When I browse the book aisle or a website selling books, it’s the cover that catches my attention first. You could call it he bait on the hook. I then read the blurb on the back and if I like it, chances are, I’m going to buy the book.
I realize some awesome books are hidden under not so great covers, but chances are, unless they come highly recommended, I won't read them.
A cover must capture my imagination. It must make me curious as to what’s behind it. Color is also important. Too pink? Won’t read it. Yellow… um that means hazard. I once didn’t read a book because the cover model looked nothing like the man in the blurb. Nothing. Not even close.
If it’s this important to me as a reader, my book covers are a thousand times more
important to me as a writer. Most of you know a writer has very little say in picking the cover of his or her book.
After you’ve written the book, it’s been contracted and you’re working on galleys, the big day finally comes: You receive an image of your book cover via email.
I remember the anticipation and trepidation I felt as my finger hovered over the ‘open’ button like it was yesterday.
So far I’ve been lucky. Angela Anderson has done both of my book covers and I love them.
- David’s happy trail is missing on the cover of AFTER HOURS, but really, that’s a minor detail.-
But not every author is so lucky. Cover Café had a ‘Worst Cover’ contest. The covers in this blog are number two and three. Here is the winner:
Have you ever read a book that was far better than it's cover? What made you look past to the pages withint?
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