I am pleased to share the final cover of my book. It is a printed laminated hard cover with a cloth binding because the plan is to market it to craft stores and these kind of stores do not like jacket covers. You may think that authors of books have a say about titles, covers, etc. It may be true for some, not for me. The two quilts on the cover are not quilts from the essays in the book. Does that matter to you? If you saw the book on the shelf, would you look at it? What does the quilts on the book say to you? Would you buy the book based on the cover and description? Thanks for your input.
Hi Karen, congratulations on your book. Since you asked for comments about the cover, I'll be brutally honest.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the pictured quilts are nice, if I opened the book and found neither of them featured or at least mentioned, I would feel quite cheated. The colors of the cover (black and dark green) are way too dark and gloomy ... perhaps to evoke the feeling of "attic"? but are not conducive to my picking up the book in the first place. Even the photograph of the front cover quilt seems muted and dark. Surely some more appealing photograph can be found, of one of the quilts in the book.
The title, concept, and description are all great! Based on those alone, I would buy the book ... but I would have to get past the gloomy-looking cover first, to even read them.
Well, you asked! Good luck with this publication.
Congratulations on your book! The masthead on your blog invites you in to see more. The cover of the book needs some color, some zip, that says "look at me" blue, red. What colors inside that quilt on the cover could you use to pop out the color? Coral, red, blue?
ReplyDeleteLove the front picture and the back of cover. While the dark green along the spine continues the "attic/old fashioned" theme and is acceptable, the only change I might make is to pick out one of the orange/peach colors in the quilt pictured in the front, shade it down a bit and use it as the spine color...Pantone has Tangerine Tango as an "in color" right now and a color related to that might give your quilt better book shelf presence.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover if only because it is simple and thus would stand out from the other books on the racks. There's also a sense of the mysterious and the quilt shown sort of makes you want to look more closely. The darkness brings to mind the darkness of an attic and the fact that these quilts may have been submerged in the shadows and are now being brought to light.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I think the fact that none of the quilts which are illustrated on the cover are in the book is problematic. If I bought it based on the cover, then I'd be ticked that the information on the quilts which are pictured are not included. Big time ticked.
The double wedding ring on the back doesn't do anything for me....an overused pattern and this one is pretty boring.
The essay on the back is intriguing and would make me want to pick it up and read it. However, I know that quilt history books (without patterns) do not sell as well as books with patterns and how to make the illustrated quilts.
Your description of the contents definitely makes me interested in the book. The cover is kind of neutral for me; it's attractive but doesn't reach out and grab me. One thing that WOULD annoy me though, is if I bought the book becuse one of the cover images was particularly interesting to me -- for example, if I had a similar quit in MY attic -- and then I discovered that the quilt wasn't discussed in the book. I definitely think the cover images should actually reflect what's discussed in the book.
ReplyDeleteI always prefer to be able to read about what's on the cover. The cover is what draws me to a book in combination with the title. The title is fine though.
ReplyDeleteThe book does look a bit dark, and like it was published a decade ago.
Well Karen, I always like to be asked my opinion!I would expect that the quilts on the cover would be referred to somewhere inside the book, but, if the book is full of plenty of good stuff I might not notice that in the end, anyway.
ReplyDeleteIf I were looking for a book to add to the group of the antique/historic books on quilts already on my shelf, recognising your name, I would probably pick this one up and read the blurb on the back. I can't read that cover text from here; but if it seemed to have some angle related to people's saved/hoarded/undiscovered family treasures as suggested by the title, and if it sounded interesting, I would then take a look inside, and only then and depending on my impression of the contents, might buy it. The photography and cover design is very traditional and doesn't feel very 'new', and overall may not be especially thoughtful, as I say its hard to tell without seeing the blurb on the back. I would never buy such a book on the basis of the basis of the cover alone anyway - I'd have to see something inside that grabbed me.
Having said all that, I think the book will have wide appeal - people never tire of seeing lovely old quilts and presumably the stories you have to go with some of them are uniquely interesting. I hope it does well for you.
