Contemplating Book Covers   Carmel Rowley  www.carmelrowley.com.au 

As a long time Arabian horse breeder I know the importance of an effective magazine advertisement. The goal is to grab the readers attention and to prevent him immediately turning the page.  A type of shop window to your stud, just as the book cover is a window to your novel. 

Pearsons View Arabians magazine advertisement  www.pearsonsviewarabians.com

So when it came to designing the covers for my novels I already knew that studies show a book has to grab a readers eye in about one and a half seconds. Then, if it is picked up, it is glanced at for only three to four seconds. To learn that we evaluate with such speed certainly makes the book cover design so much more important.

I know when I’m browsing in a book shop the books I pick up (if I’m not after a specific author) are the ones with a beautiful cover and as a horse person if there is a horse on the cover I zero in like a jet plane. The cover can be a photograph or a painting but it is the true first point of contact with the reader. Then I look at the title, then read the blurb and if I’m still interested, I’ll turn to the first page.

When I was planning the cover of ‘Tails Carried High’ I knew I had three stars, the main character, the Arabian horse and Australia. So I combined the three. The horse is mesmerising, taunting you to reach your hand out to him while the girl is in the shadows about to emerge into a new life. The thunder clouds suggest conflict and the iconic southern cross windmill is very Australian.

‘Tails Carried High’ cover

Then with book two ‘Voices in the Wind’ the girl is the focus daring you to guess her story while the horse is poised and elegant on a high plinth in one of the most enthralling cities in the world.

‘Voices in the Wind’  cover

Now with book three – Egypt is the focus reminding us how the relationship between man and the Arabian horse has been around for thousands of years. Horse and girl will be equal… I dare not say more except that the images are nearly all done.

So finally, I feel strongly that a book’s cover is vital to the overall enjoyment of the book itself. Speaking personally I want my covers to be able to be great posters  and when the book is closed and you stare down at a cover it makes you want to continue reading.

When picking up a new book, what do people see first?

‘Grows that Way’ by Susan Ketchen cover

 Susan Ketchen’s new book  ‘Grows that Way’ this is the third book in  “Born That Way” series will be issued May 1st. Follows the mis-adventures of 14-year old Sylvia as she deals with her genetic disorder (Turner Syndrome) and the otherwise-disordered folks around her. Only the equines are sane. http://www.susanketchen.ca  
Susan says, ‘I’m so pleased with the cover of this one. It’s amazing how much work goes into this sort of thing.’   I love this cover.

Self publishers and publishers employ companies or designers that can build a cover that will draw peoples attention. A great book cover design increases sales and profits.People naturally look at the cover first. The cover sets the tone for the book. Book cover design has a huge impact on peoples purchasing decision. People will read the introduction to a book, but will still return to the cover. Take two books at a book stand, both with the same information, one has a great design on the cover, the other has no design, which do you think a buyer would choose?

If you are a self publisher,  you know what the book is about, and have a good insight into what the design might look like. It is important to choose a designer that you can work with you.  A professional designer can take your ideals and give you a great design.  Discuss your ideas with the designer before deciding if the company or person is right for you.

A good book cover design does increase sales, and that in turn increases profits. Be sure that your design portrays the book you have written. Choose a designer that understands the importance of a good book cover design, and go for it.