Judging a book by its cover

[elsol]

How I judge a book...

a) It's genre.
b) It's sub-genre.
c) The back of cover blurb
c) The first paragraph.
d) The last page (Yes, I read the last page, even in a romance novel... you NEVER know!)

How I judge a Lit story

a) It's category.
b) It's sub-category (Incest -- category --- Mom/Son -- Subcategory)
c) The first sentence.
d) The Voice in the first paragraph

As for myself, the title is what it has to be so I'm at disadvantage here I guess.

I have noticed that the words Mom, College, and seduction in the description increase downloads.

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[Khasy]

The title is very important, no matter what you make, be that a story, a piece of art or something else. The title has to sum up what the story is about, with very few words. That makes it hard sometimes to choose a title sometimes, as stories sometimes have different meaning to people, even words have that.

When I pick out new stories to read, I usually pick a category, I rarily browse the "New"-section. I actually use the story spinner, and read the first paragraphs, after I have checked how many pages it is on. I normally drop reading stories on only 1 page, unless there is more than a few chapters or so. Before I even go and use the story spinner, I check the authors on my favourite list. Sometimes I find stories by browsing my favourite's favourite authors and stories. It have given jackpot a few times, and I have found a new author I enjoy reading.

 

[gauchecritic]

So, you invest more time in Lit than books, but what is by the throat? Other than edge play. Forget the paragraphs for a second. WHAT grabs you to make you go to those paragraphs in the first place?

Oooh, very teacher.
"Interesting point, now answer the question."
"Yes'M"

(Recalcitrant student): "Category, blurb."

(closed question trap)

 

[CharleyH]

Oooh, very teacher.
"Interesting point, now answer the question."
"Yes'M"

(Recalcitrant student): "Category, blurb."

(closed question trap)

Thank you.

 

[Kassiana]

Anyone else get a flashback to SNL "Celebrity Jeopardy"?

"I'll take 'TheRapists' for 200!"

"No, it's therapists...oh, never mind."

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

While I am not a great author I'll throw my two cents in cause I seem to be an oddball here. Most of my books I pick up on referrals from friends or colleagues. I'm currently reading Herman Hesse's "The Glass Bead Game" because a co-worker mentioned it in a conversation we had about how people learn.

Lit stories are similar in that if I see someone on here that makes a good point in a thread or has an interesting avatar I'll read some of their stuff and if it "strikes a chord" at the moment I'll read more and then see whom they have links to or whom they interact with on threads etc.

The only book I can honestly say I bought becasue of the cover was Piers Anthony's "On a Pale Horse" with Michael Whelan's depiction of the Grim Reaper behind the wheel of a Vette.

 

[Boota]

Speaking just from my personal experience, title and cover have made the most impact on the success of my work to this point. You have to get someone to pick the book up before they can consider buying it. The greatest book with a lousy cover has a hard time getting attention, at least at first. My cover is solid black with green letters spelling Mr. Undesirable in the upper third of cover and a red spray painted stripe under it. The middle is basically an open field of black with by Scott Carpenter in the bottom third. This really makes my book standout on shelves. The solid space of black is a big contrast to some of the highly detailed covers that surround my book.

From there I can get someone to pick it up and read the back. That is where the sale really begins. Then, if they open the book, I hit them with a good opening line/paragraph. At this point I can't sell ANY books on my name, except for the small group of readers I've already hooked.

In a Lit story I have to admit that I tend to read the work of the regulars here on the AH more than anything. If I were a better person I would send more feedback than I do. I know how an author likes feedback. Sorry about that.

 

[impressive]

You have to get someone to pick the book up before they can consider buying it.

I agree ... and those books with computer-generated people on the cover will NEVER make me want to know what's inside. I'm sure I'm missing some good stuff, but I can't get past that.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

I've mentioned before that my favorite book is "The Beach" by Alex Garland. What drew me to this book, while in the library, was the dust jacket. After that, I checked inside the flap to read the brief explanation and a few of the reviews. I might have opened the book to check a few of the paragraphs as well (as I often do).

That's the basic process for me. Cover first, then inside jacket, then reviews, then, if the book holds my interest that long, the sample paragraphs from inside, usually earlier in the novel, but almost never at the beginning.

One fo the last books I recall buying was a short story collection from the "Borderland" series. The cover, along with Stephen King's name, was what drew me to it.

I'd say I judge fairly often by the cover, when books are concerned.

As far as Lit. stories go, I tend to start with categories first, then read the first paragraph. If it doesn't bite, meaning draw me in some way, whether it be quality of writing, or with some bit of lure concerning plot or character, or if it pushes me away, often with the use of the basic "Letters to Penthouse" style format that tends to stick to the "Lit. Amateurs" for lack of a better term -- those who almost all write the same story, lacking character and plot, when they even both with an excuse for the sex involved in the story -- I back off. Otherwise, it buys at least another paragraph's worth of reading.

Q_C

 

[Sabledrake]

Whenever I'm at the stage (like now) of putting together a new book cover, I always find this proverb highly ironic. Sometimes it seems like the cover is more work, cost and hassle than writing the manuscript was in the first place.

-- Sabledrake

 

[SlickTony]

Here's a book cover story:

One of the books I have in my possession is Poul Anderson's The Broken Sword. If anyone here likes Poul Anderson it's possible they've seen the cover of the paperback, which depicts a hero in a battle kilt preparing to do battle with a mounted, green-skinned troll who has a beautiful girl in his clutches and is preparing to ride away with her.

In Pasadena, TX, there is, or there used to be, a guy with an exact blown-up copy of this cover airbrushed onto the side of his van.

That cover must've had a hell of an impression on him.