tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post4228979932609428598..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: That About Covers ItJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-54102635608287779542009-10-11T18:46:42.433-05:002009-10-11T18:46:42.433-05:00Your new Disturb cover is definately better. Very ...Your new Disturb cover is definately better. Very professional. The bright blue skull and your name against the black background works well. The white title is the first thing i see, then the skull. <br /><br />The prior version of black lettering against white background is used a lot by self-published authors and it's amateurish.<br /><br />I judge a book by it's cover, that is the first thing i see and if the cover interests me, i pick up the book and read what is about.<br />Congratulations on your excellent new covers!!!<br /><br />My India Travelblog:<br />http://pattybcoffman.blogspot.com/Patty Barrué-Coffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06651544025411500683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48791532491200089082009-10-08T18:08:18.266-05:002009-10-08T18:08:18.266-05:00Joe,
Nice post, love the covers. I find it intere...Joe,<br /><br />Nice post, love the covers. I find it interesting the cover art has had such a major effect on sales. From this lot the <i>Shot of Tequila</i> and <i>Origin</i> ones look the best to me, and <i>Tequila</i> is one I would pick up in a second. Really good evocation of the "pulp" school, and I'm now looking forward to reading one of these.<br /><br />As a book cover designer I really appreciate when someone not trained in this type of art produces covers like your "before" models, which are actually not bad at all. Good luck with the new line.JFBookmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11233715897322560514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79483770411524521642009-10-06T20:34:42.828-05:002009-10-06T20:34:42.828-05:00That Origin cover is fantastic, amazing what talen...That Origin cover is fantastic, amazing what talented people can do.Natalie Hatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09377665702278806398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-16255888146528166902009-10-05T15:31:19.786-05:002009-10-05T15:31:19.786-05:00Just added the Suckers cover art. Jeff is the one ...Just added the Suckers cover art. Jeff is the one who came up with the tagline. Mine was "Finally, a vampire novel that doesn't suck." which he soundly rejected.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-78050455544387944112009-10-05T09:12:27.654-05:002009-10-05T09:12:27.654-05:00"As for Disturb, the blurb didn't bug me ..."As for Disturb, the blurb didn't bug me as much as the "bestseller" moniker, but it was an easy fix."<br /><br />That's a noble restraint, given that you could make an argument for using the term following the kindle success of some of your books. <br /><br />I'm in agreement, though, that the term should be reserved for those who truly deserve it. My books are routinely in the top 5 of very competitive categories in Kindle and yet I would never dream of using the word simply because of that.<br /><br />There's nothing more pathetic than someone who makes it into a top 100 list somewhere for some fleeting moment and then declares themselves to be a bestselling author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-31855727395981117902009-10-05T08:53:52.774-05:002009-10-05T08:53:52.774-05:00I was hoping you'd just fix it instead of deba...<i>I was hoping you'd just fix it instead of debate it, so good job. </i><br /><br />I debate everything. It's the reason I'm still blogging after all these years. :)<br /><br />In fact, I blogged about blurbs a while ago, and how the blurbing community works, and it's pretty grim.<br /><br />So many authors blurb without reading. Publishers often cut and edit to make negative reviews seem favorable. Everybody wants to get blurbs, but no one is sure if they help sell books. And they are recycled when the blurb refers to the author, or the author's lead character.<br /><br />As for Disturb, the blurb didn't bug me as much as the "bestseller" moniker, but it was an easy fix.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3109229842371675172009-10-05T08:44:22.265-05:002009-10-05T08:44:22.265-05:00Love the covers, and I can't agree more about ...Love the covers, and I can't agree more about the need for professionalism on covers. A couple of weeks ago I ordered a paper book from Amazon that I knew had Microsoft clipart on the cover. But when I opened the package I was not prepared to discover it had no print on the spine! Presumably this was commercially published, but the clunky layout inside verifies that the author owns the publishing company, and professional it is not. <br /><br />However, I'm glad I didn't judge the book by the cover, because it's a how-to book on writing dialogue, and it is truly excellent. <br /><br />I will mention the mystery spine in the review I'm about to write, so consider yourself warned that lame cover gaffes may get bad press.Sharon Lippincotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16269757107845288737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-73291877609040464622009-10-05T08:14:55.319-05:002009-10-05T08:14:55.319-05:00I was hoping you'd just fix it instead of deba...I was hoping you'd just fix it instead of debate it, so good job. You still have my respect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-44772065473296138442009-10-05T00:55:00.682-05:002009-10-05T00:55:00.682-05:00I tweaked the Disturb cover to make it fit in with...I tweaked the Disturb cover to make it fit in with the theme of the others. The blog reflects the new cover.<br /><br />Besides putting the band on the top, I got rid of the "bestseller" line, since it wasn't true, and attributed the blurb in the skull to Dirty Martini. I really don't think the blurb makes a difference one way or the other, since it was comparing me as a writer to Jeffrey Deaver, and not specific about any particular book, but now there's no confusion.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-63762604510395272482009-10-04T23:33:43.458-05:002009-10-04T23:33:43.458-05:00The first rule of bookcovers is to never use a blu...<i>The first rule of bookcovers is to never use a blurb or quote that seemingly applies to the book at issue when it in fact doesn't.</i><br /><br />The quote is about me. Last I checked, I'm Konrath (among other names.)<br /><br />And FYI, blurbs are reused, reapplied, and recycled all the time.<br /><br />That said, I agree with you, and might get around to changing it.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-2375271233548381792009-10-04T20:21:19.439-05:002009-10-04T20:21:19.439-05:00Here come the whingers.Here come the whingers.Rusty Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16143817211151177797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-53263179532500328972009-10-04T20:14:35.866-05:002009-10-04T20:14:35.866-05:00"The kind folks that made the cover for free ..."The kind folks that made the cover for free put the quote there, and I let it go."