How many people do it? *Raising hand* I admit I do-to a certain point. There are some books that I won’t pick up because of their cover. I don’t know if I should mention those types because I don’t want to offend anyone.
I’m not saying that the covers aren’t well done, I just don’t like the style. In fact, I’m more likely to pick up a book that has a cover that might not be done extremely well then one that is professionally made but in a style I don’t like.
The reason why I’m bringing this up is because I’m in the middle of designing my own cover for an upcoming release and I got to admit it’s driving me a little bit crazy. I designed covers for Finally Home and That Kind of Magic, and I’m content with them though they’re a similar style. For my next book I wanted something different. Something a little more challenging.
Maybe someday I’ll be able to afford to get a professional cover (unless I get good at making my own), but until then I’ll bang my head over Paintshop Pro until I come up with a cover I’m proud of.
So, what do you think? Do you judge a book by its cover? Do you bypass a book if you don’t like the cover? What DO you like in a cover? Good looking models? Pretty scenery? Bold colors or something subtle? Cartoon characters?
I do judge a book by it’s cover, well, I’ll pick it up if the cover interests me. Which is unfortunate as I wouldn’t be picking mine up :). I like anything with blues on it…I know, pretty basic, but I’d say (looking at my shelves) that 50% of my books are some kinda shade of blue. So that’s me — if you want me to buy your book, makes it blue LOL!
Great post, Cerian! I won’t even look at cartoon covers. lol I will consider most books to some extent, but if a cover is done badly–I’m talking giraffe characters and yes, I actually won a free book that had this feature on the cover! The writing WAS as bad as the cover suggested even though the premise wasn’t half bad… UGH!– I won’t touch it again. But honestly, if the cover doesn’t grab me, I probably don’t read the blurb or open the book.
I hate to say it but the cover is one of the first things to draw me in or keep me moving. I don’t know what it is about a cover that I like, I just know it when I see it. From the cover I look at the title and then read the back cover blurb…there’s a lot in the process of buying a book. lol
I can definitely tell you though that I don’t like books with cartoon characters on the cover! lol
Cerian Hebert 
I do judge a book by it’s cover, well, I’ll pick it up if the cover interests me. Which is unfortunate as I wouldn’t be picking mine up :). I like anything with blues on it…I know, pretty basic, but I’d say (looking at my shelves) that 50% of my books are some kinda shade of blue. So that’s me — if you want me to buy your book, makes it blue LOL!
Uh oh…. none of my covers are blue! I love blue though. I’ll have to work on that. Thanks for stopping in, Cait. 🙂
Great post, Cerian! I won’t even look at cartoon covers. lol I will consider most books to some extent, but if a cover is done badly–I’m talking giraffe characters and yes, I actually won a free book that had this feature on the cover! The writing WAS as bad as the cover suggested even though the premise wasn’t half bad… UGH!– I won’t touch it again. But honestly, if the cover doesn’t grab me, I probably don’t read the blurb or open the book.
I agree, Calisa. Another thing that bothers me is “Sims” type characters as models. I’m glad you stopped in.
I hate to say it but the cover is one of the first things to draw me in or keep me moving. I don’t know what it is about a cover that I like, I just know it when I see it. From the cover I look at the title and then read the back cover blurb…there’s a lot in the process of buying a book. lol
I can definitely tell you though that I don’t like books with cartoon characters on the cover! lol
Good luck with your new cover!!!
No cartoon characters seem to be a general consensus. I have to agree though. Thanks for stopping in, Christine!
I like a cover that doesn’t conflict with the book-like wrong hair color, doesn’t look like hero, heroine, etc. I prefer not to see anyone’s face.