Comments on: OK Book with Great Cover Trumps Great Book with OK Cover http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/ Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:59:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Peter Bowerman http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-27625 Peter Bowerman Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:43:22 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173#comment-27625 Hi Grace, Thanks for the note and yes, there IS a lot to self-publishing. But what I've found is that so much of it is logical if you think about it. Write a book people will want to read. Make it as high-quality a physical product as possible to make it stand out amongst the competition. Understand how distracted the average consumer is today and craft messages that speak directly to him or her. Deliver superior customer service. And the main thrust of this post (and the accompanying comments) speaks to the idea of superior physical production of your book. Bottom line, it just makes sense to hire creative professionals to ensure a superior outcome. Realize that the big publishers are doing just that and if you want to have even a chance of competing on the same playing field with them, you need to do the same. I wish you the bet as you move forward with your own self-publishing adventure. Just know that there are plenty of good tools (and yes, a few I've created...) to help you along the journey. Peter Hi Grace,

Thanks for the note and yes, there IS a lot to self-publishing. But what I’ve found is that so much of it is logical if you think about it. Write a book people will want to read. Make it as high-quality a physical product as possible to make it stand out amongst the competition. Understand how distracted the average consumer is today and craft messages that speak directly to him or her. Deliver superior customer service.

And the main thrust of this post (and the accompanying comments) speaks to the idea of superior physical production of your book. Bottom line, it just makes sense to hire creative professionals to ensure a superior outcome. Realize that the big publishers are doing just that and if you want to have even a chance of competing on the same playing field with them, you need to do the same.

I wish you the bet as you move forward with your own self-publishing adventure. Just know that there are plenty of good tools (and yes, a few I’ve created…) to help you along the journey.

Peter

]]> By: Mayra Calvani http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-27616 Mayra Calvani Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:27:46 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173#comment-27616 I agree that covers are really important. People are very visual and the cover is like the first 'date' between a reader and a book. Covers do sell books--I know because I've bought books based on their covers... of course, whether or not the book lives up to its potential is another story. I agree that covers are really important. People are very visual and the cover is like the first ‘date’ between a reader and a book. Covers do sell books–I know because I’ve bought books based on their covers… of course, whether or not the book lives up to its potential is another story.

]]> By: Grace Reddick http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-27602 Grace Reddick Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:13:51 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173#comment-27602 This is very interesting. I am a first time published author, with lots to learn. This is very interesting. I am a first time published author, with lots to learn.

]]> By: JM http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-27598 JM Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:34:39 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173#comment-27598 This is some of the most excellent advice I have heard for self-publishers. There are so many books I see as a reviewer that have less than great covers on top of excellent stories. I always wonder how much further they could go with an excellent cover. This is some of the most excellent advice I have heard for self-publishers. There are so many books I see as a reviewer that have less than great covers on top of excellent stories. I always wonder how much further they could go with an excellent cover.

]]> By: Angela http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-27176 Angela Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:17:56 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173#comment-27176 New in this venture, I appreciate all the comments. I'd like to add a few of my own from the hours of research I've been doing on this subject. Make a plan. An overall plan. Where will your money best be spent? 1. A cover will help sell a book ONLY if the book is on the bookshelf. If it is an internet marketing technique, sales copy is far more important. Plus, getting that book on to a bookshelf is not an easy task. So you may need to decide what is your overall goal. Making money? Probably won't happen (I didn't say never) without the internet. Getting into bookstores, doing book signings, and overall interaction with the public? Go the traditional route. (Some authors would dry up without this. The love to be involved with their readers.) You need to decided what you want? Everyone is different. Don't get your ideas from one source. 2. Rear cover is just as important as the front cover, and again, for the sales copy, not the 'good looks'. Pictures grap the attention, but words sell! Be sure the book cover artist is not just about pretty pictures. I've seen many beautiful books, that didn't make very many sales. 3. If you are low budget, start the design yourself and submit it to be 'fixed up' by a book cover professional. They may come up with a completely different design, but the ground work helps save time, because often artist get inspired by what they see. (I know, some want to start from scratch.) 4. Research, research, research. Look into every avenue before getting started!!! You can't learn enough. Learn about your target market, learn about your competitors, learn about the companies you think you want to hire. It gets back to deciding what you want, how much you can spend. Great books can have lossy covers and make a lot of money. Lossy books, won't sell very many, even with a good cover! Angela New in this venture, I appreciate all the comments. I’d like to add a few of my own from the hours of research I’ve been doing on this subject. Make a plan. An overall plan. Where will your money best be spent?

1. A cover will help sell a book ONLY if the book is on the bookshelf. If it is an internet marketing technique, sales copy is far more important. Plus, getting that book on to a bookshelf is not an easy task. So you may need to decide what is your overall goal. Making money? Probably won’t happen (I didn’t say never) without the internet. Getting into bookstores, doing book signings, and overall interaction with the public? Go the traditional route. (Some authors would dry up without this. The love to be involved with their readers.) You need to decided what you want? Everyone is different. Don’t get your ideas from one source.

2. Rear cover is just as important as the front cover, and again, for the sales copy, not the ‘good looks’. Pictures grap the attention, but words sell! Be sure the book cover artist is not just about pretty pictures. I’ve seen many beautiful books, that didn’t make very many sales.

3. If you are low budget, start the design yourself and submit it to be ‘fixed up’ by a book cover professional. They may come up with a completely different design, but the ground work helps save time, because often artist get inspired by what they see. (I know, some want to start from scratch.)

