I'm a novelist, a nonfiction writer and an MFA Graphic Designer. I have three books in print which I designed, and I design books for others. As much as I love good writing AND a good cover, there's a lot of mythology at work here. Only a minority of books ever make it to a real bookstore, and only a fraction of these aren't shelved so only the spine is visible. Covers, by themselves, don't offer much marketing push until the needle has been found and plucked from the haystack. A veritable miracle has to occur before the cover's magic can even come into play.
The difference is that great writing makes an impression over time; great design makes an impression instantly. Cover art, typesetting and other aesthetic factors create expectations about the quality of the writing. When I design a book cover, I don't expect it to sell books, but I expect it not to deter people from buying it.
Anyone who completes a book is a hero in my eyes; it takes incredible focus, dedication, time and hard work. Much of writing, especially fiction, is pure art, and art has always transcended practical boundaries. Why not honor both the work and the author with a great book design? Whether it sells books or not isn't really the question.
On Six Writers Tell All About Covers and Blurbs
I'm a novelist, a nonfiction writer and an MFA Graphic Designer. I have three books in print which I designed, and I design books for others. As much as I love good writing AND a good cover, there's a lot of mythology at work here. Only a minority of books ever make it to a real bookstore, and only a fraction of these aren't shelved so only the spine is visible. Covers, by themselves, don't offer much marketing push until the needle has been found and plucked from the haystack. A veritable miracle has to occur before the cover's magic can even come into play.
The difference is that great writing makes an impression over time; great design makes an impression instantly. Cover art, typesetting and other aesthetic factors create expectations about the quality of the writing. When I design a book cover, I don't expect it to sell books, but I expect it not to deter people from buying it.
Anyone who completes a book is a hero in my eyes; it takes incredible focus, dedication, time and hard work. Much of writing, especially fiction, is pure art, and art has always transcended practical boundaries. Why not honor both the work and the author with a great book design? Whether it sells books or not isn't really the question.
Dave Bricker
http://www.essentialabsurdities.com