Monday, August 29, 2016

Do You Judge a Book By Its Cover? By Mackenzie Crowne



I admit, I do, and blame it on human nature. I can’t help myself. I’m a visual creature. As with most things in life, I look at a book’s cover and either yawn and move on, cringe in horror, or decide I simply must have. I can’t tell how disappointed I am when a one-click worthy cover turns out to be a DNF story.


It’s like lusting after a gorgeous slice of New York bakery cheesecake, then biting into one of those pre-packed cardboard jobs you find in the frozen food isle at the grocery store.

Utter disappointment.

Because I don’t write independent, my publishers are responsible for the creation of my covers. They request my input, of course, but they often have their own vision that goes beyond the single story, and don’t necessarily allow me approval on the finished product. As you can imagine, waiting for the cover of my newest book is like standing on the sidewalk between that bakery and the grocer. I lust for the former and fear the latter, and have swallowed some cardboard in my time.

Then, once in a while, the bakery shows up, like with my next release, To Win Her Back.   I haven’t officially done a cover reveal yet, but I love it, and had to share with all of you.


So, what about you? Are you a "Wow! Great cover" one click type or is it the blurb all the way?


When Mac isn’t busy purchasing books with gorgeous covers, she spends her time weaving HEAs for her characters, like those in her Players series from KensingtonBooks

Oh, OH! And if you're looking for a deal, book 1 of the Players series, To Win Her Love, is on sale for a limited time.

13 comments:

Leah St. James said...

Great post, Mac! I'm NOT a visual person. I enjoy cover art, but I turn to the blurb and read a few pages before I'll click that "buy" link. On the other hand, if a cover looks amateurish, I might not even read the blurb. Love your analogy of cardboard-like cheesecake! So true! I

Diane Burton said...

Loved the post, Mac. The cover may catch my eye, but it's the blurb that will make me "open" the book and read. I love working with my cover designer. Being an indie author, I have full control over the cover. I was fortunate that TWRP allowed me input on the cover of One Red Shoe. They went for creepy, bloody when the book is more romantic comedy with suspense. Fortunately, the real cover turned out great.

Rolynn Anderson said...

What Leah and Diane said. When I learned about the "C, Z or I" composition of a cover, and a few other look-fors, I realized why some covers put me off. I'm used to helping my cover artist as Diane does, but I'm on a budget and can't employ a pro, so sometimes it feels like blind leading the blind. Since I write not-too-dark romantic suspense, I'm further challenged, because romance conflicts with suspense when I'm considering imagery. Contemp. Romance is much easier to portray in a cover. Nice work, Mac!

Jannine Gallant said...

This is my favorite of your Players series covers. Really nice! Congrats! That nerve-wracking wait for the cover never gets any easier, no matter how many covers you've had. If a cover catches my eye, I'll look at the blurb. If I like the blurb, I'll read a couple pages to see if I like the voice. If I hate the cover, I'll simply move on. So even for cautious buyers like me, the cover is still key. I've swallowed some cardboard, too. It never goes down easy...

Mackenzie Crowne said...

I'm so with you on the amateurish cover, Leah. With so many book options out there, I can't be bothered with a book that looks like the cover was thrown together in a couple of minutes.

Mackenzie Crowne said...

I love your One Red Shoe cover, Diane. The suspense is clearly there and whoever did it did a great job projecting the fun with the polka dot bag. I'm happy with most of the covers I have with TWRP with one glaring exception. The book in question was purchased from another publisher and neither cover worked for me. The current one even made a lousy covers list. The comments were brutal but I had to laugh at the "dead dog photobomb" mention.

Mackenzie Crowne said...

I hear you, Rolynn. I've recently regained the rights to my first contracted book, I'll be re-releasing it independently and panic at the thought of producing my own cover. Ugh!

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Yep, Jannine. No matter what they say, people do judge a book by a cover. It's that first impression. Can't get around that, which is why a professional cover is vital.

Barbara Edwards said...

I hate to admit I'm shallow enough to love covers with muscular heroes. I also will read a book because the blurb is great.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

I've had some good covers and some stinkeroos. What I like, others don't. I like a steamy read, but prefer flowery covers which normally means a sweeter romance. So what I like on the outside does not match with what I want to find on the inside. I read books that have made it to the NYC or USA Today best seller list, no matter the cover or blurb. I study them to figure out why they sold so well. Darn if I can figure it out. I guess I'm reading more for knowledge than enjoyment. And feeling more inadequate by the book. I started a spy thriller last night--a guilty pleasure of mine. If only I could write this kind of stuff and sell it.

Alicia Dean said...

I love a great cover, but I definitely judge a book more on the blurb. Your cover is awesome! Great post.

Angela Adams said...

A book cover will make me read the blurb, but the blurb is what makes me buy the book. Thanks for the post.

Margo Hoornstra said...

I'm a blurb person too, although the cover is that first impression. Most of the covers I've had from TWRP, I absolutely love..except one...and the concept for that one was totally my fault. Love your Players cover.