Design credit: Nina of Nina Reads
Today’s topic is all about image – book covers and blog sites.
First, let me ask – how often do YOU judge a book by the cover?
Book Covers
I’ll admit I’m a book snob when it comes to the covers. If the cover doesn’t interest me then rarely will I pick up the book to see if the inside interests me. For that reason I hardly ever give self-published books a look. I feel like if an author spends inordinate amounts of time writing a book then the cover should reflect the dedication and love that went into writing the book – does that make sense? and like I mentioned in the beginning – I know I’m a book snob – I confess. I admit. đŸ˜‰ I admire those who can pick up any book and read it, regardless of the cover.
Here’s a couple of self-published books that I think got it right {and for that reason, I read both, and enjoyed each immensely!} Layton Green’s The Summoner and Timothy Ashby’s Devil’s Den.
Blog Branding
A couple of years ago I redesigned my blog to the look I have today. I’ve gone through countless tweaks and overhauls throughout the 7 years I’ve been blogging. This design has stuck around longer than any other. As I have eclectic book tastes and go in spells of liking one genre more than another, the nameless books in the header suit my blog and me. For awhile I was super-into historical fiction but this year I’m leaning more towards mystery/thriller/almost-horror. I went through a spell of young adult and while I still love Libba Bray and Jennifer Donnelly, I’m back into literary fiction. Eclectic/schizophrenic tastes, right?
The muted colors and white space are all deliberate as is the hopefully, dark-enough and large-enough to read font. I have problems reading too-light font and overly-bright colors give me eye strain. My desire is to make The Novel Life as readable and enjoyable as possible. With that said, I’m always open to suggestions – LOVE suggestions and how I can improve upon the design.
I’ve been looking at changing the theme to a more magazine-type although keeping the same images and colors. Both The Book Wheel and Parchment Girl have themes that I’ve been eyeing for awhile. I like that you can see multiple posts all on the same page and then click on the one you want to read. My problem is I haven’t quite had time lately to figure out how to get it all designed. . .I’d love to know your thoughts! Keep everything the same or change to a magazine-type?
Any other recommendations? Please do critique!
Happy ABEA week my friends! and BEA week to all those enjoying Chicago đŸ™‚