Feature Image Contributed From Nature Photography by Urmo Parts
I’m putting out this post because I’m soliciting my followers, friends, fellow WordPress members, and especially other authors opinions and advice. If you will tolerate my diversion with a summary discussion, I’ll get to my request below.
The most common advice we receive from those authors that have gone before us through the growing pains of self-publishing is (a) make sure you have a cover that grabs attention, (b) make sure your book title is captivating and reveals what the book is about. So, is one more important than the other or do they equally play a role in readers’ selections?
Book Covers:
Professionals who study the reader’s selection processes state the average shopper will select or reject your book in two seconds. You might have written a best seller but if the reader rejects it, it will sit on the shelf unsold. A cover will bring the needed attention and success, yet it can also lead to its demise. If the book brings negative attention, it can be as damaging as a poorly designed cover that brings no attention. The pros tell us it is all about the first impression and you get one shot at grabbing the positive response from the shopper.
If you look for online advice, it clearly states you should hire a book cover designer over trying to create one yourself. A good designer will help create a cover that works well within your genre and divulges a true replication of your story. Included in the criterion: does it look good enough it gains attention; does it represent your genre while being prominent; does it divulge enough of the story but not divulge too much. If it meets these three criteria, then you should have a winning cover; so, say the experts.
I found the competition for a book cover designing is more than sufficient to select someone to meet your budget. Going with design companies that have greater success over their competitor also come with a price tag. I shopped within my budget and found more than enough competition. I found a website that not only is a great source for authors, but they also have extensive posts on book covers. They also have a competition for cover designers to submit their work for critique as well as awards. The individual I have used has won their award several times plus awards from other sites. Click here for the link
Book Titles:
Cover Example 1
Just as a book cover, titles make up the first impression and the above discussion told us it can mean a two-second decision by the shopper. The title should also tell the shopper what the story is about. It also can convey a mood or feeling. For example, some readers shop for books they want to read on vacation, while they lie in bed, on their commute to work or other situations.
Sarah Davis of The Greenhouse Literary Agency stated, “As an agent, I encounter thousands of titles every year. Some sing powerfully from the query, making me desperate to read the manuscript and predisposed to like it. Others put me off so strongly that it’s a struggle to feel motivated. I’ve seen manuscripts practically sell themselves based on the title alone, so I know the power of a great one at all stages of the process, from initial query right through to which book a reader selects off the shelf. Your title is your showcase to the world, so make sure it is enticing, original, and has strong appeal to your target market.”
So, what is a good criterion when selecting your title? I read several posts and I selected several simple guidelines. They aren’t all-inclusive and might not apply to your genre. I felt they were a good example for my post.
A title should be short for the shopper to see and grab their attention. With eBooks, it makes the display thumbnail easier to read. You can always add a subtitle.
A title should be for the average person easy to pronounce. If it contains words hard to enunciate or understand, you won’t connect with the potential reader. Someone wrote, sound it out-loud and if it flows its good. However, if it sounds jumbled or confusing, it will get a negative response.
Cover Example 2
Make the title simple and easy to remember. This will make it easier for the shopper to recall when he begins his search. Try to make the title limited to conveying one or two concepts. The simpler the better and it will eliminate confusion.
Your book title should include the keyword(s) for the most important idea or person in the book. Here again, simplicity makes it easier.
The title should give your potential reader a clue to the book’s genre. Confusing the reader to its contents is a guarantee for rejection.
If the genre is humorous, give it a funny or catchy title. It can also work for serious non-fiction books to draw attention.
The title and the cover should complement each other. If the imagery of the cover does not convey the title, it will confuse the reader. As with the cover, you get one shot to get it right.
Solicitation for your advice and/or opinion:
The last week of April, I released my third book Guilt — My Companion; A Journey of Healing. Other than the books I personally sold at a presentation and book signing event, I have only sold four on Amazon. I have done a few things to boost its visibility. I did a social media campaign, at least two blog posts of my own, two fellow bloggers have featured it on their site, and I have a sponsored an ad campaign on Amazon. So far none of these things have gained the needed recognition. I also recognize you need reviews and good ratings on Amazon. I have three reviews with an average rating of 4.6. That should be a positive influence for book sales, but it hasn’t yet. Perhaps I’m expecting too much too soon.
I have a fear I selected a book title and/or cover that is resulting in a negative response. It wasn’t until after I completed my manuscript that I came up with the title. Guilt and the resounding depression was the commonality theme throughout. My attempt was to play on the word guilt and also make it a character. Perhaps that was a mistake.
When selecting a cover, I used the word journey as the central theme. There were many ways to illustrate a journey. When I consulted the designer I use, I told her I wanted something simple yet contemporary. We exchanged several ideas and she came up with the one I chose. I’m not sure it meets the criterion I mentioned above.
I’m considering, pulling the book, give it a new title and a new cover. I’m turning to you for your input, suggestions, opinions, and advice. To help you I am including the book description, an image of the cover, and a link to a pdf file that is an excerpt from the book. I’m also including one of the recent reviews. I want your honest opinion, you don’t have to sugar coat it. Tell what you like or dislike.
Book Description
A passionate and true story, Guilt—My Companion is based on the author’s struggle against society’s ignorance and prejudice. Beginning in the 60’s it follows his journey of personal struggle of self-identity and acceptance. It is a narrative of strength and recovery from tragedy and grief. The author shares the rejection from his dysfunctional family and his battle to overcome guilt and depression.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.”. But for this story, the journey is the unintended destinations he took. Along those paths were heartaches and defeat. He found deception, prejudice, and hate. Waiting for him was his companion, Guilt; the robber of personal pleasure. Follow his story and discover when he conquered guilt, there was nothing inhibiting his self-growth and happiness.
Click the link below for the excerpt
Recent Review
The book stayed true to the title. I found it gripping and, in many cases, difficult to comprehend the cruelty imposed upon the author. The epilogue best describes the outcome: (1) Healing involved a desire to change the habit of carrying baggage, and (2) professional help. The author, Denis Waitley, wrote that “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” I believe that the author’s journey possessed all of these. Without grace, he would not have made the remarkable life he has lived. Without love, he couldn’t fight against the emotional abuse of hate. Without gratitude, he couldn’t have written his books. This book is for all of us; for the times we’ve allowed ourselves to wallow in the darkness of resentment and anger, guilt, and subsequent depression. By sharing this journey, the author opened up his heart with love, grace, and gratitude and gave us this book.
I would appreciate you leaving your advice and comments below. I thank you in advance.
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