What is in a book cover? Everything! For those of you who have been readers/writers for a long time you will probably remember the three handed book cover. I doubt if this faux pas hurt sales. Yet the quality of lack of quality will. The cover of my first book, which was set in the late 1800's, the heroine wore a pink calico dress with a pink nylon zipper. Hmmm…..
When I researched the zipper, I discovered the zipper had just been invented. I seriously doubt this hurt sales at all. Very few people noticed the zipper and in any event it was a nice cover.
I put my book covers, the ones I design as well as my own covers on http://www.ratemybookcover.com/ and have found the ratings here by other people interesting. I have always thought the cover should represent the book as well as the genre and if it did this well the cover served its purpose and should be a great cover. One of my best covers, in my opinion, is rated very low at this site. But then it's a scary or should I say gruesome cover. I believe this cover would draw the crowd that loves to read scary vampire stories. So why is it rated so low? I don’t know. (If anyone has a thought on this, please share.)
Does anyone remember who the author of the three handed book cover was and the title of the book?
I encourage everyone to log on to the site above and take a stab at rating book covers. Please share what you think makes a great cover.
Allana Angel
Hi, Allana Angel!
ReplyDeleteThe "Rate My Book Cover" site is interesting in that it also shows the number of reviews--a good thing. The cover with a 10.0 only had two reviews, while the covers with lower ratings had 1400, 1600, 1800 or more reviews.
Like you, I've also designed book covers and look for different things than the general public. Also, designing book covers for books that are sold mainly online is unique in that very detailed covers turn into a mush of, er, something when reduced to an inch wide. So simplicity is a must if you are going to sell online.
I've also noticed that the title and name of the author have to contrast A LOT from the graphics on the cover. Again because of the small size of the cover when it is sold online.
Then, of course, my personal preferences come into play.
As with books, different covers appeal to different people. I agree with you on the vampire cover. It makes me look over my shoulder to see who is around, but it's an excellent cover in that it represents the book itself and the genre. So the cover has done its job well.
As to why it's rated low, perhaps most people don't look beyond their initial reaction of "it's scary." And maybe those who like the cover are too busy reading the book to rate the cover. :)
Well, a few minutes ago I opened the December issue of RWR and on page 36, I read "Christina Dodd's keys to success: Pander shamelessly, write big. (And a three-handed heroine doesn't hurt. I skimmed through the article but didn't see the title of the book. Anyone know the title?
ReplyDeleteHi! I went to Christina Dodd's Web site (www.christinadodd.com) and she has it featured as the "Famous Three-Armed Woman." The title of the book is CASTLES IN THE AIR. She's smart--she used that cover snafu to sell books!
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