The cover of my upcoming release Power Play (July 2008) got me thinking about covers. My publisher believes that it has the one element that will make it attractive to readers unlike my…ahem…less successful cover forThe Glass Slipper Project. Can you guess?
That’s correct. Power Play has a man and readers like that, right? Colleen Thompson’s blog post Four Naked Chests and a Pickup: That Oughta Cover It proves this theory as she analyzes the chosen covers for Houston Bay Area Romance Writer’s 3rd Annual Judge a Book By its Cover competition.
I hope readers will find Taming Mariella a happy medium.
What do you think? Does a man on the cover influence your romance buying habits? Tomorrow around 3pm I’ll choose someone to win an autographed copy of Taming Mariella and deluxe triple lipstick purse.
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A sexy man on the cover a book always draws my attention. A six pack and a rippling muscles are hot. I have noticed that bright vibrant colors draw my attention also.
by Patty L.
on March 3rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
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I don’t need a man on the cover to know it’s a romance novel! Of the three above, I like Taming Mariella. It’s sexy without being over the top or cheesy. I also like the glass slipper image. Handsome men and even naked chests are nice, but I prefer covers that leave something to the imagination. Covers with faces aren’t my favorite.
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I think it draws your attention enough to pick up the book and read the back. But I don’t think it has to have a man on it to do that. If it has a catchy title or cover that drws my attention then I at least have to read the back to see if it is a book I would want to read. I agree with Jill about faces on a cover, I like to imagine what he looks like throught the description in the book.
by Rebekah
on March 3rd, 2008 at 9:03 am
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First, I like books that have an interesting title, which then makes me pick up the book and read the back to see if it draws my attention. I also like a cover that is more sensual, but not necessarily having vivid faces to see; like the others comments I like to use my own imagination in what the characters look like from the author’s description (sometimes I find the author’s description of a person is very different from what the cover portrays). Covers like ‘Taming Mariella’ draw my attention as they say ’sexy and hot’ to me and still let my imagination run wild.
by Shari C
on March 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 am
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A man on the cover doesn’t really influence my buying the book or not. At first when I started reading romances it might have and probably did but now, many years later, there are other covers that could influence me. I love scenery on books because the color is so beautiful; I think the covers are a form of art and I like beautiful covers. I am not necessarily influenced by it though. The back blurb or an excerpt on the web site tend to influence me more.
by RobynL
on March 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
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Covers that appeal to me use a subtle artwork which is unique yet effective. I do enjoy the man or woman who is attractive but it doesn’t influence my buying the book. I just love to see lovely scenes or an unusual use of striking colors.
by alissa
on March 3rd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
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Hi Dara,
I agree that Taming Mariella is more of a happy medium. A man on the cover definitely does not influence my book buying. Like Jill said, I don’t need a man on the cover to remind me I’m reading a romance. Also, if there’s a half naked man on the cover, I probably won’t read the book in public because of the eyebrow raising and looks. Covers do draw my attention, however, but it’s touch and go. There’s the color, the title, the picture, the placement, everything works together. Then again, I’m pretty picky about book covers. Also, oftentimes the “sexy man” on the cover looks nothing like the hero of the book, so that actually becomes a distraction. I’m not against some eye candy (who is?) 
I just think it has to be done well.
by limecello
on March 3rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
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It’s not necessary, but a man on the cover won’t hurt. It’ll probably be more eye catching.
by Jane
on March 3rd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
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Who or what is on the cover does not influence me inot buying or nor buying a book. I buy mostly by author or recommendation —- seeing it on a blog or authors site, too.
by Estella
on March 3rd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
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I am not an impulse book buyer, so the cover rarely has any effect on me–from a purely aesthetic point of view, though, I like subtler covers. Yes, I enjoy the male body as well as the next gal, but romance is more than just the mechanics and the physical, right?
by azteclady
on March 3rd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
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I agree with other commenters–I don’t need a man on the cover to get me to buy the book, but I do enjoy those that are tastefully done. And Limecello’s right–I really find it distracting if I start reading and the descriptions don’t match the cover art–ugh!
