Cover feedback please?

[Catlady]

My first thought for a cover is something using one of those old-fashioned jewelry boxes with a twirling ballerina (like the one here), because it feels fragile and unrealistic, which is what I'm getting from the way you've described your character.

[theducks]

Ballet has stereotypical images
London has its Icons (Was that Ferris wheel there in 1985? I must have missed it).
London has its Bridge, Beefeaters and Big Ben.
San Francisco has its Bridge and Cable car.
...

The point, is your audience needs to relate to something common (knowledge).

TuTu, Barre...
Footlights, Iconic London Stage
Landmarks

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by theducks

Ballet has stereotypical images
London has its Icons (Was that Ferris wheel there in 1985? I must have missed it).

It was erected in 1999, and is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK. It absolutely is "iconic".

[theducks]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It was erected in 1999, and is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK. It absolutely is "iconic".

(At least I was not blind)

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by issybird

But she'll still have to navigate London and the people she speaks to will be English and there's all the minutiae of daily life which is quite different from America.

Yep. I'm sure a lot of Brits will have issues with it. I'm looking to mostly American readers though. I did have a Londoner beta read it so it shouldn’t be that bad. We'll see.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

I didn't know London had a ferris wheel. Perhaps something more iconic like Big Ben. Even then the cover would confuse me.
Title American Ballerina
Cover England
Do I bother reading the blurb?

Yeah, I agree, Cin. I'm bailing on this cover and probably anything British on it.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by Catlady

My first thought for a cover is something using one of those old-fashioned jewelry boxes with a twirling ballerina (like the one here), because it feels fragile and unrealistic, which is what I'm getting from the way you've described your character.

Thanks Catlady. Cool suggestion. And yes, my protagonist is fragile and unrealistic.

[pdurrant]

Title change?

"An American Ballerina in London"

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Title change?

"An American Ballerina in London"

Interesting. That's what the title was. I thought the "in London" would be limiting readership somehow and I liked the punchiness of "American Ballerina."

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

Interesting. That's what the title was. I thought the "in London" would be limiting readership somehow and I liked the punchiness of "American Ballerina."

Oh, I think you're right. Unless you want to play off the "An American Werewolf in London" film, of course.

[Gregg Bell]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Oh, I think you're right. Unless you want to play off the "An American Werewolf in London" film, of course.

No. But I'd like to use "Werewolves of London" as the soundtrack.

[Nabeel]

I like the cover. I'm not sure why: it's well-balanced, and the images of the lights and circles hint at ballet. The break in the letters of 'American Ballerina' suggests something sinister, and makes me want to know more. It looks good!

[pendragginp]

Wow, Greg - OT but wondering - how many novels have you written this year?

[Nancy Fulda]

Originally Posted by Gregg Bell

The photo is of the London Eye ferris wheel. That is my, granted very faint, connection to the story because the main character is a wannabe ballerina in London.

Hm. That makes sense, but only now that you've explained it to us. I didn't get it AT ALL at first glance.

On a purely aesthetic note, the cover does not have very much (a) color, (b) contrast, or (c) dramatic implication. As a patron browsing a bookstore, I suspect I would have walked past it without looking twice.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Nabeel

I like the cover. I'm not sure why: it's well-balanced, and the images of the lights and circles hint at ballet. The break in the letters of 'American Ballerina' suggests something sinister, and makes me want to know more. It looks good!

I think it's a great cover, but not for the book under discussion.