Most Readers Still Judge a Book by the Cover

[Hayes Design and Editorial Service]

As a designer, I'm often fascinated by the terrible covers I run into. I understand that this is the age of self-publishing, but a cover is not the place to skimp. Personally, I will not purchase a book with a horrible cover. It makes me seriously wonder about the interior. So, how do you feel about a horrible cover?

[Linton Robinson]

I'm with you on this Hayes.

What most gets me is covers featuring Poser or other computer generated characters. I mean, they are MANNEQUINS! One look at that stuff and I lose interest immediately.

It may seem superficial, but come on, what sort of pride and professional publishing competency does that show?

I've got nothing against computer graphics. And I think it could work okay for cover art that didn't show faces. (Knights in armor, space ships, what have you) And I've seen computer art faces that could pass as human, but that would probably be as expensive as photography. A really wretched cover puts me off, and I don't think I'm the only one.

On the other hand, I was lucky enough to get one of the finest artists in Mexico to give me cover art for my latest book IMAGINARY LINES and it had a powerful effect on libraries and bookstores. I had several comments of "We don't generally stock books printed with POD process, but this cover is the type that will draw people to the book."

[Olivia]

The cover should really tell about what's inside. So if there isn't a great cover it isn't a great book!!!