Comments on: Branding: What Do You Have a Taste For? http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/ About the craft and business of genre fiction Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:32:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: maureen http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/#comment-22154 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:21:34 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/#comment-22154 For me, it's all about the cover and title flowing together. When I'm in a book store I'm not going to stop and read about every book that has a catchy name. Especially when the books are on the shelf and you can't see the cover. So I have to slide every book out that looks interesting and that suits my taste and study the cover and then, only then will I know that that is a book for my shelves at home. Books like Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, Duchess of Aquitaine by Margaret Ball, and Paradise by Toni Morrison. I like it best when the cover is a detailed painting of a scene from the book. For me, it’s all about the cover and title flowing together. When I’m in a book store I’m not going to stop and read about every book that has a catchy name. Especially when the books are on the shelf and you can’t see the cover. So I have to slide every book out that looks interesting and that suits my taste and study the cover and then, only then will I know that that is a book for my shelves at home. Books like Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, Duchess of Aquitaine by Margaret Ball, and Paradise by Toni Morrison. I like it best when the cover is a detailed painting of a scene from the book.

]]> by: Therese Walsh http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/#comment-17986 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:18:04 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/#comment-17986 You're right, of course, Eric: Branding does have to do with a lot more than the cover. But the cover is where it starts, don't you think? I nearly bought that book Alchemist's Daughter this past week because of its look; that's what caught my attention. Yes, I read the back cover too, and I thought it sounded like a good book. It really took some doing to just leave it at B&N and get back home to seek out some reviews. I decided, after, that it probably wasn't the book for me. One historically rich tome at a time, thank you. ;) Mary, thanks for the tip. I've signed up for Karen's newsletter. You’re right, of course, Eric: Branding does have to do with a lot more than the cover. But the cover is where it starts, don’t you think? I nearly bought that book Alchemist’s Daughter this past week because of its look; that’s what caught my attention. Yes, I read the back cover too, and I thought it sounded like a good book. It really took some doing to just leave it at B&N and get back home to seek out some reviews. I decided, after, that it probably wasn’t the book for me. One historically rich tome at a time, thank you. ;)

Mary, thanks for the tip. I’ve signed up for Karen’s newsletter.

]]> by: MaryK http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/#comment-17936 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:38:16 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/#comment-17936 The one thing that guarantees I will pick up a book for a look is a good review of the book by a staff member in the bookstore. This has worked well thus far. I would pick up a book with interesting cover art, but it would have to have a lot more going for it than that for me to buy it. Karen Duvall talks about Author Branding in her Newsletter KAREN'S PROMO TIPS Number 15 (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Karens_promo_tips/) The one thing that guarantees I will pick up a book for a look is a good review of the book by a staff member in the bookstore. This has worked well thus far.

I would pick up a book with interesting cover art, but it would have to have a lot more going for it than that for me to buy it.

Karen Duvall talks about Author Branding in her Newsletter KAREN’S PROMO TIPS Number 15 (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Karens_promo_tips/)

]]> by: Eric http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/#comment-17878 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:58:08 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/#comment-17878 Yes, all this branding stuff matters a lot. Writers don't like to admit it, but... it really does. I think it's a lot more than just the cover though. A lot of it has to do with all the stuff I talked about in the Media Franchise post. People will remember a catchy name better, and will embrace a concept that makes sense to them and can be easily summarized. Yes, all this branding stuff matters a lot. Writers don’t like to admit it, but… it really does.

I think it’s a lot more than just the cover though. A lot of it has to do with all the stuff I talked about in the Media Franchise post.

People will remember a catchy name better, and will embrace a concept that makes sense to them and can be easily summarized.

]]> by: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/#comment-17864 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:25:32 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2007/08/14/branding-what-do-you-have-a-taste-for/#comment-17864 I'm afraid that a handsome cover does influence how I approach the read. It subliminally tells me that if the publisher cared enough to give the book a special cover, they love it too...therefore I must love it. Doesn't always work out, though. I've read plenty of wonderful books with a gag-inducing cover too. But they have to work a little harder to convince me to open it up. I’m afraid that a handsome cover does influence how I approach the read. It subliminally tells me that if the publisher cared enough to give the book a special cover, they love it too…therefore I must love it. Doesn’t always work out, though.

I’ve read plenty of wonderful books with a gag-inducing cover too. But they have to work a little harder to convince me to open it up.

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