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So imagine you want into the book store and see a hot looking book on the shelf with the most delectable cover. You can't take your eyes off it..As you approach closer you pick up the book and start to read the back blurb. It's even sexier than the cover...
OMG you must have this book..You are already thinking of getting lost in the story as you turn the pages...
Now imagine..you walk up to the shelf and see the worst cover you could possibly know...You glance at it not because it looks interesting but because it is just so bad..You quickly glance away and work your eyes over the shelf to a better looking cover..
You never pick up the book with the bad cover but do think to yourself.."What was someone thinking when they made that."
What if it turned out that the book with the hot cover and amazing back blurb turned out to be a horrible read and you missed out on an amazing story because you passed on the book with a horrible cover?
We all know how important book covers are when it comes to stories. Being an author I strive to always have one heck of a cover to match my story and to grab the readers attention.
Lets face it, a cover is the first thing we see when we look at a book. There is a small window of time as a person makes up their mind to pick the book up, read the blurb and make the purchase.
Even though we authors always want to have the best cover that reflects our books and we fill out cover art forms to give the cover artist an idea of what we want, it is not always possible to have the perfect cover.
Sometimes we are stuck with a cover that we might not like or be too fond of.
Just because a cover is not the best looking doesn't mean that we should pass up checking out the book. Yes there is a saying Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover...but sadly we do..
So I think that people should give all books a chance. Decide for yourself if the book is worth reading or not even if the cover is not the most desirable.
As a reader have you ever judged a book by the cover and later found out you passed up a wonderful story? How important is a cover for you when you are picking up a possible book to read?
stay naughty,
Savannah
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I've never passed up a good story...to my knowledge. The truth is, I don't know because I *do* judge books by covers. If the artwork is shoddy or looks like the artist slapped together several stock photos without watching out for simple things like direction of lighting, then I immediately jump to the conclusion that the book was put together just as hastily. Perhaps it's wrong to do that, but there are too many good books with good covers to choose from. I understand it's not always the author's choice, but it IS the publisher, and if they're not getting a quality cover artist, there's nothing to say they'd get a quality editor, either.
ReplyDeleteNoelle, I do understand what you mean. There are so many books out there and not enough time. I've seen a few books with not so great covers but the quality of the book was just wonderful and so well written. I think also sometimes some people see beauty in something others might not, like cover work.
DeleteI don't always pay a lot of attention to covers when I am choosing a book (although I do admire the man candy many times)...I tend to focus more on the blurb and then read a page or two. That being said, I do cringe at some of the covers that I see, especially some of the ones that accompany e-books...but I still read the blurb!
ReplyDeleteElf2060, it is great that you still take the time to give the author a chance by checking out the blurb. Don't worry I cringe too at the bad covers...
DeleteFor some reason, my eyes are drawn to pretty covers. Pretty covers are important, but the blurb as well. I might look and ask myself why oh why such a cover, but when I read the blurb and like it, I pick it. :)
ReplyDeleteCecilia, I think all of us are..That is the whole point..Get your attention and then pick up the book. Thank you for giving books a chance...I know the authors appreciate it.
DeleteA cover does make a difference to me. It's the first impression. If it grabs me, then I'll read a sample, the reviews next, and finally decide to buy or not.
ReplyDeleteeden
Eden, a cover will always be the first thing that introduces us to a book. Still it is great to see you take the extra step to find out more about the book before you buy it.
DeleteThe cover initially attracts me to the book,but, the blurb is what really matters.
ReplyDeleteAnn Q, that is great that you do read the blurb to see if it is what you want and not just judge by the cover. Thank you for taking the time to stop over.
DeleteI can be seduced by an attractive cover but I tend to judge a book by its blurb. That's the sales tool for me.
ReplyDeleteShelley, that is the good way too go. I think the cover always gets us to go oooohhh ahhh but the story has to match the ohh ahhh.
DeleteI love the covers. But . . .
ReplyDeleteI'm just so fussy about the author's voice. I can't just read a book that's poorly written, even if it has great sex.
Susan, yeah I know what you mean.I have read some books like that and just could not finish. They were off to the point where I just could not even force myself.
DeleteI believe the cover of the story is the "grabber" of the sale and the blurb is the "final decision" of the sale. A lot of readers just buy it because it's a trendy series. Series such as Twilight, Harry Potter etc. I think every author has the right to be somewhat picky to help the designer to create a amazing cover. The designer should always do a "mock up" version of the cover before ever purchasing the stock photos. Mock ups are a great, they save everyone time and money. Great blog Savannah!
ReplyDelete