More on cover art

First – my walk. On my walk this morning I saw young starlings, goldfinches, house sparrows, and mockingbirds learning how to fly. They weren’t all learning together, though it would have been cooler if they had – you know, what with the economy and all, more and more bird parents having to put their toddlers in day care while they go off to hunt for worms and the like, so you’d see all the birds in these big schools (no – that’s fish), in these big fledgling flocks doing baby bird stuff. I also saw a red-winged blackbird chasing two cardinals. Have no idea what was up with that. Maybe a dispute about rent.

I was thinking about the pacing in my WIP as well. Right now it is set up to unfold over a 10-week period. Last night I almost convinced myself it should actually cover four months. This morning I came to my senses. I’m going to stick with the program until this draft is finished.

Yesterday’s comments about the book covers were fascinating. I keep thinking about what dirrtypop1 said, that she buys used CDs all the time based on the album art. So here is my question: do you ever buy CDs (used or new) based on the album art? Has it worked out? Do you buy books based on the covers? Are there any books you have not bought (or read) because you hated the covers?

96 Replies to “More on cover art”

  1. One thing I’ve noticed is that with all books, I subconciously judge them by their cover. If they are those old cheesy 80’s cover’s with girl’s that look like Barbie on it, I stay away like the corniness is contagious. But if say, the cover is eye catching, especially if it’s a photograph on the cover, one that seems to show a glimpse of the story, but only enough to spark my curiosity, suddenly I care about the plot, the story, and have greater motive to read the book. The cover can almost act like a teaser. Also, I think it’s funny with classic’s (like ‘Jacob Have I Loved’ for instance) because I’ll see the old cover and think “gross, I don’t want to read that” but the new cover intrigued me and even though it was the same exact book, I went for the new one. Well, there’s my two cents.

  2. One thing I’ve noticed is that with all books, I subconciously judge them by their cover. If they are those old cheesy 80’s cover’s with girl’s that look like Barbie on it, I stay away like the corniness is contagious. But if say, the cover is eye catching, especially if it’s a photograph on the cover, one that seems to show a glimpse of the story, but only enough to spark my curiosity, suddenly I care about the plot, the story, and have greater motive to read the book. The cover can almost act like a teaser. Also, I think it’s funny with classic’s (like ‘Jacob Have I Loved’ for instance) because I’ll see the old cover and think “gross, I don’t want to read that” but the new cover intrigued me and even though it was the same exact book, I went for the new one. Well, there’s my two cents.

  3. One thing I’ve noticed is that with all books, I subconciously judge them by their cover. If they are those old cheesy 80’s cover’s with girl’s that look like Barbie on it, I stay away like the corniness is contagious. But if say, the cover is eye catching, especially if it’s a photograph on the cover, one that seems to show a glimpse of the story, but only enough to spark my curiosity, suddenly I care about the plot, the story, and have greater motive to read the book. The cover can almost act like a teaser. Also, I think it’s funny with classic’s (like ‘Jacob Have I Loved’ for instance) because I’ll see the old cover and think “gross, I don’t want to read that” but the new cover intrigued me and even though it was the same exact book, I went for the new one. Well, there’s my two cents.

  4. Sort of. Not really. Yeah.

    Let me explain. My books start with a character, and it quickly becomes clear what crapola the character is dealing with. When I start writing I know how I want the character to deal with the crapola, in the way I know that if I want to drive from Philly to L.A., I need to head west.

    So I have an outline of big stuff – x happens, which leads to y happening, which leads to z. All of this is surrounded by question marks, and it usually changes. To use our map example: by the time I’m in Ohio, I might feel the urge for gumbo and detour south for a while.

    The first draft is very, very, very rough – summaries of action, very little physical description, a fair amount of dialog and interior narrative. The actions are fleshed out, refined, and sometimes tossed out the window in the second, third, etc. drafts.

    So, am I an outliner?

  5. Sort of. Not really. Yeah.

    Let me explain. My books start with a character, and it quickly becomes clear what crapola the character is dealing with. When I start writing I know how I want the character to deal with the crapola, in the way I know that if I want to drive from Philly to L.A., I need to head west.

    So I have an outline of big stuff – x happens, which leads to y happening, which leads to z. All of this is surrounded by question marks, and it usually changes. To use our map example: by the time I’m in Ohio, I might feel the urge for gumbo and detour south for a while.

    The first draft is very, very, very rough – summaries of action, very little physical description, a fair amount of dialog and interior narrative. The actions are fleshed out, refined, and sometimes tossed out the window in the second, third, etc. drafts.

    So, am I an outliner?

  6. Sort of. Not really. Yeah.

    Let me explain. My books start with a character, and it quickly becomes clear what crapola the character is dealing with. When I start writing I know how I want the character to deal with the crapola, in the way I know that if I want to drive from Philly to L.A., I need to head west.

