Request for feedback on four versions of cover - Page 3

Cinisajoy · 09-03-2015, 04:09 PM

Gregg, in your OP the second cover does look like a younger child carrying a doll.
As to your latest cover, it does look like the young lady is very distressed. If someone hadn't read the blurb, with the title and the doll it could be construed as a girl losing her innocence.

theducks · 09-03-2015, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

RJB, help me out with what you're thinking. The description says a 17 year-old girl tries to save the baby. (this pertains to #2, the girl holding the raggedyann doll). And you say "it's not a baby." So you're thinking the cover doesn't fit because it should have the pic of a baby on it? It doesn't come through that the girl on the cover is the 17 year-old?

Babies do not have Rag Dolls, so that would imply a very young babysitter that you state is 17

arjaybe · 09-03-2015, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

RJB, help me out with what you're thinking. The description says a 17 year-old girl tries to save the baby. (this pertains to #2, the girl holding the raggedyann doll). And you say "it's not a baby." So you're thinking the cover doesn't fit because it should have the pic of a baby on it? It doesn't come through that the girl on the cover is the 17 year-old?

No. I just assumed it was an eight year old. It would need to be more obvious.

arjaybe · 09-03-2015, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

A new issue. Someone said this looked like a book about rape.

What do you think?

Yes, it does also look that way. Like she's looking pensively at the doll and wondering what happened to her innocence.

JaneD · 09-04-2015, 12:30 AM

I like #3. Bold & graphic, appealing colors.

Gregg Bell · 09-04-2015, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Too me her looking to be 5-8 (or elementary school age) would make be think the child being abused in the story was in that age range (without reading the blurb) and that that is who is being represented on the cover (perhaps a child who's "nickname" is baby). It just wouldn't come into my thinking that she was supposed to represent the 17 year old babysitter since the stature of the girl and the way she's carrying the doll doesn't say "teenager" to my perception (but perceptions will vary).

Thanks Brian. I can see how you're thinking. Someone else looked at the height the doll was from ground and surmised it was a young child. And I checked the photo and found other photos with the same model and it is like a 5 or 6 year old!

I'm pretty sure I'm bailing on this one. A lot of people like it and it seemed safe but I'm not up for safe anyway.

Gregg Bell · 09-04-2015, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjaybe

Yes, it does also look that way. Like she's looking pensively at the doll and wondering what happened to her innocence.

Well, it could look like a lot of things, right? Probably something different to every person who looks at it. The thing is it fits my story well. I think if the cover gets them to read the blurb, then they'll know what the cover is all about.

A lot of people have said this cover nails the story. And some have said stuff like the rape, or losing a baby to stillbirth. But this story--to me--seems to get the story better than the others.

Gregg Bell · 09-04-2015, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneD

I like #3. Bold & graphic, appealing colors.

I agree and it will make a great thumbnail. Not so sure about the doll face though. A lot of people are creeped out by it, and dolls have become associated with horror novels.

Gregg Bell · 09-04-2015, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Gregg, in your OP the second cover does look like a younger child carrying a doll.
As to your latest cover, it does look like the young lady is very distressed. If someone hadn't read the blurb, with the title and the doll it could be construed as a girl losing her innocence.

Agree. But isn't just about any cover open to multiple interpretations? I figure if the cover gets them to look at the blurb they'll know what it means. So the question at this point is: Would that cover get you to look at the blurb?

Gregg Bell · 09-04-2015, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Babies do not have Rag Dolls, so that would imply a very young babysitter that you state is 17

Hey, I've always been a bad judge of ages. (All I can hope for is that there are a lot of people like me who will look at it!)

Nick_1964 · 09-04-2015, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

How about this one?

If I didn't knew the story,I would think this is about abuse, but not of a baby but of the girl pictured.
Baby is also A title you can give to a innocent 17 year girl...
From the covers, I would not relate anyone with the story of the baby,it seems like the baby is not in the story when you see the covers... In a lot of terrible story's an adolescent that is abused,reacts like younger ones, so to me it looks like the doll belongs to the 17 year old girl that she uses to comfort her..
I only tell what feelings I got from the covers and I don't think a Teddy Bear would change the story when it substitute the doll..

In my fantasy a crib with the girl next to it fits more, it isn't even important to have a baby in it, but the doll for some reason doesn't belong there,because in my feelings the doll and the 17 year old are together,it is her doll..
Maybe other thinks,the girl looks to the doll and realise that she lost innocence, but that is only when you know the story of the baby,if you don't I can't see any relation between a baby and this girl.

Did i help you ?? I guess not.. sorry.

Cinisajoy · 09-04-2015, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Agree. But isn't just about any cover open to multiple interpretations? I figure if the cover gets them to look at the blurb they'll know what it means. So the question at this point is: Would that cover get you to look at the blurb?

In all honesty, no.
I would just go find a different book. That cover screams abuse of a teenager.

Why are you so attached to the rag doll? Go grab a crib or a bassinet. That will portray the baby better.

Ps: Your title really doesn't do much either.

theducks · 09-04-2015, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

In all honesty, no.
I would just go find a different book. That cover screams abuse of a teenager.

Why are you so attached to the rag doll? Go grab a crib or a bassinet. That will portray the baby better.

Ps: Your title really doesn't do much either.

The title is weak in conveying the real subject of infant abuse

The Baby!
Bruised

JSWolf · 09-04-2015, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Thanks JS. So let me clarify something. You see the girl in #2 as a girl and she is, but the way I see her is as the protagonist who is saving the baby.

I don't see her as 17. The dress and the doll and her thin arm and small fingers don't say 17. They say more like 12.

Gregg Bell · 09-04-2015, 06:59 PM

Okay, thanks everybody.

Here's a new one.

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09-03-2015, 04:09 PM	#31
Cinisajoy Just a Yellow Smiley. Posts: 19,161 Karma: 83862859 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Texas Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy	Gregg, in your OP the second cover does look like a younger child carrying a doll. As to your latest cover, it does look like the young lady is very distressed. If someone hadn't read the blurb, with the title and the doll it could be construed as a girl losing her innocence.

09-04-2015, 12:30 AM	#35
JaneD Addict Posts: 324 Karma: 1057749 Join Date: May 2010 Location: LA, CA Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2013	I like #3. Bold & graphic, appealing colors.

09-04-2015, 06:59 PM	#45
Gregg Bell Gregg Bell Posts: 2,266 Karma: 3917598 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Itasca, Illinois Device: Kindle Touch 7, Sony PRS300, Fire HD8 Tablet	Okay, thanks everybody. Here's a new one.