I think I got my Broken Branch Falls Release Form up and running... I appreciate all your help! And hey, no extras today =)
My plans for the A to Z challenge this year.
- Writing Advice
- Tidbits from BROKEN BRANCH FALLS, coming out in June (Titles of my posts are chapters in BBF, too)
- And some laughs at the end!
A to Z Writing advice:
Covers… The first impression! If readers don’t like the cover, they probably won’t bother reading the blurb or reviews or a single word. Title is important, but a picture is worth… you know. So your cover must stand out. It must show the reader a teasing glimpse of what they are getting from your story. They need to feel the vibe of the book, they need to want to enter the scene or find out more about it. The cover is the most exciting thing to show off and one of the most important marketing tools you have. And here is my advice on creating a fantastic cover –
- keep it simple, not too much detail or busy distractions
- the cover should make the reader feel what your book is about just by looking at it and know the genre right away
- colors set the mood as much as the pictures, bright or dark? cold or warm? loud or soft?
- use a professional, it’s worth it! don’t scrimp with clipart or do a favor for a friend who isn’t paid for their work, yet, unless you can critique their work without worry - you have to have it your way! Sorry kiddos, this is serious business and readers can tell the difference, use an artist
Visiting BROKEN BRANCH FALLS:
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| Ms Shurshot - calculus teacher |
centaurs – equine bodies with, humanoid torsos and heads, extremely smart, mostly scholars
City of Learning – where the centaurs live and where The University is located
CRADLE ROCK – Book 2 of the BEAST WORLD series – Do humans still exist? Another exciting adventure with Gabe and Ona and Rove and some new friends, too!
And for laughs:
An alphabetical list of reasons men are happier people... (courtesy of my mom)
C is for Children
Men can never be pregnant.
A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favorite foods, secret fears, and hopes and dreams.
A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
Lol @ C for Children — my Dad still doesn't know when my birthday is and I'm nearly 30 and still live with my parents! Once, he triumphantly said 'it's the 23rd, isn't it?' Um, not quite. Mine's the 20th of May — my brother's is the 23rd of January!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had had a centaur for a teacher. How fun!
ReplyDeleteLol at the last part about men! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteCovers are very important.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that most men may be oblivious, but I tend to be that exception with my kids, lol.
Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm
Love the last line! I think it describes my husband pretty well. LOL
ReplyDeleteCovers, centaurs, children...
ReplyDeleteI imagine that people are more influenced by the cover than they even realize. People are so visual. My first instinct was that I have read plenty of books that I think didn't have THE BEST covers. And then I thought... well, that was because they came highly recommended or I had to read them for class. So... you have a point.
I really love all of the Creativity that has gone into your world building. Who doesn't love the idea of a centaur teacher???
Your mom is funny. I remember doing things when I was growing up like getting a haircut (often fairly radical) and saying to my dad, "What do you think?" And he would look me up and down and say, "New outfit? I like it."
It often took several guesses before he got to the haircut. Men are just wired different. That's all.
I always knew covers were important, but your post made me wonder what the hell kind of cover I could ever come up with for the book I'm editing right now :P It's about a mouse detective, and I dunno ...
ReplyDeleteI think I'd totally go with a professional designer. No question. ;)
That last part made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteYou have centaurs in your book? Very cool.
And I agree with you about covers. If it's not cool, I'm not looking farther.
Covers are vital. I no longer buy solely on cover (yes, there was a time), but a cover will definitely convey a feeling and leave me with expectations, and can pull me to read the blurb. If it looks like a "cheap" cover, I won't look further.
ReplyDeleteI really want to meet your mom. She should write a book for brides. Love the cover advise from you, too.
ReplyDeleteI agree that men are pretty vague about their childrens' birthdays and everything else.
ReplyDeleteOh to go back and redo my covers...I love them, but there are tweaks I would have made that would have moved them from good to better.
ReplyDeleteI agree on the importance of a cover and you're absolutely right that you should get a pro to do it for you!
ReplyDeleteSo true about covers - I've even bought some books purely because I loved the covers, didn't read the blurbs or anything.
ReplyDeleteThe expression 'don't judge a book by its cover' couldn't be more fun!
Oh and centaur teachers sounds like such fun!
Hey Tara - excellent advice on covers - applies to blog sites or real books! Keep those insights on men coming. LOL I love a good chuckle at their expense.
ReplyDeleteNice advice, Tara. I'm always drawn to simple covers. Covers with too much going on flare my ADD right up and I can't focus on the jacket description!! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI agree about the professional cover design... and that's the reason why I've employed a professional to do my cover...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laughs!
Perfect C-topic from you for me today - I'm planning a book! I agree with you on the importance and draw of images [and appreciate the comment you made about my baby-bird-chorus pic on my blog today :-) ]! Thanks so much for the useful insights. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI'm having my first cover designed now, and I've seen part of it a few days ago. I'm really looking forward to seeing the complete product. A long time ago, I used to draw my own book covers. They were cute, and not horrible, but now I don't kid myself about my artistic abilities. I'm an amateur artist, not a professional.
ReplyDeleteI have a special love for centaurs, since I'm a Sagittarius.
Great selection from Covers to children.
ReplyDeleteYou can tell a book that is homegrown - starts with the cover - why would I purchase it?
Thanks for your kind visit :)
Centaurs a fine choice for "C" and children of course!!
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z
Very entertaining! Thanks for the great tips on covers, too.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't buy a book based on its cover, some covers immediately put me off. Personally I don't like a headless man's bare chest!
ReplyDeleteI agree that covers should be attractive, and also give some idea of what the book is about.
I love covers! A good cover will move something inside or trigger an emotion of some sort. Great C post!
ReplyDeleteWith great respect! A.
hehe that was very good the end bit, joke about men, entirely true of course and starting it with some very sound information re book covers, that is so true, i go for drama when looking at a book something that looks mysterious to me. I love the look of your blog, very busy and active. Did you do the clip art of the centaurs? Hello from fellow A-Z blogger too xx
ReplyDeleteIt took a "C" for me to finally make it to your blog for the challenge, sigh. Moving on...
ReplyDeleteLOL men only remember those shot people when they trip over them.
I agree on every point about the cover. It is SOOO important and it's sad that not many take it seriously. I actually made fake/silly cover for April 1st...people are so polite no one said it anything negative lol
The Children tidbit made me guffaw!
ReplyDeleteMen are clueless, love the humor!
ReplyDeleteCovers are super important. Self-published authors need to make sure their covers look professional!!
ReplyDeleteFunny how I start thinking about the cover before I've even written the book.
ReplyDeleteSo yeah covers. People say not to judge a book by its cover, but people do.
ReplyDeleteLOL at the last bit about men! Poor guys.
I completely agree about covers! They are vital for getting a book noticed, especially now that readers can scroll through list after list on Amazon and other ebook stores. If a cover looks meh I'm less likely to look at it than one that looks professional and well thought out.
ReplyDelete~ Kim
I think seeing a centaur would be awesome. As a teacher? I've seen a mad horse, no thanks.
ReplyDeleteI know that my small people are definitely attracted or not attracted to books based on their covers.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at the C is for Children part; that definitely sounds like my house.
TaMara
AJ's AtoZ wHooligan
Tales of a Pee Dee Mama
I just received the mock up of my cover for my debut and I think I achieved all four tips. I feel better. haha.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you! Covers are super important. It's what attracts people to pick up your book first.
ReplyDeleteanna
Deeply Shallow