Michael Catford

Michael Catford – Marketer

I've spent years writing blurbs, taglines and marketing copy to hook readers and work the Amazon, Kobo, Apple and Google algorithms.

Overview

Writing a book is one thing. Selling it to readers through the blurb, taglines and Amazon A+ content is quite another.

If you aren't excited by sales copy, or if you just aren't sure how to write it, I'm here to help.

Whether you're starting from scratch, have a blurb you want workshopped, or just want a bit of expert advice on getting the Amazon algorithm working for you, I'll give you the words or the guidance to sell your book better.

Having spent years working with a leading book cover designer, I've written cover text (blurb, taglines) and book descriptions (Amazon A+ content) for hundreds of books, including multiple New York Times bestsellers.

I've written for every genre you can think of (and a few you can't): fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, thriller, horror, romance, literary fiction, the full spectrum of non-fiction and more.

You describe your book. I do the rest.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Fantasy Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense Young Adult

Work experience

Self-employed

Mar, 2016 — Present
I've been working with a book cover designer for over a decade. In that time I've crafted blurbs, taglines and Amazon copy for hundreds of books across every genre for hundreds of happy authors.

Projects

Places We'll Go by Cait Waynelovich

In her brief Cait described her novel as "Eat, Pray, Love for the social media era" (a nice hook - ended up including a variant in both the blurb and Amazon copy).

I'm not the target audience for this book. And I enjoyed this project more than most because of it.

Over the years I've found that what appears at first to be a disadvantage is in fact a superpower: when I'm not the ideal reader, it grants me a more objective view of those who are, and enables me to write copy that makes the book stand out from its competition.

School on Your Terms by Anna Blankenship

Having previously authored bilingual children's books, Anna-Blankenship was looking to move into the self-help space with School on Your Terms, a guide for those struggling to fit education in and around their adult lives.

She sought help in selling her book to a highly targeted adult audience, and I was happy to assist. The aim was to describe on precisely who the book was written for, and what they could expect to get out of it.

"This is amazing! Thank you!" - Anna.

The Wife Across the Street by James Caine

James Caine needs no introduction within psychological thriller circles, so I was chuffed when I got the opportunity to write taglines, Amazon A+ content and the blurb for his then-latest tome, The Wife Across the Street.

Less was more for this one, as is his style, and I enjoyed the challenge of constricting my writing. And after thousands of positive reviews, the copy seems to have worked!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GXVK9K1C

Splinter by Brian Moyer

The project was a personal favourite for the challenge of distilling a big and complex idea into a tempting morsel. I wrote the blurb, the algorithmically optimised Amazon content and a handful of taglines for use across the cover and marketing materials.

Brian has gone on to build a solid fan base for his high concept novels. If you're into fantasy and/or sci-fi I'd encourage you to check them out!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1Z8FS8H

Releasing the Reins by Catherine Matthews

Catherine Matthews is a multi-award-winning novelist. This was her first book, released in 2024, for which I wrote the blurb, book description (for use as Amazon A+ content) and six taglines to be used across the cover, Amazon and social media.

Thousands of Amazon and Goodreads reviews later, I'm proud to have played a small part in helping her work gain the attention it deserves, and have since written the same marketing copy for Termination Dust, the second book in her Tundra Secrets series.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1FZT38

Portfolio

Not In My House: A Memoir

Barlow, Susanna

Susanna Barlow

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Termination Dust: The Tundra Secrets Series

Matthews, Catherine

Pacific Peaks Publishing

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The Passing Down

Meadows, Havana

Raw Root Press

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Killer Bookends

Robbins, Jonathan

Jonathan Robbins

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Indulekha, Borrowed Memories

Banneyake, Mangalanath

Banneyake Books

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Casey and the Big Bass

Spires, Richard

Richard Spires

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All These Fish: A Memoir

Riggs, Psy.D., Lisa

Magpie & Plum

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The Arbiter

Higgins, Brendan

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The Things That Haunt You

Griffith, E.A.

E.A. Griffith

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The Mourning Lily

Grayson, Rachel

PaleoLithic Press

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The Truth Chamber

Ritchie, Duncan

Aletheion Press

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