Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Christina Mercer on September 7, 2011 at 8:45am

What's working for me: The picture gives an immediate "synopsis" of what the book is about, which is incredibly intriguing.

 

What's not working for me: I wonder if you could add something small after/before your name, such as a credential or a quoted review, etc. to give it a little extra somethin-somethin ;-)

 

Permalink Reply by Karen A. Wyle on September 7, 2011 at 2:07pm

I've been tweaking.... If there's anyone who isn't sick of this cover, I'd love to get reactions to some of the latest alternatives.  All of them have a somewhat darker planet and larger artwork.  I've also tried adding stars to the black background -- either larger, more stylized ones or smaller, closer-to-realistic-size ones.  And I've also tried a different color font.  (I've tried some other fonts, but haven't found one I really liked.  If anyone has a recommendation for a good raised 3D font, please let me know!)

I've also had a private message from someone on another website, apparently a professional designer, saying that "the layout is amateurish, the serif font is crude and the illustration is poor. . . . Currently it brands the book as an amateurish attempt at publishing."  If that's the impression it gives, I really, REALLY want to know about it . . . so please don't worry about being kind! (OTOH, if readers like it, I won't worry too much about what professional designers think.)

Attachments:

• front cover with large 45-percent-darker planet, small stars.jpg, 259 KB
• front cover with large 45-percent-darker planet, stars, purple text.jpg, 238 KB
• front cover with large 45-percent-darker planet, stars.jpg, 241 KB

Permalink Reply by Tanya Buck on March 4, 2012 at 8:24am

Looking at the newer ones, I do like the one where the stars are removed.  Cleans it up and makes it look more professional.  Still needs something, I'm not sure what. 

Permalink Reply by Tanya Buck on March 4, 2012 at 8:22am

My first response was, "Oh no, another thing on abortion."  Seriously, I'm not sure where that came from, but it was an immediate turn-off for me.  I looked closer, and it didn't bother me so much when I saw one was the traditional alien picture and the other a human, and then I got intrigued about what that might mean. 

I don't love the font, but I do like the simplicity of it.  The overall look is not as professional as others I've seen (no offense, just my opinion).  I think if you took the planet with the the fetuses and blurred it--smudge it and lighten it, leave the stars dark, change the font--not sure to what though--it would look more pro.  Maybe make the graphic a little smaller and off-set too.  I like that you don't have a bunch of verbage on the front! 

 

Now, I'll go read what others have said.  Thanks for sharing, hope I'm not way off on this.  Good luck to you!!!

Permalink Reply by Karen A. Wyle on March 4, 2012 at 8:50am

The novel was published in October 2011, with a realistic star background added. Here's the Amazon link:

Twin-Bred on Amazon

Permalink Reply by Tanya Buck on March 5, 2012 at 9:25am

:)  Leave it to me to be a year behind the schedule, sorry!  Glad to see your book published and congrats, it looks great!