tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post3951571856774478317..comments2024-03-21T03:22:46.645-06:00Comments on My Story, My Way ~ An Indie Adventure: Cover Art and Advertising Headlines Have The Same MissionLeslie Ann aka LAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15584041234338927880noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-86631014452738246922012-11-10T15:06:58.232-07:002012-11-10T15:06:58.232-07:00I'm stopping by very late, but so glad I did. ...I'm stopping by very late, but so glad I did. Such an excellent post. Thanks, Vince, for the marketing advice. You are amazing.<br /><br />Can't wait for your book to be published!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-25914909774262975032012-11-03T12:53:46.910-06:002012-11-03T12:53:46.910-06:00Vince,
Yes, you were number two, right after Audr...Vince, <br />Yes, you were number two, right after Audra. Sweet man aren't you! It is a fun blog even from the get-go. And wow, the numbers have climbed. Thank you :)<br /><br />Yes I meant the universal "you" for people to join. I don't post a huge amount so you won't be inundated in your mail boxes :)<br /><br />And I hope to get some indie film makers and some indie music producers/writers/musicians to participate. <br /><br />Hugs<br />Leslie AnnLeslie Ann aka LAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15584041234338927880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-7847833671320643552012-11-03T12:50:34.882-06:002012-11-03T12:50:34.882-06:00Hi Missy,
It's scary! I'm trying to find ...Hi Missy,<br />It's scary! I'm trying to find a way to insert a poll into the blog. So far I have three distinct covers.<br /><br />Hugs<br />LALeslie Ann aka LAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15584041234338927880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-34715237691245072932012-11-03T12:47:02.574-06:002012-11-03T12:47:02.574-06:00Leslie Ann, that's great you'll be sharing...Leslie Ann, that's great you'll be sharing your cover tales.Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-13333038746060724772012-11-03T12:43:42.200-06:002012-11-03T12:43:42.200-06:00Hi LA:
Do you mean ‘you’ in general as to all our...<b>Hi LA:</b><br /><br />Do you mean ‘you’ in general as to all our visitors? I think I was your number 2 follower. How’s that for a low party number? I know a good thing when I see it! : )<br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-44638748493729447352012-11-03T11:56:38.561-06:002012-11-03T11:56:38.561-06:00Wow, Vince!
They are keeping you busy. Questions ...Wow, Vince!<br />They are keeping you busy. Questions are great as are the answers.<br /><br />And remember, I'm going to post a tale of MY two or three covers, so sign up to be a follower and see what happens.<br /><br />~LALeslie Ann aka LAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15584041234338927880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-20900854205707581052012-11-03T11:38:28.155-06:002012-11-03T11:38:28.155-06:00Hi Celia:
Good to have you visit. You bring up so...<b>Hi Celia:</b><br /><br />Good to have you visit. You bring up some important points.<br /><br />Fiction without cover art is very iffy at best. It would have to be a gimmick like a book with the title: “The End”. It would be cute but I think stupid from a marketing point of view.<br /><br />A non-fiction book could 'live' with just a title. The great best seller <i>“How to Win Friends and Influence People”</i> had just a title and a small photo of the author – as I remember the original covers. These self-help books don’t want to be taken as fiction. But fiction, I don’t see as not having art elements.<br /><br />If anything eBooks need great cover art more than paper books. At least at this stage in history. <br /><br />Great artwork means someone spent money on it. If they did that, then there is a likelihood they also spent money on proof reading and story editing. I think having no art work on the cover is like getting a phone call that shows up on the ID as ‘blocked’. What are they hiding? Why trust this book?<br /><br />I love your <i>“Addie and the Gunslinger”</i> cover – it’s dynamic, interesting, totally compelling if that kind of romance you are looking for. I like all your dime novel coverss. I’ve read three of them so far. Your book that I like best is <i>“Texas Promise”</i> and both covers I’ve seen have been beautiful but neither one ‘says’ historical cowboy romance. I’m not sure I get that cover. I’d like to know your rationale. <br /><br />Now as far as romance fans not liking kids in romances, that was only the results of surveys taken by RT. They asked what would you like to see less of in romances? Every time it seems that ‘less kids’ wins the contest. <br /><br />I don’t agree with this. I prefer books with kids in them. I like the kids to be between 3 and 7. I like the idea of the hero being able to give them a good home and be the father they so need. <br /><br />But then I think the whole idea of not having kids in romances is silly. There are more romances published each month than most people are going to read in a life time. There is plenty of room for everyone. Just pick the kind of romance you want. (And the right cover will help you find it!) <br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-80370344939884858072012-11-03T10:39:32.982-06:002012-11-03T10:39:32.982-06:00Hi, Vince--I was so glad to see your name. The top...Hi, Vince--I was so glad to see your name. The topic is so pertinent and very tricky for the romance author and artist to determine the right thing. I learned on my own how important covers are, because I am a visual person and certain things will instantly turn me off--colors, for one thing...as well as others.