For the first post of the new year I'm running a little contest. My talented book jacket designer, JT Lindroos, and I have developed two possible covers for the e-book of my novel, EARTHQUAKE WEATHER, which will hit the e-stores in the next month or two. I'm torn as to which is better. I like 'em both, for different reasons. But I'm biased of course. So I'm putting it to a vote. Which cover do YOU like best and why? Or do you not like either one of them and think we should head back to the drawing board? Click on the images if you want to see them in more detail.
Here's cover #1:
Here's cover #2:
Which do you like best? Or do neither of them inspire you to give the book a look? In this brave new world of E-Bookery it pays to ask these kinds of questions.
I have another reason for doing this other than my inability to choose between these covers. I'm wondering how many of you are out there. And who is listening. The counter at the bottom of this page keeps going up, but very few of you stop in for a chat. So I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you in to be heard.
When the smoke clears and the decision has been made, I will put the names of all who responded into a hat and pull ten names out. Those ten will receive a free copy of EARTHQUAKE WEATHER sent to their book shaped device on opening day. Think about it. You could be saving enough money to buy a Quarter Pounder with Cheese (not including the tax). I look forward to your comments.
#1 for me. It's sharper in terms of contrast and looks like it will have a broader appeal.
ReplyDelete5 cents worth.
#2 - The idea of what's higher up on those legs makes me tremble.
ReplyDeleteI like both of them. #1's color tones seem a bit too dark, but it sets a mood and place. #2 sets the place and the type placement is great; the cracks in the asphalt are a good touch, but it would be more effective if those cracks were moving toward the girl, adding a subtle hint of danger that could also be open to Freudian interpretation.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you say that, Jerry. We have a number of earlier versions of that cover that have just such a crack. I might post one or two of them later.
ReplyDeleteIt's #1 for me. I feel like I'm looking at the titular weather.
ReplyDeleteI love the second one because it says everything about California to me: mini-skirts, attempted LA glam, over-excited marketing font and keeps the focus on the paved sidewalk, keeping in line with the threatened geologic event in the title.
ReplyDeleteThe second one, as a reader, sorry, it wouldn't grab me.
Oddmonster, is there a typo in there somewhere? In your last line, do you mean "The FIRST one"?
ReplyDeleteThe second one immediately jumped out at me, and I first viewed it on my phone. Switching to the computer, it still jumps out at me. I like how the cracks in the pavement almost look like the quake may be just beginning, right in that very spot.
ReplyDeleteThat Lindroos cat really delivers the goods, doesn't he?
I like the first cover more. I read EARTHQUAKE WEATHER, and loved it.
ReplyDeleteEd Lynskey
I agree with above that the crack on cover #2 should be more menacing... but honestly, neither cover really grabs me :(
ReplyDeleteCover #1 is classier, but something about the trashier look of #2 appeals to me a bit more. Like Jerry House said above: the cracks in the sidewalk are a really nice touch.
ReplyDeleteMuch prefer #2, though the type needs to be enlarged, otherwise it will be impossible to read in thumbnail (which is how most Amazon customers will encounter it).
ReplyDeleteLee
the second one, and it's a great book so I look forward to buying it.
ReplyDeleteI like #1. What is on the page is what counts.
ReplyDelete