Your opinion, please...I'm hoping to POD my two fantasy novels with Youwriteon, and I've been considering a new cover for Trav Zander.
I'm not sure the old one is neat enough. But I'm not skilled with Adobe Photoshop to do the professional job I'd like on the new one.
Which do you prefer?
Hi Lexi
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the second cover better (With the tail half-hidden); it's more intriguing.
However, I'm not entirely sure what the 'lumps' of colour are suppossed to be (a cave?)... which is slightly disconcerting.
Have you thought of getting yr cover professionally designed? It's quite a big step publishing a book and you need as much impact as possible. Regardless of the old maxim people DO judge a book by its cover.
Professional services needn't be that expensive.
Just a thought...
Anyway, to sum up: second cover = better idea... but the execution needs some work.
Hope that helps!
Guy
Thanks Guy - oh dear, yes, it is meant to be a cave. I'm afraid you are spot on with your comments.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to pay for a professional cover at this stage because of the cost...
I prefer the 1st one - which probably doesn't help you. I do know a book cover designer who does very reasonable rates if that might help - you can contact me via my website if you need to know more.
ReplyDeleteLove & hugs
Axxx
I love both of these covers - you've got a great talent. They'll certainly make an impact! (Came to your blog via YWO forum; glad I did!)
ReplyDeleteDotterel, thanks for dropping by, you insane uncritical creature, you! Unqualified approval, always a welcome change :o)
ReplyDeleteAnne, I will turn out the piggy bank and see what's accumulated.
I think I'd go with the first because it's similar to the cover of Torbrek. But but but - I prefer the idea of the second if it was a stand-alone one. (I also agree with Guy; I think the colours need to be darker.)
ReplyDeleteNik
Since you mean to publish both, I'd prefer the first, for the reason offered by Nik.
ReplyDeleteAs it happens, I think I'd go with the first anyway: sometimes it's best to be obvious, and the second isn't obvious at all. Subtlety might work better once you've got a reputation.
I'm interested to know that you're considering publishing with Youwriteon. Could be a good idea, but have you checked out Lulu? I had an effort of mine printed by Lulu -- just the one copy, to see what kind of job they could do. I have to say that it was very good, and the service is free.
Just a thought.
Yes, I'm going with the first. The second looks like Hergé on a bad day.
ReplyDeleteI'm going with Youwriteon because of my faith in Ted, and the promotion he will do. Just dipping my toe in the water...I shall blog about this shortly.
I am rather sorry I don't have another manuscript close to ready to give a try to the YWO venture. Like you I have faith in Ted. Tough sometimes to get a real feel for a person when web contact is all you have to go on, but my correspondence with him over the past two and a half years has been all positive.
ReplyDeleteAlan
I like your original cover.
Thanks, Alan - I've tidied the first cover up a bit, and am sticking to that.
ReplyDeleteTed is a Good Egg. And persistent, which helps.
Hi Lexi
ReplyDeleteThanks for your message - I have indeed been hijacked. I've done a virus scan on my PC which didn't pick up anything - do I need to get in touch with AOL or something?
PS - I prefer the first cover.
I don't know which is the old cover and which the new, but I distinctly prefer the tail behind the rock. The art work is both is good; but the suggestiveness of the tail is more intriguing. Visually, the path into the cave draws the eye in with it. Moreover, there's an interesting visual double-entendre in which the well-lit ground forms a kind of torso from the neck down, while the darker patch of the cave air looks like a head drawn slightly back, as if choked by a too-tight Victorian collar. Clearly, a lady of some delicacy is being led into the cave to be ravished.
ReplyDeleteAnton, the tail cover was the new one.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about it being more intriguing, but the problem was my limitations as an illustrator. I couldn't make it look the way I wanted - or not in the time available, anyway.
For Torbrek, I'd like a dark interior with astrolabes, lutes, skulls etc., with Tor standing by a Gothic window and part of a golden dragon visible through it. I'm sure I could paint this, but it might take me a year, and I'd have to learn how to use oils...