Men and Women are NOT alike (book covers)

Lima Bean · 08-11-2016, 01:29 PM

In trying to decide on a book cover, I conducted a very scientific poll to gather input. It consisted of me emailing family members and asking random people on the internet to choose their favorite cover

. Thirty or so people replied back. Age range: 13 to 59. About two-thirds were women.

Since I didn't intend the poll to be a study of gender differences, the results surprised me. Only one male voted for Purple Starry Head. Two women voted for Brunette in the Wind. That's a striking gender divide. I'd love to know the reason. Do you think it's just a color palette thing or something deeper?

Received 90% of the male vote.

The two covers are designed to give off different vibes.

In the aftermath of a comet hitting the Earth, Brunette in the Wind plays off of the ongoing chaos and decline of civilization.

On the other hand, Purple Starry Head captures the main character's determination to hold onto her dreams and work for a brighter future.

Received 90% of the female vote.

I wasn't surprised that most of the men steered away from the purple and pink cover. But I expected the female vote to be more divided.

Anyway, I would need a larger number of participants to draw any definite conclusions. But I just did a blog post on this, so I thought I'd share.

Cinisajoy · 08-11-2016, 02:32 PM

Female and I love the first cover.
Since you have a very small data set, would be interesting to see the approximate ages of the genders.
Are these actual readers or just random people?
Oh I see why.
Can I guess that 90% of people you asked are very religious Christians?

I love that first cover but for your specific genre if you are aiming for female readers, go for the second one. Even if you are going for male readers you might want to find a slightly less risqué cover.

To me, that first cover SCREAMED sexy.

HarryT · 08-11-2016, 02:40 PM

As a man, I find the first cover much, much sexier.

Pablo · 08-11-2016, 02:57 PM

Brunette in the Wind, definetely. The second cover looks like that of a self-help or astrology book to me

Lima Bean · 08-11-2016, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Female and I love the first cover.
Since you have a very small data set, would be interesting to see the approximate ages of the genders.
Are these actual readers or just random people?
Oh I see why.
Can I guess that 90% of people you asked are very religious Christians?

I love that first cover but for your specific genre if you are aiming for female readers, go for the second one. Even if you are going for male readers you might want to find a slightly less risqué cover.

To me, that first cover SCREAMED sexy.

Other than my family members, I didn't know the religious affiliations of most of the participants or anything about their reading habits. I didn't think to ask. Oops!

Sexy and risque--really? There's no cleavage showing. I didn't see her that way at all. Interesting how people see things so differently.

HarryT · 08-11-2016, 03:06 PM

It's VERY sexy, but not remotely risqué, to my mind.

Cinisajoy · 08-11-2016, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's VERY sexy, but not remotely risqué, to my mind.

I was looking at the genre of the book and thinking of his target audience. If his readers are like some of my relatives: anything even remotely sexy is risqué.

AnemicOak · 08-11-2016, 03:26 PM

I prefer the first cover by a wide margin. Doesn't really say sexy to me (or risque), definitely get a thriller/adventure/mystery vibe with a heroine I hope I'll be rooting for (although it would word for romantic suspense too).

The second I find to have some interesting ideas, but overall uncohesive with various elements just kind of pasted here and there.

Dr. Drib · 08-11-2016, 03:31 PM

I don't like the second one because it gives the illusion that the woman has a flabby or broken arm, or a strangely muscled arm.

I should add that when I see what some people would think to be a beautiful sunset, I see a sun that exploded 8 minutes and 19 seconds earlier, and that I have only one second left to live.

Cinisajoy · 08-11-2016, 03:45 PM

The genre according to the title is Apocalyptic Christian Fiction.
Hey Lima Bean since you now have me totally curious, I am off to look at one of your books.

theducks · 08-11-2016, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablo

Brunette in the Wind, definetely. The second cover looks like that of a self-help or astrology book to me

Looks Trippy

Purple is fine. Grapes are Purple and make WINE

Lima Bean · 08-11-2016, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I don't like the second one because it gives the illusion that the woman has a flabby or broken arm, or a strangely muscled arm.

A flabby, broken, or strangely muscled arm.

If you see the whole picture, it's her hair. But your comment thoroughly amused me. Also, concerned me. I wonder how many other people think it's a strangely muscled arm.

