Anyone who knows me well will tell you I'm picky. People will also say not to judge a book by it's cover, but people do. It can't be helped! There are some basics such as having a cover that fits the book, has readable fonts, and is pretty to look at. Beautiful covers are often a matter of opinion, but here are some elements that are guaranteed to please:
- unique art medium (watercolor in particular!!!). Let's face it ... stock photos can get old, and it's much easier to mess up photoshop than paint
- simplicity. In my mind, the simpler the cover, the ore it packs a punch. However, this doesn't mean it can't have ...
- subtle details. Oh yes. My favorite. Don't you have those covers where you read the book and they mean even more?! Those are the best. Especially if they can look simple and then blow your mind up close.
- conveys the genre. This really shouldn't be as much of a bonus as it is. Isn't it nice when you know what you're getting just by looking at the cover? I personally like that. This does not mean it has to be cliche.
Why yes, I'd love to give you examples. Thanks for asking. (All of these are 5-star reads just so you know and the first one is currently on sale!)
I've got to admit that Livy's new cover also fits into the stunning cover category! :)
The images above link to their Amazon pages. And you can enter the giveaway for an autographed copy of the first book, The Coronation, right HERE!
What equals the beautiful cover formula for you? Are you excited for Livy's new book?
My favorite book covers are:
ReplyDelete•Challenger Deep
•If I Run (all three book covers actually make a picture, it's the best.)
•Twilight
•Steelheart (IT'S SO EXPLOSIVE LOOKING)
•and The Girl Who Could See (LIKE HONESTLY I FREAKING LOVE THIS COVER)
So yeah, I think your little checklist is pretty spot on. I tend to like the book covers that are (A) insider information that make sense once you've read the book, and (B) spontaneous and basically just like, what the heck?! (<<< aka the Challenger Deep cover)
I love If I Run's cover, but it didn't seem to really go with the book for me ... although it did convey genre. :) I didn't know they made a picture all together! People are always saying they love Brandon Sanderson's covers ;) Yep, Kara's has to be one of my all time favorites just because of the depth and detail but pure simplicity at first glance o.o
DeleteThanks! Insider info is literally one of the best things ever ;P Spontaneous can be really good at first; I just like it to seem like it at least fits after I've read the book. I haven't read Challenger Deep but the cover works with that title I think :)
Thanks for your thoughts! ALL THE PRETTY COVERS! <3
Those covers are so beautiful!!! The Coronation and The Rebellion are so pretty!! (I'm going to have to check those out!)
ReplyDeleteI think The Girl Who Could See is one of my favorite covers EVER, to be honest...
Yesss, check them out! I have yet to read either but I'm looking forward to them!
DeleteI think it's EVERYONE'S favorite cover ever. I mean, just ... look at it <3
I LOOOVVVEEE Kara's cover! Thanks for the fun post, Abi! <3
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!! I'm glad I could be helpful and share all these awesome covers at the same time ;P
DeleteOh! I never saw this post! Thanks so much for that shout-out! Martin Hospitality definitely has one of the nicest self-published covers I've ever seen. :DD
ReplyDeleteOf course!!! You're very welcome :D Aww thanks <3 I refrained from including it but of course I'm partial to it as well ;)
DeleteI love covers!! More on the graphic design side of things, I like covers with a simplistic background and correct spacing: sometimes I see books and the text is all placed in weird places or squished together/spread apart and I'm just like ??????? what is going on????? some cute typography also makes it good too (if it fits the book, of course!)
ReplyDeleteYes, typography is a big deal to me!! If the color or style don't suit the rest of the book it's like WHYYYYY. Simple backgrounds make everything better tbh. Especially when they're simple on the outside but detailed when you look closer, like Kara's cover. <3 I always think I like funkier things on covers and then I'm like NOPE that will look outdated in six years. xP I refuse to be trendy OR atypical in my covers ;P Totally not a hard line to walk
DeleteI love to see the cover of the girl who can see. the name of the book also attracts me. so I had decided to read the novel. hope i love to read the complete story too. i will get ebooks download online and read the full story.
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