So, dear readers, with three sick kids and a husband trying not to go down with the same nasty head cold I’m taking the easy way out and throwing it open to you for Bookish Question of the Week ideas. I have quite a few up my sleeve but no time today to pose them so I’d love for you to share what might be some bookish questions you’d love to see posted here for feedback from fellow readers and authors, alike! I’m sure you’re brimming with wonderful ideas as I know you are as passionate about books as I am 🙂
Readers ~ anything related to books, cover art, reading, characters, plot, writing, ebooks, publishing, the whole book shebang!
Authors ~ is there a question you’d love feedback on from people who love novels and reading? Ask away!
I’d love to pose some of your questions here so add your question/s to the comments section (or email me via my contact page) and I’ll draw from that list, along with my own questions, in the coming weeks. Remember: Don’t answer questions in the comments – let’s save our discussion for when the questions are posted each week! Thank you
What Bookish Question would you like to discuss at Relz Reviewz?
August 26, 2013 at 11:18 am
I have a question about cover art. Why do many book cover photos have the person’s head missing? On some covers, this looks really strange!
August 26, 2013 at 11:44 am
Amen!
August 26, 2013 at 2:10 pm
Virginia » Thanks Virginia. I’ll put that on the list 🙂
August 26, 2013 at 11:46 am
Rel, I do have a question I would like to hear some answers to. I know it is a little geared to one genre, but I would love to hear what time periods and/or locations historical readers are looking for now. Hope everyone your way is feeling better very soon.
August 26, 2013 at 2:09 pm
Aaron McCarver » Thanks, friend! I like that question and I think it will generate quite the discussion!
August 26, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Regarding Virginia’s question, while I love the “headless” cover design (if done properly), I would enjoy seeing more of the process of how covers are put together. I know… this isn’t really a question but it’s great fun when authors share blog posts on the “behind-the-scenes” concepts and other working designs. 🙂 I think the “headless” look does better sometimes for a reader’s imagination(?) – oftentimes the models don’t mesh with the description.
Sending you all well wishes, Rel. Hope things get better.
August 26, 2013 at 1:21 pm
I actually like the headless approach as well, as odd as that sounds. When a full face is shown, it limits my imagination and that character remains “other” to me… I can’t make her my own. I suspect that sounds odd, but I’m very visual.
Now on to another thought… Anyone want to weigh in on ages for a “coming of age” story? I say you can stretch that moment to early 30s? Too old? And what is too young to be interesting to adults without dipping into true YA? Just wondering….
Thanks so much!
August 26, 2013 at 1:52 pm
Katherine Reay » Thanks for your question, Katherine ~ I have some thoughts on it so I look forward to sharing them when I post your Bookish Question!
August 27, 2013 at 2:47 am
Katherine – yay! Glad not to be alone in that. 🙂 If done well, that design is pretty cool. It certainly keeps imagination alive and oftentimes with covers that feature faces, the description and model clash. That shouldn’t have to happen with all the technology today.
Just chiming in with thoughts regarding your question, Katherine – I think 30 is about the most you can stretch a coming of age story. For me I like, say 23-27 in that range (for a more “adult” story) and think it can still be interesting. 🙂 I realize this is speaking strictly for my age group, so I’d love to see your question posed here on Rel’s site and see the reaction it gets.
Rel – no worries! I just saw Virginia’s question and remembered how fun it was to read through that process. I’ve seen Beth Vogt’s and Lori’s – both were a great deal of fun. Thanks! 🙂
I just finished writing a blog post posing questions about reviewing also – I started writing it way back when and am curious (especially after Lydia’s Twitter question) to know what readers, authors or bloggers like to find in a review. Do they like the star rating? A certain format? There are just too many “bookish” questions to think of!
August 26, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Rissi » I’m on it, Rissi, let’s see what I can organise for you 😉
August 26, 2013 at 10:31 pm
Rissi, you are welcome to have a look at my recent post, provided by my cover designer, Kristopher Orr, for my debut, Burning Sky. http://loribenton.blogspot.com/2013/08/burning-sky-making-of-cover.html
Might have to cut and paste that. 🙂 I love when other authors share this kind of stuff too. If I wasn’t writing, I could see working as a cover designer (I was an art major in college).
Rel, hope you all are feeling better soon!
August 27, 2013 at 2:50 am
Thanks, Lori! I did see that post and it was grand fun to read through. I liked how you put the post together – the early concepts plus your thoughts on the concepts. Well done! 🙂
The one you ended up with was lovely, too. I like the colors and the “faded,” windblown heroine.
August 28, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Lori Benton » Thanks Lori – for your good wishes and the link to your post!
August 26, 2013 at 4:10 pm
I love Aaron’s question as history covers so many areas (his series with Gilbert Morris is still one of my favourites).
One question for authors would be what is the most rewarding thing for you about writing? And for Readers what you excites you most about reading a book?
August 27, 2013 at 4:44 am
Thank you so much! We had a great time working on that together. And it was during my favorite time period.
August 28, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Ausjenny » appreciate the questions, Jenny!
August 26, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Hi Rel
I hope everyone recovers quickly, and that you, particularly, do not come down with that cold everyone probably is bent on sharing with you! Now is NOT the time for you to get sick!! Ease-a-cold tablets and lots of prayer and my two antidotes to family cold germs.
My question: what draws you to pick up particular books over others? Is it the cover art, the author, the publishing house (yep, I know I’m weird on that one), the genre?
Take special care of yourself dear friend.
Tracy
August 27, 2013 at 1:24 am
It is so hard to stay healthy when everyone else is sick! Hope you don’t catch it–or if you do, that you get over it before you travel to ACFW’s conference.
August 28, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Sally Bradley » thanks Sally! I’ve managed to avoid it 🙂
August 28, 2013 at 8:48 pm
Tracy » Colds rarely find me for some reason so I’ve steered clear, thankfully 🙂
Appreciate the question, my friend xo
August 27, 2013 at 1:22 am
Small-town settings have been done to death in CBA. What would make you, the reader, pick up a novel set in a big American city?
August 27, 2013 at 11:46 am
Rel, my sympathy for the sickness in your home, and best wishes for a speedy recovery for all concerned (and health for you as you prepare to venture across the sea to this wild, untamed land of ours).
Wonder if you’d like to revisit this perennial question: which factors most influence your a) picking up a book, b) buying a book, c) actually reading a book? Answers can be: 1) cover, 2) title, 3) author, 4) blurb on back cover, 5) recommendation of a friend.
August 28, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Richard Mabry » Thanks Richard – all on the mend now. Good question – I’ll add it to the list!