How do you approach cover design?
For me, the cover of a book is extremely important. Personally, I find that if a cover has too many conflicting colors, is too 'busy' and has writing in a font which is difficult to read clearly, it puts me off actually delving into the book. Most people have certain tastes when it comes to cover design and I think that's great, but what may suit one person may look complicated or imposing to someone else. The old saying about not being able to judge a book by its cover is certainly true, but I think many people DO make that particular assessment, along with reading the accompanying blurb and deciding whether or not they wish to read further. Obviously, as E-book authors we want as many people as possible to read and enjoy our work and I truly believe a well designed cover is the best way to initially attract an audience.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Oh, this is a difficult one as I read SO many books and have done all my life. I have favorite authors and I read all their work: John Grisham, Jeffrey Archer and Sophie Kinsella. I also grew up with Sue Townsend's (British author) wonderful 'Adrian Mole' series and I simply love J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' books. There is also a fair amount of Enid Blyton and Dan Brown on my bookshelves as well, not to mention dozens of biographies and autobiographies as well as history so, a little bit of everything! If I HAD to name five books, I would say 'Kane and Abel' by Jeffrey Archer which really is a masterpiece and one that holds you until the very end. John Grisham's 'The Last Juror' is one of my favorite books of all time. The characters leap from the pages and the story flows so perfectly. Sophie Kinsella's entire 'Shopaholic' series seems almost flawless to me. Everyone knows a Becky Bloomwood (or is one themselves) and the stories are simply so hilarious that it's hard to put them down one you've read the first couple of pages. 'Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years' is at once both screamingly funny and reach-for-the-tissues sad and poignant. The entire 'Harry Potter' collection is one that I loved as much as my own children did. Such masterful creativity and imagination with standout characterization. (I admit to loving the 'bad guys' almost as much as the good ones, especially Professor Snape.) Well, there you go, I could list many more excellent books and authors, but five is the number, so five it is.
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