Do you judge a book by its cover?

[Andrew]

I've done that before. I literally bought Catching the Sun simply because "ooh, it looked pretty". I also bought Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter simply because I thought the title sounded cool.

[Stephanie]

Sometimes it's hard not to.

[[deleted user]]

I confess that I do sometimes judge a book by its cover, including my own. Take a look at my two differentcovers for my ebook The LastKnight and the Queen of Scots and you will see what I mean. After it was in publication I hated the cover of the paperback but because of the lag in paperback sales of both of my books, I only changed the ebook color and layout. But if I were to see the paperback on a bookshelf, I would probably pass it over.

[Stefani]

To put it simply....yes I do. I am an admitted cover whore. I have been known (often) to buy books without even knowing what they are about but simply because I loved the cover.

[Leigh]

sometimes

[[deleted user]]

Sadly yes. i do judge books by their covers but to me I think that the cover is actually important! If i ever get a book published there is no way i am accepting having an ugly cover. if the cover has interesting title or cover art than i am more likely to pick it up. to me there's something really spectacular about carrying around a pretty book that makes your bookshelf look pretty too. I know i probably shouldn't judge books by their covers but i don't like reading a book with a bad cover because sometimes it spoils it for me. i really need to get over this habit...

[Abby]

I go for the blurb. But, sometimes the cover. I like simplicity though and - while I write and read romance - I try to stay away from the stereotypical guy's torso with a six pack. While fun to look at, I like a little more imagination in the cover!

[Nitzan]

Of course I do. It's the first thing to make me look at a book. I don't choose based on it, I'm drawn to a book because of it. It's like, if the cover is boring, the chance I'll pick the book up and read the summery is smaller.
First impression is important. A pretty or intriguing cover gives the book a higher chance. Of course, if the summery doesn't sound good or it's not a genre I like, I won't read it, and if I find a book with a good summery about genres I like, but bad cover, I will still read it.
But a good cover is very important.

[M.L.]

I have to admit that the cover can be what prompts me to pick up a book in the first place, but I also read a few sentences from several parts of the book before making a decision. I've probably missed out on quite a few great books because the covers just didn't grab me.

[Margaret]

This is a good question. I will often pick up a book or check out the blurb strictly based on the cover. So yep. I do judge a book by its cover. The cover doesn't have to be amazing, though. Sometimes I'll pick up a book with a plain cover--at least it didn't turn me off.

[[deleted user]]

Yes, I do find the cover attracts me first. But then I'll take a look at the blurb.
I find reviews can be helpful as well.

[Bernadette]

No not really, I’ve read plenty of books that had a cover I didn’t like. I read them because I knew some of the author’s other work or because I liked the first few pages.

[Emma]

I often buy books because of their lovely covers :)

[Catherine]

I would never buy a book based on the cover. some of the most dire indies have brilliant covers. Seem many self pubbers pay more for the art work than editing their book.
Sorry folks.

[Thomas]

Like Catherine directly above, I'd never buy a book for it's cover. If you want pretty art, go buy a painting. However - any writer that puts hard work and sweat into their writing and then slaps any old thing on the outside is either not very good, or a fool. Don't have time for either :)

[Steven]

I buy a book to be something I want to read not because it looks pretty. I can catch myself reaching for a book whose cover looks like it contains stuff I'm interested in. I also pass books by that don't hint at that on the cover. I can discover later that I was wrong but the author did have to wait for my money.

I hope I'm not alone because my cover is not so pretty. So all those that say they don't buy the book for its cover give yourselves a special hug from me.

[Justin]

Ehh sometimes but not really. Sometimes the cover looks awesome but then I read the synopsis and get totally turned off. If I like the cover and the synopsis sounds good Im going into that book!

[L.F.]

In a physical bookstore, the first thing that catches my attention is the cover art. Secondly, the title. But I don't purchase based upon those things, though I have probably passed by some very good books simply because they did not catch my initial attention. I was once told that you have eight seconds to catch a readers attention. If you fail, then you're likely not to make a sale.

[Jonathan]

I think the cover is an important part of the book's appeal, even when you have begun reading it. It is art after all, and should give you something. There is some beautiful work out there - look at the illustrated Hobbit cover for example. It is quite hard to do a good one when self-publishing, that doesn't cost a lot. These days you need a good over more than ever as everyone is in a cyber-hurry.

[Mschell]

Yes I did before I wrote a book, the cover is what usually catches my attention. Now that I have a book I'm curious to now what people think.

