How important are fantasy book covers?

MJH

Hi everyone,

I’m very happy to say that I’ve just had my debut novel published and would love to swap thoughts and opinions on what makes a compelling read. With this in mind, what do you think attracts a potential reader? Would it be the front cover like mine below or is it more likely to be on the strength of the synopsis? Just how important is the cover art and what really determines our decision to invest the time to actually sit down and read a book? As a new author, I feel these questions are very important, so any insights you can give will be greatly appreciated.

c - 13

Firstly congratulations on your success, I assume there will be free copies for all at Boards ?

Secondly, when buying a new book that I have heard absolutely nothing about I base my decision on the strength of the synopsis alone. In the event of two books really vying for my attention I may turn my eye to the cover art but it wouldnt be a majorr decision making factor.

That said some people, and general readers in general would feel drawn to a book by its cover art on occassion. This, obviously is only in bookstores where the cover of a book if facing forwards. Most seem to store them spine forward now as a space saving method.

As for your cover, can I ask a question ? Is it a childrens book or aimed at adult audiences ?

I hope its the latter because if I were to read the synopsis for this and turn it around, based on the cover I saw I would most likely think "Who put this in the adult section" ?

If it is a childrens book then the cover would/should obviously say a lot more about the book in question. As an adult looking at this book contemplating it for purchase for a child the cover says to me - Hardy boy's main carachter style (from the two guys in the centre with the badger) with a touch of the Redwall fantasy genre ? (Dont know why that is maybe the illustration style is similar).

Of course that said someone else could pick it up and take an entirely different impression from it. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

I would be very interested in seeing your proposed synopsis though if you could/wouldnt mind ?

MJH

Thanks for your reply. I absolutely agree with you about the importance of a synopsis. That's what I go by when deciding to read a book.

It's very interesting that you should ask whether my book is aimed at a children's or adult audience, as my intention was to write something that had the conventions of a classic children's story, but becomes more and more psychologically challenging and adult as it goes along. I would say my book is dark and intense (but then I am the author so maybe you would do better to ignore me! ). I would think that young adults, say 11 or 12 and over, would be able to enjoy it, but if it doesn't appeal to adults I've failed! The cover is always a problem and maybe I should have asked for something different, but we live and learn. There's a synopsis with the book on Amazon if you get a chance to check it out, so that may give you a better idea. I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on it.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

from amazon

Only 3 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

congrats

Tar.Aldarion

It's all about the blurb baybe. As long as the cover is not terrible it should be ok.

Sarky

Word of mouth tends to be what I choose my books on. If not for that, I might never have picked up A Game Of Thrones or the Malazan series. Aside from that, I'd be mostly attracted to the blurb on the back, rather than the cover. If the blurb is suitably mysterious or entertaining, I'll read a book. If the artwork happens to be good too, I'll think about buying it. I was very upset to see the new covers of the Malazan books, I much preferred the cover to the trade paperback Bonehunters than what's on them now. But I'm totally hooked at this point, so I might just have to suffer a broken-looking collection on my shelf.

With your book, my first impression is "That looks a bit child-orientated", but the blurb (at least I'm assuming that's what I'm reading on Amazon), is interesting enough to make me consider buying it. Which you never know, I might do...

Best of luck, and congratulations thus far.

c - 13

I hope you dont mind me copying the synopsis here but it just makes things easier to refer to, if you want it removed just say and ill get rid of it -

[When two teenage boys, Tom Lewis and Jack Barton, climb the gigantic oak at the bottom of Tom's garden they embark on a journey that takes them toward adulthood, a change embracing both enlightenment and loss. Finding themselves in a dangerous, alien realm, where dreams and reality seem to interweave and deception is at the heart of everything, they come under the malevolent influence of a creature known as the White Wolf. What had began as a childish adventure is in fact something far darker and deeper, for the Wolf is playing a momentous game, an arcane puzzle that must be resolved. The boys walk a dark road of treachery and pain, love and lust, sacrifice and redemption. Friendship and loyalty are put to the test and corruption comes in many guises. Finally, truth can only be revealed through pain and forfeit. It is a journey into the heart of darkness where nothing and no-one are what they seem and the rules are the logic of a dream.

Just had a quick read there sounds quite interesting, theres very interesting use of phraseology there and to be honest it may be a hard call (just based on synopsis as to wether it would be classed as young adult or not. The first half of the synopsis does hint at a more "childish" element but as it goes on it seems to get a bit darker alright.

