Comment on my cover

[Gkarlives]

I like the original except for the font for the words and placement. The words get lost in the effects and ruin them a bit. Also, that font looks self published. You may want to get rid of the egg looking objects in the background. I like the colors though. Just my two cents.

[Window Bar]

The font is had to read at small sizes. Consider how it looks as a thumbnail too.

Hey Stephen-- The font is fairly unreadable at thumb size. It's not a matter of length by width--but more the lack of boldness to the type. The font is thin-stemmed, so it reduces nearly to single pixel. I obsess on this because some vendors, such as Sony eBookstore, use extremely small thumbs in their category searches, as do many Amazon affiliates. The font works fine at mid and large size (so it's fine whenever someone searches for your book by title), but a fair number of books are bought by readers who do a category search, then browse the stacks of thumbs.

The message works for me, and the color mix is quite fetching.

Best of luck on your project -- WB

[Laer Carroll]

Abstract or impressionistic art does not get my attention. My eye passed completely over this cover image, as if it was blank.

A cover has to have something which gets my attention. It could be a favorite author's name, or an intriguing title. A simple readable font is better than a decorative unreadable one. Adding a drop shadow will help make the text stand out.

Better yet is some thing or some one which promises action of some kind, though the action need not be physical. It could be emotional, mental, or social action – a fight against fear or dishonor, solving of a crime, winning a job.

[Sarunus]

EDIT - I realize I didn't comment specifically on the OP's cover. I don't mind an abstract cover, actually. I don't take notice of the design with an abstract cover, but that's not the point. With abstract designs, it's the feel that matters, and I get the feel that this is a sci-fi book with a poignant side to it. The font? I'm not all that sold on it. It's a little weak, if that descriptor helps at all. Also, I would recommend using a different, perhaps more basic font, on the name marquee.

I think an impact-type font is a pretty good idea. I'm fairly new to book design, but I've gotten a couple useful tips here, including making sure that my title is visible on websites, such as bn.com and Amazon.

Good fonts and compelling images are critical I think.

I've got a couple samples of my covers here.



This one some of you might recognize from last year. I made some changes in accordance with some of the suggestions to bold up the title font. As this book is still in the conceptual stage and unlikely to be finished for quite a long time, I'm still toying with it (hence the retention of the silly awards. Like someone mentioned above, I try to stay away from the uncanny valley here by using silhouettes. The artwork is all mine and the fonts are basic (Helvetica and Impact), so there are no usage issues here.

-----



This cover features the working title of the book I just finished. I put it together fairly quickly, so I used a random acacia tree photo. I have my own, which I will use when I do the commercial cover, if I do one at all. I have no idea what I'm actually going to call it. The font is not all that impactful, but I tried to space out the letters a bit to make it a bit more legible at a distance. Again, I'm trying to avoid the uncanny valley, so I used photos of a friend, who served in the Russian army with his permission. He think it's cool.

In any event, I'm not convinced that I should be doing my own covers. I'll toy with it a bit more, but I'm not sold on the self-design route. I would strongly encourage other authors that if you don't think you've got the design chops, don't do it. Hire someone. The last thing you want is to have all your great writing, characters, and plot unread simply because people were turned off by an amateurish cover.

Put your best foot forward. Good luck!

[Taramoc]

I like the image, but I agree that the fonts look amateurish. It may be a matter of just making them sharper or giving it a background or glow. I'm not sure the font itself is the problem, but the way you use it.

I do agree that the message is a bit murky, though. Having read the book (or at least one of the early drafts) I think you will be served better having some hints at the story in the cover. Maybe the twins, even just in silhouette if you don't want to go the virtual people route (I do agree that it crosses the line of creepy/weird, imho).

As it is, it kinds of look slapped on, as it doesn't really convey anything. It's not even clear if it's a planet or some subatomic particle you are showing. It's a nice image, but I'm not sure it does the job to showcase your excellent book.

[virangelus]

Don't be rude, Mathias was just showing me what was possible. OTOH, I'd need a bit more emo in my cover.

B5

Wait, rude? When was I being rude to Mathias? I don't think I've said anything directly to Mathias.

B5, please PM me about emailing your full sized file.

[M. R. Mathias]

BTW M. R. Mathias, I like the set of covers you posted. The pattern ties them together, but they are individual as well. I'd love to see something more full size. (To avoid squinting)

Although Mr. Carroll, I personally would shy away from using virtual people on the cover. It gets a little close to the uncanny valley.

Just my two cents.

B5

Thanks B5. I am maybe too proud of the covers the eGods blessed me with with. I went through several others that can be found in the pics of my fb pages, before I found what I lOVE. Your cover and your book can evolve in the modern world. In the OLD WORLD books were bound by their print runs and couldn't be changed easy, like now.

