The Quest for the Perfect Cover

Everyone has different tastes in the arts, whether it’s aural, visual, or written.   Just as many of us write contemporary romance compared to paranormal, or sweet romance compared to erotic, our tastes in visual art differ as well.

I am very much the type that likes dark, sultry covers with deep shadows, bright highlights, and lots and lots of rich color.  Of course, those dark colors also match the moods of my stories ““ most of what I write is paranormal and erotic, so I like it to have a bit of a creepy feel.

However, if I were to write a sweet, contemporary romance, I would much rather have a light, airy cover that exudes hearts and flowers instead of sex and danger.  What your publisher doesn’t tell you is that your cover art sets the whole tone for the book.

If the cover art doesn’t match the story ““ if the models aren’t right or the scenery isn’t close to your setting, then there’s a good chance that the reader is going to come out disappointed.

I know I do.  I’m very much the visual type ““ the kind of reader who will pick up a book because it has a pretty cover.  It’s your first impression, and remember”¦you don’t get a second first impression.

Take a look at my covers.

It should be pretty obvious just from looking at them that the stories inside are dark and sexy.  These pictures are meant to catch a reader’s attention, to draw her in and make her question what’s really going on.  And hopefully, her curiosity will be piqued to the point where she just has to buy my book and read it.

Whether she likes it or not afterward, I can’t promise.  I hope that she will.  I want her to like it, because that means she might buy my next book.  But if my cover art is perfect for my story, then half the battle is already won.

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SIOBHAN’s BOOKS:

Marked – Available at Sugar & Spice Press
Haunted – As S.H. Roddey – Available in the Kindle Store

COMING SOON:

She-Wolf – coming September 29th from Sugar & Spice Press
Blood Doll – coming October 27th from Sugar & Spice Press
Something in the Air – coming Winter 2012 from Rebel Ink Press