[Richard]

I'm self published on Amazon – The Fifth Stage, a medical thriller. Took me about 12 hours to do my book cover. Take a look:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0615731...

[Roland]

Yeah, it's rare that I buy a new book with how busy I usually am. If I'm at a Barnes and Noble, I'll give a cursory glance through the aisles and will only stop if there's a cover that catches my attention.

Granted, the book still has to interest me through its back cover/excerpt, but chances are, it's more likely to be given a second look if the cover draws me in.

[Jill]

I've done all of my own covers. Four part contemporary Romance Series.


[image error]


For me, I have never bought a romance book with a half-naked person on the cover. I just don't like those. I prefer to buy something classier looking. I love scenic views on romance book covers.

[Creative]

Richard wrote: "I'm self published on Amazon – The Fifth Stage, a medical thriller. Took me about 12 hours to do my book cover. Take a look:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0615731......"

Awesome cover, looks so mysterious :)

[Creative]

Ari wrote: "I do many times, but when I redesigned the book cover for "The ScreamBed Chronicles: The last days of playas & other insecure men", I opted to go far left with an image that many would say has noth..."

That's a lovely Cover :)

[Creative]

Roland wrote: "Yeah, it's rare that I buy a new book with how busy I usually am. If I'm at a Barnes and Noble, I'll give a cursory glance through the aisles and will only stop if there's a cover that catches my a..."

Nice post.

[Creative]

Mschell wrote: "Yes I did before I wrote a book, the cover is what usually catches my attention. Now that I have a book I'm curious to now what people think.
"

It's very, very soft, might need more dramatic text, or more contrast on the Cover Art. That's what I think :) x x x

[[deleted user]]

Richard wrote: "I'm self published on Amazon – The Fifth Stage, a medical thriller. Took me about 12 hours to do my book cover. Take a look:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0615731......"

I looked and liked it, especially the image of the running man and the woman needing rescue --but making them separate with a someone different style makes it unique.

[[deleted user]]

Creative wrote: "Mschell wrote: "Yes I did before I wrote a book, the cover is what usually catches my attention. Now that I have a book I'm curious to now what people think.
[bookcover:ALOT TO SAY, SUMTHIN TO TALK..."

I would add some drama--try some of the more unusual fonts.

[Richard]

Creative wrote: "Richard wrote: "I'm self published on Amazon – The Fifth Stage, a medical thriller. Took me about 12 hours to do my book cover. Take a look:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0615731......"
Yes, the question is:what is The Fifth Stage
;)

[Richard]

Linda wrote: "Richard wrote: "I'm self published on Amazon – The Fifth Stage, a medical thriller. Took me about 12 hours to do my book cover. Take a look:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0615731......" Thanks. the running man is my son, Jon, the woman, my wife's daughter. They're both in the book trailers I directed and produced-available at my website. http://thefifthstage.com/book-trailer...
Love to get your feedback

[Justin]

Hmm..I just made a comment in a similar thread in another group about this very topic.

Right now I'm judging my own book by it's cover..

just look at that! I myself was blown away when the cover was revealed to me..I don't know about anyone else but by all means feel free to judge my book by it's cover! (:

[Farzy Mae of BooksKeepMeSane]

yes i do judge a book by its cover... if the cover of the book catches my eye at first sight then there's a higer chance that i will read that book

[Justin]

This may come off as either really stupid or very deep so fare warning but here it is...

What if books had emotions and feelings and judged us readers by our looks? Oh what a world it would be.

[Thomas]

I think with the advent of self-publishing, an outstanding cover is even more essential. Even though self-pub's are grabbing more and more of the market share of book sales, there is still a stigma attached, and having a cover that is obviously a Photoshop product will cause the cobwebs to grow in rampant fashion. Assumptions are made about any book, based on its front cover, and even more so if the potential buyer doesn't see the name of any publishing house on the inside.

Thomas Rydder
http://thomasrydder.wordpress.com/

[Lade]

I always keep an open mind when it come to books. No doubt, beautiful covers and weird titles will attract attention. I always want to know what in the book.

[Anita]

Yes, I definitely judge the book by it's cover. That being said, I also think the title is equally important, and the back cover summary is what finally draws me in ... or not.

I think it is important to keep in mind that the cover is usually the first initial interaction a potential reader will have with your book. Very few have the opportunity to read the excerpt first, so there must be something to grab their attention.