With respect to the covers, its really a case of different strokes for different folks, if you take a look around the board here there quite a few "Young Adults" books that appeal to both young and old alike I think two of the best examples of this with completely different cover styles are -

(1) Philip Pullman - His Dark Materials (as already mentioned)
Northern Lights Cover
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/Northern_lights.jpg
The Subtle Knife Cover
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d2/Sknife.JPG
The Amber Spyglass Cover
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ad/Tas_pb_uk.jpg

The covers of these are very minamalist but yet at the same time the names and the imagery just scream "Fantasy Book", read these when I was about 17/18, happened to pick them up off the shelf in the local library. I found out about midway through the second one that they were aimed at the young adult audience. This quite surprised me as the cover gives no real indication of this and neither did the content really (besides the age of the carachters, that said you can find that in almost any fantasy book).

(2) J.K Rowling - Harry Potter Series
This took a different twist on the whole Adult/Children books idea by puttin out two completely different styles of cover one aimed at each group. I was working in a book shop/toystore when order of the phoenix was released and to look at the two books you would think they were completely different, IIRC we actually had to ring head office for a customer and confirm the content was the same in both
So, heres the adult cover for Order of the Phoenix
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n5/n25044.jpg
And, heres the childrens one
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/7/70/Harry_Potter_and_the_Order_of_the_Phoenix.jpg

The reasining behind the adult cover was so people wouldnt be "Embarrased" to be seen reading a childrens book.

MJH

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I'm learning a lot!

I think it's true that books such as those by Philip Pullman and the Harry Potter series appeal just as much to an adult audience as they do to children. I think that J.K. Rowling as been gradually pushing her stories towards darker, more adult themes with each book (in line with the characters getting older) and younger children would probably struggle with her latter works. Although I hope my novel is fairly original, everyone is influenced by something and I'm no exception, but my intention was to tackle the basic set-up of children finding themselves in another land with a harder edge and I have to say, I do put my characters through a pretty harrowing journey, emotionally and physically

In terms of having the synopsis posted here, it's fine by me as long as no-one else minds.

The one thing this discussion is making me realise more and more is how important the synopsis really is.

Thanks again!

Cadrach

Congrats on the publication, and good luck. The cover is important in my opinion - especially for young adults and children. I don't know the facts but I bet it has a significant bearing on sales. In the fantasy section where there are so many new titles all similar, you need something to catch the eye. Maybe its just me, but every time I go to the book shop I am drawn by a few books with cool covers that make me want them. There was an Umberto Eco book last year, for example, and a few other fantasy books. Bearing in mind that I am not a qualified critic by any means, I would be wary of a book cover like the one you have there... it gives off more of a fantasy equivalent to the Famous Five than a Narnia/His Dark Materials vibe, and I feel like it might alienate the huge population of adult readers who endulge in young adult fiction. Having said that, it does have a badger and a wolf on it, thats always a safe call

For me personally, the title is often the breaker. Consider some of the great titles they're coming out with - A Feast for Crows, The Amber Spyglass, the Deathly Hallows, the Dragonbone Chair - these are all really great titles, and if you don't mind me saying so, "The Magic Lands" is a bit lame in comparison. So I wouldn't be inclined to buy it for my niece. However, she might very well pick it off the shelf herself, so for all I know this could be a great title.

MJH

I hope this ok, but I've created a page with an extract from my book. I would really appreciate some feedback on it!


http://hometown.aol.co.uk/markjohnhockley/myhomepage/mywork.html

Zapp Brannigan

For me when buying a book Cover Art is what catches my eye. Then I'll look for a blurb or a synopsis.

c - 13

Sometimes I think may help with extracts for comment in future is if you give a small amount of background at the start of the extract. In this case, an outsider would have no idea who or what "Mo" is. Obviously we recognise the other two as the main characters from the synopsis. (Although if this is taken as an extract for use in the back of another book from the publisher then this would not be the case obviously).

From an adult point of view, if i'm to be brutally honest I dont think that extract would entice me to read the book. It does seem to point right back to young adult fiction. However it may appeal to others.

Looking at it from a younger persons point of view it does seem to have nessesary fantasy ingredients - Suspence, wolf, watching things that they shouldnt have seen etc.

I'm not 100% sure why but it still seems to have a taste of the Hardy Boys off it to me. Perhaps its just becuase the two main chars are boys of around the same age, i'm not sure ?

