"A question for all of you: Does the cover of a book influence your
picking it up and possibly buying it? OR do you only buy books based
on your knowledge of the author's past works. What about in the case
of a new author? What influences your decision to purchase his or her
book?"
I reckon I have suffered as much from the effects of Sturgeon's Law
as the next person, which is why I NEVER buy on impulse. I hungrily
listen to other people's recommendations, read reviews, most anything
to avoid finding myself stuck with yet another turkey. As to cover
art, I must say that nine times out of ten THAT is something which I
must overcome in order to buy the book. I remember when sf covers
sported vaguely abstract designs which seemed somehow suited to their
contents. Nowadays I'm not sure Kilgore Trout wasn't better served by
having his deathless prose served up in porno mags.
WD
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