The Deceptive Significance of Cover Art

People who say they don't judge a book by a cover are full of shit. 

Sorry. 

I just wanted to set the mood and let you know that this blog post won't be lathered in B.S. I won't be shoveling fake opinions in an attempt to woo you into liking me enough to buy my books.

Nope.

Today, after two large coffees and not much sleep, I will be raw, honest, and probably piss you off. Not that I'm not usually honest, it's just in this moment, I refuse to sugar coat this message.

Book covers matter. Sometimes more than the implementation of the whole plot-line.

Isn't that fucked up?

For a writer, it's disappointing and horrific that before someone gives your words and characters a chance. . .they judge your cover, something that is so outside of your creative process. . .it's ridiculous. 

However, as a reader, I won't buy a book if it isn't pleasing to the eyes, well-executed, or grab my attention in some way. So although I'm annoyed about book covers representing the story as an author. . .oh I'm a complete contradictory person when it comes to me buying a book.

But let's dig deeper. . .

Which book would you buy?

A)

B)

An unexpected experiment happened for me back in the fall of 2013 (so long ago). Amazon decided to finally regulate ebooks that they considered breaking their mature content rules. Basically, the site started deleting books that appeared to involve incest, pedophilia, bestiality, and all those things that pretty much disgust the normal population of people. 

My novel The Babysitter was deleted because (I assume) it showed a "shadowy vagina" and because the woman looked like an underage girl with a teddy bear. 

Yikes. 

What is interesting is the next day I quickly grabbed a quick stock image that I believed represented the characters and the plot-line, then had an artist due the font. I more wanted my short story out there for my fans who were waiting on other books.

This became the cover. . .three hours later. . .The Babysitter was on the Erotica Bestseller's list as if triggered by magic.

With the other cover, the novel sold five books a day. With the new cover, it sold a thousand books in two weeks. The book continued to rise up to the top twenty on the Erotica list and remained there for several weeks.

Is this confirmed proof that book covers matter?

No.

There are so many reasons why people decided to give my short story a try on that day and all of those reasons could have nothing to do with the cover. 

However, do I place more significance on books covers these days?

Um. . .did you see the part about the book going from 5 sales to a thousand?

New Adult Book Cover Trends

From time to time I like to look at book covers and wonder what image seems to grab book buyers attention. So here's my personal analysis of New Adult book cover trends for August!

These are all books from the New Adult Romance Bestsellers' List.

TATTS

You just going to walk around like that? Yummy!

I would love to see if he's wearing any undies.

This stock model is seen a lot, but I'm not complaining.

What's he so sad about?

It seems one Hot guy is enough to sell a book, and preferably a guy with no shirt on.

 (I know I tend to hit the buy button for a sexy one. DON'T JUDGE ME!)

Dramatically taking off his shirt Hot guy!

Dramatically looking off into the
 distance with no shirt hot guy who
says in an endearing tone, "Why
oh why can I not find any love?"

Looking at me and
creeping me the hell out hot guy.

Looking at me and SO NOT creeping
me out. . .I'm down for whatever is
OFF the Record too, Baby!

 There seems to be some authors and publishers that are starting to branch out with the book covers for New Adult. I'm wondering if it's due to readers not buying the same ole ones anymore or pubs just tired of the same ole thing.

As I did my search for this
blog post, I saw this cover and grabbed it!

This is one of my all time favorites, so glad
to see it back on the bestseller's list!

I heard this series deals with
a girl in an abusive home. I don't
know if I'm reading for this one.

This goes to show that sometimes
it isn't all about the book cover. Sometimes
Readers by the book because it
rocks. And this must rock because the cover
sucks Elephant Balls.

I think this one is captivating.

I actually read this book and
gave it 3 strong stars.

Additionally, I feel like if your name happens to be H.M.Ward. . .then it really doesn't matter what your cover looks like. Check out all of her books that made the New Adult Bestseller's list in August.

I admit that I did enjoy the
series. I stopped at 4 and have been
meaning to catch back up with it.

 

     

That's it ladies and gents! We are done with New Adult Bestsellers' list book covers for August.

What was your favorite cover this month?

Which one sucked ass?

F*** My Eyes, Then My Mind. April

I've been checking out the Amazon Romance Best Sellers' list, wondering why books get to the top, and even more important, why I buy these books. 

Here's my five things for this month on why particular books. . .possibly hit the list!

Note: I'll be doing this monthly because I'm addicted to covers.


1-Men who don't know how to button their shirts!

#1 on Amazon Best Sellers 

While I have no complaints whatsoever, I wonder. . .do they know how to put their shirts on, or are they simply taunting us?

#2 on Amazon Best Sellers

NOTE: I read "Real." It's pretty good if I must say so myself. 

#59 on Amazon Best Sellers

In all fairness, this seems to be a hooded vest combination. . .granted. . .where and when does one wear something like this? 

Is he considering going to the park for a little sword play, pauses at the coat rack, and thinks, "Hmmm. It looks like it might rain. I'm going to throw on my hooded sleeveless vest. That way, I can get my muscles wet, but keep my hair in tact."

2- Kiss me laying down!

#4

#6

I love how lots of the covers have the models' mouths parted. I'm just hoping their breath is okay so the other model doesn't have to endure rugged halitosis.

#9

Apparently, if you can get two hot models laying down on a bed and kissing, you just might get the attention of readers. 

However, this never happens in my. My husband and I have four kids. We tend to have to sneak around to get kisses and any other delicious moments in.

If my sex life was a book cover, it would be a couple hiding in a closet, desperately trying to put certain things and particular places. 

The title would be, "Hurry the Kids are Watching My Little Pony!"

#41

#45

#80

3- Why wear a shirt when I have muscles to keep me warm?

Hey. . .I won't lie. 

#14

If I see a few well placed abs on a cover, then I may auto buy it. 

#41

#16

I'm not perfect! Don't judge me!











I could do this all day so I only picked a few hunks!

#81

#30

4- Crack isn't Wack after all!

There wasn't a whole lot of yummy bottoms. I'm more mentioning this so that we can see some trending of muscle butts. Let's make it happen people!

#36 This is just enough crack without overwhelming us.

I'm actually not sure if this is a woman's butt or man's or even what is happening in this picture. I don't really even know what this book is about just from looking at it. Perhaps, this is a western.  *shrugs

5- The Anti-Person Movement still goes STRONG!

I would say that for me, Fifty Shades of Grey started the movement. I'm sure I'm either right or wrong, but this is part my blog so. . .I'll just say I'M RIGHT, bitches!

I must say that just like the muscular man on a cover, if I see some weirdly abstract image for an erotic romance, I usually auto-buy.

Why?

Well because it usually means, to me, that this is so freakin hot we can't even put a cover of what it represents, baby!

We're just going to put stuff that doesn't make true sense or have any real connection with the book, in order to signal to you and other sick in the head 50 shades fans that, "Yes! This is for you, crazies!"

OKAY! I'm done for this month!

I just love me some book covers and relish in drooling over the best sellers' list! 

I'll see you all next month. However, what are some of you're absolutely favorite covers right now?