Reading is a fundamental habit that fuels the imagination and feeds the soul. Often our first impression of a book on a website or bookstore is crucial to our decision of whether to buy it. However, there are of course a huge range of variables and tastes vary widely among readers. Regardless, there are two main factors that influence a reader’s decision: the cover and the first few pages. Getting these details right can snag you readers, desperate for something original to read.
Essentials when selling your book:
1. A Well-Designed Cover:
More so than simply following current aesthetic trends, what is essential is maintaining professionalism in cover design. Use appropriate, good-quality and well-positioned images or illustrations. Even opt for minimalism. Less is more: a few carefully chosen elements will serve you well. Here you will find another article in which we offer cover design advice – and display some of our cover design work which you can make use of through publishing with us.
2. The First Few Pages
When introducing a character in the opening paragraph, make sure that the reader can get to know them and their attitude to life. This is essential. A desire to get to know characters is one of the most compelling motivations to buy a book. If you want to provide hints as to the exact details of the story, consider doing so a little later. You also need to decide if it best suits your work to introduce the main character at the very beginning or later.
Example openings
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” – Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” – Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again” – Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

Final Thoughts
Contact us
If you have any questions, write in the comments below or ask us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. You can also email us at cm@bubok.com. If you have a book you want to publish now register with us to publish for free. Remember that with Bubok you can access all the tools you need to get your project on the road. Don’t hesitate to contact us to speak with one of our publishing advisors.
Translated by Gregory Walton-Green from the article on Bubok’s Portuguese site