Cover Art is very important to the success of a novel.
It's true, whether we like the idea or not. The old saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover" is easily said, but rarely followed.
The characters and story call to us from the cover. It gives us a taste for the book, or we think it does.
I admit, I also am tempted by coverart when buying a book. A terrible covers gives me the impression that the story will also be awful. I've learned that this is not always the case. Some of my favorite novels have less than spectacular cover images. This is why referrals, reviews and other means of promotion are important. We can't rely on our covers alone, but they are great advertising tools if they're good.
Working with a publisher that allows an author some say in their cover art is truly a gift. How often have you read a book that clearly describes the hero as a blond, but the cover depicts dark hair, etc. Readers tend to imagine the hero/heroine as the likeness on the cover and it's annoying when the resemblence is way off.
For my Immortal Love series, I wanted a certain feel for the cover. Jinger Heaston did an amazing job capturing the essence of Fearless Desires. Delius is a Fear Demon, forced to feed off human nightmares for his survival, but hates every minute of it.
The cover embodies the fear and nightmares, but also the passion and desire which is what the book is all about...romance and overcoming impossible odds for love.
I hope that the next book in my Immortal Love series has coverart as great as the first, but I put all my trust in Jinger's creative ability. It's like she reads my mind, lol. From the nightmares and desire, down to Delius' tattoo, my cover is perfect!
My two cowboy menage books will hopefully have some hot, sexy cowboys as eye candy. I know I love books with cover hunks, so having my very own will be awesome!
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12 comments:
I agree with you completely on covers! Guilty! I've bought many a book based on a cover and have also had the reverse happen too--a bad cover did not necessarily mean a bad book. Still, it's refreshing when a publisher can so perfectly capture the essence of a book with a great cover. Pure bonus for the reader and the author.
I agree with Liz.
This cover is absolutely marvelous. It speaks for the title and gives us insight to the story. It's a major hook and makes me want to read it.
I always find it amazing when publishers give books covers that do not represent the book well. It might pull people in, but will it keep them? Not likely. Readers are unlikely to buy that author again if they feel misled. Quite a shame.
Your cover is very striking.
I can totally agree with you Stacy. But it's sometimes hard when your cover doens't match your story. Still, as stated here Liz, a bad cover doesn't mean a bad book.
I absolutley love your cover for 'Fearless Desires' Stacey.
It says read me.
I did, and enjoyed every page.
There are many books out there that I'm sure I bypass, just because of the cover. The cover is the first thing we see. It inspires us to open the book and read what's inside.
For me the cover is more important than the blurb. I don't know if others would agree.
Jan xx
I agree with all that has been said here, Stacey - I did comment earlier but yahoo seems to have eaten my comment!
Stunning artwork for a superb book!
Congratulations!
I have strong feelings about covers. As a reader, I am attracted to interesting, exciting covers - or even plain covers if the title looks intriguing. I am turned off by bad covers and won't even give the back blurb a read - shame on me!
As an author, I want a cover that is not only appealing, in some way the art reflects what's inside.
Jinger was marvelous with Captured and I have high hopes for my next book!
Well said, Stacey, I agree 100%! I've been very VERY fortunate in getting fantastic covers on all my books, aptly representing the story. And Jinger is incredibly talented! My book HER HEART HIS SOUL has an Half-Angel hero, and takes place in Sedona Arizona. Jinger had EVERYTHING represented in that beautiful cover she gave me!
Too, I admit Im one of those that look at the covers first. Guilty! LOL!
Hugs, Kari Thomas, www.authorkari.com
Stacy, Perfect cover for your book. I can't add much more than what's been said.
Here's to many more great covers for us all!
I have told my artist, who is a man, that I don't want women on the cover. I write contemporary erotic romance, and I want the reader to imagine herself as the heroine. I want a sexy man on the cover, who looks like what I describe in the book. That way the reader is already half-way in love with him before she starts reading.
Good post. I've accepted some bad covers not even knowing they were bad. My new own for the Third Rose is smashing so we'll see how that goes.
A good cover sells.
Sad when you consider that an author spends hundreds of hours writing, creating, editing, molding their ideas into a great story, yet it is the cover made quickly by someone else that is one of the biggest influences on sales.
Even sadder when you consider that not all covers match what the authors envisioned and not all authors are in a position to ask for a correction.
So, I'm off to buy the book with the ugliest cover I can find. Maybe it hides a wonderful story. :)
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