Judgng A Book by the Cover

I don't really look at covers when I buy my books. But I'm not buying for a Kindle or Nook. I wonder if that makes a difference? I know the authors I'm looking for and I usually go for them first, but if there's nothing new, then I look for somebody else.

I love historical covers, especially when the heroines have on really bright dresses. Tiffany Claire and Sabrina Jeffries come to mind.

I love the dark blue Intrigue covers. They always catch my eye at the store. Maybe it's because they're Intrigues and I love them.

I have a friend who just sold and she HATED the cover art she got. Really hated it. Luckily she has an understanding editor and artist, and they re-did it and made her a stunning cover.

Another friend made her own cover for her book, The Treasure Hunger's Lady. OMG, is it pretty. She just rocked it. I love it.

I have written fifteen books and oddly enough, the only cover I've ever envisioned was for Mississippi Blues. A big, full moon rising over a dark bayou. Very dark blue colors going to black. I can see it so clearly. My friend, Cera DeBois, just got her new cover, and it looks a lot like I've envisioned. It's gorgeous. I keep staring at it.

I want one like that.

For Wild Horses, I can see a herd of mustangs backs as they come into a catch-pen with a couple embracing in the top right corner. The background is kind of red. The title somewhere in the middle. My name there somewhere .

I have several friends who are newly published and it's fun to see what kind of covers they're getting.

It'll be even more fun to see mine. Suddenly, covers matter a whole lot more to me!

Comments

  1. I always look at covers. If it catches my eyes, I'll look at the blurb and ask my friends.

    But if I don't like the cover, but I hear good things about the book, I'll still read it.

    But eye catching always helps!

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    1. Hi, Carrie Ann. I have read books on reccomendations from friends!

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  2. Aww, thanks for mentioning my cover, D'Ann! I can't wait to see what they come up with for Wild Horses! Actually, I can't wait to get my hands on the whole thing. I'm so excited for you!!!

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    1. Allie~
      I love your cover. And thanks so much!

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  3. Since I have a Kindle, covers don't mean as much to me, but I'm usually picky about my own. However, not having any kind of artistic eye, I'm never sure what I want, just that I'll know it when I see it.

    I'm anxious to see yours, D'Ann, though probably not as anxious as you are. :-)

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    1. I'm so anxious, Liz! LOL I LOVE your cover to the right...so pretty.

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  4. It's a whole lot different when it's your name on the cover, isn't it—squee! Can't wait to see yours! I'm so happy for you!

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    1. I cannot wait to see yours, Jenn! SO EXCITED!

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  5. Hi, D'Ann,

    Cover art matters to me. But the kind of cover art you get does vary with the publisher and the way the book is presented: hardcover, paperback or ebooks. Good example of this is my romantic mystery novel THE DROWNING POOL. Five Star/Gale published it as a hardcover originally. I liked the art work although my daughter-in-law was critical of it. L&L Dreamspell put the novel out as an e-book with a less fussy cover suited to digital. In February Harlequin Worldwide Mystery published the novel in paperback. The cover is the most eye-catching of the three, definitely flashier.
    All three use a pool but each does a very different type of cover art.

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  6. Covers are key to selling a book, along with a great blurb in my opinion. I just got the mock up for my cover for Agent in Training...can't wait to reveal it.

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    1. Oh, Jerri, you teaser! Pant, pant! Can't wait!

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  7. I was just discussing this issue with a good friend of mine.
    You know what "STINKS" is that a ton of readers out there don't know an author has little say about their covers. I mean, they read your story and heroine has red hair the hero is a blonde, then the cover their both brunette..."What?" They think it's the authors fault.
    I say leave their faces off the cover! If your cover artist can't read your description of your characters or setting you give them, (in MHO)I think it's better to allow your readers to use their imagination...
    Good post,
    Neecy

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    1. Completely agree. An author friend got hate mail from one of her books that the characters didn't match the cover images! LOL

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  8. My first cover for One Knight in Brooklyn was the same couple I have now in a blah gray fog. I told them to add color a sunset in the background. That made the difference in that cover. The first cover for Night with a Dom had a girl with pointy eyebrows and chin and a barechested dude with a drawn-on mask -- NOT GOOD! I love the cover I have now.