Would certainly be interested in seeing another extract however in order to form a second opinion.

MJH

Hi,

Thanks for all of your comments. Point taken regarding the possibility that some adults may not like the style, but hopefully there will be some that do. But your comments are certainly fair and valid.

c - 13 wrote:

Would certainly be interested in seeing another extract however in order to form a second opinion.

I'll see what I can do and thanks for taking an interest in my book and giving me a fair hearing!

MJH

c - 13 wrote:

Would certainly be interested in seeing another extract however in order to form a second opinion.

Hi,

I decided to post another short excerpt from my book for you. This is pretty much an exclusive because you asked Hope you like it.

It was only an old dream.
Mo was looking at him with a terribly sad, perturbed expression, the animal's tired face regarding him with deep concern.
Jack just remained slumped on the ground where he was. It was all right though, he knew. He had experienced this kind of dream before. It would go away soon and he would be able to stay in the warm haven he had discovered where softness and tranquillity held him close. Now there was nothing to be afraid of.
He waited, yet still the badger watched him silently and doubts began to prey upon him.
No, he told himself. I won‘t go back. I hate it there. I hate it!
“Jack,” the badger urged him gently.
"No, no," he moaned, reaching up and forcing his hands over his ears.
“Jack,“ Mo said firmly, coming in even closer, seeking the boy‘s face.
“Leave me alone. I don’t want this, I don’t want it! I’ve had enough, can’t you see that, I’ve just had enough.“
Mo brushed his cheek with his warm, smooth fur. "Be still, be still," the badger said with tenderness, "everything will be all right."
Very slowly, despite his efforts to hold onto the sanctuary he believed he had found within his dreams, his thoughts became to take shape.
“There is no refuge for you in dreams,“ the badger uttered softly, “I know it’s hard but you have to understand that we cannot hide from our own existence. You cannot run from yourself. Whatever choices we are offered must be met with our minds our own. Now stand up and let us face what will come.”
Realising that the dream was past and there was no refuge to be found there, Jack cupped his face in his hands. “Why does it have to be like this?”
Mo regarded him with a steady gaze. “Because a greater will than yours or mine sees all that must come, all that has been. It is a choice. No-one can be forced. Each must choose their own path. It is a personal test of our character.”
Very hesitantly Jack looked into the dark eyes of the animal. “But I always fail.“
“No,” said Mo definitely, “mistakes are not failure. No-one really fails until they give up their soul at the very last breath of their life. And that will not be you, Jack. You will stand.”
And hearing this, the boy made a half-hearted effort to do just that. He pulled himself up onto his knees and then made a tentative attempt to get up onto his feet. “Who am I?” he asked in a wavering voice.
Mo looked at Jack for a long moment. “My kin,” he breathed, “my brother.” The badger pushed himself against the boy’s side for support. “And we will stand together.”

MJH

Just a quick update on my book for those whom have shown an interest. I've pasted in a review from Amazon US that I think gives a gives a good impression of what the book is really like.


'One might look at The Magic Lands and find the title a little generic, and the summary may be a little cliche, but if you were to pick it up you'll see that it is full of suprises. The story is quite a roller coaster and the plot can become utterly unpredictable. I should also mention, that this isn't little red riding hood. The story is dark, bringing up memories of another dark fantasy, Pan's Labrynth. Like Pan's Labrynth,and any good fable, there is an underlying message behind it all and it is a message definitely worth hearing'.

MJH

Hi everyone,

I hope you will forgive me for getting all excited and letting you know about my first official review for The Magic Lands. You can find it here: http://www.enchantedentertainment.co.uk/book-news-reviews/review-of-the-magic-lands-by-mark-hockley/
Of course, I hope it will help to encourage you to rush out and get a copy of the book!

Thanx 4 The Fish

It is a bit of both for me. If I see cover art form an artist I recognise then I will often have a look at the synopsis. Couple of reasons for that, the picture catches my eye for one thing and also often artists will not want their work associated with a poor novel.

Then the synopsis needs to have a bit to it, I often read a couple of pages in the middle of a book to determine if I like the style of writing too, but that is probably just me.

Congrats on the review, although any reviewer who cannot spell or construct a sentence is not going to be one I would give much credence to.

