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[Discussion] Do Professionally-Designed Book Covers Matter to Readers?

August 4th, 2010 by Toni

During our Self-Publishing Basics Series, we got a response to 7 Things To Know About Book Design that got the cogs in our head spinning. One indie author, John Betcher, designed his cover himself and discussed the response he received:

My target market readers tell me my self-designed cover is great — “mysterious,” even (which, I suppose, is good since it’s a mystery). One book reviewer (out of 10) called it “horribly dull.” The other reviewers didn’t mention the cover. A blogger who writes paranormal fantasy eBooks (not my target market) volunteered the comment that my cover “screams self-pub.”

We couldn’t help but think, “Are there some genres/books that can do without professional cover design? Does it really make THAT much of a difference?”

If professional design is inconsequential to readers, it would certainly be a way to put more money into the author’s pocket without affecting sales.

Discussion Questions

We want to hear your opinion and experiences! Tell us:

  • Was your book cover professionally designed? Why or why not?
  • Describe the reader response to your cover.
  • Does the response of a reader in your target market differ from that of a random reader?
  • Would you make the same design decision for your next book?
  • If you haven’t published yet, describe your reaction to book covers as a reader.

Please take a few moments to discuss your experiences with fellow indie authors and readers in the comments.

What do you think?

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About the Author: Toni

ToniToni has been a total geek since the age of 11, and a graphic designer for over ten years. When she's not helping indie authors navigate the ins and outs of design and promotion, Toni attempts to bank enough sleep to not be a total zombie while taking care of her newborn daughter!

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  • http://worderella.com Belinda Kroll

    I have to admit, as a reader, I care about the cover. I pick up a book based on the cover and feel people judge me based on the covers of the books I read.

    • Toni

      Thanks for the comment, Belinda! I never really thought about people judging you based on the covers of books you read, but reading your comment I realized I do the same thing! It’s one of the reasons I love hardback books with dust jackets…I can take the dust jacket off and no one knows which book I have my nose stuck in. Great comment!

  • http://susan-bischoff Susan Bischoff

    I know that covers matter a lot to some of my indie author friends who are also avid book consumers. I’d say most of them judge books by their covers.

    For me, personally, it’s not as much of a deal-breaker. An unappealing cover will probably not put me off purchasing a book if other things about it look promising. However, it’s also unlikely that a bland cover will catch my eye and draw me into looking at those other things like the description and sample.

    I have a shiny new book cover that was created by a professional artist. As to why I made that decision, we’ll call it one part peer pressure, and one part I think they’re right. Response to the cover has been very positive, and so far I’ve felt that it’s money well spent. I’m in the process of releasing this week, so I guess time will tell.

  • http://jamiedebree.com Jamie D.

    I love covers…and I’ll admit, I’ve passed over books with covers I just wasn’t that attracted to, or that looked amateurish (small presses are notorious for that, IMO). I see it like dressing well for work – just like your neat/tidy appearance is the first impression people get of you, your cover is the first impression people get of your book, so it really should be as attractive and eye-catching as possible. Sure, some people won’t care, but the majority will, even if they don’t realize it.

    I’m releasing my first book in two weeks, and had a professional design my cover (she did one for a serial draft I’m writing as well), and I love it, and have gotten really good response from all who have seen it.

  • http://girlsinthestacks.com stacy – girlsinthestacks.com

    Covers are very important! If the cover does not appeal to me, then I ususally will not pick it up. Maybe it is not as important in non-fiction (like business books) but overall it is the first impression a reader gets of what’s inside.

    • Toni

      Wow! Thanks for the great comments by all. It’s so interesting to read other’s perspectives on this topic. Also, Susan, I love the cover you linked to. Definitely money well spent! :-)

  • http://BookMakingBlog.blogspot.com Michael N. Marcus

    This week I am finishing my tenth self-pubbed book.

    I have an apparently unusual system for producing covers.

    I act as the art director, and come up the the basic concepts. I usually (not always) select the illustration.

    I then turn the project over to a professional artist to produce the final print-ready PDF. We frequently go back and forth on issues such as type face, color, text placement etc. There are usually four to six revisions before the final cover is ready.

    Michael N. Marcus
    – Independent Self-Publishers Alliance, http://www.independentselfpublishers.org
    – “Become a Real Self-Publisher: Don’t be a Victim of a Vanity Press,” http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981661742
    – “Get the Most from a Self-Publishing Company,”
    http://silversandsbooks.com/booksaboutpublishing/selfpubcompanybook.html
    – “Stories I’d Tell My Children (but maybe not until they’re adults),” http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981661750
    – http://www.BookMakingBlog.blogspot.com
    – http://www.SilverSandsBooks.com

  • Wulfie

    Don’t even get me started! I finished a small book last week and have a picture I want to use for the cover. The rest of it – even after reading a quazillion blogs and tutorials for how to make a cover are lost on me. Can’t figure it out. Or the ones I can figure out look like something that belong in a psychiatrist’s office for studies in schizophrenia!

    There’s software that does it, but prices vary…still cheaper than most of the artists I’ve looked at.

    Now do the covers matter? I guess so or I would be yanking out my hair trying to figure it out. But the funny thing is, I never judge a book by it’s cover. It’s the story and words I’m interested in. Remember some Steve King’s early covers? OMG they sucked. I’d never have read him based on those. lol

  • http://tarnishedhearts.deviantart.com Victoria

    Honestly, as long as the title sounds interesting I’ll pick a book up. I tend to pick books up with black or darker covers rather than light/bright or neutral tan/brown colours. While I work on writing my WIP’s I like to design cover ideas for my book.

    I think that when someone designs a cover for their own book, to try and make sure it isn’t too busy. The first cover I ever made was a mess with way too much going on. I think a simple self designed cover can do just as good, if not a better job than professional.

    Just my opinion :)

  • Shannon

    Wow!!! You guys have all had some great comments, I’m loving this discussion! I think the arena in which you’re searching for a book matters most.

    If I’m online looking for a good read, the cover’s not so important to me because I’m more concerned about the summary and the reviews.

    But if I’m cruising the shelves at the local bookstore, it’s the cover that’s going to grab me when it stands out from the thousands of other options on display.

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