<br /><br />The first rule of bookcovers is to never use a blurb or quote that seemingly applies to the book at issue when it in fact doesn't. <br /><br />It's not an excuse for you as the author to "let it go" simply because you apparently got the cover for free. The cover isn't about you or about the person who made it. It's about the reader and the prospective purchaser and any other person who might rely on the truthfulness of the reviews or blurbs contained on the cover. Publishers and authors have a duty to be honest with readers and purchasers. That's why the rule exists.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26191526546221730452009-10-04T19:17:12.649-05:002009-10-04T19:17:12.649-05:00I'm really surprised to see that Boolist revie...<i>I'm really surprised to see that Boolist reviewed Disturbed</i><br /><br />They didn't. That review is from one of my other books. The kind folks that made the cover for free put the quote there, and I let it go. I'm not a bestseller either, technically, except on some small lists, but I let that go too. Don't look gift horses in the mouth...JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3772972904495648482009-10-04T18:31:30.432-05:002009-10-04T18:31:30.432-05:00I'm really surprised to see that Boolist revie...I'm really surprised to see that Boolist reviewed Disturbed since it wasn't released in TB or HC. How'd you get them to do it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-10552467360500131842009-10-04T17:09:42.088-05:002009-10-04T17:09:42.088-05:00I loved the Origin cover. They are all eye catchin...I loved the Origin cover. They are all eye catching but that one would make me pick it up and take a look inside. [or click on a link to see an excerpt]<br /><br /><br />Karen :0)Karen from Mentorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03685540761526680384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-31264944490905574452009-10-04T16:44:47.854-05:002009-10-04T16:44:47.854-05:00I think the way the cover looks does get the reade...I think the way the cover looks does get the reader's attention. It also gives the reader a sneak peak into what's happening in the book.<br /><br />The next time I self publish, I will definitely put more thought into the cover art designing phase.Susie McCrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11672732605360996946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-85192557790944144722009-10-04T12:46:10.829-05:002009-10-04T12:46:10.829-05:00Yeah, great thing to think about radiosteve.
Thi...Yeah, great thing to think about radiosteve. <br /><br />Think about the 'effectiveness' of a SAW poster in selling that film.Rusty Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16143817211151177797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-23254329168040605782009-10-04T11:04:47.226-05:002009-10-04T11:04:47.226-05:00Wow,radiosteve. Yet one more thing for writers to ...Wow,radiosteve. Yet one more thing for writers to think about . . . the different marketing slants depending on venue. <br /><br />Aaack.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-34820140275948790642009-10-04T11:01:15.569-05:002009-10-04T11:01:15.569-05:00As a bookseller I agree that covers need to catch ...As a bookseller I agree that covers need to catch the eye; it makes my job much easier. There's nothing sadder than seeing a good book come in, take a look at the cover and say 'what the hell were they thinking?'<br /><br />Having said that; I like the 'Disturb' and 'Truck Stop' covers. 'The List' reminds me of Michael Crichton or Robin Cook, but should get the idea across. <br /><br />'Shot of Tequila' and 'Origin' remind me too much of Elora's Cave books.<br /><br />I feel that thinking of ebooks having 'covers' in the traditional sense can be a hinderance. They need a different form of marketing. A physical book jacket speaks to a different audience. The customers looking at ebooks are looking for a slightly different sales pitch; more detailed. The best comaprison I can think of is the difference between a book jacket and a movie poster. They require a different investment from the customer. With a physical book is the unspoken thought; 'can I live with this?'. with the movie poster it is more 'will this entertain me for a few hours?'<br /><br />The marketing for ebooks needs to take into account the lowered need for subtlety. It needs to be a quick splash to grab the potential customer. With the physical book it needs to be more inviting, because you'll be looking at it for years. With an ebook, you really only need that cover art to sell it initially.radiostevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10764038108750602469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-10155702840697966322009-10-04T10:15:26.684-05:002009-10-04T10:15:26.684-05:00Awesome covers. Each one gives the reader a clear ...Awesome covers. Each one gives the reader a clear indication of what they're about to get into. Kind of like a warning label. Or a tease.Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79635245438380601142009-10-04T07:37:20.117-05:002009-10-04T07:37:20.117-05:00Great covers! I like the one for Disturb best, but...Great covers! I like the one for <i>Disturb</i> best, but they're all really good.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-28828779327383953202009-10-04T07:36:38.497-05:002009-10-04T07:36:38.497-05:00Specifically the books named after drinks.
Those ...<i>Specifically the books named after drinks.</i><br /><br />Those were professional covers done by my publisher, PV.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76445991682885453902009-10-04T07:32:17.725-05:002009-10-04T07:32:17.725-05:00I liked your previous covers, and didn't think...I liked your previous covers, and didn't think they looked particularly amateurish. Specifically the books named after drinks. I can see why you changed the covers, however. The new ones do convey what they are about more.<br /><br />I agree, with online sales, thumbnails need to sell it. Too often I'll see a cover that's too busy in detail, or too dark to make out, and I just don't click through.PV Lundqvisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04144485318046805732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-37188825296436003002009-10-03T17:55:03.306-05:002009-10-03T17:55:03.306-05:00I dig one-word titles and bold primary colours set...I dig one-word titles and bold primary colours set against black or white backgrouds - like AFRAID and DISTURB, for example. <br /><br />Then I 'flip' the book to read the premise...<br /><br />Pulpy and violent is what I like to read.Rusty Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16143817211151177797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-64256471001941080972009-10-03T16:31:02.243-05:002009-10-03T16:31:02.243-05:00@Christy - You're the second person to tell me...@Christy - You're the second person to tell me Tequila looks computer generated. In fact it's hand drawn. He used a computer to ink it.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.com