry?

Well, the first thing I usually do is sit down and sob. Then, I scream and eat some pomegranate.

But it's okay: you can skip those steps! Because, hopefully, this chapter will make it a ton easier to actually sit down and write that blurb for your collection of short stories or your collection of poetry.

Basically, there are types of summaries for short stories and poetry. None are particularly better than the other, really. It all depends on the style you're trying to achieve, as well as which one you think works with your aesthetic.

However, before we get into what the four types are, please be aware that your story MUST contain the following, regardless of the type you choose:

Your summary MUST tell the reader that they are about to read a collection of poetry/short stories. You don't want your reader to stumble into it, thinking it is a novel.

Your summary MUST tell the reader if there are any mature themes that might be confronting for them. This includes erotic imagery, mental illness, death, violence, and abuse.

Those two things are in your summary. Please make sure you mention them.

And now, onto the types of blurbs:

"A collection of short stories written by me."

"A collection of poems written by me."

However, a lot of people like to expand on it to make it just a touch more magical:

"A collection of short stories about love, laughter and learning."

"A collection of poems written while I was procrastinating instead of studying for a maths test."

"A collection of short stories, featuring pineapples taking over the planet."

"A collection of poems written by a girl who only wants to fly."

These aren't too difficult to write. Basically, just summarise what your stories/poetry is about in less than ten words, or even describe how they came to life.

Boy, we went creative with these names, didn't we? These types of blurbs contain the following:

It must inform the reader that they are reading a collection of short stories/poetry.

It discusses the themes within the story and/or why these were written.

The of the collection of short stories/poetry. This is the new part - the part that isn't in the short summaries. This part details why these stories or these poems came to be, and should detail what the reader will get from reading this.

Sounds complicated, right? What if the collection doesn't really have a purpose?

Well, maybe don't try this summary then. But, really, think about it: what do you want your readers to take from this? Perhaps the real purpose of your stories is to make the reader smile. If so, then that is your purpose, and that is what you write.

Of course, we have included an example. This is a summary written by Rupi Kaur for her collection of poems, titled Milk and Honey. We did write this summary. All credit goes to Rupi Kaur. This is her summary, which we think is a perfect example of a medium summary:

Milk and Honey is a collection of poetry and prose about survival. About the experience of violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity.

The book is divided into four chapters, and each chapter serves a different purpose. Deals with a different pain. Heals a different heartache. Milk and Honey takes readers through a journey of the most bitter moments in life and finds sweetness in them because there is sweetness everywhere if you are just willing to look.

Can you see how this perfectly fulfils the criteria of a medium summary? It includes the themes, the fact that it's a collection of poetry, and discusses the purpose of the story and what the writer hopes to achieve. That is a medium summary.

This summary is the longest of the lot, and that's because it includes the most elements. These include:

It must inform the reader that they are reading a collection of short stories/poetry.

It discusses the themes within the story and/or why these were written. It can include the purpose, but it doesn't necessarily have to.

An excerpt from the story itself. Not a long one - perhaps six lines maximum. But one that intrigues the reader enough to make them want to read more.

The titles/specific details of some of the poems/short stories. Basically, it digs that little bit deeper and hints at the stories/poems to come.

An example, you ask? Well, let's use an example from a fellow Wattpadian. I've asked permission, of course, and the author has agreed to let me showcase their work.

This collection of short stories is titled: The (Short) Story of the Evil Umbrellas, and the author is This is their summary:

You wanted to know how I died?

I saw dead people...

As umbrellas.

And the umbrellas didn't like it.

I'm sorry, did you want to hear more?

Now a (completed) anthology of short stories, flash fiction, and hopefully quality writing. Expect to find a bereaved mother dealing with a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a hair-raising fairytale, two professional bankrobbers, the original Rick-Roller, and maybe a rubber chicken or two.

Thank you, , for letting us feature your blurb! As everyone can see, it contains a brief excerpt from one of the short stories, it tells the reader that this is a collection of short stories, and it details what the reader should expect in a playful but intriguing manner.

What about for poetry, you ask? Well, no worries. I, , have attempted to write a long blurb for a collection of poetry (that, by the way, I haven't actually written because writing poetry is not my niche). Let's imagine that this collection of poems is called 'Gardens'.

"I wish I was a tree. I wish I could photosynthesise.

Not because I want to produce energy. Not because I want to turn poison into goodness.

But because I don't want to be alone."

Gardens: a collection of poetry about thoughts and desires. Poems about lost art, about art that is yet to be made. Paintings that are yet to dry. Seedlings that are planted, but are yet to grow.

These poems are not only about the ponderings of a young soul, but are also a collection of memories featuring: a mermaid and her song, an unbreakable wall, a last kiss, the shenanigans within a shower, and canvases that have lost their paint.

Poems that will pull your heartstrings. Poems that will show you the beauty of nature and the cruelty of humans. When you read these poems, don't forget to look around you and breathe in. Look at the trees, the water, and, most importantly, the people.

Because, without them, these poems wouldn't exist at all.

Now, this blurb is completely different to the blurb by , and yet, it contains the exact same elements. It shows the themes of the poems, it mentions that it is a collection of poems, it gives some examples of the poems to come, and it includes an excerpt. This one goes a little further and also explains the purpose of the poems and where it wants to take the reader.

And so, that's the long blurb! But what was the fourth type of blurb?

Okay, so this type of blurb is specifically for authors who need a blurb for their collection of poetry. Basically, if you're going to write a collection of poems, why not make your blurb a poem as well?

There isn't really a specific structure to it. However, if you're going to write a poem about your poems, make sure you mention that the following pages will be poems. Also, maybe try including your themes, if you can?

Here is a gorgeous example written by the co-author of this book, :

Moonlight shines through

Snow-white beams fall, too

Shadows in each corner dance

Beguiling monsters in a trance

Darkness pools and pours

Dark ink and paper cascade and mingle

With each lovely nightly tour

My pen and heart tingle

I offer these poems to the comforting darkness. Everything in it are my friends.

As you can see, it is, more or less, free-verse poetry. While it doesn't explicitly state a theme, the poem itself contains imagery about darkness, shadows and monsters. That is a subtle but clear indicator of what the readers should expect within the collection of poetry.

Furthermore, the most important element is there: the part where it tells the reader that it is a collection of poetry. That is the most essential part of all these four blurbs, so make sure you include it!

That's it! Those are the four types of blurbs for poetry and short story, with some examples and tips on how to write them. We hope you found that helpful!

The examples for the short blurbs were simply made from the top of my head. Any resemblance to other blurbs, both published or not, is simply coincidental.

The medium blurb example was written by Rupi Kaur, for her collection of poetry, titled Milk and Honey. All credit goes to Rupi Kaur. We did not write it. We only appreciated it.

The long blurb example for short story was written by for their collection of short stories, titled The (Short) Story of the Evil Umbrellas. We sought permission beforehand, and all credit goes to them entirely.

The long blurb example for poetry was written by (me!) for an imaginary collection of poems, titled Gardens. This collection does not actually exist. It was purely fictional and was written for the purposes of helping readers understand the mechanics behind a blurb. Any resemblance to other blurbs, both published or not, is simply coincidental.

The poem blurb was written by , the co-writer of this story, for an imaginary collection of poems. This collection does not actually exist. It was purely fictional and, as with Gardens, was written for the purposes of helping readers understand the mechanics behind a blurb. Any resemblance to other blurbs or poems, both published or not, is simply coincidental.

Anyways, next week, we have An Agent 007 Guide to Stalking Reviewers: How To Know If Your Reviewer Is Good Before Requesting A Review. Stay tuned!