Comments on: Covers On My Mind

By: Tempest Knight

Tempest Knight — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 01:15:33 +0000

I admit that I judge a book by its cover. Of course, it’s not the only reason I buy a book, but a nice cover makes me pick the book faster from the shelves. With ebooks, a lousy cover means much more. The way I see it, if they couldn’t hire a good graphic artist to do their covers, then they couldn’t have hired a good editor either.

By: Anonymous For A Reason

Anonymous For A Reason — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 01:55:27 +0000

At least two of the covers that Tonda Kalen posted are the exact same image — one is simply a close up. I think that the whole Stock image thing is becoming more popular. I don’t think any cover designer is trying to pull a fast one. I just think you see cover designers from different companies or imprints pulling the same stock photo, and not realizing it’s being used elsewhere.

I had a cover I loved get nixed by buyers. Later I had a cover I loved get scrapped for a whole new concept that looks like every other cover out there. Now we’re several books into the new concept, and I get mail from readers telling me that they didn’t realize that the new title was different from the old title, becaues the covers look so much the same as the last one!

This “same cover” situation that Sylvia is referring to is happening not only to different authors, but to the same author — where every book she writes is given a nearly identical cover. It’s apparently the hot new thing in branding an author — they do it on PURPOSE. I think it makes a five book series look like one book over and over, but do I get a say? Hell no.

By: Sylvia Day

Sylvia Day — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 22:42:28 +0000

I thought only epublishers recycled covers.

Nope. Here are some from NY: I Love the Image More Covers Even More Covers

By: Sylvia Day

Sylvia Day — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 22:38:46 +0000

So far, I’ve loved all your covers… yes, even -That Cover-.

Thanks, Ally! My most recent cover knocked my socks off. I can’t wait to post it!

By: Sylvia Day

Sylvia Day — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 22:37:37 +0000

A cool cover will catch my eye and make me pick it up.

And that’s why covers don’t necessarily reflect the book. The goal of a cover is to get readers to put their hands on it and pick it up. That’s half the battle. Then there’s a possiblity of a sale. If you won’t even touch it, there’s no possibility.

The best covers (IMO) are the ones that are eye-catching, share a bit about the story, and accurately reflect the contents.

By: Shirah

Shirah — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 02:44:46 +0000

As a reader I have to admit that the cover is what initially attracts me to a book; however, a ho-hum cover won’t completely turn me off.. I also read the blurb on the back, and a few pages from the middle of the book to see if something sparks an interest.

I’m a visual person and like to see a cover where the hero and heroine are featured, rather than the fancy victorian home where they eventually reside. One thing that bothers me though is when a heroine is described as a pixie with curly red hair, and the cover shows a blonde amazon sized woman! Eeek.
Having caught the writing bug, I now realize the author has little control over the art work… just my pet peeve

By: Em

Em — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 01:55:28 +0000

I love pretty covers. It’s the reason why I sometimes have multiple editions of the same book (although I have to love the book too ). They’re very rarely romance books, though. Mostly YA, like Donnelly’s A Northern Light (which is also an exception to my usual dislike of having faces on the cover, no matter how pretty); I have this version and the hardcover. I received the HC as a gift and when the PB came out, I liked it so much, I bought a copy (she seems to have lucked out on her other book covers too). Likewise, I have three different copies of McKinley’s Beauty.

Once in a while I’ll buy a book pretty much based on the cover and/or title; it worked out well with Dana Stabenow’s Hunter’s Moon. I haven’t done it recently, though. On the other hand, I don’t particularly like most romance covers, especially the ones with half-nekkid people or some guy staring at you, so I try not to look at them when browsing or buying.

By: Kaitlin

Kaitlin — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 00:59:46 +0000

One of the coolest covers I’ve seen in a LONG time was the one for the novel Warrior & Witch by Marie Brennan. I’m not good with html, but here’s the link. http://www.twbookmark.com/books/25/0446616974/

It’s just so cool!

I hate covers that are gag-inducing. I seem to like covers without heads for some reason. Someone once mentioned that they like them because you can put your own spin on what the characters look like. That’s why I like those kind.

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 00:36:47 +0000

What I don’t like is the very “romancy” covers.
Those covers severely limit when and where I’ll read the novel (on the plane next to my v-p? Not a chance).
Same thing with romancy titles.
Don’t really need a visual of the hero/heroine.

By: LeeLee

LeeLee — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 20:57:43 +0000

A good cover might make me pick a book up, but the cover alone won’t make me buy it. I’ll pick it up, read the blurb, and if that’s interesting I’ll read the first few pages. If it’s hooked me, i’m there. (This is a real disadvantage ebooks have, when they count on an excerpt of their choice to reel you in.)
A bad cover OTOH, won’t even get picked up; unless it’s by an author I’m already a fan of. Cartoons bug the heck out of me, but then again I’ve never liked cartoons. Scooby being the exception.
Ebooks are beginning to escape the horrible cover trap. While Cover Snark features the worst of the worst, she also takes time to feature some truly gorgeous covers. Still, there are some ebook publishers I won’t even browse because their covers are embarassingly bad. I figure, if they care so little about advertising their product, then their product must not be worth advertising.