Opinions wanted on new book cover - Page 3

GraceKrispy · 06-03-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

I like this one best of the three https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink
It just has more depth than the other two.

I definitely agree with that, but I'm still getting cutesy little smirk...? I really think it's the wide eyes that does that. it makes me feel like "ooh, I've got a pretty stick, what do you have?"

mish · 06-03-2011, 09:32 PM

It still has a YA or children's vibe to me. Definitely not gritty fantasy.

chrisanthropic · 06-03-2011, 10:54 PM

Thanks again for the input everyone - it's nice to see what others think since I can get very single minded at times.

@David - Thanks for that link - it's a good reminder of how many people will be seeing the book for the first time.

Regarding the art, at this point, we agree. Since the main character ages quite a bit in the book, we're likely going to be using an image from the later chapters where she is older (once we get them from the artist). Hopefully that will take care of the "cutesy" issue.

And, just for the heck of it, attached the artists "fixed" (non-cover) version after I shared with her some of your input.

Thanks again!

It may be a bit before I've reworked something else with the new art, but I'll definitely give you all a sneak peak first!

VydorScope · 06-04-2011, 12:12 PM

I think you have gotten great advice here. The one thing I would add is that you might want to use dirty colors. Her shirt for example is perfectly clean. How does that say "gritty"? She looks a little to kemp. I too would have though children or YA and some what light natured based on that cover.

Just my opinion as a avid reader, and newbie writer.

jrlewis · 06-07-2011, 04:53 PM

Chris, have you considered using some professional photography? High quality stock art is pretty cheap. I use a site called Dreamstime. A single large photo costs as little as $1 to $10. And you could easily combine one photo of a model with a second photo for the background if you can't find a single perfect picture.

In the good old days, fantasy novels often featured beautiful hand-painted landscapes and portraits of scenes from the book. Today, with the growth of skilled costume-makers and makeup artists, photography is the faster and more cost-effective alternative.

Best of luck!

Ransom · 06-11-2011, 07:06 PM

I like it.

maggievnc · 06-12-2011, 07:07 AM

hey there :-)
I get the impression that the image on the cvoer is gifted in some super powers or so... is that so?

although i am just taking my first steps in the self publish buisness... and designing covers is not one of my talents... I ike it! (although for sure it needs more "polish" as mentioned ) i also thing the the cover fits to teen ageers readers .

chrisanthropic · 06-16-2011, 03:16 AM

Hello again everyone!

After taking some time (and shots of whiskey) to rework the cover, here's where I'm at currently.
Mostly it's a focus on more readable fonts and placement.

The background texture is still up in the air and is completely dependent on the final artwork we get.

The font sizes are based on a common pattern that I noticed - on most "good" (in my opinion) covers the title takes up approx. 1/3 of the size.

As always, thanks for your input, I do this on my off time to promote my wife's books when not working 40-50 hours/week so it's all new to me.

...larger image https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink...

mr ploppy · 06-16-2011, 05:22 AM

Move the text into the lighter part, you're losing the first and last characters with it like that. You'll need to make it a little bit smaller and move the title down a bit. I don't think it matters much about the byline until you're famous.

I still prefer the original line-drawing pixie myself over the painted one. It would fit the "old scroll" background better.

mr ploppy · 06-16-2011, 09:20 AM

BTW, thanks for the review on Smashwords, I've just seen it. I was a bit worried a lot of the slang might be a bit too impenetrable for people outside the UK (or even Yorkshire).

VydorScope · 06-18-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisanthropic

Hello again everyone!

After taking some time (and shots of whiskey) to rework the cover, here's where I'm at currently.
Mostly it's a focus on more readable fonts and placement.

The background texture is still up in the air and is completely dependent on the final artwork we get.

The font sizes are based on a common pattern that I noticed - on most "good" (in my opinion) covers the title takes up approx. 1/3 of the size.

As always, thanks for your input, I do this on my off time to promote my wife's books when not working 40-50 hours/week so it's all new to me.

Just noticed this book in my "Amazon Recommended"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

Cover looks very much like yours. Wether or not you care is up to you

Michael Grossman · 06-19-2011, 10:42 AM

Hi from a fellow author.

