Covers Sell A Book

A Cover Sells Your Book

Everyone judges a book by its cover. No one reads the book before they decide to purchase it or not. Consumers do not read it in-store. They look at the cover and/or read the blurb on the back cover/author info. Sales reps only carry book covers and jackets to show bookstore owners/buyers while wholesalers and distributors say "just send us the cover copy." All purchasing of books are made due to the illustration and/or design, and other factors they look at, such as ad-sales, etc. Yes, packaging is everything.

The bookstore customer averages less than eight seconds looking at the front cover and fifteen seconds reading the back cover. You must hook them immediately and keep them reading the back cover or they will put the book back on the shelf. The outside sells the book or breaks sales down.

Most writers hook up with professional book cover designers or seek good quality software which can do it. I personally design my own eBook covers using graphic design software.

If you wish to self-design, prepare 2 to 3 samples and spread the word around, including covers, and get peoples' opinions. Maybe run a poll for the cover choice. I have redesigned some of my covers a second time or third time until I was happier, and that after they were published...

Remember that a cover sells the book... Enjoy!