Guest Post: Amy Lignor

What’s the Real Selling Point of Your Book?

The Cover!

We are a completely visual society. From computers to phones to iPods to all the vibrant colors coming at us from almost every direction, we usually make our decisions based on how the ‘scene’ effects us. Colors, pictures - these are used in many different ways: From scaring us on the news with graphic images to making us fall in love with a product because a cute, white, fuzzy puppy was on the commercial, and we can’t forget about it. This is how heavily we rely on images to find out what we really love or hate.

When it comes to the literary world, cover art is one of - if not THE most important - part of selling your book. Millions will buy a book written by Stephen King, JK Rowling, Tom Clancy, Dean Koontz, J.D. Robb - and it’s because they already know the ‘name.’ They are already a fan because these writers have been doing this a good, long time and have built a fan base that is completely loyal. In fact, they don’t much care what’s on the cover of the latest Stephen King book; just as long as his name appears on the cover that’s good enough to make the sale.

But for smaller, unknown, or debut authors, cover art is sometimes more important than plot. Now, don’t get me wrong, the story has to be great in order to get the wonderful reviews you need to build a reading list of loyal fans, but the very first thing a reader will judge about your book is the cover. It has to be outstanding. It has to grab the attention of the reader and make them want to research the title further. They need to be lured into the story, and once the book is purchased, THEN it’s up to you to thrill them and excite them with your characters, storylines, etcetera.

Finding a cover artist who can take a book and literally create the image that YOU know you want because, as the author, you’ve been thinking and dreaming about it for years, is difficult. A lot of cover artists don’t even read the manuscript, which I find hard to understand seeing as that they have to have some background about the book and what you’re trying to say in order to even begin to work up a design. But, what can I say? There are some designers out there who work as if they’re on an ‘assembly line’ and just cannot put in the time it takes to understand or even like your story.

I say all this because I was one of the lucky ones. When The Angel Chronicles found a home with Tribute Books, I was introduced to their cover designer - a woman by the name of Emma Michaels. (http://emmamichaels.blogspot.com)

Emma is not just an artist who draws what the author wants. She is one of those rare people who read the book cover to cover, comes up with ideas about various scenes, and discusses options and paths to take in order to create the perfect cover. She takes suggestions, ideas and really works with the author to make the book a unique masterpiece that fans really take a shine to.

Emily and Matthew have been in my mind since I was thirteen years old. Seeing as that I was born when Jesus was just a boy, that’s a long time to have these imaginary people in your brain. Emma Michaels had the amazing skill and unwavering talent to take my ideas and my story and draw the characters as if she was looking at them face to face in my own head.

So, remember, whether you go the self-publishing route, sign on with an independent, a small press - whatever it may be - make sure to remember that the cover of your book is the very first thing readers will see. And if the cover doesn’t ‘speak’ to them, the book is automatically dead in the water - even if the next Gone with the Wind or Harry Potter awaits the reader inside.

Until Next Time, Everybody,

Amy

Here's the synopsis for Gilded Wings:
When Matt and Emily are sent on their second mission they have no idea how truly dark human nature can become...

Emily never wanted to face humans again. With the heartache that went on down below, she’s still trying to figure out how to save souls that don’t deserve saving. The only one she wants to see again is Jason - the young man she fell in love with who became the soulmate she simply can’t forget...

Matt was trained to protect and defend the souls down below. Longing to feel the heartfelt emotions that come from being human, Matt wants nothing more than to have just one life - one chance - to live and love the girl of his dreams...

The powerful team find themselves in a brand new century, living in the Gilded Age of New York City. Emily takes over the body of Anya, a young Russian girl who arrives on Ellis Island after a hideous tragedy. There she meets up with a strangely familiar young man by the name of Drew Parrish, who helps Anya survive in an unknown world of luxury, snobbery and…obsession.

What Anya’s inner angel doesn’t know is that the soul she loves is also back. This time around Jason goes by the name of Max Carrow. Once a quiet and kind boy, he’s now part of the ‘Four Hundred Club,’ and wants nothing more than to be among the most admired as he climbs the shaky ladder of society’s elite. 

As two worlds merge, Emily and Matt struggle under the weight of their “Gilded Wings.” Not only will they have to figure out who they should fight to save, but they must also face a romantic choice that could destroy them both. 

And here's an excerpt for you:

Emily rocked quietly, staring at Gabriel sitting stoic on his tall stool. His elbow rested on his knee, his fist supported the weight of his chin, and the old spectacles set crookedly on his angular nose. Gabriel was an avid reader, always studying. He worked hard to understand the paths that were being chosen by the humans below.

Emily tried not to laugh as she studied the face that was pulled into a deep frown. His eyebrows looked stuck together, glowering as he concentrated on the real life story of
yet another partnership that had been below and brought back their report on what they had seen.

“Something wrong?” Jerking his head up, Gabriel’s book went flying off his lap, and his glasses hit the floor.

Out of the corner of her eye, Emily noticed that the long, dark hair of the sleeping Russian girl, Anya, had transformed back into her own trademark auburn curls. She smiled at Gabriel’s annoyed expression. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You’re getting quieter as you get older,” he grunted. 

“Well, you always said we should be seen and not heard,” Emily grinned. 

