How do People Judge a Book by its Cover? Part 1

Several thick hardcover books stacked on top of each other (Photo credit: Horia Varlan)

Okay, so you’ve heard the adage, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’  In the world of judgments and assumptions I am in agreement, because you never really know who someone is no matter their demeanor.

However, in the world of publishing a cover is judged as to whether or not someone wants to pick it up and read it.

We are visual people and our eyes like what they like. Now the great thing is that there are billions of people out there and every one likes something different, so you never know if your cover will intrigue someone enough to read your work.

Your cover needs to have certain criteria to make it attractive to readers.  So you have some things to do before you just hire a graphic or cover designer to begin creating.

First step is to head to a book store. Go to the genre you write and look at the covers.  What do they look like? What colors are being used? What kind of font draws you in? Be a consumer and see which books attract you. Why do you like them?

These questions are hugely valuable and will absolutely allow you to commit to an idea which is the first impression a reader will get of your work. Covers in the book stores are what the publishing industry call ‘shelf-ready’. Meaning they can go onto shelves in any retail establishment.

As self-published authors there has always been as stigma about what our covers look like. They don’t have that shelf-ready look that readers are looking for. Because the truth of the matter is that if a cover looks expensive then the readers are more drawn to the title.

Once you’ve done your homework then you need to do some research on cover designers. There are many places in the internet where you can find cover designs. Find a designer that you like and email them and ask if they will design your cover.

We’ll discuss the process of getting your cover design made in the next installment of the post called Do Judge a Book by its Cover: More Than Just Flourishes and Fonts Part 2

Lorena Bathey

 

How I Decided to Self-Publish.

Books to read (Photo credit: Phil Gyford)

Today there are so many writers able to get their words, thoughts, and stories out into the world because they haven’t had to wait for the world of agents and publishers to give them a stamp of approval.

Don’t get me wrong, I know many authors that follow the traditional route for publishing and are quite satisfied with the process.

I believe it takes a certain type of author to decide to self-publish. I am such an author. When my first book, Happy Beginnings: How I Became My Own Fairy Godmother was finished I went to a writing conference and some very good interest in my book and story. But many of the agents said that memoirs about someone who isn’t famous wouldn’t sell.

But I knew the information was valuable and many women in similar circumstances as mine i.e., going through divorce, transition, trying to find themselves, needed this information now. So I made the decision to self-publish.

At that time fortune seemed to smile on me, or maybe fate and karma were in cahoots, but I found someone to help me on my self-publishing path and I never looked back.

It wasn’t easy. You need to have some finances behind you and be willing to spend money. When I started out there were not as many companies offering ways to publish as there is now. But you need to be careful where you put your dollars.

Don’t just hand over to cash to anyone who says they can get your book published and in the marketplace. Do your homework and ask around the writing world. There are plenty of forums where you can see if a company you’re considering working with is a good bet. These communities can be very helpful with basic questions for getting started. Make some new writing friends and help each other out.

Deciding to self-publish should not be a decision made on a whim. There is a lot of work entailed in being an Indie author. So make sure you are up to the task before getting started.

Next post…What is the first step to Self-Publishing?  Follow me at the link at the bottom of the blog to keep getting insights to the world of Self-Publishing.

Lorena

 

I Get Asked This A lot…

Words on a Page (Photo credit: Hanoian)

Here’s what happens most of the time when I meet new people.

Them: What do you do?

Me: I’m a novelist. I have my own self-publishing company.

Them: Really? I’ve always wanted to write a book.

Me: You should.

Them: How?

Me: Write.

That’s right. Write. It’s the first and integral part of the idea or process of writing a book. You have to write. Don’t worry about the proper punctuation, don’t worry about if it’s making sense, just get words to paper. All the other things can get worked out later.

But the sooner you write the words and let the creativity have it’s freedom, then the story will come.

So my first piece of advice for anyone that wants to write a book is the simplest one word answer.

Write

Lorena Bathey