    So I have an outline of big stuff – x happens, which leads to y happening, which leads to z. All of this is surrounded by question marks, and it usually changes. To use our map example: by the time I’m in Ohio, I might feel the urge for gumbo and detour south for a while.

    The first draft is very, very, very rough – summaries of action, very little physical description, a fair amount of dialog and interior narrative. The actions are fleshed out, refined, and sometimes tossed out the window in the second, third, etc. drafts.

    So, am I an outliner?

  7. I don’t go off the cover, in all honesty I don’t even look at the covers of things. Like with CD’s for example or even DVD’s, I go off my friends words of advice weather or not it’s a good movie or CD. Normally I don’t buy CD’s since I have just about all the music my little computer can handle on it. Anyways. But if I do buy CD’s I normally do that little listen thing before buying it. You know those little scanners that play the songs for you to get what the songs are like? I normally do that. And if I like the artist that helps too.
    Now, for books that’s a bit different. Normally they have a little summary inside the jacket sleeve if one or a little excript out of the book near the beginning. Like in “Speak” there was a little excript from the book, and it sounded like me halfway, and I loved it. The book is just amazing. But how I pick out books is if the title is alluring then I’ll pick it up to a random page or to the jacket and read a little bit of it. And if I like it I’ll keep reading, or if I don’t, I’ll put it down and pick up a different book. That’s how I do things in all honesty.

  8. I don’t go off the cover, in all honesty I don’t even look at the covers of things. Like with CD’s for example or even DVD’s, I go off my friends words of advice weather or not it’s a good movie or CD. Normally I don’t buy CD’s since I have just about all the music my little computer can handle on it. Anyways. But if I do buy CD’s I normally do that little listen thing before buying it. You know those little scanners that play the songs for you to get what the songs are like? I normally do that. And if I like the artist that helps too.
    Now, for books that’s a bit different. Normally they have a little summary inside the jacket sleeve if one or a little excript out of the book near the beginning. Like in “Speak” there was a little excript from the book, and it sounded like me halfway, and I loved it. The book is just amazing. But how I pick out books is if the title is alluring then I’ll pick it up to a random page or to the jacket and read a little bit of it. And if I like it I’ll keep reading, or if I don’t, I’ll put it down and pick up a different book. That’s how I do things in all honesty.

  9. I don’t go off the cover, in all honesty I don’t even look at the covers of things. Like with CD’s for example or even DVD’s, I go off my friends words of advice weather or not it’s a good movie or CD. Normally I don’t buy CD’s since I have just about all the music my little computer can handle on it. Anyways. But if I do buy CD’s I normally do that little listen thing before buying it. You know those little scanners that play the songs for you to get what the songs are like? I normally do that. And if I like the artist that helps too.
    Now, for books that’s a bit different. Normally they have a little summary inside the jacket sleeve if one or a little excript out of the book near the beginning. Like in “Speak” there was a little excript from the book, and it sounded like me halfway, and I loved it. The book is just amazing. But how I pick out books is if the title is alluring then I’ll pick it up to a random page or to the jacket and read a little bit of it. And if I like it I’ll keep reading, or if I don’t, I’ll put it down and pick up a different book. That’s how I do things in all honesty.

  10. Birdie daycare

    I love the concept of bird daycare. Or daycamp!

    We have had Orioles in our yard, singing like crazy. I think they have a nest nearby, but I haven’t seen it yet. We built a deck last summer and this summer there are nine nests on the beam that runs underneath it. Nice little bird condos with a lake view, shielded from the elements.

    Thought you might find this interesting–it is a hummingbird nest from start to finish, including fledglings:
    http://community-2.webtv.net/hotmail.com/verle33/HummingBirdNest/

  11. Birdie daycare

    I love the concept of bird daycare. Or daycamp!

    We have had Orioles in our yard, singing like crazy. I think they have a nest nearby, but I haven’t seen it yet. We built a deck last summer and this summer there are nine nests on the beam that runs underneath it. Nice little bird condos with a lake view, shielded from the elements.

    Thought you might find this interesting–it is a hummingbird nest from start to finish, including fledglings:
    http://community-2.webtv.net/hotmail.com/verle33/HummingBirdNest/

  12. Birdie daycare

    I love the concept of bird daycare. Or daycamp!

    We have had Orioles in our yard, singing like crazy. I think they have a nest nearby, but I haven’t seen it yet. We built a deck last summer and this summer there are nine nests on the beam that runs underneath it. Nice little bird condos with a lake view, shielded from the elements.

