Yesterday, after reading my post about eBook covers, author Elizabeth Kirke stopped by my Facebook page to mention she had blogged about the importance of titles and fonts, something I’ve actually been thinking about for a few days.
As a thriller writer, I’m not a big fan of the way thriller book covers are presented to readers, with those gigantic fonts that scream at you the moment you walk through the doors of Barnes & Noble. Like this (actually I kind of like this one, but you get the point):
But I guess what these kinds of covers have going for them is that they connote immediacy and danger and, yes, screaming, so readers readily identify the books behind them as thrillers. And that’s a good thing — readers know what they’re getting and can march right to that book at the bookstore, or online, if that’s what they’re after. But I’ve always pictured the cover of Baby Grand a certain way, not necessarily with tiny type, but with more of an airy feel to it. I’m wondering if it would be a mistake to veer from what is obviously a successful formula for the genre.
What do you think?
Making 'Baby Grand' (& Other Literary Rugrats) 
Think how easy it is for the cover artists to make these covers!
Okay, maybe that’s cynical, but … is it? Really?
Perhaps there’s more to them than meets the eye. :) Thanks for stopping by, Susan!
Check out Joanna Penn’s covers for Prophecy and Pentacost. I think her covers are a good example of thrillers that are selling well but the title doesn’t “shout” at you.
Yes, strong, bold type. You’re right, Natalie. It definitely works, but I’m still thinking smaller for my book, BABY GRAND. And I’m feeling like unless I have a skull and crossbones on the cover, people won’t know it’s a thriller! LOL! Thanks for the comment!
Extraordinary! – I stumbled on your site via “Freshly Pressed” – WordPress.com.
Interesting article about fonts but Book covers in general are so subjective. I have been through a few designs for my Thriller Books.
I can see that BIG type will work better on a thumbnail online when the likes of Amazon show a small image. The popular best selling suthors appear to have their name bigger than the book title – I guess because people will buy on reputation in that instance?
I’m new to this myself but with a purpose to publicize my books, I enjoy it, it is so easy too. I have a ‘real’ website too (not done by me though) http://www.percychatteybooks.com … so if you like thrillers ??!?!
Hey there! In the end, I wound up using big — not crazy big, but big — fonts on the cover of BABY GRAND for both the book title and my name. Not quite the font size I originally envisioned, but I do think that my book is now easily recognized as a thriller, which is always a good thing. Thanks for stopping by! I’m off to take a look at your site!