Book cover designs

[Tripread]

Hey! Have you ever been surprised by a book’s content because it was different from what you expected based on the cover?Have you ever come across a book with a misleading cover, where the design didn’t accurately represent the story? If yes, please share your experience. :

[Cvasti]

John Green has a book with a bad book cover and yet it's John Green;

[lexirexic]

Camus The Stranger... The paperback cover with a bunch of people in tall striped hats and white makeup. And on the back is 1 person who's sideways.

I mean, yeah, obviously 1 person is "strange" and doesn't fit in, but it has absolutely nothing to do with the plot. Seems more like the publisher's attempt to be psychedelic rather than anything specific to the book. I always hated that cover!

[Kina2]

I much prefer hardcover books

[Chris OConnor]

I always hated that cover!

And now I do too! What a hideous book cover.

[sunlitattic]

Well, I am digressing a bit here, but the old adage runs true when applied literally: "do not judge a book by its cover!" One major issue nowadays is that book covers are increasingly moving away from the artistic endeavor to a marketing one. This is especially the case in the self-publishing industry where indie authors do not make millions to allow for artistic license blunders. Instead they fall for the mirage of marketing with its emphasis on selling. In other words, the main factor in cover design has become how to make people buy the book instead of how it harmoniously reflects the content. With the preponderance of the cheap eBooks market that keeps encouraging lower prices and free promo, I know of some people who get books just because of the cover. If the content wasn't what they expected, they don't care because it only cost them $0.99...

[Chris OConnor]

In other words, the main factor in cover design has become how to make people buy the book instead of how it harmoniously reflects the content.

You're probably right about this. But if I were an author I'd have to do the same thing. Ultimately, most authors want their books to be read by the widest audience possible, so focusing on a cover design that helps sell books makes sense. Everyone is an author these days. With self-publishing and eBooks, the competition for readers has never been more fierce, so authors have to utilize every technique they can to promote their books.