[GMcG]

When I was in a bookstore some days ago, I stood in front of the bookshelf (crime novels) and looked at the spines to find some authors I already know, so I wouldn't be surprised. I found some, took them to read the backcovers for some information and when I knew they were new to me, I bought them (Deon Meyer, John Harvey, Greg Iles). I didn't look at the covers (a landscape, a girl's shoes on a carpet, something graphic), they didn't matter.

This is a bookstore, that sells paperbacks at half price, so often the books are stored in containers instead in shelves. When I want something new, I grab a handfull of books out of those containers, look at the thickness (I don't buy books with less than 300 pages, because they will be read in one evening). I look at the covers to sort out genres I don't like and then I read the backcover (see above). Again the cover is not important for the decision to buy a book, only for a 'no buy'.

When books are presented on a table, I look if some of them get my attraction. I like to take a closer look at good designs: the picture, the text (font style, color, size) and how is it arranged. And if I like the cover, I open the book to see who has done it (mostly the same people). And then I lay it back.

But: How many independent authors make it to a bookstore? How many readers have the opportunity to hold your printed book in hands? Is this thread about selling/buying books in a bookstore or about online merchandise? If so, you have to 'think different' (IBM), you have to optimize your book for a presentation on the screen of a user. That is:
- a cover that looks good in miniature
- a few lines with a summary of the contents that attracts the reader before he reads (and has to click on) 'more'. If he wants more, you may give him a more detailed blurb.

So again I would say: First step is to get the interest of the reader (cover and info), but only if he wants the contents, he will buy the book.

George