Gabriel’s eyebrow climbed up his forehead. “Exactly when have you ever listened to anything I say?” 

“I’m like a sponge. I remember everything.” 

Gabriel snorted his agreement and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Why back so soon?” 

“I’m confused.”

“Already?”

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'Gilded Wings' Blog Tour
Read Along Excerpt Schedule 

1.	December 5 (B) - Mad Hatter Reads
2.	November 1 (A) - Christie's Book Reviews
3.	November 1 (B) - Literary R&R
4.	November 1 (C) - Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Reviews & Goodies
5.	November 1 (D) - Little Library Muse
6.	November 2 (A) - We Do Write
7.	November 2 (B) - Reading & Writing Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance
8.	November 2 (C) - Culture Shock
9.	November 2 (D) - Sapphyria's Book Reviews
10.	November 2 (E) - Curse of the Bibliophile
11.	November 5 (A) - What's Beyond Forks?
12.	November 5 (B) - Great Minds Think Aloud (read-along excerpt in Comments section)
13.	November 6 - What's on the Bookshelf
14.	November 7 (A) - Pretty in Fiction
15.	November 7 (B) - Novel d'Tales
16.	November 8 (A) - Chapter by Chapter
17.	November 8 (B) - I'm a Book Shark
18.	November 8 (C) - Ladybug Storytime
19.	November 9 (A) - Keeping It Real with Lucy
20.	November 9 (B) - The Story of a Writer
21.	November 12 (A) - Claire Reads
22.	November 12 (B) - A Site for the Reader, the Writer, for You!
23.	November 13 (A) - Rose's Book Corner
24.	November 13 (B) - Reading to Penguins
25.	November 13 (C) - The Book Galaxy
26.	November 13 (D) - Pages from My Thoughts (excerpt in comments section)
27.	November 13 (E) - Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf
28.	November 14 - Kelly Hashway
29.	November 15 (A) - Cocktails and Books
30.	November 15 (B) - The Plot Thickens
31.	November 15 (C) - Downtown YA
32.	November 16 (A) - Book Love 101
33.	November 16 (B) - Book Lover Stop
34.	November 19 (A) - Hooked on Books
35.	November 19 (B) - Once Upon a Twilight
36.	November 19 (C) - Mother Gamer Writer
37.	November 20 (A) - Synchronized Reading
38.	November 20 (B) - Fighting Monkey Press
39.	November 21 - Gina's Library
40.	November 22 - Herding Cats & Burning Soup
41.	November 23 (A) - Lunar Haven
42.	November 23 (B) - Lissette E. Manning
43.	November 26 (A) - Crazed Mind
44.	November 26 (B) - Kindle and Me
45.	November 27 (A) - I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
46.	November 27 (B) - Behind a Million and One Pages
47.	November 28 - The Romance Bookie (read-along excerpt in Comments section)
48.	November 29 - My Guilty Obsession
49.	November 30 - booknerd
50.	December 1 - Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
51.	December 2 - Reading Challenged
52.	December 3 - Rants N Scribbles
53.	December 4 (A) - A Book and a Latte
54.	December 4 (B) - Bookcase to Heaven
55.	December 5 (A) - Colorimetry
56.	December 6 (A) - Fighter Writer
57.	December 6 (B) - Walking on Bookshelves
58.	January 10 (A) - Snowdrop Dreams of Books
59.	December 6 (C) - Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
60.	December 7 (A) - Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf
61.	December 7 (B) - Young Adult Book Reviews
62.	December 10 - Offbeat Vagabond
63.	December 11 - Mom in Love with Fiction
64.	December 12 - Read-Along Excerpt #63
65.	December 13 - The Bibliophilic Book Blog
66.	December 14 - Earth's Book Nook
67.	December 17 (A) - A Dream Within a Dream
68.	December 17 (B) - Rampant Readers
69.	December 18 - Bookworm Lisa
70.	December 19 - Reader Girls
71.	December 20 - Simply Infatuated
72.	December 21 (A) - Ottilie Weber
73.	December 21 (B) - The Top Shelf
74.	December 26 - A Diary of a Book Addict
75.	December 27 - Paper Dreams
76.	December 28 - The Bookish Babe
77.	December 29 - Cherie Reads
78.	January 4 - Bookworm Babblings
79.	January 7 - Emily's Crammed Bookshelf
80.	January 8 - Kindred Dreamheart
81.	January 9 - Book Lovin' Mamas
82.	January 10 (B) - Electrifying Reviews
83.	January 11 - Fictional Candy
84.	January 14 - The Electrical Book Cafe
85.	January 15 - The Children's & Teens' Book Connection
86.	January 16 - Nicole Notated
87.	January 17 - Splash of Our Worlds
88.	January 18 - Leisure Reads
89.	January 21 - Lynn Thompson Books
90.	January 22 - Books in the Spotlight
91.	January 23 - Lizzy's Dark Fiction
92.	January 24 - Long and Short Reviews
93.	January 25 - Read 2 Review
94.	January 26 - Only God Can Make a Tree
95.	January 28 - Romancing the Book
96.	January 31 (A) - Read-Along Excerpt #96
97.	January 31 (B) -- The Wormhole
98.	January 31 (C) - Michael Loring
99.	January 31 (D) - Andi's Young Adult Books

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