<br />I carefully read your statements and beliefs, and added to my miniscule store of knowledge.<br />A new writer friend decided covers weren't important with ebooks, with me begging her to put an appropriate cover on her books. Nope. She only puts words on a solid colored backgrouns--title and author. That's it. She self-published these, as well as two children's books--yes, you're right--no pictures, not even on the cover. I could not fathom her idea. I'm watching--now close to a year, and her sales are dismal, practically non-existant. I don't know is she learned her lesson or not. <br />I knew Mona would be thrilled that you added her cover to your article! <br />Thanks for the information--I'll also keep the idea in mind that romance readers don't like children in their books. I do have a quarrel with that idea...but that's just me.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16272417114895975742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-17968434634946360432012-11-03T10:20:14.620-06:002012-11-03T10:20:14.620-06:00Hi Carly:
You wrote:
“"If you have the wor...<b>Hi Carly:</b><br /><br />You wrote:<br /><br /><i> “"If you have the word 'apple' in your title, never show an apple on the cover. Because you're treating the reader "like a moron".</i><br /><br />I never head this said in over my 30 years of experience. It sounds like something an artist might say. It’s like saying, <i>“Don’t make it too easy for the reader to learn that this is a book they would love reading.” </i> The whole idea is <b>not to miss</b> getting the attention of the best prospects. <br /><br />Just look at the cover of <i>“Sailing With You”</i>. Do you think all those sail boats insult my intelligence? All I see is a place I wish I could visit. <br /><br />Now, I must say there is some sense to that advice. If the cover needs many art elements to attract the best prospect, then if one of those elements can be conveyed by a word in the title, then it might be best to cover a different element than that one in the art work. <br /><br />You bring up a very good point. Cover art work and titles can be coordinated to produce the maximum benefit in attracting the best prospects and selling the most books. However, I don’t think this is ever done. Departments are very territorial. The art department is going to do the cover and the editorial department is going to control the title. The best organizations always have former copywriters in charge of the who operation. And it really helps if that copywriter has lots of actually selling experience. <br /><br /><b>But consider this:</b> the indie writer can select a title to best go with the cover art at the time it is most needed. I think indies should exploit every advantage they have. This is one of them.<br /><br />Great question. Thanks for commenting today. I appreciate it.<br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-72643587175188472252012-11-03T08:49:13.960-06:002012-11-03T08:49:13.960-06:00Great info! Thanks.
I saw a post from an excellen...Great info! Thanks.<br /><br />I saw a post from an excellent cover artist who said, "If you have the word 'apple' in your title, never show an apple on the cover. Because you're treating the reader "like a moron". But I have trouble reconciling his advice with advice like 'show a sailboat if the book is about sailing'. They both seem like good advice. Can you comment? I'm guessing the key is not to use 'sail' words in the title, but what if your titles are something like "Sailing mysteries"? No sailboats on the cover? Thanks.Carly Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18236823971323039071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-53809594468750111212012-11-03T07:30:03.487-06:002012-11-03T07:30:03.487-06:00Hi Missy:
Wow! Just 25 years old with two World S...<b>Hi Missy:</b><br /><br />Wow! Just 25 years old with two World Series rings. He has a real shot at Yogi Berra’s record of 10 rings. Ask him if he is after Yogi’s record. : )<br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-29246900923182361402012-11-02T23:45:42.243-06:002012-11-02T23:45:42.243-06:00LOL, Vince. I hope to see him Christmas. I'll ...LOL, Vince. I hope to see him Christmas. I'll let you know about the ring! I'm pretty sure he won't have the new one until spring. But maybe we can see the one from 2010. :)Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-3409534778033167172012-11-02T22:25:38.815-06:002012-11-02T22:25:38.815-06:00Hi Tina:
Thanks! You have made my day! It’s been...<b>Hi Tina: </b><br /><br />Thanks! You have made my day! It’s been fun but it is now time to call it a night. I’ll check in Saturday and Sunday.<br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-22907828786010334742012-11-02T22:20:34.055-06:002012-11-02T22:20:34.055-06:00Hi Missy:
Buster may be only 25 -- the problem i...<b>Hi Missy: </b><br /><br />Buster may be only 25 -- the problem is my wife still thinks she’s 45. When will you get to see the World Series ring? See, that's how a man thinks!<br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-14521250722583527042012-11-02T22:16:34.974-06:002012-11-02T22:16:34.974-06:00Hi Audra:
