Wednesday, May 6, 2015

IWSG Wednesday


Yup, it's that time again, IWSG Wednesday. The once a month post where we discuss our doubts, fears, struggles and triumphs. Today I'm posting on:

The Wonderful World Of Covers

As a writer and a reader I think covers are near and dear to us all. It's the face of our story, the photograph of our child. Covers may not be the deciding factor in whether a reader buys a book or not, but  it adds weight.  If  an individual likes a cover, he/she is more apt to pick up the book to find out what it's about. If the author is big enough, the cover is a nice bennie but its her/his name that's going to make the sale. And that's what every author strives for.  Unfortunately, we are not all at that point.
There's always a balancing scale when it comes to trad versus indie, but where covers are concerned the balance definitely tips in favor of indie. The author has complete control of his/her cover and can pick out the perfect portrait of his/her child. I've had publishing houses whose artists gave me exactly what I wanted and I couldn't have done better on my own. I've also been on the other end of the spectrum, where my cover ideas and CAF (cover art form)  were completely ignored and the final cover signed, sealed and delivered without any input from me. Have you ever had that happen? You look at a cover and wonder where's my story and the only option is to suck it up and deal with it.
I'm also superstitious about colors. I like a little red or purple in a cover. I think either color helps make the cover pop. There's also a color that I think washes out and leaves a generic feel, but since I am superstitious I'm not going to mention what it is, other than to say it's in some of my covers. Grin.
What about you? Do you have particular cover colors you like or dislike? Have you had a cover you didn't like and you felt it adversely affected your sales?
What do you think? How important are covers?
Interested in joining IWSG? Here's the link: http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html

21 comments:

DEZMOND said...

methinks your latest one with the blond hunk is your best so far :)
When it comes to other covers, I like them done professional... which is not what we often see around the blogosphere. I also have a thing for fonts and hate it when they're done cheap

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I've seen amazing cover art from both sides. And really crappy ones from both sides.
I like blacks and blues. Of course, black fits my books since they are in space.

Annalisa Crawford said...

I have been lucky and loved the covers of my books from my publisher - I knew I wouldn't get a say, but as I had no ideas anyway, I wasn't perturbed. When I had to design a cover, for my indie book, a friend very kindly said "No," and helped me out!

Pat Hatt said...

Never had to deal with any giving me a crap one and going with it, thankfully.

Vanessa Morgan said...

Yes, that happened to me once. I just HATED that cover. But I'm absolutely delighted with the cover for my upcoming book (which I'm going to reveal in a few days) ;-)

Stephanie Faris said...

Crucial...especially if your book is going into a brick-and-mortar bookstore. Barnes and Noble faces all the new releases in children's books out, so a good cover catches the eye and compels someone to pick it up. If you're doing online marketing, people will see your cover over and over when they follow you on social media and read your blog and they'll want to read based on that.

Birgit said...

I think book covers help sell the book. It is the picture that will entice the person to open the book as well as the title. I am not one who will pick up a book if it has something evil on its front, like a skull devouring something or if the cover looks like something from the tabloids. Otherwise I am game

Liz Blocker said...

I agree with Alex - I've seen great stuff from both sides, and awful stuff from both sides. I do like a polished, professional look, but I think you can achieve that on your own, with some help!

Sandra Cox said...

Hi Dez! I like that cover too:)
You've got a good point. Fonts can really add to the title.

Sandra Cox said...

I agree. There are good and bad covers on both sides of the spectrum.
And blue and black are perfect for sci fi colors:)

Sandra Cox said...

I'm glad yours have worked out for you, Annalisa. It's a great feeling when your work is properly clothed:)

Sandra Cox said...

That's great, Pat.
Over all I can't complain, but I have been told by at least one publisher, when it gets to me, its a done deal.

Sandra Cox said...

A new book!!!! How exciting. Can't wait. If there's anything I can do, Vanessa. Sing out.

Sandra Cox said...

I like your covers, Steph.

Sandra Cox said...

Yeah, I avoid those skull devouring covers too:)

Sandra Cox said...

I think so too, Liz.

The Happy Whisk said...

I read mostly non-fiction and look at titles first, then open the book to see if it's what I want. But as a photographer and artist, I'm always happy to see pretty wholefoods on any of the covers. But without the contents being what I need, the cover matters very little.

cleemckenzie said...

I really love covers just like I love movie posters. They are what often make me open a book or enter a theater. Of course, once I'm inside either one, there has to be something of a story to keep me there! :-)

Deniz Bevan said...

It's fun when you start recognising artists too -- seeing Quentin Blake's drawings always makes me think of Roald Dahl

Shannon Lawrence said...

As mostly a reader at this point, I do scan the covers and am more likely to pick up a book with a great cover. I should know better, but I can't help it.

Melissa said...

I'm self-published and I'm lucky to have a graphic artist who works closely with me to get it just right.

Thanks for visiting my blog. :)