    Thought you might find this interesting–it is a hummingbird nest from start to finish, including fledglings:
    http://community-2.webtv.net/hotmail.com/verle33/HummingBirdNest/

  13. I bought Count to Ten by Frogpond at a used CD store purely because I liked the cover. Is it not awesome? It’s a bathroom in a dollhouse. And when you fold out the CD booklet, you can see a bunch of other rooms in the dollhouse. It’s not a fabulous album, but it’s not bad (I really like the song “Be”), and I like dollhouses and miniatures, so I love the CD booklet. I think I bought the album in 1997, and I still have it.

  14. I bought Count to Ten by Frogpond at a used CD store purely because I liked the cover. Is it not awesome? It’s a bathroom in a dollhouse. And when you fold out the CD booklet, you can see a bunch of other rooms in the dollhouse. It’s not a fabulous album, but it’s not bad (I really like the song “Be”), and I like dollhouses and miniatures, so I love the CD booklet. I think I bought the album in 1997, and I still have it.

  15. I bought Count to Ten by Frogpond at a used CD store purely because I liked the cover. Is it not awesome? It’s a bathroom in a dollhouse. And when you fold out the CD booklet, you can see a bunch of other rooms in the dollhouse. It’s not a fabulous album, but it’s not bad (I really like the song “Be”), and I like dollhouses and miniatures, so I love the CD booklet. I think I bought the album in 1997, and I still have it.

  16. When it comes to CD’s I always am on a very specific mission when buying them, I know who I want, and the title of the CD, so cover art doesn’t mean anything!

    But when it comes to books, it’s completely different. I never know exactly what I’m looking for, and often buy books because of the covers, or put books back because the covers don’t interest me enough. Although, I have bought some books with covers that I wouldn’t normally choose, just because I’ve read a lot of books by the same author, or read good reviews.

  17. When it comes to CD’s I always am on a very specific mission when buying them, I know who I want, and the title of the CD, so cover art doesn’t mean anything!

    But when it comes to books, it’s completely different. I never know exactly what I’m looking for, and often buy books because of the covers, or put books back because the covers don’t interest me enough. Although, I have bought some books with covers that I wouldn’t normally choose, just because I’ve read a lot of books by the same author, or read good reviews.

  18. When it comes to CD’s I always am on a very specific mission when buying them, I know who I want, and the title of the CD, so cover art doesn’t mean anything!

    But when it comes to books, it’s completely different. I never know exactly what I’m looking for, and often buy books because of the covers, or put books back because the covers don’t interest me enough. Although, I have bought some books with covers that I wouldn’t normally choose, just because I’ve read a lot of books by the same author, or read good reviews.

  19. I’ve read books because of the covers– I like the colors or whatever. I’ve also avoided books that have weird covers– ones with weird pictures, etc. I’ve also wanted to read particular books I heard were good, but the cover is really embarrassing, and I don’t want to actually bring it to the counter to buy. A lot like real life and relationships, the first impression makes an impact. It’s superficial, but true.

  20. I’ve read books because of the covers– I like the colors or whatever. I’ve also avoided books that have weird covers– ones with weird pictures, etc. I’ve also wanted to read particular books I heard were good, but the cover is really embarrassing, and I don’t want to actually bring it to the counter to buy. A lot like real life and relationships, the first impression makes an impact. It’s superficial, but true.

  21. I’ve read books because of the covers– I like the colors or whatever. I’ve also avoided books that have weird covers– ones with weird pictures, etc. I’ve also wanted to read particular books I heard were good, but the cover is really embarrassing, and I don’t want to actually bring it to the counter to buy. A lot like real life and relationships, the first impression makes an impact. It’s superficial, but true.

  22. I bought Sarah Dessen’s ‘Dreamland’ because I was in love with the photograph on the cover (a dark silhouette of a girl standing on the end of a pier, mainly using black and blue), even though the back cover blurb seemed corny. Later, when I actually read the book, I realized that it was, for one, very good, and two, had nothing to do with the photograph at all. Oh, and when we were assigned to read ‘Catcher in the Rye’ for school, I had to go out and buy my own copy because the class set had a plain white cover, and I couldn’t stand the size or the texture of the paper.

  23. I bought Sarah Dessen’s ‘Dreamland’ because I was in love with the photograph on the cover (a dark silhouette of a girl standing on the end of a pier, mainly using black and blue), even though the back cover blurb seemed corny. Later, when I actually read the book, I realized that it was, for one, very good, and two, had nothing to do with the photograph at all. Oh, and when we were assigned to read ‘Catcher in the Rye’ for school, I had to go out and buy my own copy because the class set had a plain white cover, and I couldn’t stand the size or the texture of the paper.

