She said…
So, as someone who has never written a book – yet – I sometimes don’t realize how important all the different components can be. However, I think my author partner will agree that the most important part of the sale of an actual book is the cover.
When I peruse the sections of Amazon, or an actual brick and mortar bookstore, the main thing I’m looking for is a great cover. A great cover that grabs my attention is the ONLY reason I pick up a book. Your blurb or first page is irrelevant to me unless that cover grabs my attention.
So how do you make a good cover? In my opinion, it needs to make me want to read the book blurb. It needs to be creative and original; not some stock pic of a big, muscular hunk with his arms wrapped around some buxom beauty; or some boring scene that has no specific detail to peak my interest.
I want something unusual. Take for instance Under Different Stars by Amy A. Bartol or Cicada Prophecy by J.R McLeay. Both of these covers are really intriguing without being overdone. And I REALLY want to know more. So, I read the blurbs. And then, I want to read the books. And one of them I actually have already and it was amazing – it was Cicada Prophecy in case you were wondering.
The moral of this story is that if you want me to even see what your book is about by reading that blurb, you better bring it with the cover. And as an amateur practicing writer, I am definitely keeping it in mind as I build my book. I want to build my cover around my book so that it reflects everything I worked so hard to put within that cover.
He said….
Ah Ash, there’s hope for you yet! For once we agree on something. Not that you have bowed to my superior knowledge as an author (yet) but even as a reviewer/reader, you recognize the importance of a books cover.
To all our authors and author wanna-be’s out there, I can’t improve on Ashley’s advice. (God, I’ll never hear the end of that one!)
Simply put, if you’re going to put your time and effort into anything, it needs to be your cover. Even if your book sucks; if you’ve got a great cover, it will sell. And, that’s what your cover should be all about. Attracting readers to buy your book.
So, start early and design your cover wisely!
PS Did anyone notice that Ashley referred to herself as “an amateur practicing writer”? If you somehow missed it, it’s in the last paragraph, around the middle, or thereabouts.
Enjoy everyone and Happy Writing!