This is the cover I’m entering:
I can only enter it in one category and I’m torn between
two: Science fiction/Fantasy/Paranormal or Sexiest Cover. Which one do you
think it would have a better chance of winning?
I’ve entered this contest the past two years (My Sunny Vampire and Bite Me, I’m Yours) without much luck.
Maybe this year will be my year?
I could enter Ghostly
Liaison, too (since it was also released this year), and maybe I will. It
only costs $15 and I could use the exposure. If I did enter Ghostly Liaison, which category do you
think it has a chance in? Same two categories apply.
By the way, I also entered Blind Temptation in the RITA contest (RWA’s big published book
contest). Don’t know what kind of chance I
have, but figure that’s FIVE more people who will read my book. And this book
needs more readers!
It could use some more reviews, too, but that’s an issue the
RITA won’t fix. Unless I final, I suppose. Wouldn’t THAT be something?
I could have also entered Ghostly Liaison, but decided against it. Besides the $50 entry fee,
I have to mail 5 books (5 more if the book finals). Copies of Blind Temptation are a lot cheaper for
me to buy than copies of Ghostly Liaison.
Maybe that’s not a very good reason, but I have to draw the line somewhere.
Knee update: Hubby has been calling me Hop-a-long. My knee
is still sore. But, it’s getting better. It hurts the worst when I get up after
sitting awhile (and awhile can be a little as a couple of minutes). My knee objects
to straightening (and bending and walking). At least it doesn’t hurt when I’m
sitting. That’s because I’m not moving it! Hahahahaha! J
Hey, if I can’t laugh over this, I might as well throw in
the towel, you know?
So… Please give me your honest opinion (as if you’d do
anything else). Do my covers stand a chance? Or should I just forget about the
whole thing?
Have a great weekend!
Stacy
9 comments:
Here's the thing about those covers: I don't know what the judging criteria will be. In the case of the paranormal/fantasy/sci-fi etc. category, does the cover have to communicate that? Because to me, neither of your covers really look like that category (with the possible exception of the crypt-like background on Blind Temptation). The focus on your covers is on the sexy, so I think that's where I would place them.
Hope the hubby is waiting on you hand and foot, since moving is such a problem for you. Have a restful and recovering weekend!
I'm with JeffO. Your covers are more sexy than supernatural. Shoot for that category. Fingers crossed for you, whatever you do. =o)
Yep, laughter is the best medicine. I'm glad your Hubby is helping with that.
Personally, I have no clue what it takes to get a cover an award in these contests. All you can do is try. And $15 isn't that big of an investment. I think your covers have a shot. They're clean and professional looking. They're attention grabbing. All the things a cover is supposed to do. So go for it.
I agree with Jeffo. Judging is the key. If it's a popularity vote, I wouldn't even enter. To put it bluntly, it's rigged only by how many supporters you have.
On the other hand, if it's truly a judged contest by a qualified authority than I would choose the 'Sexy' category.
Like when choosing Amazon categories, you want to choose the option that gives you the least competition so you have more chance to be seen. Because SF/Fantasy/Paranormal is so broad, there should be far more entries here.
PS Keep babying that knee.
Jeff - I wasn't sure of the judging criteria, either. It doesn't state that the book's genre has to be in those categories. As for hubby waiting on me hand and foot? Not quite. :)
Beth - Yeah, $15 isn't that bad. And the cover will be seen by book sellers, as well as readers. Exposure like that is good.
Maria - The judges for the prize are book sellers. There's also a reader vote, which is more on the popularity side, I'm sure, but doesn't count toward the prize. If it was strictly a popularity vote, I wouldn't waste my money. By the way, my knee is feeling TONS better today. Yay!
These are marketing decisions outside my expertise, but previous comments sound solid to me.
If it's about more exposure, I guess when is it not, I notice I've been browsing the InD'Tale emag.
I don't know platform, promos or costs for the authors, but I know I get the magazine and their selected promo via email and for me it's like getting a Pampered Chef or the William Sonoma catalog--I thoroughly enjoy browsing through it and actually have selected books to read. I don't even know the size or who of their circulation. Don't care.
Maybe they just use the right colors for my iPad or their layout makes sense to me. I admit I also like getting their "bargain" promo.
Wishing you luck in your promo selections out there! --Tanja
I've noticed these contests tend to favor well-known authors, even if they say it's not a popularity contest. If $15 is worth it for just the exposure of entering, go for it! Otherwise, it's probably a waste. Yes, your covers are that good, but popularity contest.
Also, BT's cover might not be obviously paranormal, but a lot of PNR covers aren't - so many just have beefcake (often headless). I can't see it competing with the erotica covers, so I'm going to disagree with the prevailing opinion. That's helpful, isn't it? :D
Either way, good luck! Especially in the Ritas.
Tanja - InD'Tale reviewed Blind Temptation. Gave it 3-1/2 stars and said some nice things. I paid $10 for them to post my cover and link to my web. Otherwise, the review would have been free. Someday I might check out their other promo, but I don't know how to create a stupid ad and I can't really afford to hire someone, either. It sucks.
Jennette - I think if the category said erotica, I would assume erotica books, but it says sexiest cover. So hard to decide!!!
I also agree with Jeff 0. He makes excellent points.
Your hubby is funny.
Ivy - My hubby is something. :)
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