  24. I bought Sarah Dessen’s ‘Dreamland’ because I was in love with the photograph on the cover (a dark silhouette of a girl standing on the end of a pier, mainly using black and blue), even though the back cover blurb seemed corny. Later, when I actually read the book, I realized that it was, for one, very good, and two, had nothing to do with the photograph at all. Oh, and when we were assigned to read ‘Catcher in the Rye’ for school, I had to go out and buy my own copy because the class set had a plain white cover, and I couldn’t stand the size or the texture of the paper.

  25. cover art

    hi! to answer your question, sometimes i buy stuff based on the cover but it depends. for most stuff i have to look at the whole thing (ex: read the back of the book) and see if i like it. after all, “you can’t really judge a book by its cover.” -ashley 🙂

  26. cover art

    hi! to answer your question, sometimes i buy stuff based on the cover but it depends. for most stuff i have to look at the whole thing (ex: read the back of the book) and see if i like it. after all, “you can’t really judge a book by its cover.” -ashley 🙂

  27. cover art

    hi! to answer your question, sometimes i buy stuff based on the cover but it depends. for most stuff i have to look at the whole thing (ex: read the back of the book) and see if i like it. after all, “you can’t really judge a book by its cover.” -ashley 🙂

  28. I buy books that I don’t even particularly want to read if they have great covers. I am obsessed by book design. If I had any artistic skill at all, I would want to be a book designer.

    Also, I choose what books to display based greatly on their visual appeal. What am I going to do, make a big honking pile of some ugly book and hope that it sells? No. So, although it is unconscious most of the time, frankly the “pretty” books have a better shot at life, because they are more visible, and customers usually buy the things that are on display, sooo … I think a nice cover is pretty freaking important.

    (YOU have a very cute cover on Prom, which is why Prom has been on display since we first got it. AND speak and fever are quite striking, too, so one of them is usually faced out).

  29. I buy books that I don’t even particularly want to read if they have great covers. I am obsessed by book design. If I had any artistic skill at all, I would want to be a book designer.

    Also, I choose what books to display based greatly on their visual appeal. What am I going to do, make a big honking pile of some ugly book and hope that it sells? No. So, although it is unconscious most of the time, frankly the “pretty” books have a better shot at life, because they are more visible, and customers usually buy the things that are on display, sooo … I think a nice cover is pretty freaking important.

    (YOU have a very cute cover on Prom, which is why Prom has been on display since we first got it. AND speak and fever are quite striking, too, so one of them is usually faced out).

  30. I buy books that I don’t even particularly want to read if they have great covers. I am obsessed by book design. If I had any artistic skill at all, I would want to be a book designer.

    Also, I choose what books to display based greatly on their visual appeal. What am I going to do, make a big honking pile of some ugly book and hope that it sells? No. So, although it is unconscious most of the time, frankly the “pretty” books have a better shot at life, because they are more visible, and customers usually buy the things that are on display, sooo … I think a nice cover is pretty freaking important.

    (YOU have a very cute cover on Prom, which is why Prom has been on display since we first got it. AND speak and fever are quite striking, too, so one of them is usually faced out).

  31. I agree, the cover to Prom is very cute. I volunteer at a library and get to set up displays. Prom is a great display book, very colorful and eye-catching.

  32. I agree, the cover to Prom is very cute. I volunteer at a library and get to set up displays. Prom is a great display book, very colorful and eye-catching.

  33. I agree, the cover to Prom is very cute. I volunteer at a library and get to set up displays. Prom is a great display book, very colorful and eye-catching.

  34. I dont buy a cd because its cover art. Its if I like the artist or its being talked about by a lot of people. I was thinking I dont judge a book by its cover :] but sometimes I do. I’ll go to the library and bookstore and be like ooh that looks interesting and read the back. But mostly I think its the title that catches my eye.

  35. I dont buy a cd because its cover art. Its if I like the artist or its being talked about by a lot of people. I was thinking I dont judge a book by its cover :] but sometimes I do. I’ll go to the library and bookstore and be like ooh that looks interesting and read the back. But mostly I think its the title that catches my eye.

  36. I dont buy a cd because its cover art. Its if I like the artist or its being talked about by a lot of people. I was thinking I dont judge a book by its cover :] but sometimes I do. I’ll go to the library and bookstore and be like ooh that looks interesting and read the back. But mostly I think its the title that catches my eye.

  37. You mean something like this?

    a – bird dies
    b – girl finds out
    c – girl cries
    d – bird awakes
    e – bird dances
    f – girl screams and craps her pants

    I think it’s an outline, but it’s more of a very few-worded summary of what’s going to happen next.

  38. You mean something like this?

    a – bird dies
    b – girl finds out
    c – girl cries
    d – bird awakes
    e – bird dances
    f – girl screams and craps her pants

    I think it’s an outline, but it’s more of a very few-worded summary of what’s going to happen next.

