1. Are you more likely to purchase a book that has people on the cover.
2. Do you prefer background only.
3. In a series, where one cover shows one image and then on the continuation of the story, a totally different woman is shown...how would that influence your decision?
4. How about hair color. If the heroine is a blonde, how disturbed are you to see a brunette on the cover?
5. How about video trailers...how closely do the pictures need to be to the actual description of your characters?
What other issues do you consider when looking at covers, i.e., caricatures, shirtless cowboys on stories based in the Old West?
Also, I'm very interested to know when reading FICTION, how important do you feel it is for the author to have researched details when writing an historical story?
I know commenting is not a favorite pastime,, but please take a moment to help out an author who is trying to prove a point.
You can view all my covers on Amazon.
Ginger
1. Are you more likely to purchase a book that has people on the cover.
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily, but . . .
2. Do you prefer background only.
I'd rather see people than just a scene or an image
3. In a series, where one cover shows one image and then on the continuation of the story, a totally different woman is shown...how would that influence your decision?
If the continuation story is still about her, I'd be miffed.
4. How about hair color. If the heroine is a blonde, how disturbed are you to see a brunette on the cover?
It confuses me because I use the cover image as a guideline when I read
5. How about video trailers...how closely do the pictures need to be to the actual description of your characters?
I've seen more video trailers that do not use 'human' models at all, and I like them best. It works for #4 and lessens the confusion aspect when reading
The only real issues I have with cover 'art' include the use of real people who are obviously not professional models. It is jarring to the eyes and the senses. And, to each his own, of course, but if the guy is ugly, I won't be purchasing the novel. Shallow, perhaps, and maybe it's just me, but if the guy on the cover doesn't grab my attention, how can I expect the story to do it? It all goes back to the perceptions inside my head thing. Once I see the cover, those images remain as I read, so I prefer headless shots, back shots, or professional cover models to get the job done.
Thank you, Raine. Your comments are most helpful.
ReplyDelete1. Are you more likely to purchase a book that has people on the cover. Yes
ReplyDelete2. Do you prefer background only. NO--only for the feeling of the story like dark or funny.
3. In a series, where one cover shows one image and then on the continuation of the story, a totally different woman is shown...how would that influence your decision? I would have to read the book to determine if somebody goofed up the model on the cover so she doesn't look like the character. I know I made sure my Lauren in Deadly Undertaking had blue eyes--important to the story,
4. How about hair color. If the heroine is a blonde, how disturbed are you to see a brunette on the cover? See #3.
5. How about video trailers...how closely do the pictures need to be to the actual description of your characters? Not that important to me since I would be watching the video before I read the book. And probably wouldn't ever compare the trailer to the book's charcter description again.
If the background of the cover is out of whack with the story leading me to believe it takes place in the mountains and a lake is pictured, I would be upset because maybe I looked forward to a story taking place on a romantic beach. Or it may depict a crime, but it turns out
to be a horror story, I would be upset.
Hope this helps.
1. Are you more likely to purchase a book that has people on the cover.
ReplyDelete-- Yes
2. Do you prefer background only.
-- Okay too
3. In a series, where one cover shows one image and then on the continuation of the story, a totally different woman is shown...how would that influence your decision?
-- I would like to see the same person
4. How about hair color. If the heroine is a blonde, how disturbed are you to see a brunette on the cover?
-- that's irritating actually. I've seen it a lot.
5. How about video trailers...how closely do the pictures need to be to the actual description of your characters?
-- a trailer is a visual representation - so very important IMHO
What other issues do you consider when looking at covers, i.e., caricatures, shirtless cowboys on stories based in the Old West?
-- shirtless is fine. A caricature? No.
Also, I'm very interested to know when reading FICTION, how important do you feel it is for the author to have researched details when writing an historical story?
-- if it's not accurate historical fiction I'm likely to throw it out and never read the author again. Scifi you can make up. History, no.
Hope this helps! I read at least a book a week, often more.
Hi Ginger: I prefer covers with people on them, but I do buy books with just a scenery cover. As for series covers, if the H/H from book 1 are the same for book 2, then I want to see them on the cover for book 2. If they are not the same H/H in book 2, then I prefer to see the new couple on the cover. And yes, matching covers models to characters is important to me. Many time as I read I visualize the couple from the cover as the couple in the story, so if the Heroine is a blonde, I want to see a blonde on the cover. I know it is hard to match H/H to cover images, but for me, I keep looking until I find what I want.
ReplyDeleteAs for video trailers, I don't look at them unless an author friend sends me one and asks an opinion. Nor do I make them. My only other pet peeve with covers; I want the cover to reflect the era. So if it is a historical story, I don't want to see a car on the cover.
Hope it helps. Hugs,
Julie
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Hi Ginger:l also prefer covers with people on them . I do own and buy books with only scenery on the cover . But really love it when the scenery is part of the story . Always want the cover person to match the story person.Same with series book covers ,want the cover to match the story . Don't have time for video trailers .Research has to be accurate ,or don't write it .My pet
ReplyDeletepeeve is editing. Hope this helps. Ruby Mann