Tag: Lessons in Chemistry

Tips for Designing a Compelling Book Cover for Your Novel

~ The Regal Writer ~ Leave a comment
Photo by Dids on Pexels.com

Have you ever bought a book solely because you were drawn to its cover? Or are you planning to self-publish and are struggling to find the right balance of imagery and text?

Let’s face it. Some book covers are more interesting than others. But just because it looks good doesn’t mean it will do what it’s supposed to do, which is to sell books.

When produced well, the cover design should not only grab readers’ attention, it should communicate several things to readers, such as:

* show an intriguing focal point
* provide a subtle preview of the plot
* introduce the protagonist
* establish the book’s genre and tone

I’ll tackle each one of these in detail.

An intriguing focal point
When you first look at a book cover, where does your eye automatically go? It might to an image, like the drawing on the cover of Lessons in Chemistry. If the author is well-known, their name might appear larger than the book title. In many cases, it might be the book title itself that in larger print to draw your attention. This may be especially true for newer writers who haven’t earned the name cache of a Stephen King or a Nora Roberts. Comb your shelves for examples. Notice the ones that stand out and which ones don’t. Then experiment by replicating a focal point suitable for your work in progress.

A subtle preview of the plot
The combination of imagery and title should hint at the plot. For example, the cover of The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick features a background image of a closed door surrounded by shelves of books, hinting at the story of a house cleaner tasked with finishing her employer’s last novel behind closed doors. Think about the key point of your story, then select images that present the clearest representation of that point.

An introduction to the protagonist
In addition to hinting at the plot, the cover design should also hint at the protagonist in some way. The image could reflect the person’s face, such as the ghostly image of Coralie Sardie whose story is at the heart of The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman. It could also hint at their occupation or where they live. In The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais, for example, the image of someone slicing the skin off a piece of fruit with the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower behind it hints at a young man’s journey as a chef in Paris. As with the plot, think of your protagonist’s character and their journey, then choose an image that reflects their story.

The book’s genre and tone
Make sure the cover design is suitable for the book’s genre and establish the right tone. You want readers to recognize the type of story it is at first glance. For a light-hearted rom-com, for example, you might use lighter colors or pastels for the background with some humorous or playful image. On the other hand, mysteries and thrillers are likely to have darker backgrounds with equally darker images, like dripping blood or a bottle of poison.

More tips for book cover designs

1. Keep it simple, almost minimalistic. Covers that are overly complicated and cluttered have difficulty reaching readers. Give the cover some space to allow any images and text to breathe. “Using space wisely draws attention to the elements that you want potential readers to focus on, writes Jessica Bell at Jane Friedman.com.

2. Be unique and distinctive. You don’t want your book to look like every other one on display. Referring to Lessons in Chemistry again, the cover is simple with a single image and bright orange-salmon color that captures the eye. The color stands out because you rarely see it on book covers. If the cover’s goal is to sell the book, think of ways to make the cover stand out while still staying true to the story.

3. Create strong composition. The experts at Self-Publishing School suggests following the rule of thirds. Imagine breaking up the cover into three sections, allowing enough space for the book title, author name and image. Again, check your book shelf for examples. Add patterns and texture in subtle ways so they don’t distract readers.

4. Don’t overlook the back cover or spine. According to the design experts at Ingram Spark, the back cover usually includes a brief book summary, book reviews, an author bio, the ISBN number and bar code. Make sure the book title is clearly marked on the spine so readers can see it when standing upright on a shelf.

Whether you design the cover yourself or work with a professional designer, it’s helpful to keep these tips in mind. When conceived and designed well, your book cover can go far to market your book.

Would You Rather Read the Book or Watch the Movie Adaptation?

~ The Regal Writer ~ 1 Comment
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com

No, it’s not your imagination. There are numerous adaptations of books being turned into films or mini-series lately, more than other years. From Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Gamus premiering on Apple TV+ to true crime Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann currently being shown in theaters,  published works are being retold for the screen. In fact, many stories we see on the big screen or via streaming services are based on top-selling books.

For a great list of books turned into films, check out this story on Stylist.

But is one storytelling experience better than the other? Is it better to read the book first or to view the film adaptation? It’s a decades-long debate with no real answer. It’s more a matter of personal preference.

Hollywood often looks to newer book releases for inspiration for films. Some of the most popular films can be traced back to its written version. One that comes to mind is Field of Dreams, based on the novel Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella. Though lesser known than the film, the book is just as good, though it contains a couple of characters and a subplot that doesn’t appear on screen.

Many readers swear that books are better than the film version. I’ve read many books that were turned into films that I found lacking in substance. The books were still better. Bee Season was a decent book, but the film adaptation wasn’t nearly as compelling. While The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri was made into a movie, the literary novel that it was based on provided more depth.

The reverse can also be true, that film adaptations bring the written story to life and make it better, more believable. Field of Dreams is one example of that. And though I never read the original story of The Graduate by Charles Webb, it went on to become one of the best films of all time.

There are several reasons for enjoying books over the movie or mini-series:

  • Books allow the imagination to run free and paint pictures in our minds.
  • Books provide more plot details, subplots and secondary characters
  • Books provide more backstory than films might be able to do.
  • Books allow readers to experience the story at their own pace; there are no time constraints as there might be in films.
  • Books allow readers to think more deeply about what they’ve read

Conversely, films offer a few advantages of their own:

  • Films are more visually appealing; you see the action as it happens and it leaves nothing to the imagination.
  • Films provide a more streamlined experience because they focus on the major events and characters of the story, while subplots and secondary characters are often cut.
  • Viewing films can be enjoyed alone or with others. It can be a shared experience.
  • It takes less time to experience the story—two to three hours compared to several days or weeks for a novel.

There are other factors that contribute to the choice of reading the book versus watching the movie. Many people are more visual by nature, so they prefer watching films. Or perhaps they’re simply not book readers.

Can reading ruin your experience of the film? That depends on who you ask. I still enjoyed watching the Harry Potter films—all eight of them—and I will watch them over and over. The books are just as good if not more so because of the added layers of plot.

Some readers claim that seeing the film first can enhance their reading experience. The film gives them a cursory idea of the story, while the book fills in more of the details and provides more backstory. On the other hand, some film adaptations are so far removed from the original that it can ruin the original meaning.

It all comes down to personal preference. I myself prefer the book reading experience. I feel I get more out of the story that way. But really, there is no right or wrong way. Whether you read the book or watch the movie or both, you’re still enjoying the power of story no matter what form is takes.