  39. You mean something like this?

    a – bird dies
    b – girl finds out
    c – girl cries
    d – bird awakes
    e – bird dances
    f – girl screams and craps her pants

    I think it’s an outline, but it’s more of a very few-worded summary of what’s going to happen next.

  40. Art

    Yes. I bought the John Mayer Heavier Things album because it had his pic on it. I am a drooling fangirl of his. =)

    And it worked out beautifully, thank you. We live happily in our fictional marriage in my fictional world.

  41. Art

    Yes. I bought the John Mayer Heavier Things album because it had his pic on it. I am a drooling fangirl of his. =)

    And it worked out beautifully, thank you. We live happily in our fictional marriage in my fictional world.

  42. Art

    Yes. I bought the John Mayer Heavier Things album because it had his pic on it. I am a drooling fangirl of his. =)

    And it worked out beautifully, thank you. We live happily in our fictional marriage in my fictional world.

  43. i get to read galleys since a librarian lets me borrow them from her. i do judge books by their cover and will be more likely to look at a book if it has a cool cover.

  44. i get to read galleys since a librarian lets me borrow them from her. i do judge books by their cover and will be more likely to look at a book if it has a cool cover.

  45. i get to read galleys since a librarian lets me borrow them from her. i do judge books by their cover and will be more likely to look at a book if it has a cool cover.

  46. I just explained this to my mom, but I’ll do it here anyway.

    My theory on this is.. If a publisher or record company thinks they have a good product, but isn’t willing to put the final touches on it like giving it a decent cover, I won’t buy it. Honestly, with few exceptions, I don’t care how amazing or criticaly acclaimed it is. Without an attractive apperance, why would I waste my money on it. Put forth a little more effort when finishing the product. The artist or author put out a lot when they were making it. Why not make it evidant from the outside.

  47. I just explained this to my mom, but I’ll do it here anyway.

    My theory on this is.. If a publisher or record company thinks they have a good product, but isn’t willing to put the final touches on it like giving it a decent cover, I won’t buy it. Honestly, with few exceptions, I don’t care how amazing or criticaly acclaimed it is. Without an attractive apperance, why would I waste my money on it. Put forth a little more effort when finishing the product. The artist or author put out a lot when they were making it. Why not make it evidant from the outside.

  48. I just explained this to my mom, but I’ll do it here anyway.

    My theory on this is.. If a publisher or record company thinks they have a good product, but isn’t willing to put the final touches on it like giving it a decent cover, I won’t buy it. Honestly, with few exceptions, I don’t care how amazing or criticaly acclaimed it is. Without an attractive apperance, why would I waste my money on it. Put forth a little more effort when finishing the product. The artist or author put out a lot when they were making it. Why not make it evidant from the outside.

  49. Covers

    I’m an absolute cover slut. I know it’s wrong to judge books by their covers, but I just can’t help myself.

    I actually go for a combination of cover and title to find new authors. if I already know an author and liked what they’ve written in the past, I will go past an awful cover. If the author is unknown to me, they’d better entice me.

    When looking for a cover I like, I go by a lot of different criteria. One thing I find gets woefully neglected in many editions is the spine. Penguin books are my favourite shudder example. how am I supposed to impulse-buy one of their books if all spines are orange? Not all books get the face-out treatment, after all.

    I have been known to buy books after turning it over and over in my hands without really reading the blurb, and buying them because they looked pretty. One example was “How to meet cute boys” (the author escapes me), which tunred out to be an awfully boring, cliche book, but I loved the cover, which was done like a teen magazine.

    When I buy chick lit, I look for the telltale poppy bright colours. I never buy traditional hero/heroine cover books because they just don’t do it for me. I love Sarah Mlynowski’s book covers and titles (she was another one I picked up on a whim).

    Unfortunately, there is no be-all and end-all formula for covers that work. I just wish more books looked like someone put in enough effort at some stage…

  50. Covers

    I’m an absolute cover slut. I know it’s wrong to judge books by their covers, but I just can’t help myself.

    I actually go for a combination of cover and title to find new authors. if I already know an author and liked what they’ve written in the past, I will go past an awful cover. If the author is unknown to me, they’d better entice me.

    When looking for a cover I like, I go by a lot of different criteria. One thing I find gets woefully neglected in many editions is the spine. Penguin books are my favourite shudder example. how am I supposed to impulse-buy one of their books if all spines are orange? Not all books get the face-out treatment, after all.

    I have been known to buy books after turning it over and over in my hands without really reading the blurb, and buying them because they looked pretty. One example was “How to meet cute boys” (the author escapes me), which tunred out to be an awfully boring, cliche book, but I loved the cover, which was done like a teen magazine.

    When I buy chick lit, I look for the telltale poppy bright colours. I never buy traditional hero/heroine cover books because they just don’t do it for me. I love Sarah Mlynowski’s book covers and titles (she was another one I picked up on a whim).

