What stops you from reading self-published novels?

[Paul Douglas]

Paul wrote: "The Kindle Prime logo STOPS me reading even the blurb."
PS. I'm a self published author. Comments regarding PAULYANNA INTERNATIONAL RENT-BOY welcome.

[D.C.]

I think it's more important for covers to be not ugly than to be highly "designed". I've seen many covers gone wrong, particularly on SPA's, because ambition outstripped ability. I'd rather see a solid color with the information in a bold font than something that looks like misguided fan art. And illustrations in what are theoretically adult novels are usually superfluous, and unless they are very, very good, look amateurish.

[Lynda]

Martyn V. wrote: "When I contacted my current cover designer, she accepted my ideas (the crosshairs in the O, the female silhouette, the push dagger background), but she states on her website that she makes covers that are conform industry standards and she's not deviating from that and get her name linked to 'unprofessional' covers"

There's the bottom line: her name will be on it, and people will judge the quality of her work based on every single cover she produces. If there are some gems and some garbage, they'll assume the gems are a fluke, not the other way around.

Seeing what some people think is "great," though, makes me want to create crappy covers under a fake name and cash in on the market. Fighting the urge...

[Dana]

I don't know about them. :(

[Jacqueline]

Marla wrote: "Frankly, cheap looking covers. Most self-pub covers have a distinctive look-shiny and cheap looking. However, (traditional) Category Romance has ALWAYS had cheap looking shiny covers…So perhaps it'..."

You're right, Marla. I write those category romances and each sub-genre has its own look that readers can identify even if they can't exactly say why. Go outside that look and readers won't pick it up or will be disappointed when they do, because the cover misled them into thinking it was another type of romance.

Most sub-genre fiction has a certain look or feel that immediately lets the reader know what's inside. For example, cozy mystery covers look completely different from hard-boiled detective mysteries. That isn't to say there isn't some leeway in the design, but that subliminal message should be there and good cover artists understand that.

Among traditional publishers, hard cover jackets are sometimes changed when the book is released in paperback to appeal to a different set of readers.

Bottom line; know your audience.

[Judy]

Paul wrote: "The Kindle Prime logo STOPS me reading even the blurb."

Why would that stop you? There are some decent books in the Prime. (I happen to like Joe Konrath's suspense novels).

[Paul Douglas]

Judy wrote: "Paul wrote: "The Kindle Prime logo STOPS me reading even the blurb."

Why would that stop you? There are some decent books in the Prime. (I happen to like Joe Konrath's suspense novels)."

I imagine there are loads of good books however when scrolling through Amazon kindle I get a bit annoyed wading through Tofu cooking books and the like. So if I see the logo I don't stop on it. BUT that may just be freaky me.

[D.C.]

Richard wrote: "D.C. wrote: I think it's more important for covers to be not ugly than to be highly "designed"."

Like this?

;-)"

Hmmph! Good example of both, actually.