Because it’s All About that Cover

This week my thoughts keep landing on book covers and how important they are toward a book’s overall success in the current market. Let’s be real. People can preach that old adage over and over again, but the fact still remains. Readers buy books according to a few very important guidelines, the first of those guidelines being what those readers see the first time they pick up a book (or click on the thumbnail).

Ladies and gentlemen, it really is all about the cover.

Yes, there are other guidelines. Is the title catchy? The cover copy (otherwise known as the description of the story) is also supremely important. Word of mouth—because seriously, twelve or thirteen years ago, who would have picked up a vampire romance without being told by countless friends that it was to-die-for awesome? Amazon reviews help a lot these days too, because a book that boasts 200 five-star ratings wouldn’t have those ratings unless it was at least a little bit good, right?

But always, always it comes down to first impressions, and the first thing a reader sees when picking up a book is the cover.

It’s kind of like when people color their hair with funky rainbow dyes. People judge. They might try hard not to, but unless they are the free-thinking creative type, most people have a very hard time accepting differences that are as bold and daring as hot pink hair. Luckily, people don’t generally have to pay to see a person’s hair, but they do have to decide whether or not to buy a book.

This brings me to my main question. What are your absolute favorite book covers this year?

To get this party started, here are a few (seriously, very few) of mine. I’d love to hear your opinions on these as well. Oh, and just so you know, I'm deliberately choosing covers of books I haven't read yet, but want to. 

I love this one because it just shows that this character is broken by her secrets. I don't even have to read the description to know I want to read this book.

Well, of course. It's by Ally Condie, so I know I want to read it. but also, I love the simplicity of the shell, showing the ripples of one tiny touch in the water. And the title font. Love the lines it creates.

This one. The title and cover work together so well to tell me that this story is about the words people say and how they affect each of us, and specifically this character who is holding the mirror and feeling invisible. LOVE.

Clearly I have a thing for water themed covers right now. But I love how these people just seem so out of place just below the surface enough that the sun still shines on them. On this one, I think it's the colors that stand out. And also, again, the title font. 

Okay, now it's your turn. Annnnnddd... GO!

Outside Appearances: The Importance of a Cover

As I’m working on edits for BIRTHRIGHT, I’ve also been brainstorming cover ideas and thoughts on what I’d like to see on the cover for DESCENDANT’s sequel. Since DESCENDANT was released, I’ve had a few ideas in mind, including links to some photos that sparked my interest.

But this week, I had an epiphany. The photos I’ve had in mind are lovely, and would work just fine. They’d even match DESCENDANT’s cover, which is something I want. They’d even sort of go with the continuation of the story. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that none of the photos have stood out as just right because they all look so similar to the book that’s already been done. No one wants a second book that reads exactly like the first.

BIRTHRIGHT may be a continuation of DESCENDANT, but it’s another story entirely, with a completely different objective and a number of different characters. BIRTHRIGHT deserves a fitting cover, and that cover should convey the mood of the ongoing story. It deserves a cover that makes people think, “Oh hey, that book looks interesting.”

Thus begins my search for a new cover concept idea.

This same philosophy can be applied to people and real life. Keeping up outward appearances tends to be a constant battle. A daily one. And then one day, years down the road, we realize that somewhere along the line we’ve changed. We’ve grown, and evolved, and our stories are so different than they were five, ten, fifteen years ago (or months—whatever). Suddenly, the outside cover we’ve fought so hard to maintain doesn’t really fit anymore. We’ve aged. We’ve experienced life. We’ve adjusted our thoughts and beliefs.

Maybe it’s time for a new cover. (Or new hair color, skin-care regime, workout routine, whatever whatever.)

The point is, sometimes life, like a story, is far more interesting when we are able to let go of previous conceptions and think outside the box.

Out of curiosity, what are some of your very favorite book covers?