Your wrote:
“…passion needs to be evi...<b>Hi Audra:</b><br /><br />Your wrote:<br /><br /><i> “…passion needs to be evident in our writing and in our covers. A little sauciness and spice on the cover is NOT a bad thing.” </i><br /><br />I think the key is that Julie writes everything with passion and that makes the passionate moments transcend the ordinary meaning of the words. You feel the passion even if you don’t see it. <br /><br />Now, I'll be looking to see that ‘sauciness’ and 'spice' on your first historical romance cover. It's a great marketing idea, that's for sure. <br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-28591079647446313602012-11-02T21:54:11.347-06:002012-11-02T21:54:11.347-06:00Hi Julie:
I would not want you to change a thing....<b>Hi Julie:</b><br /><br />I would not want you to change a thing. If you toned the passion down, then you would join a much bigger pool of ‘me too’ safe titles. This could result in less sales not more. <br /><br />I really think you are in the right place. You just need more people to discover your work. I’d like to see a slogan that says something like: <br /><br /><b> “Passion rich enough to warm the coldest heart yet tender enough to comfort the most gentle soul.” </b><br /><br />Also, putting a bonnet on Charity would be like putting a super bowl ring on an old man: it won’t make him an NFL quarterback! Besides Faith is more the bonnet type.<br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-81266819098435262092012-11-02T21:52:18.400-06:002012-11-02T21:52:18.400-06:00Hi Mary:
Ruth might get the last laugh if her new...<b>Hi Mary:</b><br /><br />Ruth might get the last laugh if her new brand takes off like the Cabbage Patch Dolls of yesteryear! <br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-91907179220448461542012-11-02T20:14:17.222-06:002012-11-02T20:14:17.222-06:00Vince this is such valuable information. Thank you...Vince this is such valuable information. Thank you!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-51254857818339459912012-11-02T19:32:16.308-06:002012-11-02T19:32:16.308-06:00LOL, Vince! Yeah, Buster is only 25. :)LOL, Vince! Yeah, Buster is only 25. :)Missy Tippenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-12939473819648953402012-11-02T19:12:03.067-06:002012-11-02T19:12:03.067-06:00Julie, what's the point of writing romance if ...Julie, what's the point of writing romance if you can't be passionate? Lukewarm emotions don't satisfy. They leave the reader feeling half full -- kinda like a diet.<br /><br />I'm still giggling over the Romantic Comedy with Cabbage : )<br /><br />Anyway, passion needs to be evident in our writing and in our covers. A little sauciness and spice on the cover is NOT a bad thing. Audra Hardershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654717451512952428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-42019816146224157482012-11-02T18:50:05.041-06:002012-11-02T18:50:05.041-06:00VINCE SAID: "This makes me think of the advic...VINCE SAID: "This makes me think of the advice of Will Rogers who advised in his common folk wisdom this: when you go fishing use bait that the fish likes to eat and not what you like to eat."<br /><br />LOL ... you and my husband, Vince!! I write "passionate" Christian romance because it's what I like to "eat," but the Christian market has a much less spicy palate, I assure you, which is why you don't see my books on any CBA bestseller list. Keith keeps trying to persuade me to put a bonnet on Charity to up my sales, but I refuse ... ;)<br /><br />Hugs,<br />JulieJulie Lessmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00406395645316139292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-16256483743140089592012-11-02T18:08:06.252-06:002012-11-02T18:08:06.252-06:00VINCE!!!!!! SHAME ON YOU!!!!
THAT'S RUTHY'...VINCE!!!!!! SHAME ON YOU!!!!<br />THAT'S RUTHY'S NEW BRAND! YOU'LL RUIN THE SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />She was planning to launch it on Thanksgiving, sort of a 'harvest home' moment. Only with cabbage.Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-17164659411184875272012-11-02T16:58:16.744-06:002012-11-02T16:58:16.744-06:00Hi All:
I'll be away for a little while but I...<b>Hi All</b>:<br /><br />I'll be away for a little while but I will check back tonight to answer any questions. This has been fun! <br /><br />I'll also stop in on Saturday and Sunday to see if there have been any comments. <br /><br />Back tonight.<br /><br />And special thanks to LA for the wonderful job she has done in making this post look so good and for all the great follow up questions she asked. <br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-84098707857993036902012-11-02T16:54:29.126-06:002012-11-02T16:54:29.126-06:00Hi Christina:
Thanks for coming by today. Glad yo...Hi Christina:<br /><br />Thanks for coming by today. Glad you liked the post.<br /><br />Vince Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6507548911400837437.post-42277697035398077502012-11-02T16:50:08.677-06:002012-11-02T16:50:08.677-06:00Hi Annie:
Thanks for coming by. And if you can pl...Hi Annie:<br /><br />Thanks for coming by. And if you can please let us know how your meeting with the artist turns out. I will be checking in on both Saturday and Sunday. I wish you well. I'm going to have to do some covers myself soon.<br /><br />VinceVincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.com