    Unfortunately, there is no be-all and end-all formula for covers that work. I just wish more books looked like someone put in enough effort at some stage…

  51. Covers

    I’m an absolute cover slut. I know it’s wrong to judge books by their covers, but I just can’t help myself.

    I actually go for a combination of cover and title to find new authors. if I already know an author and liked what they’ve written in the past, I will go past an awful cover. If the author is unknown to me, they’d better entice me.

    When looking for a cover I like, I go by a lot of different criteria. One thing I find gets woefully neglected in many editions is the spine. Penguin books are my favourite shudder example. how am I supposed to impulse-buy one of their books if all spines are orange? Not all books get the face-out treatment, after all.

    I have been known to buy books after turning it over and over in my hands without really reading the blurb, and buying them because they looked pretty. One example was “How to meet cute boys” (the author escapes me), which tunred out to be an awfully boring, cliche book, but I loved the cover, which was done like a teen magazine.

    When I buy chick lit, I look for the telltale poppy bright colours. I never buy traditional hero/heroine cover books because they just don’t do it for me. I love Sarah Mlynowski’s book covers and titles (she was another one I picked up on a whim).

    Unfortunately, there is no be-all and end-all formula for covers that work. I just wish more books looked like someone put in enough effort at some stage…

  52. If I’m in the library looking for no specific book but one nonetheless, I’ll walk up and down the rows until one catches my eye, then without even looking at the title, author, or anything about the book, I’ll check it out and then start reading it right there.. So I guess I go on impulse. Sometimes it’s just more fun that way.

  53. If I’m in the library looking for no specific book but one nonetheless, I’ll walk up and down the rows until one catches my eye, then without even looking at the title, author, or anything about the book, I’ll check it out and then start reading it right there.. So I guess I go on impulse. Sometimes it’s just more fun that way.

  54. If I’m in the library looking for no specific book but one nonetheless, I’ll walk up and down the rows until one catches my eye, then without even looking at the title, author, or anything about the book, I’ll check it out and then start reading it right there.. So I guess I go on impulse. Sometimes it’s just more fun that way.

  55. I ALWAYS look at the cover before I read the back of the book. But even if I don’t like the cover I still check it out to see what its about. But I definetly think the book covers make an impact on my decisions (I LOVED the cover to ‘Prom’ very cute :D)

  56. I ALWAYS look at the cover before I read the back of the book. But even if I don’t like the cover I still check it out to see what its about. But I definetly think the book covers make an impact on my decisions (I LOVED the cover to ‘Prom’ very cute :D)

  57. I ALWAYS look at the cover before I read the back of the book. But even if I don’t like the cover I still check it out to see what its about. But I definetly think the book covers make an impact on my decisions (I LOVED the cover to ‘Prom’ very cute :D)

  58. I always assume, good or bad, that the cover conveys the tone of the story. Humorous cover, humorous story. Serious cover, serious story. I always feel cheated if the cover doesn’t deliver according to this basic principle. The US SPEAK cover was very appropriate. But honestly I bought it b/c A LOT of people were talking about it. I had to find out why. And I must say, the book delivered for many, many reasons.

  59. I always assume, good or bad, that the cover conveys the tone of the story. Humorous cover, humorous story. Serious cover, serious story. I always feel cheated if the cover doesn’t deliver according to this basic principle. The US SPEAK cover was very appropriate. But honestly I bought it b/c A LOT of people were talking about it. I had to find out why. And I must say, the book delivered for many, many reasons.

  60. I always assume, good or bad, that the cover conveys the tone of the story. Humorous cover, humorous story. Serious cover, serious story. I always feel cheated if the cover doesn’t deliver according to this basic principle. The US SPEAK cover was very appropriate. But honestly I bought it b/c A LOT of people were talking about it. I had to find out why. And I must say, the book delivered for many, many reasons.

  61. I almost always judge a book by its cover. I rarely pick up a book that looks self-published, with the Comic Sans stamp of unprofessionalism. Example: Jimmy Buffett’s latest offering. Looks like shit! Comic Sans AND a clip-art looking lighthouse in an ugly pastel/primary color palette. No thank you. Even if it’s brilliant (which I doubt) and even though it perched on the NYTBL for a month or so, you couldn’t pay me to read it.

    I spend a lot of time with books, at work and otherwise, and the above comment about publishers putting good covers on books they care about seems very true to me. That doesn’t always mean the book is good–see Ann Coulter’s latest for an example of a striking cover on a dungheap–but it means SOMEBODY liked it.

    It’s not hard to make an attractive cover, because often the best covers are the simplest. Some publishers manage it with every book, practically. It’s not a coincidence, I think, that those are publishers I read regularly.