Forgive the following cover criticisms which are only meant to help your wife sell her new book.

Rather than appear whimsical or to suggest fantasy, to me the cover appears amateurish. It doesn’t suggest a clear personality or convey any particular feeling. The type doesn’t stand out and the lack of color may hurt in the competitive world of bookshelves or at an e-store book site.

1. Is the character happy?
2. Is she distracted by something to her right? Is she comic? Annoyed?
3. What’s that going on in the foreground? Is she holding something? An ax?

By way of comparison, look at how wonderfully your identity picture on the left conveys the feeling of someone who stands out in a crowd. It does a great job of quickly conveying message and mood. If you approach the cover of your wife’s new book similarly, I’ll bet you come up with a winner.

Wishing you lots of luck and sales,
I Michael Grossman

VydorScope · 06-19-2011, 03:06 PM

Well I just finished reading Thieves at heart (btw tell your wife Vincent said it was enjoyable), and I think that in some ways that little girl you have on the cover might be fitting. Definitely a coming of age story, with some topics that a parent probably would not want at 12 yr old reading about (though the main character stars off probably younger then that). Based on reading the story I might have suggested portraying a scene with Tav stealing something, or perhaps her "pa" handing her that sword. BUT if you use that image of her, please be sure to mention something on the back and in the blurb about it being targeted to at least mid-teen and higher because she looks cute like a early readers book cover.

I do think the artist captured her look well though....

chrisanthropic · 06-19-2011, 04:08 PM

@VydorScope (Vincent) - thanks! First, thanks for the link to the book on Amazon with a similar cover. Seeing something similar to my design idea that I'm not attached to at all really helped me realize that it just doesn't look very good. :P

Also, glad you enjoyed Thieves at Heart. Your input is appreciated and my wife will be thrilled to hear that you liked it (she's received very little feedback, so it'll make her day). We are pretty certain we'll be using a different image than the original one I posted. We're thinking perhaps something from the initiation scene.

VydorScope · 06-19-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisanthropic

Also, glad you enjoyed Thieves at Heart. Your input is appreciated and my wife will be thrilled to hear that you liked it (she's received very little feedback, so it'll make her day). We are pretty certain we'll be using a different image than the original one I posted. We're thinking perhaps something from the initiation scene.

That could be a cool scene too, esply in the early part before Tav knows what is up. That would leave the person viewing the cover wondering what was up, and may help tip interest.

06-03-2011, 10:54 PM	#33
chrisanthropic Fiend Posts: 148 Karma: 559930 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: none	Thanks again for the input everyone - it's nice to see what others think since I can get very single minded at times. @David - Thanks for that link - it's a good reminder of how many people will be seeing the book for the first time. Regarding the art, at this point, we agree. Since the main character ages quite a bit in the book, we're likely going to be using an image from the later chapters where she is older (once we get them from the artist). Hopefully that will take care of the "cutesy" issue. And, just for the heck of it, attached the artists "fixed" (non-cover) version after I shared with her some of your input. Thanks again! It may be a bit before I've reworked something else with the new art, but I'll definitely give you all a sneak peak first! Attached Images

06-16-2011, 03:16 AM	#38
chrisanthropic Fiend Posts: 148 Karma: 559930 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: none	Hello again everyone! After taking some time (and shots of whiskey) to rework the cover, here's where I'm at currently. Mostly it's a focus on more readable fonts and placement. The background texture is still up in the air and is completely dependent on the final artwork we get. The font sizes are based on a common pattern that I noticed - on most "good" (in my opinion) covers the title takes up approx. 1/3 of the size. As always, thanks for your input, I do this on my off time to promote my wife's books when not working 40-50 hours/week so it's all new to me. ...larger image https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink... Attached Thumbnails Last edited by chrisanthropic; 06-16-2011 at 01:26 PM. Reason: updated cover image

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06-03-2011, 09:32 PM	#32
mish Addict Posts: 215 Karma: 1930065 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Device: PRS-350, Kindle 2	It still has a YA or children's vibe to me. Definitely not gritty fantasy.