Thanx 4 The Fish

c - 13 wrote:

I hope you dont mind me copying the synopsis here but it just makes things easier to refer to, if you want it removed just say and ill get rid of it -


(1) Philip Pullman - His Dark Materials (as already mentioned)
Northern Lights Cover
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/Northern_lights.jpg
The Subtle Knife Cover
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d2/Sknife.JPG
The Amber Spyglass Cover
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ad/Tas_pb_uk.jpg

There are new covers for those Phil Pullman books that I have seen recently, think they are just plain black. Must have a dig around when I get a minute.

Waylander

Always the synopsis personally, although I rarely branch out into an entriely new author without some sort of word of mouth recommendation sfirst.

Dades

Thanx 4 The Fish wrote:

There are new covers for those Phil Pullman books that I have seen recently, think they are just plain black. Must have a dig around when I get a minute.

I have the trilogy in hardback, but also darker cover versions. Do you mean these ones? (Covers here robbed from Amazon).

Northern Lights
Subtle Knife
Amber Spyglass

I also bought a print of that painting on the cover of the Amber Spyglass because I thought it rocked!

So re the original question, cover art is what prompts me to read the synopsis in the first place so I would consider it quite important.

Many congrats, MJH, on getting published. I've been on page 10 of my first novel for some time now.

MJH

For anyone interested there are a number of mini reviews of The Magic Lands on Amazon.co.uk It would be great to hear from some readers and I'm always happy to answers questions if anyone has one!

AceofSpades001

Well first thing that would draw me would be the author. But if I'm looking for something new then the title would have to grab my attention first, then the blurb, then finally any positive reputable reviews. I never really pay attention to the illustration on the cover, so long as it isn't completely brutal that is.:D

EDIT: Where are my manners, congratulations on getting published.

MJH

Thanks Ace

If you get a chance to check out the synopsis for The Magic Lands, I would be interested to hear what you think of it.

eVeNtInE

This post has been deleted.

MJH

As a small thank you for all of the support I've had here, I thought I would post an excerpt from a work in progress, which hopefully will end up being my next book. This is only a rough version, so jump all over me, but constructive criticism is always a good thing. It's called THE SHADOW OF THE ROSE and it's another fantasy novel in a similar vein to THE MAGIC LANDS. Of course for some this may be a punishment rather than a treat!