    Finally, it should be noted that the fabu Bookslut has begun running a feature each month addressing book covers, and it is one of my favorite things they do right now.

  62. I almost always judge a book by its cover. I rarely pick up a book that looks self-published, with the Comic Sans stamp of unprofessionalism. Example: Jimmy Buffett’s latest offering. Looks like shit! Comic Sans AND a clip-art looking lighthouse in an ugly pastel/primary color palette. No thank you. Even if it’s brilliant (which I doubt) and even though it perched on the NYTBL for a month or so, you couldn’t pay me to read it.

    I spend a lot of time with books, at work and otherwise, and the above comment about publishers putting good covers on books they care about seems very true to me. That doesn’t always mean the book is good–see Ann Coulter’s latest for an example of a striking cover on a dungheap–but it means SOMEBODY liked it.

    It’s not hard to make an attractive cover, because often the best covers are the simplest. Some publishers manage it with every book, practically. It’s not a coincidence, I think, that those are publishers I read regularly.

    Finally, it should be noted that the fabu Bookslut has begun running a feature each month addressing book covers, and it is one of my favorite things they do right now.

  63. I almost always judge a book by its cover. I rarely pick up a book that looks self-published, with the Comic Sans stamp of unprofessionalism. Example: Jimmy Buffett’s latest offering. Looks like shit! Comic Sans AND a clip-art looking lighthouse in an ugly pastel/primary color palette. No thank you. Even if it’s brilliant (which I doubt) and even though it perched on the NYTBL for a month or so, you couldn’t pay me to read it.

    I spend a lot of time with books, at work and otherwise, and the above comment about publishers putting good covers on books they care about seems very true to me. That doesn’t always mean the book is good–see Ann Coulter’s latest for an example of a striking cover on a dungheap–but it means SOMEBODY liked it.

    It’s not hard to make an attractive cover, because often the best covers are the simplest. Some publishers manage it with every book, practically. It’s not a coincidence, I think, that those are publishers I read regularly.

    Finally, it should be noted that the fabu Bookslut has begun running a feature each month addressing book covers, and it is one of my favorite things they do right now.

  64. I’ve found that I most often pick up a book based on if I like the cover or not, not just buy it, and I usually then read the summary to see what it’s about. I do look at other books though, so I guess I do a little bit of “based-on-cover” looking, and a little bit of “actual-content-liking”. I guess either way I usually read what it’s about before I buy it to make sure I’d like it.

  65. I’ve found that I most often pick up a book based on if I like the cover or not, not just buy it, and I usually then read the summary to see what it’s about. I do look at other books though, so I guess I do a little bit of “based-on-cover” looking, and a little bit of “actual-content-liking”. I guess either way I usually read what it’s about before I buy it to make sure I’d like it.

  66. I’ve found that I most often pick up a book based on if I like the cover or not, not just buy it, and I usually then read the summary to see what it’s about. I do look at other books though, so I guess I do a little bit of “based-on-cover” looking, and a little bit of “actual-content-liking”. I guess either way I usually read what it’s about before I buy it to make sure I’d like it.

  67. It depends on how I’m buying the books – if there’s a display of books, all cover-out, or on a table or something, then covers make a difference in drawing my attention to a particular book (though I’d always read the back before buying). If they’re on shelves, spine-out, or if I’m buying books online (Amazon own my soul *g*) the titles make all the difference. When I think of the books I’ve bought recently, my reasons for buying have been do with being recommended the book, being intrigued by the title, or being already familiar with the writer’s work, and the covers haven’t come into play at all (in fact, looking at them now, some of them aren’t particularly attractive at all).

    Funnily enough I probably wouldn’t buy a copy of my own latest book, coming out in September, based on the cover (in my icon) even though the booksellers/distributers here are enthusiastic about it. Maybe I’m just not the average book-buyer that the marketing people are trying to please. *g*

  68. It depends on how I’m buying the books – if there’s a display of books, all cover-out, or on a table or something, then covers make a difference in drawing my attention to a particular book (though I’d always read the back before buying). If they’re on shelves, spine-out, or if I’m buying books online (Amazon own my soul *g*) the titles make all the difference. When I think of the books I’ve bought recently, my reasons for buying have been do with being recommended the book, being intrigued by the title, or being already familiar with the writer’s work, and the covers haven’t come into play at all (in fact, looking at them now, some of them aren’t particularly attractive at all).

    Funnily enough I probably wouldn’t buy a copy of my own latest book, coming out in September, based on the cover (in my icon) even though the booksellers/distributers here are enthusiastic about it. Maybe I’m just not the average book-buyer that the marketing people are trying to please. *g*

  69. It depends on how I’m buying the books – if there’s a display of books, all cover-out, or on a table or something, then covers make a difference in drawing my attention to a particular book (though I’d always read the back before buying). If they’re on shelves, spine-out, or if I’m buying books online (Amazon own my soul *g*) the titles make all the difference. When I think of the books I’ve bought recently, my reasons for buying have been do with being recommended the book, being intrigued by the title, or being already familiar with the writer’s work, and the covers haven’t come into play at all (in fact, looking at them now, some of them aren’t particularly attractive at all).

