As a book blogger I receive SO MANY book review requests each week that I physically don't have the time to look at them all, let alone reply to them all and review them.
One bit of advice I always offer to self-published authors (other than paying for an editing service) is to save up your pennies and invest in getting a fab cover made. As shallow as it may seem, a lovely cover image with a review request will help grab my attention and there is more chance I'll see the request and offer a review.
This follows on with sales, if your book has an attention grabbing cover, then people are more likely to buy the book. This doesn't have to be an expensive cover, but I'd avoid the common pitfalls of going mad with fonts, or colourful sky or beach scene images and most of all, including a strangely placed cut-out of an animal or person. If it doesn't blend in with the rest of the cover then I'd have a rethink!
One bit of advice I always offer to self-published authors (other than paying for an editing service) is to save up your pennies and invest in getting a fab cover made. As shallow as it may seem, a lovely cover image with a review request will help grab my attention and there is more chance I'll see the request and offer a review.
This follows on with sales, if your book has an attention grabbing cover, then people are more likely to buy the book. This doesn't have to be an expensive cover, but I'd avoid the common pitfalls of going mad with fonts, or colourful sky or beach scene images and most of all, including a strangely placed cut-out of an animal or person. If it doesn't blend in with the rest of the cover then I'd have a rethink!
Anyway I wanted to point to one of my favourite covers so far this year. It works because it's clever and simple, yet ready intricate at the same time...
Ash Princess
by Laura Sebastian
What they say: Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.
For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.
Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.
For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.
For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.
Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.
For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.
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