Looks, and How They Sucked Me In
On my birthday, my hubby whisked me away and plopped me down into the fiction aisle of the local bookstore. Then he said, voice deep and sexy, "Buy". You all should know that I'm a submissive wife, so I did exactly what he said. >g<
I didn't go all crazy and decided that as much as I wanted to just swoop all those books into my arms and run, I couldn't. So I had to choose, and boy was that hard.
Guess what I looked at first?
Yep. Covers.
If a cover looked interesting, I checked out the title and then the backcover copy. After awhile, I realized what I was doing and deliberately looked at Titles, blurbs and first pages.
But the sad truth remains. My eye was caught by looks first.
Have you thought about your manuscript's book cover? What it might look like and how it might entice readers to buy?
I didn't go all crazy and decided that as much as I wanted to just swoop all those books into my arms and run, I couldn't. So I had to choose, and boy was that hard.
Guess what I looked at first?
Yep. Covers.
If a cover looked interesting, I checked out the title and then the backcover copy. After awhile, I realized what I was doing and deliberately looked at Titles, blurbs and first pages.
But the sad truth remains. My eye was caught by looks first.
Have you thought about your manuscript's book cover? What it might look like and how it might entice readers to buy?
Comments
I LOVE your husband's birthday present. I'm locking that idea away for the future!
I find myself looking at covers too. It's one of the first things that draws me to a book, along with the title. But the clincher for buying the book is usually the back cover blurb and the first page.
So what did you end up buying? :)
I've absolutely thought about covers. With my first, Bliss Lake, I've envisioned a photo I took myself: I was sitting on our dock, but all you can see is my bare feet and the water beyond. It fits with the character and book's happenings... but then we all know authors have little say in the final cover.
I did read recently, though, that as writers, we can make files of ideas and pictures with the kinds of covers we like and envision for our own - it may go a long way in the pub's decision. So I'll be keeping that in mind!
Now you got me thinking!
What a nice gift hubby gave you! He's a definite keeper!
Anyway, that doesn't stop me from picturing it. Most of the time I picture my cover with an old Japanese woodblock print.
Now that's a birthday gift!
When I go into a bookstore, I generally have a pretty good idea what I want. Of course, I'll browse, but the author is critical to whether or not I buy.
I get to know the author through blogs, websites, Facebook, book reviews, etc. Bookcovers, back cover blurbs, etc. play almost no role in my selection.
Gotta run off to work.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Yes, thinking of book covers all the time for my future publication. LOL. I know what draws me to a book, so hope to hit on the same sort of "looks" with my own one day.
I must confess that I am a cover first, blurb second and read the first few pages book shopper.
LOL I'm going to post later about my books, 'cause I ended up being extremely practical. :-( Didn't want to be, but I was.
It was a great birthday present, btw. Your husband will probably appreciate the easyness of it. LOL
I read that too. Publishing houses operate different ways. I know Steeple Hill gives their authors a lot of leeway with the covers.
LOL You crack me up! You're right though, sometimes the covers don't match. I'm actually not a big fan of people on the front type covers. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it doesn't. Thanks for sharing your jaded view! LOL
Have fun thinking about covers. Steeple Hill will send you this huge Art Fact Sheet (or something) to fill out for their art department, so it's good to be prepared. :-)
You're very generous. Have a great day at work!
Actually I thought about cover design last night. I came to the conclusion I should keep a folder with idea's in it. Booksurge has a new feature where you can see the different cover designs they offer. For my literary fiction I'd prefer an actual picture, something moody, black and white would be nice.
Oh, I got goosebumps at your description...
Covers do make a huge difference... My question is do cover pics make a difference for e-books?
Thanks for the great post!
Glad I gave you goosebumps. LOL
I look at covers too -- I'm trying to remember, before I became "aware" of these things, what did I look for/at -- I bet it was covers, then the jacket or back of book blurb ...
what did you buy!?
I love your cover! It seems to go so well with your story, or the excerpts I've read. It's a touching cover and I think it will catch readers eyes for sure, esp. mothers.
I confess if I am just browsing, I look at covers first, and then the back blurb. If I don't know the author, that is what I do...I admit it freely!
And YES, I definitely have a book cover for the book I am writing (and for the ones still in my head!) I really love the ones that are all the rage with the tops of the H/H's head cut off. LOL That sounds funny, but it is true. It leaves something to the imagination.
I got three books and I'm going to post about them tomorrow, because only one really got my heart thumping. :-)
The covers with half a face are pretty cool. I like them too.
I'm sorry, what were you saying?
Ever since I read, "Then he said, voice deep and sexy, 'Buy'. You all should know that I'm a submissive wife, so I did exactly what he said," I have been giggling uncontrollably! *grin*
So what was it? Something about covers?
Yeah, that's it.
I love my covers! And though I know you "aren't supposed to judge a book by its cover," quite frankly - that's what people do. So I am incredibly grateful that such a talented guy made my covers!
Enjoyed your musings, Jessica.
I have to tell you, I LOVE your covers. Really. They're awesome and exactly what our little munchkins are like. You're right. We do judge the cover to get an idea of what might be inside.