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Hi everyone,

Firstly let me introduce myself. My name is Mark Hockley and I have just had my debut novel published and would love to swap thoughts and opinions on what makes a compelling read. For openers, 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? What draws us to decide to invest the time to actually sit down and read a book?

Originally posted by MarkHockley
Hi everyone,

Firstly let me introduce myself. My name is Mark Hockley and I have just had my debut novel published and would love to swap thoughts and opinions on what makes a compelling read. For openers, 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? What draws us to decide to invest the time to actually sit down and read a book?

I would say probably the media attention. Yes, people are stupid, they buy what they think their friends would buy.

I usually go by the strength of the synopsis, and, I'll also check out trustworthy reviews beforehand. But, I suppose a bit of hype is essential to getting your book popular.

First, what is your book?

Sorry, I meant to attach a picturel of my cover, but I'm new to message boards so forgive me. You should be able to find my book on Amazon if you look under my name. Be glad to know what you think of the cover. Thanks for all of your replies so far.

Well, the cover diffenitely catches my attention. I like things to look nice. Also, descriptions of the book is probably even more influencing to me.
For example:
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.
The description is very enticing and right up my alley.

Hi,

Thanks for the positive comments. I really hope, if you decide to give my novel a go, that you enjoy it! It would be great to get some independent feedback.

Originally posted by MarkHockley
Hi,

Thanks for the positive comments. I really hope, if you decide to give my novel a go, that you enjoy it! It would be great to get some independent feedback.

I just looked it up. Though it doesn't sound like my traditional read, I may well give it a go. If, or when I do read it, I will be happy to give you feedback.

That would be great! I think at this stage getting feedback is worth its weight in gold. Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

I think your description is rather generic. Phrases like "Friendship and loyalty are put to the test" get thrown around a lot, it seems to me, and don't really convery anything. At the same time, it's rather overblown, throwing around a lot of grandiose phrases without really saying much. "Ordinary people who are pulled into a magical land" is an overplayed genre, so you have to convince people that your work stands appart.

The picture of the boys on the cover make it look like a children's book--whether it is or not, I don't know. The picture of the Wolf is rather ugly, lending a somewhat amaturish air to the thing.

My advise would be to try to get some more exposure; if you type "Magic Lands" "Mark Hockley" into Google, you only get three results. People can't be interested in your book if they've never heard of it. If your publisher is handling that side of things, they need to do a better job.

My two cents.

Harsh, but ultimately true. However, the friendship and loyalty thing is almost a must if you are going to have multi-dimensional characters.

I'm not complaining about friendship and loyalty being put to the test in his book. I'm simply suggesting that the phrase is extremely banal and generic; if you put it into Google, you will find that it appears verbatim on the back of another novel (Blood Brothers) and in everything else from opera reviews to a movie preview to fanfiction summaries.

Depends on the target audience though, I suppose. That phrase was coined to attract a certain type of audience, and it's obviously been successful. If that's the same audience this book is aiming for, then I see no harm.

Media hype is good, but if the book is good enough it will be read regardless.

oooooh, pretty wolfiedrool....I love wolves! I may give it a try just for the wolf!

seems like an ok story, judging from the back of the binding, but it does seem a little clique. there needs to be something that makes it different from all the other novels where the children get chucked into a magical world.

also, I have a question: HOW DID YOU GET IT PUBLISHED?!??!!?! my grandma and I have been writing a fantasy novel of our own for some time now, and its almost done, but we are at a loss as to what to do next!

First of all, being a fellow writer myself, I have also wondered about this troublesome topic. How to attract a reader?

I picture first a flower. What draws, say a honeybee, to the flower? First, sight. The cover must be decorative, mysterious, colorful, alluring... A bland cover may also draw in a reader's attention. For this, you must match a personality. For instance, the flower may not attract the honeybee but the hummingbird instead. Either way, it still gets pollinated...erm..read.

Secondly, it attracts by scent. For this I mean that it must immediately spark the attention. This can be found on the back of the book, or inside the flap as the reader browses through.

Another way is by one bee "dancing" to another. In this form of vivid communication, the insects will follow it straight to the source. By word of mouth, the book is found. A good review will also do the job.