BTW, don’t enter me in the contest–I loved Taming Mariella! Someone’s in for a treat!
by Fedora
on March 3rd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
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I’ve finally realized I’m split when it comes to covers. I’ll look twice at a cover with a half naked, sexy man on it but I cringe at the thought of reading it in public. And if the characters on the cover in any way contradict the author’s description, well, I get quite annoyed. 
by Laidybyrd
on March 3rd, 2008 at 5:04 pm
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A cover which beckons me is not a male nor a female. It can be simple and lovely with a design that is related to the novel. I check out the back cover to verify the subject and that is what moves me to read the book. I do enjoy good artwork which conveys a message.
by ruth
on March 3rd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
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The cover of a book draws your attention, a sexy man helps out a lot. I also go by reveiws and the blurp on the back of the book. I guess really it is what the book is about that is the most important thing.
by Virginia H.
on March 3rd, 2008 at 5:50 pm
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It’s a toss up but I think that the title of a book is more interesting. If there happens to be a gorgeous, sexy hunk of a man on the cover - all the better!
by DeeAnn
on March 3rd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
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It’s the opposite for me. Having a man on the cover makes me less likely to buy the book. I prefer a subtle cover. As several others have mentioned, I like to use my imagination to visualize what the characters look like. After all, we each have our own idea as to what is handsome and sexy.
by Linda F
on March 3rd, 2008 at 6:38 pm
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I don’t need a man on the cover… I like it when there is a couple, but much prefer to see the heroine alone, which is quite rare!
by Nathalie
on March 3rd, 2008 at 7:47 pm
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After reading your question, I had to peruse my bookshelves to find out what books I own with men on the cover. The only man I found was Harry Potter. I also located one romance novel showing the back of a man - purchased not because of the half naked man on the cover, but because the book is written by a favorite author. I never really thought about why I gravitate toward romance novels without men on the cover. I think it’s because of the assumptions made (or that I think are made) about women who read romance novels. 
I have just realized that I am hiding my romance novels behind a cover. Reminds me of when I was 11 years old and trying to read Forever by Judy Blume without my mother finding out. I doubt I’m fooling anyone. With the possible exception of my husband. And for his ego’s sake, I think I’d prefer to keep the sexy on the inside of the book.
by Marla
on March 3rd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
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The books I have does not have to have a man on it, but it is nice to look at. 
by Amelia
on March 3rd, 2008 at 11:20 pm
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Nope, a cover model can’t make me buy a book, although I can believe it’s one way to draw readers’ attention. I certainly notice an attractive cover - with or without a man on it. Out of your three covers, I actually prefer the “less succesful” cover of The Glass Slipper Project because the overall design looks best to me.
by Paula
on March 4th, 2008 at 6:21 am
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These are fantastic comments and give me a lot to think about. Personally, I don’t need a man on the cover so like Paula I thought Glass Slipper was lovely, but I guess I was in the minority.
Also as many of you have said, if a man has to be on the cover, I perfer not to see a face–just a body part (tastefully done, I don’t want him to look dismembered)–or an image in the background (that’s why I think TM works well) because I also hate when the man doesn’t match the description (Laidybyrd I feel your pain).
This happened to one of my books, which will remain nameless 
. The man on the cover was the complete opposite of the hero I described. Fortunately, readers were kind enough not to mention it. Thank goodness the man on PP pretty much looks like the man I described.
Nathalie, I find your comment very interesting. Only a woman on the cover? Yes, I could go for that too. I also agree with those that mention the title. That grabs me like nothing else.
Fedora, thanks for the plug for TM! And thank you all for taking the time to give me your opinions. 
I have errands to run, but I’ll be back after 4PM EST to select a winner.
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Congrats to Rebekah! I drew your name to win the prize. Please contact me with your mailing address.
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Congrats, Rebekah!
by azteclady
on March 4th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