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    1. Hi, Casea! I love your covers, especially Knight! Love it!

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  9. A cover does mean a lot--it is the first impression the reader has of your book--even before the title.

    Before I became a writer, I didn't think i paid that much attention to covers, but I did.

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    1. You have a great cover, my friend. I can't remember, did you do it?

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  10. This is in answer to D'Ann and Jerri. Yep, covers matter. Its your first view into the book and should say a lot about the story. I think it speaks well of the publisher as well. They care about the author. JMHO Congrats to you both. I know the books are awesome.

    Betty

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    1. Betty! You came over. Hugs. Did you publish Thistle Flower? Love that book, and I have the perfect photo for the cover!

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  11. As a reader, I pay close attention to covers. It should give me an idea of the story. A couple of publishers I'm sorry to say have the worst covers. I can't get past them to order the books even though I'm sure the books are great. I'm not a cover snob but if I'm buying a book, I want the cover to look good. Not like my 6 yr old drew it.

    Marika

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    1. Hi, Marika.
      I'm not a fan of cartoon-ey covers, but a friend just got hers and she loves it. Diff strokes and all that...

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  12. Although I know as well as anyone that an author has little say about cover art, I still think the professionalism of the cover matters. A poorly designed cover often means a badly edited book. But e-book covers have improved dramatically over the past year or two - and the examples you cite are very good ones!
    I've been very lucky to have the Sourcebooks art department designing my cowboy covers. I've loved every single one, and they just keep getting better!

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    1. You have phenom covers! Looking at one right now. Nice.

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  13. I have images in my mind for my covers. I hope I'll get to see them someday.

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    1. I have every confidence you will, Ella! I think they will be beautiful.

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  14. I have always been attracted to covers. I have been reading romance books since the age of 12 and the covers always got me first. So when they decided to stop putting models on the covers I have to admit it was a bit hard for me to get into the reading. Though if it is someone I really, like I can usually get past that. Then later on when the covers have sometimes looked cartoon like it became even harder. I love covers. I love seeing the characters basically come to life. Even though I have NOOK and Kindle. I still love a good cover. I still buy print books too. I think a cover can say a thousand words. But everyone is different. This is just my preference. Great post.

    Nichelle

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    1. HI, Nichelle! It's neat that you love covers so much! I hope mine will be one you like!

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  15. Unless it's a book from one of my "must-buy" authors, I find that cover art is very important, especially for a new author who's gone the ebook route. Ebooks tend to be impulse buys, so a great cover is a must. If a reader doesn't know your name and glance tells her she doesn't like your cover, she now has no reason to click on your book.

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    1. Lisa~ You must have sold a million copies by your beautiful cover alone. It is sooo pretty!

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  16. I love looking at book covers. Always have. They are a big reason I'm attracted to a book (that and the title). Even moreso now that some have my name on them. I have to say, and I hope I don't jinx it, I've had fantastic luck with my covers. I've loved them all (after a little tweaking) and especially the upcoming release one is gorgeous.

    Here's hoping your first cover is everything you could ever wish for, D'Ann. You certainly deservie it! Can't wait to see it. :)

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    1. You have gorgeous covers, too, Jenna. Thank you. Me, too!

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  17. I look at covers and titles. Sometimes it's the author. Have ideas for mine so we'll see

    Gina

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    1. Hi, Gina!
      I bet you have ideas! Can't wait to see them.

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  18. I'd have to say I've discovered new, beloved authors because they had an outstanding cover that made me pick up the book. It may have been a combination of the cover and title, but I believe covers really do matter.

    And I can't wait to see yours and Kristi's!

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    1. Margie~
      Thank you! How do you see BIX? I can't wait to see him between the covers!

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  19. I don't know about anyone else, but covers draw me in. I've been known to bypass a book based on the appeal of the cover, only to realize later, what a treasure I almost missed. Because of that one incident, I no longer judge a book by it's cover. I judge the book by the blurb.

    Good luck with the cover you want. You deserve it :)

    Tomi

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    1. Thank you, Tomi! I have enjoyed books with ugly covers, but pretty is nice.

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  20. I always look at the cover, even if it's an e-book. I bought dozens if books based on the cover alone. And I do have a problem with cartoon covers.

