Ha, I definitely hear that. A great cover with a disappointing text is a big letdown. Better to have a mediocre cover with a surprisingly good text- although I would never discover that unless it was specifically recommended by someone I trust.
I like going into the bookstore blind and then I let the covers themselves draw me in! The last three that I’ve done this was have been absolute bangers.
But I’ve also read some incredible books with unfortunate covers lolol
Yes! Especially recently I’ve been seeing such great covers, I want to buy everything! Have you chosen books with unfortunate covers or were they recommended? Cuz those are the only ones I’ll read with bad, if they come recommended by someone I trust.
I also judge books by their covers to some extent, but here's a complication: some books are reissued some years after initial publication with totally different covers, giving the books completely different tones. I'd never buy based on a cover alone but am drawn to those with style, personality, and professionism. For my own books, I've worked hard with designers to come up with the image that promises the kind of reading experience I hope to deliver. It can take a great deal of time and effort, but it's well worth it.
Yes! Sometimes I’ll only be interested in a book once I see a new cover, which is probably part of the reason they do different cover designs, to see how they could improve sales. (Just a guess,
maybe that’s not why.) And I love the covers of your books! Bright and inviting- definitely draws the reader in.
I work hard on covers. Usually; but they aren’t capable of fully representing the content. One might argue that the text doesn’t always measure up. 🙄
Ha, I definitely hear that. A great cover with a disappointing text is a big letdown. Better to have a mediocre cover with a surprisingly good text- although I would never discover that unless it was specifically recommended by someone I trust.
Great article.
Thank you so much Colin! 🤗
I like going into the bookstore blind and then I let the covers themselves draw me in! The last three that I’ve done this was have been absolute bangers.
But I’ve also read some incredible books with unfortunate covers lolol
Yes! Especially recently I’ve been seeing such great covers, I want to buy everything! Have you chosen books with unfortunate covers or were they recommended? Cuz those are the only ones I’ll read with bad, if they come recommended by someone I trust.
I also judge books by their covers to some extent, but here's a complication: some books are reissued some years after initial publication with totally different covers, giving the books completely different tones. I'd never buy based on a cover alone but am drawn to those with style, personality, and professionism. For my own books, I've worked hard with designers to come up with the image that promises the kind of reading experience I hope to deliver. It can take a great deal of time and effort, but it's well worth it.
Yes! Sometimes I’ll only be interested in a book once I see a new cover, which is probably part of the reason they do different cover designs, to see how they could improve sales. (Just a guess,
maybe that’s not why.) And I love the covers of your books! Bright and inviting- definitely draws the reader in.
When browsing through books.
I'd like to actually be able to read the title, thank you very much, and be able to tell it apart from the author's name, even.
Painted covers, yes, 'cartoony' no.
The actual quality of the binding--will this break in two when I open it?
Love these criteria, you definitely know what you’re looking for, which it awesome!
“(I actually love buying books but making that kind of commitment to a new book without reading it first is wild.)”
Good to know I’m not the only one who purchases most of my books only AFTER reading them… 😅