Never Judge a Book by it's Cover

     Earlier this week, I went to the track to do my normal 2 mile run. As I push my 4 month old daughter along in the stroller, I notice two women with one stroller running. Both the women were not what I would think of when I think of "runners". They were a bit bigger and their legs weren't the finely toned ones I associate with that of an avid jogger, but they quickly surprised me with their speed.
   I should note that since the birth of my daughter, I have been attempting to get back in shape. This task has proven very challenging as the military schedule my husband has makes me feel like a single parent more days than not. However, I have been diligently going to the track, daughter in tote, and putting feet to pavement as I jog circles. (The track is ALOT smoother than pavement for the stroller. Take note other moms.)
     The day I am talking about was a day that me and these two women began our work out at relatively the same time. I stretched, locked the front wheel up on the stroller, set my IPhone to the Nike running app, and began. The women began a 100 meters in front of me. I thought I would catch up to them in NO TIME, but to my surprise, it was not until I was almost done the first mile that I passed them. Even when I got finished the second mile, I look back and to my surprise they were only 100 meters behind me.
   Then I got to thinking about how their outer appearance misled me to the conclusion that they would not keep up with me. Yes, I am a bit slower than I was pre-baby, but I do not classify myself as "slow" per say. To me, they looked like they would be slow, but I was dead wrong. This led me to a HUGE reminder NEVER to judge a book by it's cover with people AND with books.
    As a society, we make our first impression by how we look and act outwardly. While first impressions CAN be very much true and indicative of the human soul behind the face, it is not always the case. Yet, we judge them.
    It is the same with books. A lot of times in the publishing industry, a book cover can make or break you. As I lean more and more to the conclusion that I might have to become an indy author, I am faced with having to design my own cover. (Yes, I could pay someone, but I am going to be flat out honest and tell you I don't have the money. NOR do I think it is a good utilization of my resources at this point in time.)
    So I am left to my own whimsical and at times self judgmental perspective as to what I want the world to judge my book on... :( What do I want everyone's first impression to be? It is almost easier writing and intensely editing than to pick a cover because, like I realized the other day, I am just as much a slave to judging a book by it's cover as everyone else.
    Wish me luck. Maybe I will purchase an indy book this weekend who's cover I am not a fan of. It could surprise me just like these two awesome women did. (FYI ANYONE who works out and attempts to better themselves is awesome in my book! AND that book has no cover.)

Lots of love and wish me luck in Cover scheming for TOTEM!

E.M.Lathrop