Which one do you prefer?

I'm not an artist/illustrator or etc., so I dunno any of that 'the margins/ratio' stuff.

Just as a reader looking at them, the second one seems like JD Sebastian is the title. It says JD Sebastian - A novel...

Just at a glance, I prefer the second one. And I like the title. It would draw me in as a reader.

Depends. Does Abraham Lincoln appear at any point in the novel?

ETA: I do prefer the style of the second cover, but I don't really think either of these look like coming of age covers as they stand.

Gale Haut said:

Depends. Does Abraham Lincoln appear at any point in the novel?

ETA: I do prefer the style of the second cover, but I don't really think either of these look like coming of age covers as they stand.

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Heh, I got a very Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter vibe from it too.

The first seems like the other way - it looks like it'd be about some older couple and some tragic, fading thing. Like that movie the woman, Emmanuelle Riv... something was nominated for the acting Oscar for.

cornflake said:

Heh, I got a very Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter vibe from it too.

The first seems like the other way - it looks like it'd be about some older couple and some tragic, fading thing. Like that movie the woman, Emmanuelle Riv... something was nominated for the acting Oscar for.

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I totally feel where you're coming from. I think, also, that the stock from the first image is really over used; I feel like I've seen it so many times at this point, and I just don't want to look at it anymore. Lol.

I prefer the first one, but they both have a really different vibe. The first says gothic literary to me. The second reminds me of pulp horror covers.

Either way I think it needs a little work. Removing the red border from the first one would be great, and then playing with the font to make sure it doesn't interfere with the image. Do you have GIMP or Photoshop? It wouldn't take too long to have a bit of a play around and google different techniques

I'd also remove that nearest lamp post if you do end up going for the first one.

sarahdalton said:

I prefer the first one, but they both have a really different vibe. The first says gothic literary to me. The second reminds me of pulp horror covers.

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Agreed. Neither of those covers would make me think this was a coming-of-age story.

I prefer the first one, though both are quite good. (You say you made these yourself? Impressive! Any tips?)

If your novel is fast paced (almost like a thriller or action story), I'd say go with the second one. If you've got a slower drama going on then I'd say use the first one.

The covers say different things. The top one would be more focused on his inner angst. The bottom one focused on the thriller/murder side of it, with the implication of a supernatural edge (the glowing eye). So it depends where your story focuses.

I find the bottom cover eye-bleedingly bright.

I prefer the first one, though "Goodbye, Gwen" doesn't look centered. If you move it to the right, however, it'll create a tangent with the lamppost (I think).

Additionally, I would bring up the author's name (in that first one).

Like Polenth said, the bottom is SUPER bright. For me, that's a turn-off, but I know there are lots of books out there with high contrast like that.

I like the typography of the second one better, if it helps? D:

I like the first cover the best. It stands out more to me and is something I would notice, but I think the second title is better. Although if I didn't have a choice, I wouldn't have a problem with the first title.

katci13 said:

I like the first cover the best. It stands out more to me and is something I would notice, but I think the second title is better. Although if I didn't have a choice, I wouldn't have a problem with the first title.

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Make that two for Cover 1 + Title 2

I like the first one.

I like the first one much better. I got the Abe Lincoln vibe too.

Third for cover 1 + Title 2.
The cover of 2 is just too bright for me and I'd pass it over.

Where is the OP?

I'll analyze by concept and you can decide.

HH Johnson said:

I have created two covers for a short novel.

which cover is best?

COVER 1:

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Reads to me, gothic, literary, most likely set in England (and I do mean England) Maybe Victorian England. Can read slasher. Reads adult, not YA.

This is mostly because the color set you have is monotone sepia, which doesn't catch YA eyes... or so the design philosophy goes.

It read Victorian mainly due to the lamps and the stone road with the man with a cloak in the back.

It reads Gothic because of the fog and the vignette.

And it read adult because of the script font which is often used on literary novels where people no longer care about if the font is readable because they know people are going to buy it anyway. (For example, my copy of Black Beauty). <-- I joke a little... just a little.

The story I'd think this was about was some guy that's been in love with this girl for a long time. Kind of the Trollop/Dickens genre of the guy that loves the girl but can't have her. Also that era. Or maybe a slasher set in that era.

The second cover has a different title:

Cover 2:

The story: a coming-of-age story. Chris, the main character (who has a dark side to his personality), is about ot turn 18. He loves Gwen. But she is going to marry Alexander Brent.

The main character suffers greatly, and he finally decides that one of them--Chris, Gwen or Alex--must die.

Which cover should I use?

JD

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This one reads more modern, but I don't think you're getting the concept down here either.

This reads 1970's poster art. The heavy-faced san-serif font. Also reads adult to me. I'm not 100% sure why, but it may be the male side view. It doesn't have that painful coming of age feel. I get the feeling, yet again, of a murder coming up.

BTW, cut "A novel" it's a waste of space. If they don't know they are buying a novel, you have more issues than what to put on your cover.

I'm also not thrilled about the type setting on this cover either.

Neither seem to hit the concept you're going for.

What is your tone?
What is your genre? (Thriller?)
What are the tying themes of your book?
What is the time period you are setting this in?


All of those will help to create the cover you need.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a6U--SqVC...AAbA/yy0Hn7C1RHo/s1600/ChasingChina_Cover.jpg <-- this reads instant coming of age for me without reading the title. Also defies the notion that indie covers instantly suck.

I prefer the first. Yellow and red makes me think fast food!

The first makes me thing mystery. The second makes me think paranormal (possibly the hair and the red eye). I'm not really that sure either reflects the story you've described though.

I like the first one, it would definitely attract me to buy. I find it very atmospheric and attractive.

The first reads romance gone bad. The second reads horror or thriller. I guess take that how you will with which goes with the story better.