Never judge a book by its cover? If you are not familiar with the author's work, then some eye-catching art work on the book cover can get you interested, like whiff of fried chicken while shopping or driving. But, right you are, the cover better match the contents. And perhaps it's better that it be understated than Madison Avenue glitz.
Traveled for 19 years and buying books in airports was a way of life. I had to be led kicking and screaming to the first book in a series I later ended up reading to book 24. The initial cover was a disaster. If your cover doesn't match your story it's a fail and cost you readers. I'm not your target area as I'm not a short story reader. But I have read all the Malta series.
I can't imagine Ian squeeing.
Never judge a book by its cover? If you are not familiar with the author's work, then some eye-catching art work on the book cover can get you interested, like whiff of fried chicken while shopping or driving. But, right you are, the cover better match the contents. And perhaps it's better that it be understated than Madison Avenue glitz.
Would you have taken criticism on it though? That’s really the question.
I don't know. Probably would have depended on how the criticism was delivered.
And who gave me the criticism.
Traveled for 19 years and buying books in airports was a way of life. I had to be led kicking and screaming to the first book in a series I later ended up reading to book 24. The initial cover was a disaster. If your cover doesn't match your story it's a fail and cost you readers. I'm not your target area as I'm not a short story reader. But I have read all the Malta series.
I think the lesson learned is that if you want to run a publishing house you need a Cedar Sanderson to do your covers.