He had noticed that the temperature had been gradually dropping and it was becoming quite cold, which was quite ironic as most of the children referred to this place as the hothouse, so at least Mr. Pinchbeck had done his job successfully in that regard. Encouraged by this, he resolved to wait a little while longer, speculating that perhaps the task of convincing The Headmaster to come was taking slightly longer than had been anticipated.
From the far end of the greenhouse, there was a rustling sound and Martin ducked down instinctively, his eyes and ears immediately alert.
Now that he might very well be about to come face to face with The Headmaster, the prospect intimidated him to such a degree that he broke out in a cold sweat, but then the idea surfaced in his mind that there was always the possibility that it could be someone even more undesirable creeping about in the undergrowth, and this made him even more uneasy as he waited for whoever was lurking there to show themselves.
"Martin," whispered a voice suddenly from somewhere to his left and he strained his ears, trying to recognise who it could be. "Martin, are you here? It's me, Jo!"
He stood up, scanning the vegetation and saw a figure making toward him. He realised then just how dim the light had become, the girl almost unrecognisable until she was within ten feet or so and the idea of turning on the lights briefly passed through his mind, but the surprise of seeing Jo soon made him forget about everything but why she was there.
"What are you doing here?" he said in a tone that said he was very relieved it was her.
"I didn't mean to sca...creep up on you," she said, not wanting to offend him by suggesting he was afraid. But the truth was she found it hard to believe that anyone would not be frightened waiting here alone, crowded in by masses of plant life, the place so dark she had almost tripped over making her way through the aisles to get to him. Stacks of empty crates littered the vast greenhouse and unused flowerpots were everywhere, the place surprisingly cluttered and untidy.
"It's all right," he replied with an awkward smile, "but why did you come, I mean, I'm glad you did, but what's happened? Has something gone wrong?"
Jo's grave look told him that something was indeed wrong and he moved closer to her, concerned at the distress he saw in her frightened eyes.
"There was nothing in The Headmaster's files, just blank pages," she blurted out quickly. "And Peter's hurt his leg, falling down the stairs when we were chased, or at least we think we were chased. Someone found us in the office anyway, The Headmaster I suppose and we ran, that's when Peter fell. Then we saw the note in Mr. Welles...I mean Mr. Pinchbeck's room and it said you were in danger, so I came to get you." She finished and looked at him with an odd expression that said ‘I hope that made sense’ and Martin nodded instinctively, understanding without having to be told. Jo gave him a grateful smile. "Anyway, I think we had better get out of here," she added, Mr. Welles' warning foremost in her mind.
"All right," Martin agreed, "but hold on a minute, just let me get something." Saying this, he quickly walked a few feet to his left and plucked one of the yellow flowers he had been admiring earlier and then nervously turned back to face Jo. "I thought you might like this," he said very softly, barely able to maintain eye contact.
Jo blushed but smiled with quiet pleasure. "Thank you," she murmured, wishing she could think of more to say, but she suddenly found herself tongue-tied.
As the boy stepped forward to hand her the rose, there was a clattering noise from their right and Martin stopped in his tracks, eyeing Jo with alarm. Whoever it might be, he realised immediately that they mustn't discover her here with him, as that would certainly be seen as a serious violation of the all important rules of this wretched institution. "You have to hide," he hissed urgently and glancing about in desperation his eye fell upon a large crate. "Quickly, get inside," he whispered to her, pointing at the wooden box and without really thinking Jo followed his instructions, clambering clumsily in and squatting down.
Grabbing hold of another crate, Martin stacked it on top leaving Jo in darkness with only the smallest of slits to let in what little light there was and she pushed her eye up against this gap so that she might be able to see what was going on outside.
As she watched from her uncomfortable, cramped position, a terrible scene began to play itself out before her, like some grotesque peepshow.
"So here you are, Martin, my little friend," said a voice, but Jo could only see the boy's reaction and not the speaker, but this was enough to tell her that whoever was there with him, Martin was very much afraid. "Well, aren't you going to say hello?" another voice asked good humouredly, but Jo recognised the note of sarcasm in it and she squirmed to see who was out there. Two hulking figures ambled into view to stand before the boy and Jo had to bite her lip not to let out a cry.
"I think he's nervous," Joshua Snipe said with a slow shake of his head, the grin he wore making him look very much like a Halloween pumpkin.
"Maybe he's got reason to be," returned Joseph, rubbing his hands together unpleasantly.
Martin had remained silent until now, his mind racing, trying to come up with some plausible lie about why he was there that would enable him to escape unscathed, but before he could say anything Joseph pointed at him, a wide, malicious smile commandeering his features.
"What's the flower for, nature boy?" he chuckled, "is it a peace offering!?" The two men chortled with amused laughter for a few moments and Martin decided that the only thing he could do was stick to the story Mr. Pinchbeck had originally intended for The Headmaster.
"There's something wrong with the temperature in here," he mumbled, doing his level best to sound self-assured, "Mr. Pinchbeck told me to wait here while he went to get The Headmaster."
Joseph chuckled, the sound without humour and Martin felt a chill creep up his spine. "The Headmaster!? Is that a fact?"
Martin knew he had to choose his words very carefully and hesitated before speaking again. "Everything in here will die if it isn't fixed," he said with as much confidence as he could muster. "You must have noticed how cold it is?"
Joshua was nodding at him solemnly. "Not everything," he stated, his small eyes like black marbles, and when Martin gazed into them all he could see was an utter void, as if the man had no emotions whatsoever, just an unquenchable compulsion to inflict pain and sorrow.
Martin swallowed hard and shuffled his feet uneasily. "What do you mean?"
Joseph just laughed at this, the sound echoing eerily through the greenhouse and Martin knew that his only chance of survival was to run. But before he could act upon this realisation, the Snipes moved closer to him, effectively fencing him in with no way out, as if sensing what he had in mind.
"Only you," Joshua told him with a wink, "you're the only one who's going to die."
Now Martin did try to run, regardless of the fact that he knew it was useless, his instinct for survival overriding all logical thought, but Joseph caught him roughly by his jumper and hauled him to the floor, Martin's head striking the hard ground with a horrible dull sound, the rose crushed and cast aside to lay beside his cheek.
"Chances are you're going to have a nasty headache," Joshua told him off-handedly.
"Right then, master Martin," Joseph began in a businesslike tone, "let's get down to brass tacks. We need some information and you are going to give it to us. I must warn you that we are already rather upset with you, as you have been uncommonly difficult to locate, and we do have a schedule to keep to. But now that we have you, we expect you to do the right thing and tell us what we need to know." He stared down at the boy who lay curled up at his feet, too afraid to move, Martin only distantly aware of the sensation of something thick and viscous trickling through his hair and onto his neck .
"So," continued Joshua, taking up where his brother had left off, "this is how it is. We need to know where those three newcomers are, I'm sure you know who I mean. A boy and two girls. If you help us, maybe we won't have to hurt you quite so much. If not, well, I know you understand quite well what will happen then."
Martin looked up into the faces of his persecutors, but found that instead of men, all he could see were alien creatures, their eyes wide with desire and he understood that everything was lost.
Although he tried very hard not to, he could not help but glance toward the wooden crate where Jo was hiding, wanting so much just to catch a glimpse of her one last time, but she was too well concealed and a part of him that was able to set aside the desperation and despair that gripped him with such hideous strength, took comfort from that.
"Well, boy," prompted Joseph, giving him a kick in the ribs that sent all thoughts of anything but pain fleeing from his mind. "Where are they?"
Gritting his teeth so hard that it would have hurt if it were not for the all-consuming pain in his side, Martin hissed at them. "I don't know. I haven't seen them."
Joshua stepped forward and placed a heavy boot onto the boy's outstretched hand as he reached for the battered rose, hoping to take courage from this symbol of his affection for Jo, and Martin screamed from the agony that shot up his arm as his fingers were crushed with deliberate, slow care.
The man bent down until his face was very close to the boy's and gave a merciless grin. "We know you were with those two girls. You were seen! So come on now, do yourself a favour and tell us where they are. What are they to you anyway?"
Martin's mind was beset by flashing lights, reds and yellows blinking in and out and he did his best to think of any way he might be able to escape, but however hard he tried, his brain steadfastly refused to function properly, as if it too were injured, his hand now almost numb.
"You don't have many more chances," Joseph told him with an air of impatience.
"Just tell us where they're hiding and you can go," Joshua added, affecting a congenial tone of voice. "After all, it's not you that we want, it's them. It really doesn't have to be like this, you know."
Martin closed his eyes, the anguish that he felt almost unbearable and for a moment, fleeting but nonetheless real, he asked himself why he should stay silent, but then somehow finding its way even through the weight of fear and pain, Jo's face appeared in his mind and he saw her smiling at him as he offered her the rose.
Oh Jo, why did this have to happen? Why?
"Go to hell," he whispered, tasting his own tears upon his lips.
With brutal force, Joseph brought his boot down onto Martin's arm, snapping it like a twig, the shriek it provoked reverberating from the canopy of glass above them. "You had your chance," the man grunted and knelt down, putting his full weight onto the boy's chest, several ribs collapsing almost immediately, one puncturing a lung.
Sobbing and struggling for breath, Martin attempted to wriggle free but it was useless, the man's bulk crushing him like an over-ripe piece of fruit, and as consciousness began to drift away from him, all he could think of was how this must appear to Jo, who he knew was so close and yet seemed so distant from him, as if she were no more than a dream he had once believed was real.