To see those covers larger go to my website or smashwords and take a gander.

[Laer Carroll]

I'm not convinced that I should be doing my own covers. ... I would strongly encourage other authors that if you don't think you've got the design chops, don't do it. Hire someone.

One possible hire is an art student fairly advanced at an art school. Some of them are incredibly talented and have been training informally as well as formally almost from the time they could walk. A friend of mine has a niece who is such a person. She was hired by a prestigious animation company right out of college. I am in awe of the stuff she just scribbles absent-mindedly. Contact a nearby art school if you don't have personal contacts.

Even if you don't finally choose to use your own creations as a cover for your self-published work the experience of creating a cover will give you knowledge of the practical and artistic sides of cover creation. You'll be better able to find someone to create your cover, and understand what you need to pass on to them about what you need. You'll also better understand them when they talk to you.

Lastly, the first or fifth cover you create may not be what you eventually use. Often each cover will give you inspiration for a better one. Each can also help you to decide what your book is really about. No matter how good you are at pre-planning, you never perfectly know your book until it's done – and the cover can both express and help you discover what your book is about. Your cover is a promise to your readers, and you need to understand what that promise is.

[M. R. Mathias]

[QUOTE=Laer Carroll;685909]
Even if you don't finally choose to use your own creations as a cover for your self-published work the experience of creating a cover will give you knowledge of the practical and artistic sides of cover creation. You'll be better able to find someone to create your cover, and understand what you need to pass on to them about what you need. You'll also better understand them when they talk to you.

[QUOTE]

I agree totaly. Even though I can make snappy covers like the first one I linked above. When my cover guy, Gary at GVX gets done, the Trilogy will be a set. It will look distinguished on a shelf, standing a full 2" taller than the standard published 5x7 paperback...lol They will look majestic on an eReader screen too.

[Sarunus]

One possible hire is an art student fairly advanced at an art school. Some of them are incredibly talented and have been training informally as well as formally almost from the time they could walk. A friend of mine has a niece who is such a person. She was hired by a prestigious animation company right out of college. I am in awe of the stuff she just scribbles absent-mindedly. Contact a nearby art school if you don't have personal contacts.

This is solid advice! I occasionally hire graphic designers at work, and many applicants are great artists that have great artistic talent, and many are looking for something to do.

Even if you don't finally choose to use your own creations as a cover for your self-published work the experience of creating a cover will give you knowledge of the practical and artistic sides of cover creation. You'll be better able to find someone to create your cover, and understand what you need to pass on to them about what you need. You'll also better understand them when they talk to you.

It's an interesting insight. I find that if I try to do something at which I'm not adept, such as 3D modeling, I get bogged down in the technical details and lose the plot. With graphic design, I've got a little experience, so I feel pretty comfortable tinkering. If I didn't have that experience, I probably wouldn't mess with it.

Lastly, the first or fifth cover you create may not be what you eventually use. Often each cover will give you inspiration for a better one. Each can also help you to decide what your book is really about. No matter how good you are at pre-planning, you never perfectly know your book until it's done – and the cover can both express and help you discover what your book is about.

I understand what you're saying here. In a way, it can be an extension of the worldbuilding dynamic. I find I will do a lot of "doodling" regarding my WIP universe.

Your cover is a promise to your readers, and you need to understand what that promise is.

All the more reason to make sure that the cover art is exactly what you want.

[MrBF1V3]

Wait, rude? When was I being rude to Mathias? I don't think I've said anything directly to Mathias.

B5, please PM me about emailing your full sized file.

Um... I wasn't talking to you. That was (hopefully) a lighthearted jibe at JunkMonkey, and a reminder that sometimes funny comments can be taken too seriously... at least until someone invents the sarcasm mark.

I have your e mail. I will send the source file and my version of the cover. (You put your email on the thread!!!!!?) You can let me know if there is anything else.

Taramoc, I am taking your advice into consideration. While it may not be the best cover for this particular work, it may be a good starting cover--with some polish. There are a good number of fonts available free and clear, it's just a matter of checking.

Thanks for comments. Picture good, but maybe vague. Font, needs work.

B5

[tmso]

Thanks for comments. Picture good, but maybe vague. Font, needs work.

Late to the show, but I agree with your summary above on your cover.

http://www.mrmathias.com/sitebuilder...er-239x343.jpg This one is a temp. The cover that will perfectly match the following two is being made now.

http://www.mrmathias.com/sitebuilder...ed-207x303.jpg

http://www.mrmathias.com/sitebuilder..._4-237x328.jpg

And, Mathias, I think your covers are very eye-catching and professional looking. Good job!

