We've all heard the saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." When it comes to book covers the saying is so true. Book covers are an important part of the package that makes a book. It is especially important for a physical book. An attractive cover will make someone stop and pick up the book to see what it's about. A book cover can give a potential reader the mood of the story or a glimpse of the characters or the setting. A good deal of thought goes into book covers. Authors give input with descriptions of characters and settings and with pictures. I have saved a lot of pictures I have cut out of magazines that I use to show what my characters look like. Here are two pictures I used for my book,
Montana Match.
This one is my hero.
This one is my heroine.
Here is the book cover.
I think they did a fabulous job depicting the hero and heroine. For my latest book,
A Place to Call Home, I wanted a cover that would represent the title. What says home more than a front porch with a rocking chair?
Do you like a cover with pictures of the characters, or do you prefer a cover that depicts the setting?
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational
romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best
inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of
America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice
Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. Please visit her
website or connect with her on
Facebook.
Her latest release is
A Place to Call Home.
I like both characters and places on book covers. I'm definitely drawn to attractive covers, and although I should know better, I will buy a book for the cover!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful covers, Merrillee. They give a great feel for your characters and story. I had a cover once that my editor said was the worst one she'd ever seen and the entire editorial staff agreed with her. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteHelen, on the other side, I have not bothered even checking out a book because the cover wasn't appealing.
ReplyDeletePatricia, I'm glad you like the covers. I've been fortunate that my covers have been good, but my Montana Match cover is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteWOW. I love both of your book covers! Beautiful. When a book cover is really gorgeous, i have found myself being drawn to it and buying the book...only to find that I already have it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for characters that engage me!
ReplyDeleteWhat awesome book covers Merrillee! I agree covers are super important. Love yours!
ReplyDeleteRoxanne, my hubby started keeping a list of books he'd read and takes it with him whenever he's looking for books. He was always buying reissues of authors he liked thinking it was a new book only to discover he had already read it.
ReplyDeleteMel, characters on the cover can be intriguing. One of my older books has four little kids on the cover, and it has been one of my best sellers. I always said it was the cute kids that drew people to pick up the book.
ReplyDeleteGinny, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI prefer setting or body parts (like a high heel, just hands, etc) than characters.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'm partial to beaches...
That pic of your heroine is great - she looks like someone I'd like to know! Debbie Macomber's covers are some of my all time favourites , so gorgeous and evocative of what she writes.
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