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    1. Shawn~
      You got an amazing cover. See to my right, all. LOVE it. I hyperventilate every time I see that man.

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  21. covers do catch my attention...but a cover has never sold a book for me. The back cover blurb always does that. But, of course, if the cover doesn't catch my attention...I guess I never see the back cover. So, maybe covers matter more than I thought!

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    1. LOL, Kristi.
      I cannot WAIT to see your cover!!!

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  22. I'm bad. I look at covers every time. And if I like the cover, I'll flip to the blurb. If I like the blurb, I'll read the first page. If everything passes the test - I buy.

    I can't wait to see your reaction to your cover AND the book itself. Having seen the cover changes to my soon-to-be-released book Remedy Maker, I'm getting excited. I want to watch you feel your own excitement and ride the thrill with you! Congratulations!!

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    1. I love your cover, my friend. I think it's going to sell like hotcakes on a cold day.

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  23. I do judge a book by the cover--especially ebooks. If it looks like an amateur designed it, then I think it's not well written or well edited. That might not be the case at all, but its the impression a cover gives.

    I hope you get a beautiful cover, D'Ann!!

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  24. Covers don't make or break for me but I'm less likely to notice a book if the cover is blah...
    From what I hear, your one friend is lucky as authors don't often have a lot of say on their covers if they sell. Still... covers are important.

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    1. Anya~
      Yes, my friend got lucky, but she deserves to have the cover she wants! It's so gorgeous now, too!

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  25. I admit I do look at covers. But, I suppose that's the point to some degree. It is meant to draw the eye and stand out to you more so than another. However, I would never not read a book just because of the cover. I remember one specific book that I thought was outstanding really had the worst cover. Of course, I bought it anyway! :)

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    1. Hi, Melissa!
      LOL, glad you bought that book!

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  26. Oh, I LOVE covers! I wish I could take graphic design and design them. I would have a blast!

    Can't wait to see yours!!

    And it's so awful to say not to judge a book by its cover but readers tend to since it is a first impression.

    Good topic!

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    1. You should take one of those classes, Mart. You would be awesome at cover design.

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  27. The anticipation waiting for your cover to come is exciting and scary. I had no idea what kind of cover I wanted for Forgotten Visions. None! LOL When it came I was please with it and only asked to two minor changes. With the second book in the series, I know what I want.

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    1. Lia~
      What do you want for the next one? I'm dying to know...!

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  28. A book cover is like a snapshot of the story...a moment in time in the life of the characters that tells all who see it who these people are and what they're doing. I've read books where the story didn't live up to the cover, and I felt a bit cheated.

    I was thrilled with the cover of my first ebook (Hot Summer Fling), but then, months later, I saw a book with the very same cover. I was so bummed! I had a heck of a time finding the right cover for my second ebook (In The Bad Boy's Bed). The photos the artist kept suggesting made my couple look like gang members! I finally found one I was OK with, but someone recently wrote that the cover looks like one from a cheesy 70s romance (it's on my website if you wanted to judge for yourself). Sigh.

    D'Ann, here's hoping your cover fits your wonderful story to a T!

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    1. Sophia~
      Oh, that is so rotten about seeing your cover on another book. I love your titles, though!

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  29. Covers matter to me. If it's an auto buy author and the cover is bad, I will hesitate. If the cover is great, I will pick up a book I normally wouldn't.

    If the author (indie) doesn't care about the cover, I worry they won't care about the inside either.

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  30. I love covers and I've only had 1 out of 5 that I didn't like and that book didn't sell very well.

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    1. Maggie~
      What didn't you like, and why do you think the book didn't sell well?

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  31. I love covers and I was a little worried about what mine would look like. It is funny that you'd picture something like my cover for any of your books.... since I think mine screams paranormal...LOL

    Your cover will be awesome.

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  32. I absolutely whorship your cover and I think it is so close to what I've always wanted...drool.

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  33. THANK YOU, everyone, for coming by today. You're the best!

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  34. Sorry I'm late to the party but didn't want to miss this post. I completely look at covers. Granted, I have authors I like as well but if it is a new author I am trying, covers will be the first to attract me and then I'll read the blurb. Thanks for the great topic!

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  35. Toni~
    Thanks so much for weighing in.

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