There
are a number of websites where a writer can find a bookcover for his/her book.
They are pre-made covers and can range in price anywhere from $150.00 to
$600.00 at best.
So
what is the disadvantage to these bookcovers? They do not reflect your story. Generally generic, they can be used for any
genre. Of course, if this is what you want, then you will probably be satisfied
with it. But if you want your book to stand out from the rest, a bookcover that
reflects your story will be much more satisfactory.
Stop
and think about it for a moment, and you will see what I mean. The first thing
a person looks at when searching for a book is the title. If the title does not
grab them, they move on to the next book. Once they find a title that draws
their interest, they pick up the book and look at the bookcover. Now you should
be able to see why it is important to the sale of your book. The title and the bookcover are the first two
things that give the reader a good idea what the book is about. Those two
things will convince the reader to read the blurb on the back cover and even
open the book and read the first page or two.
Now
I have seen a number of well-known authors’ new books on the shelf, and their
bookcovers are so plain and boring that it is a good thing they have already
made a name for themselves. Otherwise they probably would not sell very many of
their books.
People
who read are visual. We learn to write in such a way as to draw a visual
picture in their minds. That is what the bookcover picture should do for your
title. It should draw a visual picture of the written title as well as the
basic story, hence giving the reader a better idea of whether or not they would
be interested in it.
Your
illustrator should be someone who is willing to work close with you to achieve
the perfect bookcover for your story. If they are not willing to do this, they
are probably not worth the money you are paying them. Once you find the right
illustrator, you will find satisfaction on several different levels. One, you
will obtain a bookcover with which you will fall in love. Two, you will have a
bookcover that will help sell your book. Three, you will have a good friend who
will, the longer you work together on different projects, know just what you
like or dislike; and you will develop a good working relation.
At
this point, I would like to give credit to my most wonderful and talented
illustrator who has put up with me with utmost patience. Her name is Heather
Paye. She will amaze you with her talent. Her website is: htpp://hpayedesigns.yolasite.com.
Faye M. Tollison
Author of: To Tell the Truth
Upcoming books: The
Bible Murders
Sarah’s Secret
Member of: Sisters In Crime
Writers On the
Move
Books
In Sinc
