Author Seeking Opinions

[MarkHockley]

Hi everyone,

Firstly let me introduce myself. My name is Mark Hockley and I have just had my debut novel published and would love to swap thoughts and opinions on what makes a compelling read. For openers, what do you think attracts a potential reader? Would it be the front cover like mine below or is it more likely to be on the strength of the synopsis? What draws us to decide to invest the time to actually sit down and read a book?

[Roquefort Raider]

Welcome to CBR, Mark.

Congrats on the new book.

[DonC]

For openers, what do you think attracts a potential reader? Would it be the front cover like mine below or is it more likely to be on the strength of the synopsis? What draws us to decide to invest the time to actually sit down and read a book?

First thing that attracts my eye is obviously the cover, but you need a strong synopsis to get me to actually purchase the book.

Also, as a general rule, I pass on genres I don't care for. For example, you could have the greatest cover in the history of mankind, but if it's on a romance novel, I won't read the synopsis.

[MarkHockley]

Thanks for your replies. I appreciate it. Agree about the importance of the synopsis. Obviously I hope mine is effective (if you get a chance to check it out on Amazon, let me know what you think). Thanks again.

[Ghost]

Title and cover first hand. First impressions, and all that jazz.

Then, if the synopsis seems to describe a story I think I might like, and a quick look on the first page verfies good quality, I might give it a go.

Also, as a general rule, I pass on genres I don't care for. For example, you could have the greatest cover in the history of mankind, but if it's on a romance novel, I won't read the synopsis.

I'm the other way around. I still mostly only read the genres I care much about, but just about any kind of book can attract my attention.

[Aaron Kashtan]

I only read books if I've seen positive reviews of them from people or media sources that I trust, or if I'm already familiar with the author. So I'm not likely to pick up a new book based on either the cover or the synopsis.

[Ryan Day]

You need both. If I haven't heard of you or your book, a distinctive cover can catch my eye. I think we've all seen the scores of fantasy novels that all look alike; books that use a genuinely creative design can go a long way. This caught my eye recently, as did this. Of course, the blurbs by Neil Gaiman and China Mieville went a good ways, too.

Of course, once I've picked up that snazzy cover, you've got to sell me on the boook itself. I'll usually read the back cover blurb. A synopsis might not be the way to go - I don't want to read an entire plot outline. But some general description of the plot and style.

If I like that much, I'll probably flip through the first chapter and get a sense for how well written it is.

I'll say this overall: I want a book that has a distinctive story and style. I can go into any bookstore and pick up 100 generic magic sword & dragon books. If you want my money, you've got to give me something sufficiently different.

[Perry Holley]

First thing that attracts my eye is obviously the cover, but you need a strong synopsis to get me to actually purchase the book.

Also, as a general rule, I pass on genres I don't care for. For example, you could have the greatest cover in the history of mankind, but if it's on a romance novel, I won't read the synopsis.

I only read books if I've seen positive reviews of them from people or media sources that I trust, or if I'm already familiar with the author. So I'm not likely to pick up a new book based on either the cover or the synopsis.

What they said, for the most part.

A good review/recommendation from someone I trust goes a long, long way toward me buying a book. Two recent examples include Greg Hatcher's praise for Paul Malmont's The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril here, and a close friend (who knows my taste in SF pretty well) telling me that I really needed to check out John Scalzi's Old Man's War. Both were books that I enjoyed thoroughly, but might have missed if they hadn't been pointed out to me.

Cover art really doesn't matter that much to me, simply because I spend so much time digging through older used books with cheesy covers that I'm used to not putting much stock regarding the front cover.

Likewise, I put virtually no stock in cover blurbs, simply because virtually any book can get some sort of positive blurb (Stephen King will seemingly pimp a blurb for any book, no matter how bad it is).

[MarkHockley]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd let you know that I've posted an excerpt from my book at this link: http://hometown.aol.co.uk/markjohnho...ge/mywork.html

If anyone gets a chance to check it out I'd appreciate some feeback.

Thanks!

[jesse_custer]

Honestly, the synopsis sounds better than the excerpt, but I think it's because I have no specific context for the excerpt. All I can say is that your writing is technically sound, and I feel that with the subject matter at hand, it wouldn't hurt to be a bit more pretentious with the language. But I would need to read more to give a more accurate opinion.

[Ryan Day]

You should re-format that excerpt. The lack of paragraph breaks makes it difficult to read.

[Donald M.]

Seeing the cover image by itself, I would say, "Self, The Hardy Boys Go To Narnia is clearly a book I must own."

Upon realizing that's not what the book is at all, I would pass. With rare exceptions, fantasy ain't my thing. I'm more of a Horror/Thriller/Crime Novel guy myself.

That said, I've gotta back up what other people have said. The cover is the lure and the synopsis is the hook. If one or both suck, I won't be reading your book.

[MarkHockley]

Hi everyone!

Just to let anyone know who may be interested that I've added another excerpt from my book The Magic Lands at this link: http://hometown.aol.co.uk/markjohnho...ge/mywork.html

Feedback is very important when you are just starting out and would be very much appreciated :)

[MarkHockley]

Seeing the cover image by itself, I would say, "Self, The Hardy Boys Go To Narnia is clearly a book I must own."

Do you know if I had only realised that the Hardy boys looked similar I would have never had them wearing those colours!! This story is definitely not the Hardy Boys (far too intense and dark).

[MarkHockley]

Just a quick update on my book for those whom have shown an interest. I've pasted in a review from Amazon US that I think gives a gives a good impression of what the book is really like.


'One might look at The Magic Lands and find the title a little generic, and the summary may be a little cliche, but if you were to pick it up you'll see that it is full of suprises. The story is quite a roller coaster and the plot can become utterly unpredictable. I should also mention, that this isn't little red riding hood. The story is dark, bringing up memories of another dark fantasy, Pan's Labrynth. Like Pan's Labrynth,and any good fable, there is an underlying message behind it all and it is a message definitely worth hearing'.