4. Research, research, research. Look into every avenue before getting started!!! You can’t learn enough. Learn about your target market, learn about your competitors, learn about the companies you think you want to hire.

It gets back to deciding what you want, how much you can spend. Great books can have lossy covers and make a lot of money. Lossy books, won’t sell very many, even with a good cover!

Angela

]]> By: Catherine http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-6346 Catherine Sun, 22 Apr 2007 03:46:20 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173#comment-6346 I'm a book cover designer and I wanted to add that the best cover designer in the world won't be able to do a good job if the project manager takes control and has no idea what he or she is doing. Essentially, whoever hires a designer is "the boss" and it's painful when, no matter how politely you point out problems or make suggestions, "the boss" insists his book cover be set using Comic Sans, Times, Helvetica and a really cool picture he took of his neighbor's dog. Feel my pain. I’m a book cover designer and I wanted to add that the best cover designer in the world won’t be able to do a good job if the project manager takes control and has no idea what he or she is doing. Essentially, whoever hires a designer is “the boss” and it’s painful when, no matter how politely you point out problems or make suggestions, “the boss” insists his book cover be set using Comic Sans, Times, Helvetica and a really cool picture he took of his neighbor’s dog.

Feel my pain.

]]> By: John Kremer http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-6326 John Kremer Sat, 21 Apr 2007 20:57:17 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173#comment-6326 I agree....book covers sell books, especially the books of a relatively unknown wrtier. Writers really want their writing to make the sale, but unfortunately a poorly designed cover may never lure the reader. Many graphic designers do not know much about books, but I think credit must be given for their ability to get the reader's attention, and create an artistic concept that connects well with the book. With a little input from the writer you will be amazed at what can be accomplished. I know a cartoonist with a master's degree in English Literature, and a self proclaimed bibliophile. He is relatively new to creating book covers, but his ideas are really great. He is very affordable, but the best part is he really works well with the writers and gives so much of himself. When I say cartoonist, that's his main job, but the guy can create just about anything. He's good at writing copy too. I do not have all of his contact info, but his website is www.GreatCartooning.com His name is Kelly Croy. He is very easy to work with and has great ideas. He'll be happy to send you a free quote. I agree….book covers sell books, especially the books of a relatively unknown wrtier. Writers really want their writing to make the sale, but unfortunately a poorly designed cover may never lure the reader. Many graphic designers do not know much about books, but I think credit must be given for their ability to get the reader’s attention, and create an artistic concept that connects well with the book. With a little input from the writer you will be amazed at what can be accomplished. I know a cartoonist with a master’s degree in English Literature, and a self proclaimed bibliophile. He is relatively new to creating book covers, but his ideas are really great. He is very affordable, but the best part is he really works well with the writers and gives so much of himself. When I say cartoonist, that’s his main job, but the guy can create just about anything. He’s good at writing copy too. I do not have all of his contact info, but his website is http://www.GreatCartooning.com His name is Kelly Croy. He is very easy to work with and has great ideas. He’ll be happy to send you a free quote.

]]> By: Peter http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-4465 Peter Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:43:50 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173#comment-4465 Glad it helped you see the light.. ;) You're right, guru.com can be a good resource for low-cost creatives, but only if you simply don't have the $ to hire a real pro. Good luck with your book! PB Glad it helped you see the light.. ;) You’re right, guru.com can be a good resource for low-cost creatives, but only if you simply don’t have the $ to hire a real pro. Good luck with your book!

PB

]]> By: Adrienne Zurub http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-4431 Adrienne Zurub Wed, 21 Mar 2007 08:55:31 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173#comment-4431 Peter, Thank you for this timely information. I'm was in the process of hiring a book cover designer for my forthcoming book: 'Notes From the MotherShip~Naked Invisibles.' I attempted to hire a graphic designer from Guru.com, which by the way is a great resource. But, your stress of the importance of the look of the cover had me square up the extra bucks to hire a true book cover designer with a great reputation! Thanks! My book's publication is September 2007! Peter,

Thank you for this timely information. I’m was in the process of hiring a book cover designer for my forthcoming book:
‘Notes From the MotherShip~Naked Invisibles.’

I attempted to hire a graphic designer from Guru.com, which by the way is a great resource. But, your stress of the importance of the look of the cover had me square up the extra bucks to hire a true book cover designer with a great reputation! Thanks!

My book’s publication is September 2007!

]]> By: Terry Cooper http://www.publishingbasics.com/2007/03/07/ok-book-with-great-cover-trumps-great-book-with-ok-cover/comment-page-1/#comment-4236 Terry Cooper Fri, 16 Mar 2007 22:22:40 +0000 http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173#comment-4236 As a start-up traditional publisher of fiction, we have the same problems you have all described. We tried some graphic artists but that didn't result in a book cover -- just a nice graphic piece. We also learned that a telephone discussion was much more successful than email/written word for communicating the character of the book and what we wanted. We also consider what the cover will look like as a thumbnail on Amazon. As a start-up traditional publisher of fiction, we have the same problems you have all described. We tried some graphic artists but that didn’t result in a book cover — just a nice graphic piece. We also learned that a telephone discussion was much more successful than email/written word for communicating the character of the book and what we wanted. We also consider what the cover will look like as a thumbnail on Amazon.

]]>