Is Your Book Cover Mediocre? Does It Lack the Snap, Crackle and Pop? It Needs … It Deserves?

 Why, oh why, do self-published authors insist on creating mediocre book covers? Save yourself … save your book and stop in the name of love!

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At a recent publishing conference, I talked with a gaggle of newly published authors. As proud as a new Dad or Mom, they put their treasure in my hands. Too many times, the cover was poorly designed, didn’t relate to the book topic and was third-rate at best. You and your book don’t deserve an ugly book cover.

Covers are your barker … “look at me,” “I have the answer to your question,” “Here’s the solution to your problem,” “Wahoo … pick me, I’m a terrific read,” etc. Covers are a critical investment in the presentation of your book … not just the front, but the back. Where the front is designed to say what the book is about and convey, “Pick me up now, I’m the one;” it’s the back cover that should get them to fall in.

Your buyers spend more time on the back—does it have a bold “grab them” headline so they fall in? How about three to five bullet points that are designed to hook the reader with “That’s me; that’s me; the author has written this just for me” as they read through them. A paragraph or two about the book and they should be sold. Don’t get stuck on a bunch of endorsements—unless they are knocking your socks off with a name that is the guru in the genre your are writing in. The truth is, most endorsements are fillers and used when the copy in the body doesn’t sing—you probably don’t need them.

With Cover

 

Too many authors, especially in the self published arena, publish books with covers that are dull and boring. Is your cover losing book sales? It may be.

 

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Judith Briles
 is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She is the Founder of Author U, a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms (ForeWord Indie/Fab Book of the Year), Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and a speaker at publishing conferences.

Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author’s Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Each summer, she holds Judith Briles Unplugged, a two day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U – Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at http://tinyurl.com/AuthorURadio. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and Judith Briles – TheBookShepherd on Facebook. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

 If you are looking for FREE author and book coaching … call in to Judith’s Author Monday Mornings at NOON Eastern each Monday. The number is 218-632-9854; Access Code 1239874444 … have your questions ready–there’s a full hour to ask and listen.

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