Never Judge a Book by its Cover
Gosh, how many times have we all heard that expression? Used in relation to just about everything? And sometimes even about actual books? 🙂 With the explosion of self-publishing, there are a lot of books out there these days and getting your book noticed is becoming more and more difficult, I think. There are also a vast range of covers. Some professionally done and others…not. Some done really well and others…well, not so much O.o. Of course, that’s just my opinion.
I really do buy into the ‘never judge a book by its cover’ sentiment, but the reality is in this climate, a book’s cover has become even more important in the increasingly competitive world of attracting readers. A cover is often the first impression someone has of an author’s work. It has to be eye catching as readers are scanning the many hundreds of books at the online sites or on a bookshelf, give an idea of genre at a single glance, and it has to entice the reader to want to take a second look. And a third. And ultimately buy it. Of course, not all readers buy new authors simply on cover, but I do think for most, it plays into the decision to some degree.
I found several links out there that profess to have the worst covers of all time and I thought I’d share just a few of them:
http://www.2spare.com/item_93579.aspx
http://sobadsogood.com/2012/06/15/10-worst-book-covers-in-the-history-of-literature/
http://www.boredpanda.com/worst-book-covers-and-titles/
http://gizmodo.com/5905986/the-worst-book-covers-of-all-time-have-destroyed-my-faith-in-humanity
Did anyone spew anything onto their computer screens looking at some of these LOL? Yes, some of those covers were horrid. And downright terrifying. And yeah…extreme. The thing is, these are more the exception. There are a lot of good covers out there. And many really great ones. As an author who publishes through a publisher, covers are something I have little control over, but I’ve been fortunate so far. I haven’t shuddered at any of my covers—far from it—and I think I really lucked out with my most recent release, Rise of Hope from Carina Press. I do think it’s eye catching with the color scheme, I think it screams ‘paranormal’ and the hero…well, he’s not half bad to look at, right? Some might even say it channels a young Ryan Reynolds. 😉 And of course, I hope that it will be intriguing enough to new-to-me readers that they’ll go that extra step. Perhaps read the blurb. Check out the excerpt and let the writing sway them.
So..what do YOU think? How important are book covers in the buying decision process for you?
I’ll choose a random commenter through Monday 11:59 pm Eastern, to receive a book of their choice from my backlist J.
About Kaily
Kaily Hart, a seemingly straight-laced mother of four, left corporate America and a high-powered, lucrative career to be a stay at home mom. Right… That lasted about four weeks, during which time she realized she had a deeply repressed dream—to write. And (gasp) romance at that! Who knew? By day, Kaily plays conservative wife and soccer mom, but at night crafts hot and steamy tales of romance and love with gorgeous heroes who wouldn’t dream of leaving the toilet set up. Ever. She’s smart and sassy, at least in her own mind, and is creating as many happy ever afters as she can, one hot story at a time. Kaily never would have thought she’d be doing this, but now that she is? Well, you couldn’t pay her enough to do anything else.
Kaily’s books, PICTURE THIS, PAY UP, PLAY ME & POINT BLANK (yeah, she has a thing for book titles that start with ‘P’), are all currently available from Ellora’s Cave. Her latest release RISE OF HOPE, book 1 in the Fabric of Fate series, is now available from Carina Press. You can find out more information about all Kaily’s books here and read more about RISE OF HOPE here.
If anyone would want to contact me (which I would love by the way) or just keep up with what I’m doing, you can find me all over:
Web – www.kailyhart.com
Blog – http://kailyhart.blogspot.com/
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/kaily.hart
Twitter – http://twitter.com/kailyhart
Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/kailyhart/
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Can’t lie the cover is one thing it catches my eye when looking for a new book but I always take the time to read the back cover of a book so it not just the cover.
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I’ll admit it too – if the cover catches my eye – I’ll read what its about – then decide 😳
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The cover is the first thing anyone sees, so of course that matters. 😉 Thank You for this giveaway. Leann leamei1981@yahoo.com
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Yes the cover is the first thing that catches my eye. The author and title are second. But I dont judge a book by its cover. I have had some covers that were not the best but I actually liked the story. I like to read the details on the book before I decided to read it or not. I also do not go by other peoples opinion on books either. Too many times have I been told it was not a good but I end up liking it. I make my own opinions about books.
I do agree some of those covers were terrible.