I have the Purple Starry Head on the ebook right now. You folks are making me rethink my current choice.

Catlady · 08-11-2016, 07:48 PM

The gender divide doesn't surprise me. The first cover says male-oriented science fiction; the second is softer: romance or at least some romantic elements.

theducks · 08-11-2016, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

The gender divide doesn't surprise me. The first cover says male-oriented science fiction; t.

Nah!
It is missing the big honk'n Blaster. A must have, if there is not a Spaceship

meeera · 08-12-2016, 02:46 AM

I'm a woman. I would choose the first cover based on the better typography, though I'm not terribly keen on PoutyFace. I'm not in your target market, though, since I don't read "Christian Fiction".

08-11-2016, 01:29 PM	#1
Lima Bean Groupie Posts: 172 Karma: 527094 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: USA (near Lima, Ohio) Device: Kindle	Men and Women are NOT alike (book covers) In trying to decide on a book cover, I conducted a very scientific poll to gather input. It consisted of me emailing family members and asking random people on the internet to choose their favorite cover . Thirty or so people replied back. Age range: 13 to 59. About two-thirds were women. Since I didn't intend the poll to be a study of gender differences, the results surprised me. Only one male voted for Purple Starry Head. Two women voted for Brunette in the Wind. That's a striking gender divide. I'd love to know the reason. Do you think it's just a color palette thing or something deeper? Received 90% of the male vote. The two covers are designed to give off different vibes. In the aftermath of a comet hitting the Earth, Brunette in the Wind plays off of the ongoing chaos and decline of civilization. On the other hand, Purple Starry Head captures the main character's determination to hold onto her dreams and work for a brighter future. Received 90% of the female vote. I wasn't surprised that most of the men steered away from the purple and pink cover. But I expected the female vote to be more divided. Anyway, I would need a larger number of participants to draw any definite conclusions. But I just did a blog post on this, so I thought I'd share. Last edited by Lima Bean; 08-11-2016 at 01:36 PM.

08-11-2016, 03:31 PM	#9
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,348 Karma: 59447733 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	I don't like the second one because it gives the illusion that the woman has a flabby or broken arm, or a strangely muscled arm. I should add that when I see what some people would think to be a beautiful sunset, I see a sun that exploded 8 minutes and 19 seconds earlier, and that I have only one second left to live. Last edited by Dr. Drib; 08-11-2016 at 03:35 PM.

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08-11-2016, 02:32 PM	#2
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	Female and I love the first cover. Since you have a very small data set, would be interesting to see the approximate ages of the genders. Are these actual readers or just random people? Oh I see why. Can I guess that 90% of people you asked are very religious Christians? I love that first cover but for your specific genre if you are aiming for female readers, go for the second one. Even if you are going for male readers you might want to find a slightly less risqué cover. To me, that first cover SCREAMED sexy.

08-11-2016, 02:40 PM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	As a man, I find the first cover much, much sexier.

08-11-2016, 02:57 PM	#4
Pablo Guru Posts: 972 Karma: 4999999 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rosario, Argentina Device: SONY PRS-T2, Kindle Paperwhite 11th gen	Brunette in the Wind, definetely. The second cover looks like that of a self-help or astrology book to me

08-11-2016, 03:06 PM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's VERY sexy, but not remotely risqué, to my mind.

08-11-2016, 03:26 PM	#8
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I prefer the first cover by a wide margin. Doesn't really say sexy to me (or risque), definitely get a thriller/adventure/mystery vibe with a heroine I hope I'll be rooting for (although it would word for romantic suspense too). The second I find to have some interesting ideas, but overall uncohesive with various elements just kind of pasted here and there.

08-11-2016, 03:45 PM	#10
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	The genre according to the title is Apocalyptic Christian Fiction. Hey Lima Bean since you now have me totally curious, I am off to look at one of your books.

08-11-2016, 07:48 PM	#13
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,407 Karma: 52613881 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	The gender divide doesn't surprise me. The first cover says male-oriented science fiction; the second is softer: romance or at least some romantic elements.

08-12-2016, 02:46 AM	#15
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,797 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	I'm a woman. I would choose the first cover based on the better typography, though I'm not terribly keen on PoutyFace. I'm not in your target market, though, since I don't read "Christian Fiction".

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