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Old 08-11-2016, 02:29 PM   #1
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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.
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Old 08-11-2016, 03:32 PM   #2
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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.
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Old 08-11-2016, 03:40 PM   #3
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As a man, I find the first cover much, much sexier.
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Old 08-11-2016, 03:57 PM   #4
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Brunette in the Wind, definetely. The second cover looks like that of a self-help or astrology book to me
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Old 08-11-2016, 04:04 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cinisajoy View Post
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.
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Old 08-11-2016, 04:06 PM   #6
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It's VERY sexy, but not remotely risqué, to my mind.
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Old 08-11-2016, 04:14 PM   #7
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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.
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Old 08-11-2016, 04:26 PM   #8
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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.
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Old 08-11-2016, 04:31 PM   #9
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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.
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Old 08-11-2016, 04:45 PM   #10
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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.
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Old 08-11-2016, 04:51 PM   #11
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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
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Old 08-11-2016, 06:29 PM   #12
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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.
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Old 08-11-2016, 08:48 PM   #13
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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.
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Old 08-11-2016, 09:05 PM   #14
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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
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Old 08-12-2016, 03:46 AM   #15
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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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