MJH

I thought this review that was just posted on Amazon UK might be of interest. I'm really pleased with it because the reader absolutely 'got' what the novel is meant to be about.



'If ever you've strayed in a dodgy part of town you'll have felt what this novel at times conveys; a sense of anxious dread and paranoid suspicion. Evil doesn't play by the rules or rather it does but the rules are hidden. You're left constantly wondering what lurks beyond the next page and 'The Magic Lands' doesn't disappoint with twsts and turns aplenty.

Surreal, beguiling, entrancing, deflating, uplifting and even at times demanding the book reminds you of life itself and I guess that's the point. I'd recommend this for the older teenager and above or a bright younger teenager as the concepts, whilst wrapped in a context akin to a child's story, are altogether adult and belong to a world we know in real life to be decidely grey and occasionally bleak.

However there is hope - but again, as in real life, at a cost - and the reader is ultimately rewarded for the journey they take with the two boys and their companions. I'll leave you to discover what that is for yourself but if you like your novels to reach out, grab your brain and go 10 rounds instead of lying passive like the pulp they often are then I highly recommend this book to you.

'The road is cruel and dark, my friend.' '

MJH

Just thought that I would post this in the spirit of balance, but I’ve just had my first really negative review on Amazon USA! After three five star reviews I got a one (count them!!) star review from someone who thought the book was not good at all. Oh well, you can’t win ‘em all

MJH

MJH wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I’m very happy to say that I’ve just had my debut novel published

Congrats!

On how important covers are, I would say quite, at least until you become an established author.

