Jean M. Cogdell

Do you want to make a killer cover?

Published on October 19, 2015October 16, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell6 Comments

I sure do, those are the ones that sale.

A killer cover, gets the shopper to click and hopefully buy.

English: A Picture of a eBook Español: Foto de... — Photo credit Wikipedia

But that means the cover must look great in a 1 inch square.

If you follow my blog, you already know I’m working on publishing a children’s book.

You’ve listened to me bitch, moan, complain and crow (just a little) about the process. As I get down to the wire, making my cover work for an ebook and a print book.

Seems one size does not fit all.

I know I can’t be the only one struggling with this dilemma. So I thought y’all might be interested in some of the stuff I’ve uncovered in my research.

Turns out there is a lot out there on making a book cover pop.

According to Derek Murphy over at Creative Indie Covers, the “main thing about the cover has to be the images; the text just needs to be built INTO the picture in a subtle or complimentary manner.” Click here to read the rest of his article.

In another post, Mr. Murphy explains just what is important. He reminds us that people aren’t going to squint to read the title. “The thumbnail should look clean and professionally designed. It should be balanced with complimentary colors and nice spacing between elements. And if possible (difficult as a thumbnail) it should be eye-catching and evoke an emotional response (surprise, lust, interest, humor…)” Click and read…

The most important thing about your book cover thumbnail

Canva.com now has a template for ebook design. I found this very helpful in moving text, pictures around for my cover. Canva enables you to mix and match different art and photos. Go to Canva and have some fun playing with your cover.

LiberWriter.com gives an abundance of good advice for your cover. “First of all, a “cover” for a Kindle book really isn’t a cover at all. It’s a flat image that will be displayed on various web pages – most likely as a thumbnail, but also in a larger format if the user wants to have a look. For print books, not only does the front of the cover have to be good, but the back must be designed correctly too, with a catchy quote or blurb that captures the reader’s attention and makes them want to spend more time with the book. On the web, none of this happens: readers who want to know more click on your book, and an Amazon page pops up with all kinds of information about the book: blurbs, author bio, reviews, and so on. This information takes the place of the back cover.” To read the entire article click on…

Kindle Book “Covers” – What You Should Know

Read below, KRISTEN ECKSTEIN common sense tips for a cover. She suggests we reduce the book cover to a one-inch-sized thumbnail on the computer and if the title is not readable, it needs to be changed.

The Five Secrets to a Killer eBook Cover

So, fancy or plain, the main thing I got from all of these articles is that my book cover thumbnail needs to pop. The title needs to be readable, and the picture should draw the shopper’s eye.

If the shopper doesn’t click on my thumbnail, odds are I’ve lost a sale.

I hope these tips help you. Me? I’m more confused than ever.

Any of y’all have some good advice for making a great thumbnail cover? Please share.

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Do we overdo some words?

Published on October 19, 2015October 15, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

Are we using words correctly?

We all know about waste words, but what about over doing the descriptive words? Has the definition changed? Research, research, research, now I’ve got to research my words. Sigh.

No one wants their writing to be boring. But in our quest to use different words and mix it up a bit, sometimes we miss the mark. At least I do. Thankfully, I’ve a great critique partner who reigns me in. Thanks Sheila!

In my effort to get my reader to see what is in my head, I often times use a superfluous (fancy, right?) word when a plain one would work better.

Writers on the Move published a post by Melinda Brasher that made me rethink these types of words. Head over and read…

Your Character’s Smirking…or Is He? Synonym Pitfalls.

What do you think? Are any of these words tripping up your story?

You’ve made it this far so give me just two more seconds and hit Facebook and Twitter and share.
Thank you!
If you’re not already, I’d be much obliged if you would follow me @jeancogdell on Twitter or jean.cogdell on Facebook!

Time to resurrect writing prompts

Published on October 15, 2015October 15, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

Time to get back in the saddle.

Writing prompts help my imagination as well as my writing skills, so time to do a few.

First up is from Julia’s Place

100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups = Week#170 “but she saw”

Resurrection

Faye stopped in mid-stride. It wasn’t possible, but she saw her. She just saw her dead mother in Macy’s. On feet weighted by lead, and legs made of rubber, she retraced her steps. Faye stared at the fall sweaters and leather boots. No one moved among the display. Sun glinted off the glass and there she stood, her mother. Faye gasped, and covered her mouth. She smoothed her skirt and brushed at invisible wrinkles. Her mother matched Faye’s movements. When did this happen? When had she morphed into the old woman reflected in the glass?

Have some fun. Take five and see where 100 words take you.

Do you use poetry to inspire?

Published on October 13, 2015October 13, 2015 by Jean M. Cogdell4 Comments

I love poetry. Can’t write it worth shit, but I love reading beautiful words.

The movement is so different from other writing. Poetry evokes emotion in the reader, and it can inspire your characters too.

So it’s little surprise that poetry is used in a lot of YA books. I understand why poems and poetic references, are effective in YA stories A teen lives in a flux of angst and poetry speaks to the emotional roller coaster they live on.

Over at The Guardian, Ciara Murphy explains the importance and effect of poetry in YA stories. From John Green’s Paper Towns poetic metaphors, to Ally Condie’s Matched series (one of my all time favorites) where she uses banned poems by Dylan Thomas and Tennyson.

Today it seems as though poems have been regulated to Meme’s, but maybe it’s time to give poetry another look.