Book Cover Controversy

Two posts in one day, this has to be a record for me. But after reading Behler Blog about glossy book covers, and then the original blog written by the bookstore owner, I cannot resist posting about this topic.

Apparently, shoppers at bookstores are bypassing the glossy covers of trade paperbacks in favor of matte covers, because the glossy covers look suspiciously like POD or self-published books. And the matte says "traditional publisher." So the bookstore owner/blogger is asking publishers to please not print their trade paperbacks in glossy covers any longer as it makes them harder to sell.

There are so many things wrong with this that I barely know where to begin. First, very few POD offerings ever make it to the bookstores. They are sold through publisher websites and online stores like Amazon and B&N.com. Same with self-published books that are printed digitally or offset.

So why all of a sudden are bookstore customers feeling threatened by the possibility of accidentally purchasing what they apparently believe to be an inferior product? Could it be because there are too many inferior books being published overall? The books could be inferior due to any number of reasons (poor editing, sloppy design, amateurish writing), and then when a reader buys one, maybe they assume it came from a self-publisher. Just a thought.

And here's another strange thing about this whole concept. Don't most people pick up a book and read the back cover summary, maybe the first paragraph or two, and thumb through it a bit before deciding to purchase? Who buys a book based on whether or not the cover is matte or glossy? Why not read a few pages first?

But the absolute worst bit about this bookstore owner's request--"Please, publishers, don't print your titles glossy anymore!"-- is the idiocy of the whole idea. Has the entire industry degenerated now into quality = book cover format?

What ever happened to plain ol' good writing? The great story? Appealing, identifiable characters? Of course, a cover is crucial for visual appeal. But come on, People! Glossy vs. matte? Glossy is simply more practical and durable, doesn't scratch, tear or show wear like the matte covers. And if people want a book, then cover, price or publisher won't matter--they will buy the book. If they don't want it, any excuse will do--price, artwork, glossy cover, author name--you name it.

The decision to purchase a book is subjective. So to suggest to publishers that they need to avoid the glossy covers for better sales is simply ridiculous. You might as well say, lower the price for better sales. Only print books by Dan Brown and Stephen King for better sales. Publish YA fantasy and vampire stories for better sales.

This whole issue seems like one more sign of the final gasps of the dying bookstore, and this particular bookseller is grasping at her last straw as she watches yet another customer walk out without a purchase. Amazon is doing better than ever, and it is crowded with self-published and POD titles. It hasn't seemed to hurt them at all.

I hope no publishers will take this seriously. How to get better sales? Publish better books.