If you are book lover like me, you read a lot. The types of books that I read vary from children's, mystery, suspense and business to biographies. For me, books provide several avenues for discovering new worlds to educate me on things that surround me. What attracts your attention about the books that you read?

For me, it is the book cover. Books offer an insight into the soul of the subject. When I think about reviewing a book, it is the cover that first captures my attention. Once I begin to embrace the cover, then I delve into the book’s write up to see if there is a marriage between the two.

Here is an example of a good marriage for a story:

Johnny worked at the refinery, but had always been told that he had a great singing voice with excellent stage presence. Johnny was magical when he was on stage because when he sang the audience would become captivated and mesmerized. There had been several record labels that wanted to sign him, but his life did not create the environment that he believed would support this type of career change.

So he continued with his life as it was, but continued to sing at local lounges, events and other types of venues. One day a well-known record producer was sitting in The Sanctuary Lounge and got a chance to experience Johnny’s performance. The producer was in awe of Johnny and wanted to sign him on the spot. Johnny had exactly what the producer had been looking for - something new and fresh. Little did Johnny know that this chance encounter with the producer would take him down a road that he least expected.

Choose a category for this book:

Mystery and Suspense

Romance

Biography

Other

Now imagine, based on the book category that you have chosen, how the cover should look in connection with the story. Suppose you saw a book cover with some birds and grass with a backdrop of Scotland. Would this book provide you with a great impression of what the book contains? There are times that the essence of the story does not quite fit what the book cover conveys.

When you create your story, begin to imagine what type of book cover would resonate with your audience. The cover must speak, give life and draw in the audience. It pays to spend a little money to get a unique cover professionally done instead of using the book templates that anyone can use. Look at it this way, just like a business card that you give someone to work with you, you want to entice the reader to purchase your book.

Here are some quick tips that you should consider when choosing a cover:

What are you saying about the book?

Who would or should be interested in the book?

Why should your book be purchased?

How do you want to connect with the reader?

Once you have envisioned yourself in the reader’s seat, you can then begin to not only focus on your story, but begin to bridge the marriage between the cover and the story. Read It Is All In the Spine Part II to learn about why the spine itself can be important for the reader.