MJH6

Hi everyone,

I’m very happy to say that I’ve just had my debut novel published and would love to swap thoughts and opinions on what makes a compelling read. Obviously, some of my motivation is market research, but if I don't ask people who are interested in books who can I ask! With this in mind, what do you think attracts a potential reader? Would it be the front cover (for anyone interested, mine can be found at the link in my profile/signature) or is it more likely to be on the strength of the synopsis? Just how important is the cover art and what really determines our decision to invest the time to actually sit down and read a book? As a new author, I feel these questions are very important, so any insights you can give will be greatly appreciated. It may help me not to make the same mistakes if I ever get around to writing another one!

The_Jazz

Speaking as a reader who's across the board in taste, I can say that the dust jacket is probably the first thing that attracts me to a book that I know nothing about. It is what makes me pick it up to find out more. That said, I can't really identify what makes me pick up one book over another as far as artwork goes. A scene from the book is typically a turnoff for me, but not always. Abstract art is generally a turnon, but not always. There's no rhyme or reason to what gets my initial glance.

From there, it's all about what the inside jacket says about the plot. If it's something that I think I'll enjoy, I'm probably going to buy the thing.

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SecretMethod70

I pretty much agree with The_Jazz. The appearance of a book doesn't determine whether or not I'll be interested in it, but it sure helps to grab my attention initially. A good title also helps in this regard. As for actually making a purchasing decision, the synopsis plays a role, but I also tend to flip through the book to get a feel for it as well.

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ShaniFaye

I can honestly say the only book covers I ever pay attention to are romance books lol (and only to see just how cheesy it is or if they had to good taste to put the man in a kilt)

My attention is drawn to the synopsis on the back or inside cover. If the plot isnt written in a way that grabs my attention, I seriously doubt the book will interest me. There are a few exceptions...somebody shoves the book in my had and says, you really need to read this....in those cases of course the art or description had no bearing on the decision to read it.

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The_Jazz

Interesting - I NEVER flip through a book before reading it. I'm paranoid that I'll turn to the critical plot turn and give everything away.

Titles are helpful but again, not always.

__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin
"There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

mixedmedia

I tend to be attracted to photographs on covers, rather than artwork. Other than being a photography enthusiast I couldn't say why, but I've noticed this tendency when I walk into the Borders and browse the 3-4 tables of softcovers they usually have there. I always pick up the ones with interesting photographs on the front. But I won't buy a book, naturally, unless it sounds interesting to me or is one I've gone specifically to look for.

I am turned off by cover art that is blatantly narrative, like romance novels and most sci-fi/fantasy titles. But, I don't read those forms anyway, for the most part, so really it's irrelevant.

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SecretMethod70

Yeah, I should clarify. Most of the time I skim the first couple pages. If I go beyond that, it's usually just a passage or two somewhere in the middle. Part of why this probably isn't a problem for me is that I don't tend to read books right after getting them. Also, anything I read in the book is going to be far more meaningful to me after having read everything before it. Most of the time it is only when I get to that point that I even remember having read it.

Like mixedmedia, I am also more attracted to photographs on book covers than artwork, especially if there are people involved. I also dislike seeing scenes from the book (or what could be construed as such) on the cover. That said, I imagine the typical fantasy reader demographic might be a bit different (I assume they are since artwork seems to be particularly predominant on fantasy novel covers). If it's not an interesting photograph on the cover, I prefer a very simple cover.

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Le temps détruit tout

"Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

Sultana

I rarely buy books that aren't specifically recommended, so cover art isn't really my main attraction. However, I generally know that if the book merits a high-end artist (like Thomas...something. Grrr, can't remember his name!), it is generally highly backed by the publisher.

However, I've read great stories with terrible (to my mind) cover art (including one that gave away the damn ending!), so I don't let that affect my choice much either.
Example: Shadows of the White Sun.

I guess something that would get my attention would be comparisons of the author to others I know and enjoy (Chris Bunch!).

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My goal? To fulfill my potential.

Willravel

I usually look for a smart, but not cocky title. Yep, I judge a book by it's cover.
Good title: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Bad title: Force of Nature (take that, Suzanne Brockmann)
Good Title: Childhood's End
Bad Title: The Illustrated Man
Good Title: The Once and Future King
Bad Title: Salems's Lot

guy44

I think the title matters sometimes. Especially when I'm browsing through the fantasy section, so many similar-sounding titles can just wash over me (just making this up, but how many books sound just like "The Wizard's Apprentice" or "The Sword of [insert fantasy-sounding name here.]"

The covers are probably secondary because most books are lined up so that I can only see the spine and only the biggest authors get their covers facing out. But generally I like a really clean, uncluttered, tasteful cover - especially in fantasy, which tends to have lots scenes/characters/items/vistas all going on at the same time.

The synopsis doesn't matter to me at all in fantasy, because to be honest every story line sounds ridiculous until you get into the story. I love fantasy, but it is really hard to judge (potentially) good stories from bad when the back cover gets like 6 sentences to introduce a totally out there magical land complete with gods and monsters and epic plots and silly names.

Congratulations and good luck with the book! I'll make an effort to find and read it.

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Slavakion

The cover doesn't matter so much to me, since they're typically average at best. Some are hilariously bad, despite the actual novel being good. I tend to read the synopsis on the back cover (or inside the jacket) and see whether or not the plot grips me. If I'm still not sure, I'll read the first page or so to gauge the author's writing style.

Arc101

I just tend to pick up and read the first couple of pages and see if anything grabs me. I read a lot of fantasy and am always interested to see new authors. Why don't you post the first chapter here and see what people's feedback is, it might boost your sales.

Xazy

I tend to read the title name of every new fantasy book that comes out (a few sites try to gather almost all of them and list them) every month. Any author I am unfamiliar with, if the title/cover anything in it appeals at all, I will click on the link read the synopsis. If I am still remotely interested I will try to find out more info on the book / author and then take it from there.

On cover art, I tend to hate a lot (not all just a lot) of the cover art we have in the US, and tend to prefer some of the UK covers.

spindles

Bad title maybe, but bloody good book - scared the crap outta me when I read this in high school.


For the OP: The cover usually has no bearing on my SF purchasing.

My usual criteria would start with buying authors I've liked in the past, so you've got off to a poor start with me Just looking at the shelves around me, the majority of the 200 odd books is from about a dozen authors, so I'm obviously a repeat buyer.

Next, I'll just browse titles and see what catches my eye - rarely does the actual cover art mean too much. With a new author, I read the first couple of pages. I can usually tell within 2 pages whether I will want to read a book or not. This works the same for me if I'm buying books for others (family mostly so the writing style is relevant).

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Willravel

I couldn't agree more. Same with Illustrated Man. They are proof positive the old adage that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.... but some people do. Actually, a lot of people do. It's a reality that good authors have to deal with.

I suspect that MJH6 is a creative cat, so I'm sure they will be no problems in the naming department.