Comments on: Judging a Book by Its Cover?

By: Kris Pecheone

Kris Pecheone — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:07:58 +0000

Wendy, I really like the lipstick cover better than the pool setting. It is simple yet appealing. I have not seen the others so I cannot comment on them.

The first thing that I look for when browsing is the title. If that catches my interest, I read the bio on the author and then the jacket for the story summary. The cover is less important to me, but it definitely should tie in with the book. When finished with a book, the reader should go back to the cover and be able to understand how it connects to the story.

Looking forward to Social Lives!

By: Shelley

Shelley — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:05:18 +0000

Faced with the over whelming number of books in most bookstores, I have to say that a good cover can be critical to sales. Face-outs & displays are where the vast majority of sales occur & so the cover can make or break a title. That having been said though, I feel disappointed when the book doesn’t match up to the cover, it’s kind of a false advertising situation. I once heard the cover artists (& those that write blurbs) receive only a brief synopsis of a title & create the cover art (or blurb) based on that synopsis, rather than actually reading the book. This may explain the disconnect. Thanks for your post. It’s interesting to see an authors perspective. I’m not sure either cover really illustrates what you set out to do with the book.

By: Suzy

Suzy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:33:22 +0000

The Four Wives cover had nothing to do with the book and was even misleading. Lipsticks are more benign but also not great (though I do like the color schemes on both in terms of eye catchy-ness). I feel like you, author Wendy, shouldn’t have to know much about marketing to be able to GUIDE, not decide, the cover of your great books and yet it seems that you don’t have much choice in that. Seems strange and sad to me.

By: Mari

Mari — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:14:49 +0000

I think if I were browsing the bookstore, and unfamiliar with the author, I’d be more likely to pick up the pink cover. Honestly, after seeing the pool/swimsuit top cover, I expected the book to be all about sex, and it was far more clever than that.

Can you post pictures of the Dutch and UK covers for comparison?

By: Other Jill

Other Jill — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:21:22 +0000

Wendy – I pay attention to color more than the actual picture. That being said, I still think the picture usually pertains somehow to the book – and I agree the pool/red bra and then lipsticks do not make any sense….Maybe if all the lipsticks had been different shades – your four wives are all so different….(maybe the lipsticks are and I just can’t tell from the picture) – The person above who wrote about the white picket fence makes more sense – it’s suburban women who are trying hard to still keep their identities…..

Most importantly, color usually catches my eye – and then I immediately turn the book over to read a summary hopefully on the back!

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:52:15 +0000

Wow – so far a lot of different views! Can’t wait to se what else comes in!

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:07:19 +0000

I pay very little attention to cover art. I’m sure that makes me some kind of freak. But it is just the truth. I will flip a book right over–to learn what it is about and what other people have to say–before making any decisions. If it sounds interesting and sophisticated and complex, I’m in.

I really liked Four Wives, the book. And for that reason, I like all the covers (I see symbolism in each of them, given that the book is so multi-layered). If I had to choose one, I would go with the lipsticks.

Can’t wait to read the next one!

By: Beth MacGillivray

Beth MacGillivray — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:28:48 +0000

With countless books on the shelves, I think a catchy cover will help persuade the undecided. Part of the battle is getting someone to pickup a book and then once in hand the reviews can induce the reader. I prefer the new cover.

By: kim

kim — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:24:48 +0000

While letting someone else dress your kids has got to be insufferable, I think I agree with your sister.

Perhaps an artist’s sketch of the four wives as you see them might appease. The wives certainly are “attractive”.

I like the mystery of lipsticks but seriously, my copy has the best cover ~ The one with a short red skirt above perfectly tan legs reclined in the sun ending in candy-striped heals. Bright sun, picket fence and a tall privacy hedgerow! Everytime I pick up the book I check the back to see the rest… but it’s just a cover. Guess I’ll have to read about her inside.

By: LeslieG

LeslieG — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:32:30 +0000

I agree will your polled population – I did not “get” the pool/bra cover at all, especially after reading Four Wives. Without knowing anything about the book, that cover is not something that would have grabbed my interest. The Dutch cover would have I think. So, go with your gut!