Good Morning everyone.
I hope today brings you all some sunshine. A few weeks ago we spoke about the pitfalls of titles. Now I am going to get onto the topic of covers! It is a topic
that really gets me going. Covers are one of THE most important things to ever compliment your book. Most published authors have a say in their cover, but are then too worried of upsetting the publisher to say, actually, I don’t like it. Unlike me, the big mouth woman who always voices her opinions. It’s one of my many flaws! I have a golden rule. If you don’t want the truth, don’t ask me.
Now, back to covers. How many of you have been attracted to a book cover, only to find it relates to nothing about the story? I’m a sucker for Historical romance. I was in Waterstone and a cover of a woman in a regency dress caught my eye. I picked it up, read the blurb, only to find it was a ‘who done it murder mystery’!! What the hell?? Which brings me to one of my book covers. The artist who did the cover was absolutely brilliant, but the picture was nothing to do with my story. I immediately sent back an email saying its great, but no, not for my book. So after a flurry of emails, the publisher said, ‘what do you want to have?’ Perfect! They should ALL say those immortal words. I told them and my perfect cover was born. How many authors have felt pressured to have covers they don’t really like?
Who has stood up and said ‘no’ I don’t want that one?
Who has had no imput in their covers? Who has actually made their own?
Now we get on to self published authors. Power to them. That’s what I say. They have to make their own covers. Eeek. Where would you start. Does anyone have any helpful links for those who wish to self publish? My link is for Jimmy Thomas. Most authors know him. Not only is he drop dead gorgeous, he is a lovely guy who always takes time to have a chat. One of his secret's...not widely known......is that he’s addicted to chocolate!! That makes him doubly nice in my books.Excuse the pun.
Which brings me to a little story about young Jimmy. I was ogling an author’s cover on Facebook (as you do). It was of a rather dashing hero holding a semi conscious woman. I commented, thinking the picture was just an artist’s vivid imagination, ‘If I fainted I wonder if he would pick me up and carry me off’ and suddenly Jimmy commented, if you lived near me, of course I will. OMG. I nearly wet my drawers. The cover model was a real live person. AND he was talking me!!! We had a lovely pm chat. Of course I knew he was being nice to promote his wares, but boy, did I mind. HELL NO!!!!! I’d share my chocolate bar with him any day! I’m sure an erotica author could make a story from that comment lol
Ahem, anyway, to get back on track, his covers are stunning. So do go and check him out. He’ll pose for any genre and really take your ideas on board. He’ll be on the thread, if he's not too busy, to answer your questions or just have a chat about book covers. His has a fab calender out and the proceeds go to a local animal shelters that he supports. So know, if you buy one, you will also be helping a good cause.
So here is my question for today. Who has picked up a book, loved the cover, then found the story didin't compliment it at all? If you are an avid reader,does it infuriate you or are you not that bothered? Tell us.
As usual, prizes to be won for the most helpful comment or productive link.
Enjoyed! I agree, a great cover is what draws my eye to a book, then the blurb and then finally a tease read. I recently have begun creating covers for hire myself. Good article. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have to say this is an excellent post Margaret! Covers are the first thing people see and if it's not good enough for the reader to pick up, it won't be good enough for them to seek what's inside and buy it. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteBK
What a great blog. It was informative and funny. Loved the part about Jimmy. Book covers are SO important. I gave it a try designing for myself...what a disaster.
ReplyDeleteYes, covers are tremendously important, but not only must they compliment the book, they must also compliment to mores of the intended market. My first novel had one of my own watercolour paintings on the cover but didn't sell well at all. The next edition will have the generic muscular man on the cover and I expect it to do better.
ReplyDeleteI ahve to say mags, that I feel silly. The reason being, I thought book covers wer computerised images, NOT real models. I'm just a reader, but still, now you can actually imagine the character of the book looks like the models on the cover. I ALWAY get attracted to the cover first. I know Jimmy is handsome, likes animals (got to be a nice man lol) but he is also very astute. I looked at his links. He has found a niche that he does very well from and you can see, all the effort he puts into the poses. I was going to buy a claender, but i got the 'look' from my fella and decided not too...hrump.....
ReplyDeleteI think the cover is the most important feature of the novel. It is what attracts the reader to pick it up. And it should definitely portray the story.
ReplyDeleteI believe the saying, 'A picture is worth a thousand words.'
And that cover should 'say' those thousand words.
Nice post, Margaret.
Firstly, happy Anniversary margaret.
ReplyDeleteI am suprised too Skyla, that real models pose for book covers. I had no idea. I know working with animal trusts is close to your heart too, margaret, you and your husband really are angels of mercy when it comes to waifes and strays. This post is wonderful. An eye opener. This gentleman has done an admirable job on the covers.I for one will pay much more attention to them from now on.
