Breaking Down via Book Covers!

I've often heard indie authors / writers talk about their cover art and images etc. and yes I've seen some beautiful covers, but what really matters, the cover or the book content?



I know what you're going to say, well a cover draws the reader in, and you should judge a book by the cover. Okay, well we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we do it anyway. I've heard people talk about cover art as a main selling point, and okay that might be so, but I can't stress how we shouldn't judge. It often starts with something topical like book covers, but before you know it you'll be judging people. (Digressing a little.)



And the other day I heard a comment about books not needing such a vibrant cover with a character, or scene. I agree, like the classics, they don't need proper covers, just black and white. But then again, they are classics and it goes without saying, people will actively search for said classic instead of finding it from the cover art. Another reason why I'm against it is because I'm an indie author (18 and unemployed), so I don't have money to buy fancy designers. I do everything on my own--except edit, I have a friend who helps with that.



Tacky!

I mentioned above about people forking out hundreds for cover art, and as I can't do that I have to design my own covers, and not to boast but my covers are pretty decent--totally subject to personal opinion. I've also seen some pretty shocking cover art, and yes, it's put me off clicking on it, but the one time I have, I read the description,and the book has been a pretty good read.

The publishing industry has now become like any other in the entertainment industry. The people with money, the people who can afford the fancy prints are going to be making more--but they might argue that anyone can save money to spend it on their hobby, or career prospect--"if you put money in, you get money out", how that saying never tires out, but it's true. 

The Standard

Can you write as well as your cover says you can? Going from my earlier point about reading a book with a Paint cover, to a book cover that's amazing, and when you read you, you're asking yourself why bother. Several occasions this has happened, and I'm pretty sure that this has happened to you as well, but we never learn--we're suckered into books by fancy covers, swirly designs and bright colours.

However, there are some that do have really good covers and are really well written, but these tend to remain with the traditionally published folk. So if you're traditionally published then well done and congratulations, because you've been through a publishing house and sometimes an agency, but also because you haven't had to design your cover or paid for someone else to do it for you, and you haven't had to promote yourself as hard because publishers tend to have public relation people.

Yeah, so that was a little rant that came out from nowhere. I hope I expressed my points fully, and I hope that there are no major errors which stopped you reading to think: WTF!? I don't understand.

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!

~Joseph Eastwood