The final and most vital step, is the passion and health of the book you read. Unlike stilled pieces of paper wrapped in clever bindings, the book must have a heart and soul to it. This is up to the author in question. For the first chapter must hook them in and drag them along for the ride. It must enrapt the reader in a world of their own and let them thrive off what the author feeds it. When you end the story abruptly, you starve the reader, making them ravenous for more. If the story goes on and on with clear delights of every turn, the reader will grow so fat and satisfied with his or her feast they will become addicted to your work.


For me, what catches my eye is:
♥ Romance
♥ Historic Fiction / Nonfiction
♥ Adventure
♥ Soft Murder
♥ Strong Beliefs

In this sense, I can actually feel the writer calling to me. I am drawn to historic books the most, more-so because history has always intrigued me. It makes the reader, much like myself, research more into what the author already knows.

I hope I was to some assistance and I will gladly take a peek at your book.


<3
Kay

I might take your book up on a read. Though, I do hate its cover, it got stuck with one of those cheesy horribly "photoshopped" picture covers. It looks interesting though. : D

Originally posted by Bardock42
I would say probably the media attention. Yes, people are stupid, they buy what they think their friends would buy.

i agree.i do that! Call it stupid if u like but it's abt the perception.If I'v received positive comments abt a book by ppl I'll certainly atleast try to see if not read the book wat it's all abt.Same's with movies isn't it? U watch a film,tell ur friends n they'r likely to watch it.

Originally posted by
I might take your book up on a read. Though, I do hate its cover, it got stuck with one of those cheesy horribly "photoshopped" picture covers. It looks interesting though. : D

Thanks for the encouraging words, even though you don't like the cover! I guess I will have to console myself with the fact that I only wrote the book!!

But seriously, it would be great if you decided to read the whole thing as I'd be very interested to hear your views and thoughts on the story.

Thanks for taking an interest. I appreciate it.

Originally posted by maham
i agree.i do that! Call it stupid if u like but it's abt the perception.If I'v received positive comments abt a book by ppl I'll certainly atleast try to see if not read the book wat it's all abt.Same's with movies isn't it? U watch a film,tell ur friends n they'r likely to watch it.

So what I need now is one of your friends to say they loved my book!

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'.

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!

For me blog attention makes a bigger difference than general media attention, because it's someone's actual opinion and it reminds me that I heard about this book and maybe I should check it out. After that (or an eye-catching cover or interesting title, in the store) it's down to me flipping through it and reading bits

Good Stuff, definitely looking forward to it yes

Out of curiosity(because curiosity is awesome) how well did The Magic Lands sell? Enough to quit that day job and get rid of that old la-z-boy you've been sleeping in since college?

Hi Kero,

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll PM you!

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.' '

Originally posted by MarkHockley
Hi everyone,

Firstly let me introduce myself. My name is Mark Hockley and I have just had my debut novel published and would love to swap thoughts and opinions on what makes a compelling read. For openers, 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? What draws us to decide to invest the time to actually sit down and read a book?
To me, media attention is unimportant. If I see a cover that catches my eye, I will read the sypnosis. If the sypnosis captures me enough, I will want to read the book, no questions asked. However, if the cover looks promising, then the sypnosis seems too plain or too overused, as in, something you'd see on almost any other boring book, there's about a 50% chance I'd read it. I'll read pretty much anything, you see. The only thing that makes me put a book down without a second glance is if the story seems to have been done before or if it is too short.

The sypnosis of your book is indeed capturing, for me anyway, but I have to admit, the cover isn't too appealing. Tho it's probably been done before, in different themes and moods, a simple picture of a lone white wolf (either real or imagined) on a fading forest background is what I am thinking of, in fitting with the title and the sypnosis. Gives the book a less amateur, more mysterious aura. The boys do not need to be featured on the cover, unless you really want them to be. Just my opinion. Hope I helped. confused

Will definitely buy it though.

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 the new link in my signature.
Please do check it out if you get a chance. Comments are always welcome!

I've updated my webpage and it now includes the first two chapters from what will hopefully be my next book. It's called The Shadow of the Rose. Let me know what you think!

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.'

I'll read your book.