I don't feel the people on the cover have to be the spitting images of your characters, but as close as you can reasonably get, and the cover should convey the spirit of the book in some form. It's what gets people to pick up the book and give it a look-see.
ReplyDeleteJimmy is fabulous, I totally agree, he's been on three of my covers and will be on more. He plays Avery Deacon in Captivations. The inspiration for Avery was actually David Gandy - whom I didn't realize was a very well-known and expensive model. But I have Jimmy, who is real and down to earth and gorgeous - I'm happy with the arrangement.
A cover that doesn't match what's inside in any way, and is just used for titillation, is false advertising to me.
Great post, Mags, as usual!
Hi Everyone
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by. I'm on UK time, so hopefully when I'm in my bed, more people will pop here with their views.
I had no idea, real cover models were used either lol That makes me a greater 'spoon' than you Skyla lol As I am an author and should know better lol
Great topic! When my publisher showed me the proposed cover for my upcoming YA novel, I was shocked. The image had NOTHING to do with my story. I immediately sent it to my agent, who agreed that we could absolutely not accept that cover. Fortunately, we were able to ask for a change, but the publisher said only if I'd change the title as well. So now I have a cover and a title that I absolutely adore. It pays to stand up for what you want!
ReplyDeleteTo me i do believe as a reader, the cover really needs to definately portray the readings of the book, my feelings are once bitten twice shy, meaning the cover may intrigue me but if the story dont fit, i never buy from that author again. My attractions to a book is the cover and title and then the small read up on the back, if this all adds up then this is when i turn the first page. If i was an author i would very much like to have my input into the design of the cover as yes this can be mostly interpretated as something completely different, mmm felt a monty python coming on them!!! not being sexist but each book is like meeting a new woman, if the book looks good but the story dont fit, then it has to go,, no offense made to anyone honestly!! Its just my point of view, nothing personal! I am however very surprised about models being involved with covers, i myself did think they were computerised or drawn, i think thats great and may have a few words with Jimmy lol.. well thats my view i hope it helps, but my honest opinion is that authors should, as a must have input to the design of the covers of there books.
ReplyDeleteAnother great talking point.
For what it's worth :)
ReplyDeleteAs an author I agree the cover is important to sales.
As a reader, I don't pick by the cover but by the title. The title attracts me first and foremost.
Found that really worth reading Maggie, wish I had a way with words. I'm with Sylivia on this one, being an avid reader it's the title that draws my attention not the pic, but if the guy is worth a look!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm signing off now as its almost 12pm my side of the pond. Do carry on with the discussion.
ReplyDeleteI'm first drawn to the cover before I read the blurb. If the cover doesn't catch my eye, I don't bother.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've read books where the cover didn't match how the author described her characters. For example: The hero was a blond, but the hero on the cover had dark hair. Really? You couldn't find a blond model. lol
I agree, Jimmy Thomas' site is wonderful! This is a romance authors' place to find the next cover for their book. Contemporary, paranormal, erotic, sensual, western, historical-- any genre you can think of is there.
I've recently started creating book covers for Rebecca J. Vickery Publishing and Western Trail Blazers. RJV has let me create a few of my own covers, too. (Jimmy Thomas looks great as a Fallen Angel. :))
If the description matches, I look at Jimmy Thomas' site first for my photo. :)
I sure enjoyed the post! So glad to know JT is not only talented, but he's a nice guy, loves animals and chocolate-- Absolutely Perfect!!
Take Care,
Agree that the cover is important and should reflect the book, but so many covers are so 'similar' these days (I won't mention the 'best-selling' romance publisher whose covers are so similar!), that I always look at the blurb on the back cover before I decide to buy.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I have had so many compliments about the cover of my new release 'His Leading Lady' (thanks to Kendra at Whiskey Creek) which really does convey the story (even though the hero wasn't how I imagined him!)
Covers are just so important. I have some clunkers, a couple that made me cry. I also have three fabulous Jimmy Thomas ones that the dh did for me! What a joy to have Total Control!
ReplyDeleteGreat Topic. When my first book was published, the background was fantastic, just what I wanted but the model wasn't really right, and somehow the artist had missed that I’d asked for ‘flame coloured hair’ and instead the model was dark. I didn’t know who the cover artist was at the time, and mentioned it to my publisher but was persuaded it was better left as it was. Being ‘green’ I didn’t like to argue, but the second book had the same cover artist, who is lovely, and this time she actually sent me the cover first and asked if it was OK - it was perfect, and I didn’t need to ask for any changes at all. I do think it makes a difference although no-one’s actually mentioned how different the model on the first book is to the description of the heroine.
ReplyDeleteAs for Jimmy Thomas, yes he’s a hunk. I’ve bought some of his pictures and am going to use them to promote my next book - if it’s accepted - and I’ll ask my cover artist to use him for the cover!