The cover of a book initially draws us to it, even before we read the blurb, or check the author's name. A cover has a powerful psychological affect on our subconscious. It is appealing in a variety of ways and gives us clues as to the genre well before we know anything about the content. This first impression is vital for the author, and the publisher - who both want you to read the story and garner sales, of course. A well-designed cover makes a book stand out from the rest, and signals its genre, tone, and in some cases even the quality of the content inside.

The cover sets the mood of the book through colour and image, it also gives us the perception of the genre and the font used for the title gives us clues to the narrative. For example, a bold, serif font might convey a sense of authority or seriousness, perfect for non-fiction or historical novels, whilst a playful, whimsical font might suggest a lighter, more humorous story. Then there are the images and symbolism, which reflect the key theme of the story, the character's, and the setting.

For my books, I have used these clues to ensure my readers know the genre, age group and content as best I can. Rumble and Ockleberries are literal representations for younger readers, while Click & Creature give clues to the adventure inside for young adults and teens. For the adults books, I have teased romantic themes, but also some mystery within. As many of my readers know there is always a twist in the tale!

For my upcoming western romance, Willow Tree Tears, my publisher chose the cover design, although did request some ideas from me. Did you guess it was a western romance from the cover? That the story is a love triangle?

Which cover(s) drew you in the most from these?

Did you know the genre straight away?