tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142930702674170471.post7932194662123691438..comments2023-02-21T00:26:51.051-08:00Comments on Why Isn't My Book Selling?: Death Before SwineVictorinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06052077366367623323noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142930702674170471.post-7120251073224017572011-10-14T13:00:38.690-07:002011-10-14T13:00:38.690-07:00I agree the cover is not that good in trying to co...I agree the cover is not that good in trying to convey your meaning and genre to readers. Covers can be remade fairly cheap now-a-days. If you can't find someone or can't do it yourself, give me a ring and I'll see if I can find someone for you. I know some people. touch-of-grace@hotmail.com (Subject: Book Cover )Amy Blackwelderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05097097967425062223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142930702674170471.post-56513555354816352022011-10-14T00:00:54.157-07:002011-10-14T00:00:54.157-07:00The cover doesn't say "mystery" to m...The cover doesn't say "mystery" to me. To my eyes it looks like a thriller or even a war story. But that's at the small size. The problem with ebook covers is that they may look great at print sizes and not so much with the thumbnail. Take a different run at it.<br /><br />The title says humor elements. If so that needs to show more in your blurb. If not, you need a different title.<br /><br />The first line of your blurb can be used as a tag line, but shouldn't lead off your blurb. And while I understand the whole "quiz of his life" thing, questions in blurbs really should be avoided. We don't really know why HE has to catch the killer, as many have pointed out.<br /><br />As for the writing, it's good. There's no reason why this shouldn't sell. The biggest problem is definitely the cover. Good luck!MeiLin Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17590059336785844546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142930702674170471.post-52787643613947071722011-10-13T14:03:49.705-07:002011-10-13T14:03:49.705-07:00Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I really apprec...Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I really appreciate all the comments, and you've given me things to think about.V.K. Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00643572290870186108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142930702674170471.post-67247636923964438642011-10-12T19:15:24.286-07:002011-10-12T19:15:24.286-07:00I would overhaul the blurb. But, that's becau...I would overhaul the blurb. But, that's because the story is good--and the blurb is failing to get that across. I would have kept reading the story--expect, I would have never had the chance, you would have lost me at the cover...and had I clicked on the cover, by chance, the blurb would have lost me.<br /><br />I'm not a fan of literal covers, but I feel like a cover should at least be understandable. The current cover just does not grab me. It smacks of homespun 1980's bold nonsensical graphics. You can capture the vibe of a book, be covert with the message, and still be relevant. It calls for a re-do. <br /><br />On a side note, I like the story...it has the power to capture a reader in first 300 words and lock them in for a long haul. Rise up to meet that. That may mean a new cover, a new blurb...but your book is clearly worth it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142930702674170471.post-79774981510184381852011-10-12T18:55:19.736-07:002011-10-12T18:55:19.736-07:00I like everything about it except the cover. I can...I like everything about it except the cover. I can't even tell what it is on the cover - too busy and messy. The writing is good and the first 300 words interesting. It hooked me right away and made me want to read it.Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10384070533603453713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142930702674170471.post-39167597965443173132011-10-12T18:40:25.280-07:002011-10-12T18:40:25.280-07:00My first thought on looking at the cover and the t...My first thought on looking at the cover and the title was post-apocalyptic. It doesn't say mystery to me at all.<br /><br />I see a lot of people using a broken font and it doesn't work for me, except maybe for horror.<br /><br />The blurb is good until you say<br /><br />"and found himself with a new assignment -- catch the killer."<br /><br />So, how did he get this assignment? Maybe something more like<br /><br />"and found himself driven to catch the killer."<br /><br />Not perfect, but you get the general idea.<br /><br />I like the opening and would definitely read more.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04832055618604176686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142930702674170471.post-80590721755884399722011-10-12T18:27:45.107-07:002011-10-12T18:27:45.107-07:00I pretty much agree with Vicki's assessment. G...I pretty much agree with Vicki's assessment. Get a genre cover. Have MeiLinMiranda on KB help with the blurb.<br /><br />I actually think the blurb is a bigger problem than the cover - the cover is interesting enough that I'd take a look even though it's not genre specific. But the blurb has no sense of stakes - so, a killer gets away if he fails? Happens all the time. I don't know why it's vital to this particular character, or why it's his new assignment. I just don't get a sense of urgency.<br /><br />It seems like you're really, really close. I'd address those things, then publish the next book, thinking of those packaging elements along the way. If one title gets traction, it's likely to help the other, right? Especially if they're both packaged as well as they can be. Good luck!<br /><br />GenevieveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5142930702674170471.post-66323059987422455732011-10-12T17:35:17.889-07:002011-10-12T17:35:17.889-07:00The opening sentences are interesting and well wri...The opening sentences are interesting and well written. The book cover needs a serious overhaul, so I was surprised to find I liked the opening. I wanted to keep reading.<br /><br />I agree with Vicki's comments about the blurb. I would fill in the missing questions she outlined -- without giving away the plot, if that's possible. Blurbs are very hard for me, so you have my sympathy.<br /><br />Back to the book cover, the black letters in the title disappear against the busy background, which looks like an abstract painting. I would pay a professional cover artist to create a suspenseful cover that is readable in full scale and thumbnail with the title in big type, plus shows the genre, and instead of abstract design, maybe a human face or human figure.Holly Granthttp://hollistergrant.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com