By Sherry — I’m excited to share my newest cover with you!
It’s always so exciting to see the cover of my next book. And I have to say I’ve loved all my covers.
When my editor at Kensington, Gary Goldstein, first asked for my ideas for the cover of Tagged for Death, I told him I wanted to have an old-fashion tag on the cover. I love how they’ve incorporated the tag on each of the books.
Here’s the back cover copy:
HER BROTHER IS NO BARGAIN
When Sarah Winston’s estranged brother Luke shows up on her doorstep, asking her not to tell anyone he’s in town—especially her ex, the chief of police—the timing is strange, to say the least. Hours earlier, Sarah’s latest garage sale was taped off as a crime scene following the discovery of a murdered Vietnam vet and his gravely injured wife—her clients, the Spencers.
BUT IS HE A KILLER?
All Luke will tell Sarah is that he’s undercover, investigating a story. Before she can learn more, he vanishes as suddenly as he appeared. Rummaging through his things for a clue to his whereabouts, Sarah comes upon a list of veterans and realizes that to find her brother, she’ll have to figure out who killed Mr. Spencer. And all without telling her ex . . .
Readers: Do the covers of books influence your decision to buy it? What appeals to you on a cover?
JULIE HERE: First of all, I love the new cover! Secondly, Woofmew won the drawing for CLOCK AND DAGGER.
I’ve contacted her.
The cover doesn’t affect my buying or reading a book. I read the blurb and then look to see if the cover actually reflects the story at all.
Very interesting! I do get drawn to covers sometimes by their colors. But the blurb is usually most important!
No. But I think they are cute. Mostly that’s how i can tell they are copies though.
Thank you!
I’ll admit, I have a weakness for interesting covers. I love covers that draw me across a bookstore just so I can take a closer look. I especially love it when a book has a different look to the cover than the dust jacket so it is almost like a lovely present in beautiful wrapping paper.
I love the cover of Whispers Beyond The Veil! It draws me in and I can’t wait to read it!
I am influenced by a cover, as I think/hope they reflect the tone of the story. Yours are particularly fun because I imagine what I’d buy at this sale. Since I am in the market for a lamp, I am peering with extra interest at this one!
Thanks, Ramona! Good luck lamp shopping!
Covers totally influence my buying. If the cover isn’t interesting, or is a completely boring looking one, I won’t pick it up even 🙁 That may totally make me a shallow person, but the interesting looking ones call my name!
I don’t think it makes you shallow — covers are designed to draw people in! They do it to me! And if it’s too creepy, I won’t buy it!
Covers can definitely draw me in, especially moody ones. As to your newest cover, Sherry, I like that fringed lampshade. Do you have an extra one in the back?
I have a fringed lampshade on the light in my bedroom. But I’m keeping it.
Covers are a draw in stores, but not so much online. I tend to buy by author’s name rather than cover but for an author new to me a great cover definitely helps catch my attention. As for blubs, I’m wary. Too many of my own over the years have either been a tad misleading or gave way too much of the plot away. I’d rather read a little of the first chapter instead. That also helps me avoid buying books written in present tense which, with a very few exceptions, I loathe.
Kathy/Kaitlyn
I hadn’t thought about the difference of in the bookstore and online — great point! I agree with you about the blurbs. I’ve given up arguing about them unless they are really egregious!
Another great cover, Sherry! Congratulations! SO smart to ask that tags be part of each design. For better or worse, I am drawn in (or turned off) by covers. The back cover copy (or inside flap) is critical, too.
Your covers are very inviting, Susan. I think if the cover copy is clunky the writing is too.
Love the cover! Covers draw me in and since I read across genres it’s hard to pinpoint what it is about a cover design that works for me. But after I’m drawn to the book I then read the blurb and if it’s a new author to me I usually read the first couple of pages, just to make sure. 🙂
That’s a great idea to read a couple of pages too!
It’s awesome, Sherry! Congratulations. Tell us the release date!
I should have mentioned that! April 26, 2017!
2017?
I fixed it! Good catch, Barb! This is what comes of answering things while in a moving line at the DMV!
I am sorry to say that the covers do influence the books I buy. However I have 18 cozy writers that I follow so there is plenty to buy. Your garage sales mysteries are one of my favorites. Loved All Murders Final. The tag is a great emblem for your covers.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoy my books!
A good cover can certain catch my eye and influence how excited I am about a book. However, I find that the title is more important to me. Unless I already know the author (good or bad), in which came those don’t matter. I’ll pick it up and read it no matter the title or cover.
However, word of mouth and whether the plot appeals to me (via the teaser) are most important to me.
I’d spotted the new cover at Amazon last week. Looks great! Congrats, Sherry.
Very interesting to think about the title too! Now I’m pondering that! I just saw that it was on Amazon last Thursday!
I love the way they use those sales tags for the titles on all your books. You can spot them from across the bookstore!
An appealing cover can definitely get me to pick up a book, but I agree with Kathy Lynn-it’s the first few pages or even paragraphs that make the buying decision.
I’m going to have to read the first few pages from now on! And as I work on book five it’s making me realize I might need a stronger first line!
I love the sales tags too. Amid all the items at the garage sale shown on the cover, could one of them be a clue?
Thanks, Mary! As for the clue…
For a first book, certainly a cover attracts my eye to the particular book on the shelf, unless I am familiar with the author. Once I know of an author and am looking for that author, the cover clues me into whether I have the particular book or not. You’ve got a nice one here!
Great point, Vida! I like the early morning feel of this one!
I love the tags as well. And yes, I have made a decision not to buy a book based on its cover. If you’re a favorite author, I buy your book regardless of the cover! So homerun for you Sherry, you’re one of my favs and I love the cover! Can’t wait to buy it.
What a lovely thing to say! I wouldn’t skip a favorite author because of a bad cover either — authors usually have little control over the final results!
Love the new cover, congrats! I think it’s great that you were able to have some input back in the beginning, making them very unique. A good civ e has caught my eye more than once and many times I have found a keeper that way.
Thank you! I was lucky that they asked for ideas and then made it look as good as they did!
Covers do draw me in but then depending on whether it’s a new author to me, the back description has to sound good. Usually then u check Goodreads reviews. Less than a 3 & I usually pass. If it’s a series I’m reading, I can’t wait to see the cover & read the blurb but that ones an automatic buy.
Very interesting!
One of the first things I do is look at different covers. Something has to catch my eye. Then if it does I read what its about. I have loved books since I was a little kid. It allows me to imagine the storyline in my mind.
Just read I know what you did last summer. Loved it but now realise I should have started with your 1st book which I will do so
I’m so glad you loved it!