I’ve read many blogs on WordPress regarding increasing our book sales. Apparently we all need to have a great cover to start with. However, I beg to differ, as I’m of the opinion that what is printed in-between the front and back covers is more important. So here is my list of things I look for when buying a book. They are in no particular order, just as I think of them:
1. My favourite genres:
I will seek out autobiographies, biographies, psychological suspense, women’s fiction dramas, or novels with a dry wit.
2. Ratings:
I am usually drawn to those books which have higher ratings.
3. An interesting blurb that makes me want to read more:
This will cause me to download a free sample. If I like what I read I will go on to buy the book.
4. Good reviews:
Yes I do read a book’s reviews, and nowadays hopefully they are genuine.
5. The price:
I will pay up to £2.99 for an e-book if it takes my fancy. Anything more than this…no. I don’t often buy paperbacks these days as I prefer my Kindle.
6. Book length:
I am definitely put off by anything more than about 250 pages.
7. Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation:
I think this is really important. Any they’re/there/their and your/you’re mistakes is a real turn off for starters, let alone spelling howlers and lack of punctuation.
8. Formatted professionally for Kindle:
I am in the process of getting all my books professionally formatted. I like to read a professionally formatted book, and therefore I would like my own readers to have the same experience.
9. Books in my genre that have been recommended to me:
Yes I do take note of those recommendations that Amazon send by email. Strangely enough they are always just the kind of book I’m looking for! I have bought many books this way.
10. A book that is available for purchase on Kindle Unlimited:
I pay a monthly fee in order to be able to obtain a certain number of books on Kindle Unlimited. Therefore I am more likely to buy a book sporting the Kindle Unlimited logo.
As you can see, a cover doesn’t feature on my list at all. It can be a brown paper cover for all I care – it’s what’s inside that’s important!
What do you look for when buying a book?
Stevie Turner said:
Exactly – they’re just to flesh out the author pages, but why all the hype and the big build up to a cover release? The time would be better spent tweaking the writing instead!
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tidalscribe said:
How true about covers. In the nearly five years since my birthday present Kindle I have read a lot of books on it and by it’s very nature book covers are of little importance because we can’t see them. Paper books sit there on your coffee table, covers proudly displayed for all to see. I download Indie Authors after reading about the writer or being intrigued by the book description. Kindle covers do have their importance; our Kindle author pages would look a bit dull without them!
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dgkaye said:
Wow, why am I still surprised we are so similar in many ways, lol. I am with you on every count! I have that same criteria. And while I will add that a boring or amateurish cover won’t sway me to not buy the book if all else listed is good, a good cover will catch my eye if I’m surfing Amazon, prompting me to check out the other criteria, whereas if I’m not looking for a particular book or recommend and I’m surfing, my eye will scan right by a possibly good read because it didn’t catch the attention of a nice cover. Does that make sense? 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Er … I think so!
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dgkaye said:
🙂
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jenanita01 said:
I tend to fall for a brilliant or unusual title. At least, that’s where I begin!
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Stevie Turner said:
Good one. Yes, the title is very important too. Are you influenced by the cover?
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jenanita01 said:
Only if it suits the title…so many don’t these days…
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robbiesinspiration said:
Interesting post, Stevie. I do look at these things too but lately I have been reading books written mostly by blogging friends. If I like their posts I always like their books too. It makes it really easy.
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, I’ve found interesting books this way too. Also many bloggers ask me to review their books, and I do if it’s a genre I like.
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fearlessinjesuschrist said:
I am very picky about what I read. My favorite genre is historical Christian fiction. I don’t like curse words or explicit sex. You can say, rightly, I am a prude. I loved your book Lily!!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you! I prefer not to write explicit sex, but sometimes the story needs a sexual encounter and I think readers expect some sex in their stories these days. However, I leave much to the imagination when I write. I’m currently writing a dark comedy with some curses but no explicit sex. I’m quite enjoying myself with it!
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fearlessinjesuschrist said:
Great, I look forward to it!
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