I think the cover design is tasteful, beautiful typography, and therefore appealing to me. Perhaps the classic typography and austere beauty of the cover will be a turn-off to younger readers, even though I like it.
ReplyDeleteI would feel really cheated if I bought the book and found that the quilts on the cover were generic rather than those discussed inside. That would be a major negative -- but of course, after I've already bought the book, what could I do? (Well, since I have a blog and lots of followers and participate on email lists with thousands of readers, I guess I could trash it in public, but probably wouldn't unless it came up in a discussion of how publishers operate.)
I would look at the book based on the cover and description; not sure I would buy it unless I could look inside and see what kind of discussion it is. But that's because I'm not thinking or buying much about traditional quilts these days.
Honestly, this cover looks like a zillion other quilt book covers to me. Nothing to grab my attention and make me look inside.
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteI assume that the quilts discussed are the comfort quilts of our lives, traditional quilts. If not, the quilts are misleading.
The title concerns me because the last place a quilt should be is in the attic. Maybe that is the point of the book, that old quilts are being destroyed by lack of knowledge, appreciation and care.
I am drawn to the concept of uncovering the stories of the quilts. But I am unlikely to see that part of the title in a quick look and so often a book is only known by the major title, not the whole title.
If I was in love with the quilt on the cover, I would probably look for the story in the book. the cover and the description says this is a book that is about only traditional historical quilts. I know that isn't the case so I don't feel either the cover or description is true to the book.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks good! And I like how the new cover focuses more on the quilt than the version posted on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
I would want the book to relate to something in the book. Also, personally I think the cover is too dark. Something brighter would draw my attention more and make me feel like I am reading something just published, not something from another time period. Just my perceptions...
ReplyDeleteI hope you are very successful with your book.
Yes, it would matter to me, that the picture on the cover is not in the book. Sometimes, it's the quilt on the cover that makes a difference in my purchase,,,, if it is in the book, that is. The quilts say to me, that is a book about traditional, vintage, antique quilts. Also, Karen, I think the cover is a bit dark... doesn't really stand out. But, my main problem is that the quilts on the cover are not part of the book's essays. Too bad you don't have say or control of the book's cover.
ReplyDeleteKaren
ReplyDeleteI think as long as the cover quilts are of the same vintage as the quilts in the writing that the relationship regarding era of the two would make it not a big issue. There may be folks, however, who would want to see in the writing the quilts that may have been the "pull" to them to purchase the book. The title draws my interest, and in addition to my knowledge of the author as artist and friend, there is that piece of something hidden, something potentially lost and now found that does pull me to the book. It will find a home on my shelf, for sure.
Kristin McNamara Freeman
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteWhile the cover is beautiful and professional looking to me , as a graphic artist . But as a Art quilter or even traditional quilter, it doesn't catch me ... it looks like a history book that I may or may not learn or garnish ideas from. What is it about? I read the back but most people buy books like this on first instinct...and in today's economy some like me have to chose between a book or more fabric....
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the book! I have to agree with Linda at QuiltArt Digest about the dark cover, though. I'm afraid I wouldn't be drawn to it - too gloomy, or just too ... dark.
As for the cover quilts not being in the book, I think I might feel a bit cheated that they weren't part of the book. I once bought a book based solely on my reaction to the quilt on the cover. When it wasn't discussed inside the book I felt cheated -a victim of bait and switch. But it was a pattern book not an essay, so maybe that makes a difference.
In any event, good luck and congratulations again!
I am interested in the topic of family stories and would potentially look at this book. But I do not find the cover interesting. I find it unimaginative,unenticing - it looks like a book from the 70's - I know it's about old quilts but surely there must be a contemporary way of designing covers for this topic. I would be very annoyed that the quilts pictured are not actually referred to in the book. It would make me suspicious of the publisher thereafter.
ReplyDeleteBut well done for getting it all together.