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Call me different. I start with familiar authors, look at titles and what may be written on the front cover. The art is usually the last thing I look at unless I am looking for a very specific genre in which case there will be specific art. I find new authors through guest blogs like this, or by appearances on the review sites. Also I have picked up books because an author I have read has offered a review on the cover. There is the blurb at the back of books that I read too. Cover art really doesn’t do it for me because as you said, “you cannot judge a book by it’s cover” and what may appeal to you or other readers, may not appeal to me. If I passed up the books based on the art, I may have missed a good read. I like to read too much to do that.
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A cover is what attracts me to a book.If its eye catching I will read the blurb.Although the cover is what gets me to pick it up,its the blurb that sells it.
I will admit,I have skipped over a book because of the cover.There are just so many books out there.They have to catch my eye to bring me in 🙂
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
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I LIKE A SEXY COVER ON ANY NOVEL, TO CATCH MY EYE. I WOULD AT LEAST CHECK THE NOVEL OUT. I ALSO LIKE TO READ THE BACK OF THE NOVEL, TO SEE, WHAT THE STORY IS ABOUT. SEXY NOVEL COVERS ARE ALRIGHT BY ME. THE SEXIER THE BETTER, I ALWAY SAID!!! 😆 😀 😉
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Delilah, thanks so much for having me here today!!
Penny, I think the cover has to appeal on some level to warrant that second look. I don’t know how many people out there would take the time to look at a book beyond a bad cover. I hope they would!
P, I think that’s pretty human :).
Thanks for stopping by, Leann!
Hey, Melissa! Yeah, everyone has different tastes. I’ve read books everyone raved about and couldn’t see what the fuss was about. I actually think a book with some varying reviews is a lot more interesting than one with all 5 stars!
Becky, what a great approach!
Elaing, yeah the reality is there is a sea of books out there all vying to stand out.
Tiffany, sexy covers certainly get everyones attention :). Nothing wrong with that, I say!
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If it has a good cover, I am more likely to buy it. In fact I have bought books just because I liked the cover.
kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com
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Bought “Paying Up” earlier today. LOVED IT!!! Christina was stubborn & Shane so intent on getting that bet paid off. So sexy!!
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Thank you for the laugh, I very much needed that tonight! I have to admit to judging by the cover. Yeah, that’s me. Though I try not to – and I have been pleasantly surprised a time or two!
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Unless you are familiar with the author, book, or series, I feel that bookcovers play a very important role in my purchasing. I’ve actually decided or change my mind on buying a book just because of the cover. However what do I know? Case and point 50 shades of gray.
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I love a sexy cover. Truthful, that’s how I discovered Kaily!
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I have to say that a sexy cover will catch my eye, but if the blurb &/or excerpts don’t sound good, I won’t buy them. If I read the blurb &/or excerpt of a book with a bad cover and they sound good, I will still give it a try.
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Most of the time the cover doesn’t really matter to me. Most of the time. I have picked a book up and read the back because of the cover. But most of the time I look for authors or subject first. I will admit that if the cover has a sexy Marine or SEAL on it I am usually sold, lol!
Have a great night! 🙂
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Covers often draw me in but they are not what keeps me reading
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Usually I will read the blurb first and sometimes I pay no attention to the cover unless I don’t like it…and then I try to decide whether the blurb will outweigh whatever I don’t like about the cover. With the advent of e-books, sometimes I don’t even know what the cover looks like! Thank you for sharing.
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Sounds great. Congrats on the release!
I will often pick a book up because of the cover, but the cover along will not make me buy it. The story as to sound good too.
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I will take note of the cover (especially with some of the hotties on them) but it doesn’t influence my decision that much overall. I prefer to make my choice from the back cover write up.
Mind you some of those awful covers might have influenced me into NOT buying ! 😀
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I have to admit, it’s the cover that catches my eye first. If it’s good, hot, intriguing, then I read the blurb. I also admit, that sometimes AFTER the blurb, I say….eh…and move on. *shrugs* I’m visually stimulated…*snorts*…that’s why Jimmy Thomas on covers always snags me! LOL!
Stacy Wilson
dragn_lady at yahoo dot com
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Bad, bad, Kaily. I realized I didn’t post the winner’s name over here. Melissa P won the ebook of her choice from my backlist! Melissa, if you could email me I’ll get the book right out to you – kaily@kailyhart.com.