The relevance of cover design in the sale of contemporary literary fiction

Abstract

The cover design industry is undergoing radical changes with the popularization of digital literature and e-commerce. Research has shown that in order to remain relevant, the book cover has to be adapted to better suit digital platforms. This study asks: How relevant is cover design in the sale of contemporary literary fiction? Literary fiction is defined as literature that aims to push the boundaries of conventional literature. An online questionnaire was answered by 177 respondents. Analysis of the responses showed how readers of literary fiction are some of the least likely to associate a book’s cover with its content. The results also proved that the digital literature industry is indeed dwindling, yet e-commerce remains the most popular method of purchasing literature. In conclusion, readers of literary fiction were amongst the least susceptible to cover design.