For example, I thought the covers of the "Wheel of Time" series used to be very evocative - but they've now been re-published with fairly plain covers (I suppose they publishers know the books will sell anyway!)

ixoy

Deleted User wrote: »

For example, I thought the covers of the "Wheel of Time" series used to be very evocative - but they've now been re-published with fairly plain covers (I suppose they publishers know the books will sell anyway!)

Actually the old "Wheel of Time" covers are generally regarded as being pretty awful by fans (have a search on some forums). The reason is that the depictions on it bore little or no resemblance to characters and protaganists in the story. For example, the villains in the book are shown as men with helmets in the shape of animals whereas they actually have half-breed heads of animals. It's noticable and a bit off-putting.

I think therefore it's important that the books reflect the contents of your story and the characters. If it's displaying a scene, it's best if it's one from the book. I don't like it when the cover has nothing to do with the contents of the book.

MJH

Thanks for the replies. I'm a bit mixed about my own cover. In some ways it gives a fair impression of what the book is about, but I feel it's a little juvenile while the book is quite dark and more suited to older readers (at least mid-teens and up). If you get a chance to check the cover or the synopsis out, let me know what you think.

pljudge321

I have a strong dislike of synopsis's, so I won't pass judgement on it.

The cover does look like it's targeted at at young audience, say maybe 10-14, but judging by what you have said about it you seem to be targeting a slightly older age bracket.

Once again like others have said, you can't judge a book by it's cover, and from the two or three reviews google spat up it has my interest peaked.

How would you compare it, stylistically, and content wise to other fantasy books, your description reminds me John Connolly's, The Book of Lost Things, which is quite young audience orientated whilst dealing with some dark and heavy subject matter.

MJH

Actually I think that's quite accurate. The story does deal with some serious, complex issues. The reviews on Amazon (UK and US) give a reasonable idea of what to expect. The more feedback I get the more I realise that the cover does not really work and gives the wrong impression about the story. Also the book is not really suitable for anyone under around fourteen or so.

Hope you get to read it as I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

MJH

I thought I would let everyone know that my old AOL page with excerpts from The Magic Lands is closing. I have now created a new site that has the first two chapters from my book available to read. You can find it here: http://www.freewebs.com/markhockley/
Please do check it out if you get a chance. Comments are always welcome!

MJH

For anyone who might be interested I've posted the first two chapters of what will hopefully be my next book at http://www.freewebs.com/markhockley/
It's a work in progress, but it would be great if you got a chance to take a look and let me know what you think. It's called The Shadow of the Rose.

MJH

Hope you don't mind me sharing this new review from Amazon

'This book is the story of two fourteen year old boys who find themselves transported into a realm of magic and nightmare.
Reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia, the story quickly turns into a dark tale of nightmare, lust and cruelty as the two boys find themselves locked in a contest against the ultimate evil, with the stakes being not only their lives, but their souls as well.
Joining Tom Lewis and Jack Barton as they journey through the contantly changing dreamscape of The Magic Lands is like sitting down with Alice In Wonderland and Rob Zombie to drop some acid.
Loaded with iconic imagery, The Magic Lands is a tour de force into a surreal realm dominated by evil and insidious temptation.'

MJH

Just to let anyone who may be interested in checking out my work that I’ve changed my website address. The new address is now http://markhockley.webs.com/

Hope you get a chance to take a look!

Sleepy

I remember reading recently that George R. R. Martin largely credits the Robert Jordan quote he had for the cover of a Game of Thrones with helping the series get established. A quote from an author who's work I'd previously admired on the cover blurb would definitely influence me towards picking up the book.

Found the link: http://grrm.livejournal.com/21250.html

Tar.Aldarion

Yep, this has made me look up books before, a good quote helps out.

Trojan

Interesting to consider what makes me buy an sff book I'd never heard of. I guess it'd be in this order:

recommendation from someone I trust
recommendation from someone I don't know
cover quote from an author I like
synopsis

However, if the cover art must be good enough to get me to pick it up so that I can read the synopsis. Cover art doesn't matter if I know the author, but needs to be good enough not to put me off the book if I don't know them.

Interesting topic, I hope to publish some techie/business books sometime so worth thinking on.

Somnus

I think an artistic cover makes a big difference in what unknown book I'd pick off a shelf. I hate the way new prints of books are replacing the old artwork with shíte covers, you know the kind usually plain with a picture in the middle. Robin Hobb's for example.

Old



New



God I hate it!