Jan 15, 2016

Cover to cover.....

A couple of months before every release, I get an email and a link from my publisher with a new cover. When the email arrives I always give a little 'squee'. I love opening these links to see what the art department has done. Of course I always know what my characters look like in my head, but seeing them come to life on the cover is definitely one of the highlights in the entire process.

When I wrote my latest release from Harlequin Special Edition, Three Reasons To Wed, I had the heroine and hero very clearly in mind for the cover. I filled out the art fact sheets for my publisher with a few different scenes from my book and figured I would get a fabulous (but traditional) cover of a man and a woman in some kind romantic embrace. But no...and when I saw the cover for USA release version the first time a definitely did give a squee........

Three little girls, who of course ARE the three reasons to wed....who look so delightful and cute and I can't help smiling every time I look at the picture. The Aussie Cherish version looks similar......
Still cute and very fitting for the story. The U.K version got a couple of little tweaks.....The little girl in the middle could melt even the toughest heart, she's so adorable.

I've had a lot of feedback from readers saying how much they love the cover, and it makes me wonder how important a cover is when a reader is looking for a book. I also have my 'auto' buy authors, regardless of the cover. But if I'm looking for something new, for me the cover does make a difference. It's like a little window into the world of the story. Of course, I've read some awesome books with very average covers, and some average books with awesome overs.

Do covers make a difference to you when you are selecting a book?

10 comments:

  1. Hi Helen

    I have to agree that cover is so gorgeous and I have to say the story is fab as well I loved it and am very much looking forward to the next one in the series :)

    For me yes it is always the cover that makes me pick up a book and have a look although I make a decision to buy after reading the blurb but I have bought a lot of books over the years because the cover has pulled me in and then I have loved the blurb as well and yes I have my auto buy authors that I always buy :)

    Have Fun
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Helen - thanks so much for your lovely words. I'm delighted you enjoyed Three Reasons To Wed. Looks like a lot of us have auto buy authors :)

      Delete
  2. I love this cover so hard, Helen!

    I tend to buy authors I know regardless of the cover and so many authors I know get no control or say over their covers and a lot of them are pretty dreadful so I've learned to ignore the outside packaging :-) But a new to me book/author, I definitely am attracted by covers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Amy - yes, sometimes behind a really bad cover can be a gem of a story. :)

      Delete
  3. That cover is utterly gorgeous, Helen! I'd be chuffed with that one too. :-)

    For romance, especially category, a cover doesn't make me buy it -- I always buy by author and back cover blurb. But if I'm restless for something different to read and just happen to amble into a bookshop, then I don't doubt the cover plays a part.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Michelle - yeah, the cover is cute. Seems most of us auto-buy our favorites :)

      Delete
  4. Helen, what a gorgeous cover! No wonder you're smiling.

    No, I don't buy on cover but they can attract my eye and make me look at a book. Usually I go for author name and back cover plot outline.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Annie - yep, I was smiling when I saw it. Looks like the back blurb is just as important as the cover to a lot of readers :)

      Delete
  5. If I love an author the cover doesn't matter, but I have to say an attractive cover certainly piques my interest when I'm looking to try a new author out. Bright colours certainly don't go astray, so I particularly love the Cherish version of your cover, Helen :) That pink makes the picture pop!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stefanie - I love bright covers...something that's eye catching and pops out from the others :)

      Delete