I'm
going to be very honest for a few paragraphs. I'm a sucker for a good
cover. I have often picked up a book because of its cover, but I
only buy a book when the back blurb really catches my attention. And
if the cover is good and the blurb is enough to pique my interest but
not enough for me to spend money on, I write it down and get the book
from the library.
So
I don't judge a book by its cover, but I certainly am lured in by
good artwork and presentation. Which means that this is something
every author should be concerned about. If you are publishing
traditionally, then your publisher will probably take care of it.
I've heard horror stories about badly done covers that have
significantly hurt book sales. I've also seen covers that blow me
away. So like anything in life, it can go either way. If you're
indie publishing, then spend the money to at least get a respectable
cover. Go for a level above that. You won't be disappointed.
Personally,
covers give me an idea of what sort of feel I can expect from the
book. It should evoke emotions from me, and if I like the combination
it presents, then I'll pick it up and look at it.
I'll
only bore you with one example. Below is the cover to Time Riders.
I picked this one up off the shelf because of the cover. These were
my reasons:
-The
title has time in it, which means time travel! I was thinking
Quantum Leap
-There
is a city with a zeppelin in the background, and zeppelins are always
cool.
-The
whole picture looks a little warped—a little off, which is what I
assumed the characters would be fighting against.
-There
are three characters pictures. This is a YA book, which means they
are a team of some sort. I love a good team story.
This
combined my love of light sci-fi with comradeship and time travel,
leading me to buy it.
And
that's how I use a cover when I buy a book. Notice that the title
came into play as well. The blurb didn't do much for me this time
around, but sometimes they really draw me in.
What
about you? What role does a cover play when you're looking for a new
book to read?
5 comments:
I totally judge a book by it cover, but not in the same way as most. I've done quite a bit of research on covers/jacket design. There are some iconic covers that are copied - a lot. I avoid books with lazy cover art.
Frankly the partial person photo or single item close up are WAY over used in YA lit. I'm frankly sick of it and wasn't too impress with it when it started showing up. I'll avoid books with these covers simply because I know the target audience is Twilight fans. Just take a slow wander on the YA isle and you see basically the same cover over and over.
Where is the graphic design? Where is the art trying to capture the story in an image.
You want fantastic cover art, just take a look at Michael Whalen, Todd Lockwood and Chip Kidd (who revolutionized cover art).
One thing you should know is that studies have proven that green covers do not sell. They fade into the book blur on the shelf.
This link is an article showing good covers (including some I've avoided).
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/11/25-most-wonderful-book-covers-year/59428/
There's a reason we're friends! We have the same philosophy! I love a great cover! When the story is enough to draw me in & the cover is awesome, sometimes I just gaze at the cover (especially if it has a cool dress, scene, or hot dude :).
And I am not opposed to nabbing a book off the shelves at the library. If it's free, all the better!
Great article, Jo Ann! I love a good cover, one that evokes an emotion in me from the second I pick it up. Here's to awesome cover art and (hopefully) the equally awesome stories that go with them! :)
Funny, I had this same conversation with a few friends last night, and they pretty much said the same thing. We're all drawn in by covers, but it's those darn blurbs on the back that really get me.
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