Cover Charge

The added fees in an economy of attention

Hey! How do you judge a book?

There are noble answers that focus on the story and the idea, but those are often lofty goals reserved for classics or established authors more than the cold call.

And as a writer on the small side of the scale, all my offers are the coldest of cold.

So, I asked.

To my surprise, people sent me answers!

There were some details added or left out, but everyone who sent me a message included the word cover.

I think it’s safe to say the key component to anyone picking up a new book by an unknown author is that first impression.

Consistency

I’ve worked closely with my little sister to have a unified style across my covers, but I’m not entirely sure how this translates into marketable interest.

I believe it creates a certain cohesion across my writing, but I do wonder how it looks to the stranger’s eye.

A different choice in grabbing attention on the bookshelf alongside countless others.

I may be very biased, but I believe the art and the images we came up with and created to be both engaging and enticing. My world comes to life in a few flashes of colors and hints of what’s hiding on the pages inside.

What we didn’t do, however, was conform to any industry standards.

I can easily see how my covers are effectively speaking a different language to potential readers.

I’m not sure that’s a bad thing.

Selling Point

I have a style that doesn’t like to compromise with outside pressure. I assuredly end up caving to expectations to an extent, but my stubborn will persists in the printed ink.

For most of my life, I’ve been an outsider.

I’m used to not quite fitting in.

It would be a betrayal to my soul to sacrifice who I am.

Or so says the dramatic voice shouting in the back of my head.

I do want to try incorporating more effective sales tactics without compromising my core. If for nothing else then to sate my curiosity.

To speak plainly, I’m talking about simple things like describing Significatorius with clichés and tropes:

• Forced Proximity

• Found Family

• Fish Out Of Water

• Hidden History

• Musical Metaphors

Maybe I should give these magic words a bit more credit for the power they wield.

Reasonable Reviews

I’ve also been thinking about this as a new reader shared their adventure of working through Maneus.

That tome of a novel has a rough start for many people. The first 100 pages are pure chaos and I came close to not including them for that very reason.

However, I found that length just barely acceptable. Moreover, I knew that the first generation added more to the story than would ever be worth taking away.

This book starts in pure chaos which will have you questioning what you are reading. The best way i can explain it is by saying its like being thrown in the ocean and expected to build a raft. However, it is worth it questions will be answered as you continue reading. However not all questions are made to be answered.

If you are looking for a chaotic fantasy with no romance definately check this out. I loved book 2 for me book 1 was a little too chaotic for me and some parts felt rushed and other things were not explained as much as I would like.

Ria Dev’s review is honest in both how lost she was at first and how much she grew to love the story. While that initial confusion may have detracted more than its fair share, the overall impact wouldn’t be the same without it.

And that’s okay.

I also took note of how she carefully qualified my book as no romance fantasy. Perhaps a specific thing I should point out more clearly!

Until next time,

—JMB