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You’ve written your story and now are faced with deciding whether or not to create a cover.
I’ve posted about one hundred and fifty stories on BC and have never created a cover. Mel and Erin have made covers for all of my Doppler Press books. I’ve often wondered what difference an attractive cover makes to BC readers.
Seventeen of the stories posted so far in connection with the Writing Contest took the time to create a cover. Comparing the averages for those with and without covers was revealing.
Those with covers attracted 14% more hits, 17% more comments, and 14% more kudos.
Steph C has written a good story that is a travelogue to personal growth.
Mona Lisa has written an above-average tale about an accidental transformation.
This above-average story is one of the most fascinating in the current contest. The Court of Consciousness has offered us a look into a world not often visited on these pages.
The protagonist in this above-average story by girlinthelight has decided to be a “real man” -- whatever that might be.
I’ve tried to write about Alzheimer’s and couldn’t quite pull it off. RachelMnM has managed an above-average story about this delicate but pervasive topic.
Does your job define you? Or, can you redefine yourself on the job? This exceptional story by Shiraz, with its unique setting, explores how we can become who we are.
A witch with wicked humor and a taste for impeccable justice dominates this exceptional story by Jenny North.
Of course, Jenny Walker has delivered an exceptional story. Everything she writes is exceptional. She has used a soap opera trope with a Tootsie twist to enthrall us.
This above-average story by girlinthelight is an action-packed thriller starring a loving couple with mutual secrets.
Steph C takes us to the land of ice and fire in this very good story about travel.
This very good story by SuziAuchentiber has a The Big Chill vibe.
You’re a confirmed nerd and have been invited to a party by a bevy of beauties. What could possibly go wrong? TiffQ delivers a fresh perspective on this question in this very good story.
What does it take to find your way home? This exceptional story by Steph C gives us a feel for what one person endured.
Oh Marissa Lynn, you’ve been inside my head, researching this above-average story. I live half a mile from the High Bridge in St. Paul over the Mississippi River. It has claimed numerous people. A few years ago, they finally erected preventative fencing. It had called me several times.
Rose has offered an above-average story about family conflict.
Comments
Interesting, but is it significant?
That is a really interesting analysis of the responses to stories, with and without covers.
I was, in a previous existence, a stats nerd, so I am quite interested to consider if the results are themselves significant, and, of course, if they are, if the covers are the cause of the higher response, or reflect some other related factor. The old correlation/ causality issue.
For example, are new authors less likely to create a cover ? And are new authors less likely to get readers? I like to think that I read many people's work,but I will ALWAYS read something by one of my favourite authors.
Sorry, but just a few thoughts to consider
Lucy x
"Lately it occurs to me..
what a long strange trip its been."
To quote Mark Croker
In his ebook publishing guide, "Smashwords Style Guide" --
In my personal opinion, covers are at least eye catching. A good cover in the teasers section of the front page causes prospective readers to pause and consider it they want to read or not. Also, if you're posting a series, then a cover makes it easy for the reader to spot the next installment.
In his "Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success" he further states:
In my personal opinion, covers are at least eye catching. They cause readers skimming for a new title to pause and consider your story. Also, if you are posting series, it makes it easy for the reader to spot the next installment.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann
First impressions
I tend to think of cover images this way. Imagine a book that has a real zinger of a first sentence that's clever that poses an interesting question and really grabs you. And then the first paragraph pulls you in further. I mean, if the very first sentence is something like, "Cal bounced out of bed five minutes before his alarm, bursting with energy and ready to meet the day, because today was Wednesday, his absolute most favorite day of the week," aren't you curious? Compare that to a highly-recommended book I saw recently where the very first paragraph was three sentences about the weather. The weather. I'm not saying I'd never read a story that started with "It was always rainy in Seattle," but six words in and the author is already in a hole.
My point is, it's all about first impressions. My favorite authors don't need cover images because they're already my favorite authors. But for the rest of us, things like a clever title or an intriguing synopsis can help entice readers to click that link and give the story a try. Story tagging helps, too, since readers will have their favorite (and least favorite) tags.
To me, a cover image grabs the attention and entices prospective readers. If they see an image that's fun and clever, maybe they'll read the synopsis. And if they read the synopsis, maybe they'll click the link.
So personally, I can imagine that cover images, especially good ones, might equate to more Reads.
I'm skeptical that cover images would equate to more Kudos and Comments, because those tend to be more indicators that readers enjoyed the story. However, every additional reader that gets enticed in is another potential Kudo. Or, to paraphrase the famous quote, you miss 100% of the Kudos where you fail to pull in a reader.
Your Cover
. . .is amazing!
Jill
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Thank you!
Thanks very much! I frequently do cover images for my stories, so I've had a bit of practice. I usually make them while I'm still writing the story, since they're also good inspiration for me.
Of course, once I post the story, the message the cover conveys is one of me in the background going, "Click the link, click the link, pleeeease click the link. Try it, you'll like it, just cliiiiick..." :)
Covers
Due to my being absolutely useless at drawing in any medium, the cover images for all my stories are images found on the web by scouring 'free use' sites. As a result they are all somewhat minimalist and therefore more abstract, and weirdly that works - or at least I think they do. It does take a decent chunk of time to find something that both 'clicks' for me AND is free to use, but I've been pretty happy with the results so far as paired with my work anyway.
A friend offered for an extravagant birthday/christmas gift to pay an online artist they liked to create custom art for each book, but when faced with the notion of having the characters in some way drawn in various action poses...I cringed. Marketing-wise maybe that's a mistake that will need to be revisited some distant year when they are re-edited to be publishable, but I suspect even then I'll lean more to the simple and abstract photos/artwork.
Granted, I have no idea if folks liked the images and whether they helped encourage a click and read; I've never asked and no one has ever commented on them. But they make me happy each time I see them because for me at least they anchor a mood and now carry the association with the specific writing, so that has to count for something! :)