Do author cover quotes increase book sales?
**Today is my 300th post -- cool, huh?**
Author cover quotes are a staple of the publishing industry. For newbie authors, a quote/blurb/recommendation (call it what you will) of a famous or well-known author can be like catnip to readers who are fans of that author's work. Though once you've won a major literary award, or made a bestseller list -- these can carry more weight than the author quote. I just love the sound of "New York Times bestselling author Lisa Shearin" -- I ain't there yet; but hey, a girl's gotta have a goal. ; ) Then there's a snippet from a particularly juicy review from a known and respected publication like Publisher's Weekly. That also has clout on the bookshelf.
Do any of these make you pause and pick up a book? And if so, which one is more impressive?
As I mentioned in Wednesday's post on the importance of a good book cover, my agent Kristin Nelson recently did a series of blogs on the buying habits of readers (and did a survey of her own). In her Monday, June 16 post, she referenced an article in which Zogby International, in conjunction with Random House, did a survey on current readership. It includes stats on how and why readers shop, and more importantly what makes them buy.
More than a third (35%) said they have purchased a book because of a quote from another author. That's pretty significant.
When I go into a bookstore, I usually have a particular book (or books) in mind that I want to buy. But as we all do, I scan the shelves, and if something catches my eye, I'll pick it up. One of the things that catches my eye is if I see an endorsement from one of my favorite authors.
For example, a few years ago (back when I was a "pre-published author") I was in my local B&N scanning the shelves, looking for something new. I spotted Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy. The cover was cool, but what snagged my attention was the blurb on the cover from Jim Butcher (as you regular readers know, he's my fav fantasy author). If figure if Jim likes it, I might like it. I picked it up, read the synopsis on the back, scanned the inside -- and boom, bang -- the book came home with me. A cool side story is that Catie Murphy loved Magic Lost, Trouble Found and part of her author quote is on its cover. ; ) Thanks Catie!
So whether it's a cool cover, a quote from a favorite author, an award, or a bestseller list -- anything that gets a potential buyer/reader/future fan to pick up your book is a good thing.
Coming up tomorrow: It's usually a photo, but this week it's a teaser trailer, and it is AWESOME. Drop back by tomorrow to watch it; you'll love it!
Coming up beginning on Monday: We did it before with the MLTF characters, now let's have fun with the A&M cast. If either MLTF or A&M were made into movies, what actor do you see playing which character? We had a blast with this last time; join in the fun again! For Monday's blog, which actors should play Rudra Muralin, Carnades Silvanus, and Banan Ryce?
It's Friday; we made it!
Lisa
Author cover quotes are a staple of the publishing industry. For newbie authors, a quote/blurb/recommendation (call it what you will) of a famous or well-known author can be like catnip to readers who are fans of that author's work. Though once you've won a major literary award, or made a bestseller list -- these can carry more weight than the author quote. I just love the sound of "New York Times bestselling author Lisa Shearin" -- I ain't there yet; but hey, a girl's gotta have a goal. ; ) Then there's a snippet from a particularly juicy review from a known and respected publication like Publisher's Weekly. That also has clout on the bookshelf.
Do any of these make you pause and pick up a book? And if so, which one is more impressive?
As I mentioned in Wednesday's post on the importance of a good book cover, my agent Kristin Nelson recently did a series of blogs on the buying habits of readers (and did a survey of her own). In her Monday, June 16 post, she referenced an article in which Zogby International, in conjunction with Random House, did a survey on current readership. It includes stats on how and why readers shop, and more importantly what makes them buy.
More than a third (35%) said they have purchased a book because of a quote from another author. That's pretty significant.
When I go into a bookstore, I usually have a particular book (or books) in mind that I want to buy. But as we all do, I scan the shelves, and if something catches my eye, I'll pick it up. One of the things that catches my eye is if I see an endorsement from one of my favorite authors.
For example, a few years ago (back when I was a "pre-published author") I was in my local B&N scanning the shelves, looking for something new. I spotted Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy. The cover was cool, but what snagged my attention was the blurb on the cover from Jim Butcher (as you regular readers know, he's my fav fantasy author). If figure if Jim likes it, I might like it. I picked it up, read the synopsis on the back, scanned the inside -- and boom, bang -- the book came home with me. A cool side story is that Catie Murphy loved Magic Lost, Trouble Found and part of her author quote is on its cover. ; ) Thanks Catie!
So whether it's a cool cover, a quote from a favorite author, an award, or a bestseller list -- anything that gets a potential buyer/reader/future fan to pick up your book is a good thing.
Coming up tomorrow: It's usually a photo, but this week it's a teaser trailer, and it is AWESOME. Drop back by tomorrow to watch it; you'll love it!
Coming up beginning on Monday: We did it before with the MLTF characters, now let's have fun with the A&M cast. If either MLTF or A&M were made into movies, what actor do you see playing which character? We had a blast with this last time; join in the fun again! For Monday's blog, which actors should play Rudra Muralin, Carnades Silvanus, and Banan Ryce?
It's Friday; we made it!
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
8:30 AM
2 Comments:
Hey congrats on your 300th post. This post really helped me out. I'm going to self publish my first book in about 6 months to a year so all the information on publishing and helping book sales really helps. Congrats again.
Thank you, Joshua! And the very best of luck with your book. : ) You'll have to keep us all posted.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home