From Pages to Pages: WHY BOOK COVERS ARE SO IMPORTANT! by Linell Jepsen @nelj8

I remember following a discussion thread on Amazon a couple of years ago that addressed the issue~ some said that e-book covers do not matter, but I disagreed. There are so many books to browse on Amazon, Goodreads, assorted book sites, Smashwords, B and N, etc. There is also a lot of competition even getting your own book seen!

The BIG houses certainly know that good cover art is vital to the success of a book, and so should the small press and Indie authors. I heard, recently, that there are over two and a half MILLION independent books now, on Amazon alone, so great art is a must!

I write, primarily, science fiction and fantasy, so my art is even more important. My publisher does a great job, but I also hire a graphic designer who customizes my art to represent the characters, time and place of my assorted novels.

Onio is a quarter Sasquatch male who falls in love with a human girl. As you can see he is quite handsome, tall (about 6’7) and very hairy! Melody is pretty, but she is wearing no make-up… I mean, why would she? She is with a tribe of Sasquatches deep within the Rocky Mountains. The story takes place, mostly, during the wintertime- so there is a snowy background- perfect for the time and place.

http://www.amazon.com/Onio-ebook/dp/B00AFC063E/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354302355&sr=1-2-fkmr1&keywords=Onio+by+Linell+Jeppsen+Kindle+version

All of my covers are custom made- Detour to Dusk is one that has a real, live model on the cover, but in the background, there is a tall, winged man. This is a vampire thriller, and the protagonists are huge, evil, winged creatures. The lake in the background is beautiful Lake Christina, in Canada.

http://www.amazon.com/Detour-to-Dusk-ebook/dp/B008LFIDQE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342354046&sr=1-1&keywords=Detour+To+Dusk+by+Linell+Jeppsen+kindle+edition

One of my favorites is the cover of The War of Odds- an urban faerie tale. The girl’s name is Sara, the little sprite is Pollo, and the cat is called Hissaphat. He is a warrior general from the land of the fae. The evil, red eyes in the cave… well, you had better read it and find out! LOL!

http://www.amazon.com/The-War-of-Odds-ebook/dp/B00ELOSGX4/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376689986&sr=1-1&keywords=the+war+of+odds+edition+by+linell+jeppsen

So, you have sweated blood and tears on your new book- don’t cheap out now and put up mediocre art for your opus. Make your novel as irresistible as possible to the millions of readers out there who are browsing for a new book to read!