Some may argue that business brand and identity design only applies to, well yes businesses, and not so much an author. However, in my mind, the author is the business and the book is their product. Looking at it this way, it may become more clear why it is important to have a professional visual representation of your product, which is accomplished in the packaging. I think it is important to ask yourself when looking at your cover: "What does the cover say about my writing, and is the design a true representation of my story?"

An easy quick way to find out what the cover says to a potential reader, take a copy of it and the next time you are in a meeting, or talking to a group of friends, ask them what they think the novel is about, and if they saw this book on the shelf would they have picked it up? This is the best usability testing you can do for your book. :-)

... being that I am a book cover designer professional, I'll admit it's hard to stay unbiased ... ;-)

anita@race-point.com
http://race-point.com/published-covers/

[Andrew]

Thomas wrote: "Andrew,

Not necessarily on the "homebrew" comment. Your cover is simplistic, but even simple can have a charm. In fact, if it follows the theme of your content, it can be downright perfect."

Gosh, coming back to this thread after a very long absence, but thanks Thomas. I have indeed grown to appreciate my own cover over the last year or so. The image was taken with my smartphone in the garden of the pub where I wrote a good chunk of the stories. The stories themselves were too diverse for a thematic image, but I think it captures the ethos of their author quite well...

[[deleted user]]

I do judge a book by it's cover, but not in the usual sense. I'm a design major so I automatically pick apart every design I see.

[[deleted user]]

I find it rather sad that some people will not even consider a book if they do not like the cover image. Surely they should be guided by the synopsis. Of course there are some exceptions e.g. if you do not like 'romance' then a cover with half clothed bodies will automatically deter you.

[Justin]

Would it be worse to judge a book by it's cover or based off a short synopsis on the back of the book? I mean the image may have a deep meaning that tells nothing of the book that the person could tell just from picking it up. Whereas a short synopsis may prove unmoving and do little to make someone read it.

[Susan]

Roland wrote: "Yeah, it's rare that I buy a new book with how busy I usually am. If I'm at a Barnes and Noble, I'll give a cursory glance through the aisles and will only stop if there's a cover that catches my a..."

Roland, you make a good point. I too enjoy skimming the shelves and will pick up a book if the title and/or cover looks interesting. That's one reason I enjoy supporting my local independent bookstore, because the staff organizes the shelves so you can see many book covers, and not just one or two of the bestsellers and super-popular authors.

At my local chain bookstore, I've noticed they've begun stacking the books flat on long tables, so you can easily browse covers. Do you find yourself browsing more, or less, when you can see the covers?

[Inda]

Yeah, I do judge books by their covers lol. And I am not ashamed ;)

[Kelly]

I think we all do in a way... A books cover has to attract me for me to pick it up and consider it

[Sandee is Reading]

i do this most of the time and most of the time... I get burned! LOL. Sometimes the cover could be deceiving. :(

[♥♡¢σσкιє♥♡ (Krystle)]

Absolutely!! Even if the book is a let down, I don't regret buying it if the cover is beautiful. Then again, I rarely spend more then five bucks on books. Gotta love used book stores!! :D

[Ruth]

when I'm browsing yeah, it's either the cover or the title of the book that attracts me but if I read what it's about and it doesn't appeal to me then it won't matter how great the cover is I won't be buying it. Similarly if I think a book is not very good then I'm not going to think it's good just because I like the cover it comes in. So, no, the cover might initially attract me but it's not what I base my judgement on.

[Jim]

The cover is the first thing that catches a potential buyer's eye; but it is the backmatter that seals the deal.

[Susan]

Jim wrote: "The cover is the first thing that catches a potential buyer's eye; but it is the backmatter that seals the deal."

I think book covers can be a great marketing tool to communicate genre, atmosphere, and theme. Jim makes a great point that the entire cover matters. We had a discussion a while back about book blurbs, and I discovered GR members have very strong feelings about that!

[Christopher]

Color choice is crucial as well. The first cover of my debut novel was moody and muted and mysterious and so very cool, I thought. And I brought it to a convention and showed it to a book designer. He smiled, asked to hold it, stepped back a few feet, held it up, and revealed how muddy and murky and illegible it became. "A thumbnail on Amazon, etc. is even smaller," he said. I thanked him profusely. He suggested I turn the title colors from the purple I loved so much to a vibrant orange.
It worked gloriously.
I am thankful to that generous professional forever.