If I like the quilt on the cover, and I do, I would expect to read about/see it in the book itself. Otherwise, it's like when you read a bodice ripper and the heroine has rippling ebony hair and the damsel on the cover's blonde locks let me know that the author did not have any say! When I was younger, I just assumed that the illustrator had not read the book! Now as a librarian, I understand the process a mite more. But having said that, I would buy the book because I am very interested in historical quilts. Do at least try to track down and give the book's quilt's maker credit! Good luck, the book sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteI would buy this book in a heartbeat because the subject matter appeals to me. I am guessing that you are somewhat disappointed in the dark color, but I don't find it unappealing at all.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that you want something that will catch the eye of the customer, but I think it does that. Once I pick up a book, I read the information on the back, thumb through the entire book to see what's in it, and then make the final decision about purchasing. But like I said, the subject matter would attract my attention. I am no longer looking for pattern books, but rather books that will inform and educate me. The mention of "stories" invites me to look further.
I might be somewhat disappointed if I didn't find the stories of the cover quilts in the book, but probably not enough to worry about it.
I know what you mean about not getting to have input into the cover design. I also have a book coming out in January, and I had no say in the cover design. I think this is pretty much the way it is in the book publishing world. I resigned myself to that, and am happy to trust those who know better than I about such things.
Good luck on the success of your book. I will be looking for it.
I agree with some of the other comments - the cover is too dark. I am sorry to say it would not attract my interest. Because I do art and fiber work, I would like to see more color and a more contemporary look. I also am bothered that the cover quilts are not in the book. Is there some reason that the quilts you write about can't be used on the cover? I feel like a real wet blanket here, but I do want your book to be successful. Good luck. I hope you end up with something you really love.
ReplyDeleteLynn Kunz
Books = Libraries = dark paneled walls = love!!! My emotional response.........however, I agree with the comment about "bait & switch" ....feeling taken by not finding the cover quilts included in the text. How hard is it for the book sellers/publishers to pay attention to such a major detail? The editor makes notes to the artist.....includes possible pictures.........???? instead the artist takes off on their own path digging up photos from their own archieves????? Seems like the same amount of time is invested overall. Ultimately it will be the reviews of the stories that sell it; just makes one sad that another industry could care less about the public they "serve" snort.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is beautiful and tasteful and doesn't grab me at all. Looks like any number of books I had back in the day, but it really doesn't jazz me into opening the cover or wanting the book. And I would DEFINITELY expect any quilt pictured on the cover to be part of the contents. That they are not somehow reminds me of that toilet paper ad from a few years back with the ladies using knitting needles to "quilt." SO clearly created by someone who had no clue about the subject matter and caused a great and laughable brouhaha in the quilting world. But I'm sure the book itself is wonderful and if people can get past the cover, it should sell. Best of luck with it!
ReplyDeleteHi Karen----I am not sure if it is the scan or the artwork, but the cover looks terribly drab and uninteresting. If I was in B and N (my favorite place for book browsing) I would go right past it as it says traditional and boring to me. Furthermore I expect a work of art used in a cover, frontpiece or back of a book cover to be discussed in the book. I would feel that I had been led astray if it wasn't in the book, and would be angry if I had been lured into buying the book by that quilt which had interested me. I also think the quilt selected for the cover does not say anything and is not eye catching-----it is something even a novice could make.
ReplyDeleteI have not yet read the other comments, so I may be way out of line. I would not buy a book based on the cover, but I probably wouldn't even look twice at this book. The image is dark and uninteresting to me. If I discovered that the quilts on the cover were not included in the text of the book I might just write a letter of complaint to the publisher. I think that is dishonest "advertising" and it would make me angry. Hope you can affect a change before it goes to the printer. Del Thomas
ReplyDeleteCongrats Karen! I've been in the "author has no say on the cover" bind myself. I'll write it in to my next (I hope) contract! This cover is, as Suzanne Sanger said, elegant, tasteful, and looks like a zillion others. The biggest issue, though, is that the quilts aren't in the book. From the blurb, it sounds like there are MANY wonderful quilts...why not use what is IN the book? As well, Janice P-D said the blurb doesn't reflect the contect... to me it looks like this book is only about old, traditional quilts. If that isn't the case, the publisher is missing out on catching a whole other segment of the market!
ReplyDelete