I have two series I'm trying to decide if I need to put new covers on. As a reader, how much do covers help you make a decision? Do you get upset if an author changes a cover and you realize after you purchased the book that you already have it?
Authors, why do you change covers on books? To get new eyes on them, try new marketing? Because the covers are outdated with what is on the books in that genre now?
I'm on the fence. When I said something about changing the covers on my Isabella Mumphrey Adventure series, a marketing person said my covers were perfect for the Adventure/Romantic Suspense that I didn't need to change them. Yet they are my slowest selling series. But one of my favorites. One that if the sales picked up I would write more books in that series.
The other is my first historical western romance series- The Halsey Brothers. The first four books have had two different covers already, book one has had four different covers. The three books and a novella in the Halsey Homecoming series that follows the Halsey Brothers could be made to look more like the fist five books if I recovered. But since sales of Historical western romance is so slow, I'm finding it hard to pay for the covers and do all the changes at all the ebook vendors and the print books.
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This is me talking it out as I write. Something I find helpful. But if any authors or readers want to chime in with your thoughts, I'd love to hear them.
Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 43 novels, 8 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery and western romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Paty and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.
I had one series that I got it 'right' the first time-- Oregon historicals. For the rest, I've changed them all and sometimes more than once. I am not sure it's been a benefit but when I see them and they don't look right to me, I become antsy. Because I do my own, it's not hard to change them or very expensive but does it work to increase sales? I think that's more questionable.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rain. I'm thinking it isn't what I need to deal with right now.
DeleteI've had this same quandary, Paty. Recovering one series did up sales. Friends have suggested I recover another series of seven books. Here's what I think, since you asked. IF you change the covers, at the first of the description put "New cover". I was angry at one author who recovered her books and marketed them as new releases. IF you make that disclaimer at the first of the description and market the books as having new covers, then it might help sales. Haven't you recovered the Halsey brothers' books once? I'm sure my copy of several are different. I like the Isabelle Mumphrey covers but they don't do the books justice. I don't know how to suggest you change them but I believe doing so would be worthwhile--if you can do so without breaking the bank. Then you can re-launch them introducing the new covers so people like me won't buy them a second time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Caroline. Yes, the Halsey books have had several cover changes. What do you suggest for the Isabella books that would better show what they are like? More action?
DeleteI agree with Caroline, if you recover a book make sure to put in the description new cover.... although when it comes to Kindle books if I've already purchased that title even if it has a new cover it will say hey you purchased this on this date.. but it won't do that if it's a print book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting, HurricaneReads. I will definitely have a "Hey look, new covers" promotion when I recover and promote the books and make sure it is the first thing a reader sees when looking at the description.
DeleteI like the Isabella Mumphrey covers. I agree that they convey romance and adventure. Of course, I'd need to see them side by side with anything new you come up with. I've bought many of Mary Stewart's books, and I have a fondness for the original covers. But the inside is just the same. And yes, I do consider the covers when buying a new book. My least fave is when the author places and animal on the cover in an obvious, cartoon-like back ground, usually in a position that does not look natural. All your "people" covers have natural settings, even if they are Photoshopped it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting, Jackie. That's what I think. My Isabella covers are just fine, but why can't I get sales... I'm going to take a closer look at the blurbs and the categories I have them in. Again, thanks for all your thoughts.
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