    Funnily enough I probably wouldn’t buy a copy of my own latest book, coming out in September, based on the cover (in my icon) even though the booksellers/distributers here are enthusiastic about it. Maybe I’m just not the average book-buyer that the marketing people are trying to please. *g*

  70. I would say that the cover DEFINITLY has a play in whether I buy it or not… I bought “flipped” because I liked the cover, and I think it turned out pretty good – I really liked the book… CDs – Well, Evanesence I think, but that I knew I wanted anyway. I bought a CD about a month ago cuz I liked the cover and I have still not listened to it.

    So I would say yes, it does come into play with me buying something. It has to appeal to my eyes first to catch my attention – then it has to hold it with content. (Both of which your books do. I love “Speak’s” cover.)

  71. I would say that the cover DEFINITLY has a play in whether I buy it or not… I bought “flipped” because I liked the cover, and I think it turned out pretty good – I really liked the book… CDs – Well, Evanesence I think, but that I knew I wanted anyway. I bought a CD about a month ago cuz I liked the cover and I have still not listened to it.

    So I would say yes, it does come into play with me buying something. It has to appeal to my eyes first to catch my attention – then it has to hold it with content. (Both of which your books do. I love “Speak’s” cover.)

  72. I would say that the cover DEFINITLY has a play in whether I buy it or not… I bought “flipped” because I liked the cover, and I think it turned out pretty good – I really liked the book… CDs – Well, Evanesence I think, but that I knew I wanted anyway. I bought a CD about a month ago cuz I liked the cover and I have still not listened to it.

    So I would say yes, it does come into play with me buying something. It has to appeal to my eyes first to catch my attention – then it has to hold it with content. (Both of which your books do. I love “Speak’s” cover.)

  73. “My theory on this is.. If a publisher or record company thinks they have a good product, but isn’t willing to put the final touches on it like giving it a decent cover, I won’t buy it/”

    You are almost right, but I would take it further and say that if they don’t bother putting money into the finished book or CD, they probably don’t think they have a good product. If they don’t even believe in it when it is in their best interest to do so, what chance is there that the consumer will?

  74. “My theory on this is.. If a publisher or record company thinks they have a good product, but isn’t willing to put the final touches on it like giving it a decent cover, I won’t buy it/”

    You are almost right, but I would take it further and say that if they don’t bother putting money into the finished book or CD, they probably don’t think they have a good product. If they don’t even believe in it when it is in their best interest to do so, what chance is there that the consumer will?

  75. “My theory on this is.. If a publisher or record company thinks they have a good product, but isn’t willing to put the final touches on it like giving it a decent cover, I won’t buy it/”

    You are almost right, but I would take it further and say that if they don’t bother putting money into the finished book or CD, they probably don’t think they have a good product. If they don’t even believe in it when it is in their best interest to do so, what chance is there that the consumer will?

  76. I judge books by their covers.

    Delayed reaction to the post but I just recently stumbled upon this website after finally looking at the back page of speak (which I got 2 months ago and have read, literally, 36 times). I always buy books by their covers and titles, vain as it sounds. And if hardcover books have weird names I take the book jacket off (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants). Sometimes it pays off (Uglies is one of the most interesting books you’ll ever read) and sometimes it doesn’t (The Rise and Fall of a 10th Grade Social Climber…isnt.)

    -Vainity Stricken Book Judger

  77. I judge books by their covers.

    Delayed reaction to the post but I just recently stumbled upon this website after finally looking at the back page of speak (which I got 2 months ago and have read, literally, 36 times). I always buy books by their covers and titles, vain as it sounds. And if hardcover books have weird names I take the book jacket off (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants). Sometimes it pays off (Uglies is one of the most interesting books you’ll ever read) and sometimes it doesn’t (The Rise and Fall of a 10th Grade Social Climber…isnt.)

    -Vainity Stricken Book Judger

  78. I judge books by their covers.

    Delayed reaction to the post but I just recently stumbled upon this website after finally looking at the back page of speak (which I got 2 months ago and have read, literally, 36 times). I always buy books by their covers and titles, vain as it sounds. And if hardcover books have weird names I take the book jacket off (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants). Sometimes it pays off (Uglies is one of the most interesting books you’ll ever read) and sometimes it doesn’t (The Rise and Fall of a 10th Grade Social Climber…isnt.)

    -Vainity Stricken Book Judger

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