This one some of you might recognize from last year. I made some changes in accordance with some of the suggestions to bold up the title font. As this book is still in the conceptual stage and unlikely to be finished for quite a long time, I'm still toying with it (hence the retention of the silly awards. Like someone mentioned above, I try to stay away from the uncanny valley here by using silhouettes. The artwork is all mine and the fonts are basic (Helvetica and Impact), so there are no usage issues here.

I remember this one and quite liked it then and still do. The silhouettes do not bother me, but maybe they bother too many. Might you be able to find a model shot from DeviantArt or somewhere and add a lot of shadow to obscure them and make it vague enough to fit your story? The awards are fun, but, yeah, they'll have to go for the final version.

This cover features the working title of the book I just finished. I put it together fairly quickly, so I used a random acacia tree photo. I have my own, which I will use when I do the commercial cover, if I do one at all. I have no idea what I'm actually going to call it. The font is not all that impactful, but I tried to space out the letters a bit to make it a bit more legible at a distance. Again, I'm trying to avoid the uncanny valley, so I used photos of a friend, who served in the Russian army with his permission. He think it's cool.

I'm one of those folks who don't like real pictures on book covers. I like the images I conjure up for the characters in the book, not whatever the publisher (self or some art department) thinks the characters should look like. I'm weird that way. However, overall, I like the balance of the cover and like the that upper, left black spot can be used for a tag line or review quote for the book.

Good job.

Okay, I have NO training in book covers but I like to play around with book covers while I write. Yes, another way to procrastinate. But, here are two I came up with for my book:



I know - you all are gonna nail me for the glow, but I like it.

Here's another version:



I know the text is not centered. Some how I missed that before exporting the image. Oh, and here's another version:



(I love doing book covers! Can you tell? I have a few more but I'm guessing three's enough. )

I haven't figured out an easy way to make the bloody things smaller (without changing the source file)...

Any tech savvy person know how to do that from the post rather than changing the source file?

[Sarunus]

I remember this one and quite liked it then and still do. The silhouettes do not bother me, but maybe they bother too many. Might you be able to find a model shot from DeviantArt or somewhere and add a lot of shadow to obscure them and make it vague enough to fit your story? The awards are fun, but, yeah, they'll have to go for the final version.

My sister-in-law is a professional photographer out in LA. If I really have to, I'd hit her up.

I'm one of those folks who don't like real pictures on book covers. I like the images I conjure up for the characters in the book, not whatever the publisher (self or some art department) thinks the characters should look like. I'm weird that way. However, overall, I like the balance of the cover and like the that upper, left black spot can be used for a tag line or review quote for the book.

Thanks for the comments. It's funny you mention the faces, because I toyed around with the cover a bit more yesterday because it bothered me too. I have the same beef with face photos that you do.

Good job.

Thank you for the comments; constructive as always!

I know - you all are gonna nail me for the glow, but I like it.

Yep, not a glow fan, especially on a cover that features that kind of art. But if you like it, well, I'd be a hypocrite to suggest you change something you like.

I know the text is not centered. Some how I missed that before exporting the image. Oh, and here's another version:

Center the text, and I think this is your best cover of the three. Great balance and I really like the 19th century feel of the cover.

I like your approach to making covers. I think it's a pretty good marketing idea as well. I can't say for sure, but I'd wager that not too many newer books use this style. Yours would definitely stand out. Well done.

EDIT - I meant to ask. Is the artwork yours? If so, impressive.

I haven't figured out an easy way to make the bloody things smaller (without changing the source file)...

Any tech savvy person know how to do that from the post rather than changing the source file?

I use postimage.org. I took that second cover and uploaded it, giving you a few different sizes to play with.





Hope that helps!

[Window Bar]

Nila--

These covers have an excellent feel. They make the prospective reader believe that an absolute classic lies within.

Now I want to read your book.

[tmso]

Now I want to read your book.

Holy crap. Really? You just made my day!

It's funny you mention the faces, because I toyed around with the cover a bit more yesterday because it bothered me too. I have the same beef with face photos that you do.

Oh - I like the second version a lot better. Very nice.

By the way, Princeroth posted links to that site as well and they don't come through on the forum. One can copy/paste the link into a new tab and see the image that way, but it doesn't come out in the post on my end. At least, not in Google Chrome. Just so you know.

EDIT - I meant to ask. Is the artwork yours? If so, impressive.

Oh, dear, no. I couldn't draw even if someone gave me all of Leonardo da Vinci's artistic genes. Stick figures are a challenge for me. These are all old images I snagged from the internet. Old enough to be copyright free. I think.

Okay, sounds like the beige version is the favored one. Thanks for the comments.