06-04-2011, 12:12 PM	#34
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	I think you have gotten great advice here. The one thing I would add is that you might want to use dirty colors. Her shirt for example is perfectly clean. How does that say "gritty"? She looks a little to kemp. I too would have though children or YA and some what light natured based on that cover. Just my opinion as a avid reader, and newbie writer.

06-07-2011, 04:53 PM	#35
jrlewis SF/F Author Posts: 160 Karma: 349656 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: USA Device: Adobe Digital Editions	Chris, have you considered using some professional photography? High quality stock art is pretty cheap. I use a site called Dreamstime. A single large photo costs as little as $1 to $10. And you could easily combine one photo of a model with a second photo for the background if you can't find a single perfect picture. In the good old days, fantasy novels often featured beautiful hand-painted landscapes and portraits of scenes from the book. Today, with the growth of skilled costume-makers and makeup artists, photography is the faster and more cost-effective alternative. Best of luck!

06-11-2011, 07:06 PM	#36
Ransom Banned Posts: 242 Karma: 51054 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Belleville, IL Device: Kindle-3	I like it.

06-12-2011, 07:07 AM	#37
maggievnc Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 257280 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Israel Device: Iphone, maclibre	hey there :-) I get the impression that the image on the cvoer is gifted in some super powers or so... is that so? although i am just taking my first steps in the self publish buisness... and designing covers is not one of my talents... I ike it! (although for sure it needs more "polish" as mentioned ) i also thing the the cover fits to teen ageers readers .

06-16-2011, 05:22 AM	#39
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	Move the text into the lighter part, you're losing the first and last characters with it like that. You'll need to make it a little bit smaller and move the title down a bit. I don't think it matters much about the byline until you're famous. I still prefer the original line-drawing pixie myself over the painted one. It would fit the "old scroll" background better.

06-16-2011, 09:20 AM	#40
mr ploppy Feral Underclass Posts: 3,622 Karma: 26821535 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire, tha noz Device: 2nd hand paperback	BTW, thanks for the review on Smashwords, I've just seen it. I was a bit worried a lot of the slang might be a bit too impenetrable for people outside the UK (or even Yorkshire).

06-19-2011, 10:42 AM	#42
Michael Grossman I Michael Grossman Posts: 8 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Rhode Island Device: ipad	Hi from a fellow author. Forgive the following cover criticisms which are only meant to help your wife sell her new book. Rather than appear whimsical or to suggest fantasy, to me the cover appears amateurish. It doesn’t suggest a clear personality or convey any particular feeling. The type doesn’t stand out and the lack of color may hurt in the competitive world of bookshelves or at an e-store book site. 1. Is the character happy? 2. Is she distracted by something to her right? Is she comic? Annoyed? 3. What’s that going on in the foreground? Is she holding something? An ax? By way of comparison, look at how wonderfully your identity picture on the left conveys the feeling of someone who stands out in a crowd. It does a great job of quickly conveying message and mood. If you approach the cover of your wife’s new book similarly, I’ll bet you come up with a winner. Wishing you lots of luck and sales, I Michael Grossman

06-19-2011, 03:06 PM	#43
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	Well I just finished reading Thieves at heart (btw tell your wife Vincent said it was enjoyable), and I think that in some ways that little girl you have on the cover might be fitting. Definitely a coming of age story, with some topics that a parent probably would not want at 12 yr old reading about (though the main character stars off probably younger then that). Based on reading the story I might have suggested portraying a scene with Tav stealing something, or perhaps her "pa" handing her that sword. BUT if you use that image of her, please be sure to mention something on the back and in the blurb about it being targeted to at least mid-teen and higher because she looks cute like a early readers book cover. I do think the artist captured her look well though....

06-19-2011, 04:08 PM	#44
chrisanthropic Fiend Posts: 148 Karma: 559930 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: none	@VydorScope (Vincent) - thanks! First, thanks for the link to the book on Amazon with a similar cover. Seeing something similar to my design idea that I'm not attached to at all really helped me realize that it just doesn't look very good. :P Also, glad you enjoyed Thieves at Heart. Your input is appreciated and my wife will be thrilled to hear that you liked it (she's received very little feedback, so it'll make her day). We are pretty certain we'll be using a different image than the original one I posted. We're thinking perhaps something from the initiation scene.