“I judge books by their cover, because, well, isn't that what they're
there for?” L. Kondor
As
an avid lover and reader of all things literary, I have never questioned why I
choose a particular book when I’m browsing a shelf. I simply pick up what
appeals to me and flip it over to read the blurb... a quick flick through the
pages and it’s either in my basket or hastily returned to its previous
location. However, as an author I found myself wondering about that magical
ingredient; that detail on the outside that makes someone want to look...
inside.
So I Conducted an experiment; and below are the results.
My Question?
WHAT MAKES YOU PICK UP OR CLICK ON A BOOK TO READ THE SYNOPSIS AND FLICK THROUGH THE PAGES?
I posed this question to an eclectic group of readers and authors, from a multitude of genres, and the majority of them admitted that it's all about the cover.
What was the majority? Take a look...
So, what is it about the covers that drew the reader's eye? Here are some of their comments:-
"I get put off by the wrong font, or a bad stock photo." D. Winter
"It has to be well done, unique and interesting." L. Lablue
"Striking portraits or colours and abstract textures or designs that call up an emotion in me." R. Davmor
"Bold and unique. Thought provoking and curious." C. Storm
"A good cover should be like a work of art, it should speak to you." S. McFinnigan
K.
Brown, a bookseller who
has firsthand experience says, “Yes, books are judged by their covers. We sell &
promote books that we have vetted through our writing competitions. However, we
vet only content, not covers. The content could be excellent, but if the
cover doesn't convey that then it is bypassed by potential readers. Sad, but
true.”
So the next question should be why? Why do we, as readers, limit ourselves in such a subjective way? Ultimately, a cover is simply the outer skin of an authors work; so what makes readers shun the 'ugly duckling'?
Here readers give their opinion:-
“I think of books like plates of food. You
eat with your eyes first. It's human nature. If I'm browsing a book store, I'm
looking for that restaurant quality dish. Beautiful, clean, composed. Of
course, it's not always an accurate depiction of what is inside. The cover
might snag my attention, but I take a bite first before I walk to the checkout
with it.” S. Allton
“If the cover looks well-designed, like it's
had some care and thought put into it, I usually assume that the text itself
has had the same care and attention!” D. Winter
“The
cover of any book/ebook/report/pitch deck is like an invitation to come inside.
Think about how the entrance of your house is perceived by visitors.” J. Sondy
“I find different genres tend to have common styles. romance cover images are either real people
or landscapes, Fantasy books tend to have digital or painted artwork, or
fantastical creatures. Scifi has something futuristic, astrologic or spaceships.”
C. Tempest
“The cover is your one chance to make a
good first impression and is worth attention and investment.” Ken.L
This posed another interesting issue:
“I always have the option of more books than I
can procure, so looking at the cover is a way to CHOOSE between them.” Mark.H
So I asked Mark if he thought a cover is a way for a reader to
refine their choices in a superfluous market? Did he mean a bad one may
guarantee he doesn't pick it up but a good one may not guarantee he does... He
quickly put me right. “I
wouldn't say that a bad cover guarantees I won't pick it up, but it does lower
the chances of taking a closer look quite a bit.” He went on to explain “IT’S not just physical factors
(in a cover) but mental ones as well - stuff that people subconsciously decide
without realising it or being able to articulate it. Is the book too long? Do I
feel ‘in the mood’ to read this type of book? Does the author’s name sound
cliqued? is the blurb on the back poorly written? Is it related to another
series of books that I haven't read?
If we struggle to explain to ourselves why we don't want to pick up a particular book ‘because of a feeling’, then not liking the cover is a convenient excuse, and one that can be rationalised.”
If we struggle to explain to ourselves why we don't want to pick up a particular book ‘because of a feeling’, then not liking the cover is a convenient excuse, and one that can be rationalised.”
So
that said, what chance does any author have to impress the masses? It sounds
like an impossible task, but all is not
lost! A cover may not please all of the people, all of the time, but there are
readers out there willing to look past the bruised skin of the fruit.
We mustn’t forget the 30% of readers who already
have that X-ray vision; the ones who go straight for the synopsis, first page
or sample chapters on the internet; the ones who listen to recommendations and
read reviews.
“I
always read the synopsis and then a free chapter.” T. Haas
“I am attracted by the title. If someone has the imagination to
think of a good title, I reckon the story might be good.” T. Schlesinger
“How
good a cover is might say something about how much money the author or
publisher had to spend on it, but otherwise it doesn't indicate anything at all.”
Brian.R
“I now am a first paragraph reader, since
I learned the first half page is what makes you want to read any book.” Bill.L
“A great title is the hint of promise of
what's inside.” Rachel.P
“I think writing a good synopsis is a
skill and one that should be practiced. It's a difficult line to walk
because you want to give them just enough to pique their interest, but not make
it overly burdensome with too much detail.” Ken.L
My conclusion? Yes, a cover is important – but
designing a cover that is unique, bold, emotive, though-provoking, not busy,
genre related but not cliché, the reader’s favourite font, pretty, without
overused and cheap images... is going to be impossible for even the most
imaginative individual in such a large and diverse market.
“There are plenty of hidden gems that
don't even have covers.” Marcy.P
My advice... read! That’s what books are for after
all. Words need to be read. If you’re in a shop read the back, open it, smell
it, read the first chapter – the first paragraph and make your judgement.
If you’re on the internet you have no excuse,
there are sample chapters available to read online or to download to your
e-book device for free. Don’t like it? Delete it. Love it? Buy it for a
fraction of the cost of a paper copy.
"My task which I
am trying to achieve is by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to
make you feel-it is, before all, to make you see. That-and no more, and it is
everything."
- Joseph Conrad
- Joseph Conrad
A
final thought courtesy of L. E. Christopher:- "If the first few pages have awkward sentences or mistakes, I'm definitely not buying it."
This is not official research. Figures are based on a restricted sample
of participants.
