As an author I wait on pins and needles to get covers for my books. Will I love it? Will I hate it? Will it jive with the story? Will it attract a readers eye? All those question jumble my brain until finally I click the inbox button and see a waiting email from my publisher. I nervously download the attachment and wait for the document to open. When the box pops up I get to exhale a sigh of relief. Another cover I love!
I've been lucky enough not to ever have a cover that I dislike. Lately, I've had even better luck because the cover artist for Parker Publishing is in my eyes the cover goddess. I feel so blessed with the gorgeous covers I've received because like it or not but covers can make you or break you. Of course the good writing is key but the cover is what will make readers pick up your book. A gorgeous cover stands out on the shelf or the website, it draws the readers eyes like moth to flame.
IMO if a reader doesn't know an authors name, the cover is the single thing that will make them pick up the book or skip it. A great title is key too, an interesting blurb but if the cover turns the reader off are they even going to pick up the book to read that blurb you struggled over? Probably not. Its so easy to say don't judge a book by its cover and maybe we don't judge the book because of it, maybe the reader picks up the book anyway reads the blurb and realizes that a really great story probably rests inside that cover but covers are the first impression. You know what they say...you never have a second chance to make a first impression (I'm loaded with sayings today aren't I). That cover is a readers first impression.
So what brought this all up you ask? My cover goddess sent me some of the most AMAZING covers this week. I'm sharing a couple of them with you today. The Lotus Blossom Chronicles contains my novella, The Art of Love and Unexpected Mr. Right is book two in the Fridays at Luciano's series. I'm blowing my head up a bit over here but aren't they gorgeous? Squee! I couldn't be happier.
What kind of covers attract you? If you don't know an author is the cover what draws your attention to a new book?
Oh, and one last really fun bit of news. We're having a Wild and Wicked Pajama Party tonight at Night Owl Romance. After a fun discussion on her personal blog Regina realized that a lot of times the West Coasters miss out on the chats because of the times. We decided to remedy that. Join the Three Wicked Writers along with Cindy Spencer Pape and Anny Cook for a night of HOT excerpts, great conversations and whatever else we decide to pull out of our pajama sleeves tonight from 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM Eastern time (7-10 PM Pacific). We'll see your there.
10 comments:
I have my best jammies sitting out along with my tiara, pink feather boa and fuzzy high-heeled house slippers. Ready to party down. Looking forward to it.
As to a cover??? Damn woman! These are great new covers and I honestly think the cover is a HUGE deal.A book with a hideously crappy cover will be overlooked every time. These just rock. Great post, Kell
Looking forward to the chat!
Your covers are some of the best I've seen, Kelley! Theire eye catching and that's the biggest battle right there. You want to get readers to pick it up out of curiosity and read the blurb. These definitely do that! Way to go!
I can't wait for ttonight either! Thanks for the compliments on my covers!
I'm excited. I will pull out my coolest jammies and head over tonight!!! I love the time you guys picked!!
Anyway, your covers are fabulous!! Congratulations!! Obviously I'm a pretty new romance reader and it's usually a reccomendation on a particular author that makes me purchase a book. When I venture out on my own it's definitely a cover that will make me pluck a book from the shelf and read the blurb. I want to be attracted or enticed to read more about the story and the cover needs to say it all!!
Those are some seriously freakin' hot covers! Congratulations. I've gotten some great covers too, but to be honest I would like to open my door to a few cover models instead. The boys anyway. ;)
I am going to try like heck to come party down with you guys tonight. It's late, but I don't think I care. Y'all are too fun.
XoXoXo
Dakota
Love your covers Kelley. As a reader covers are a big thing with me especially if I see a book from an author I don't know.
I know that it is hard to come up with eye catching covers with books. But recently I saw a book from an author I never heard of with the same exact cover as a book that I have read from someone I knew.
It took me like 3 times at the website to finally realize that it was a totally different book from a totaly different person.
I might be the only one who thinks this but I would think this wouldn't be good for either party.
Thanks for coming tonight, Tonya. Can't wait to party with you.
Dakota, Thanks!!! Hope to see you tonight.
KIm, Yeah that would be a bummer to have the same cover as someone else. So glad you like mine :)
Thank you so very much for the late chat! I do miss a lot of them because of the time zone issues. There have been a lot that I missed because most chat notices don't list what time zone is being used.
I'll try to stay up for your chat. :)
Is that Nico's cover?? That's amazing.
Those are fantastic! I really like the cover with the green.
I'll admit that I'm one of those buyers who will pick up a book because a cover catches my attention. I discovered a lot of new authors and great books that way.
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