[Edward Lake]

OK, so I was at work the other day and a friend of mine came into the store. He's a writer himself and he's finishing up a self-help book about chronic pain. I met his wife for the first time and we all got to talking about our books and self-publishing. His wife told me she took a look at my book on amazon.com and thought that it looked really nice. But then she said something that a lot of people have been saying. "It's a children's book, right?" she says. I get asked this question all the time, actually. Even if I just tell someone the title of the book, most of the time they think it's a children's book. Could it be the name of it alone? Is it the cover, which has an image of a woman holding a baby? Could it be one of my reviews that compares it to Beauty & the Beast (a Disney movie)? I may have answered my own question. But I'd like to hear your perspective.

 

[Ann in Arlington]

Looking only at the cover, to me, it looks like a book for someone younger.  The drawing just has the feel of the type of drawings on younger kids books.

That said, the font for the title makes it look like it's maybe supposed to be scary.

 

[SandraMiller]

When I came across it in your sig, I actually thought it was a kid's book, until I remembered another thread where you said it wasn't.  I think it's the cover...something about that hand-drawn style says children's book to me...

 

[AshMP]

I'm not even sure the judgement or assumption goes as deep as what's written in your review, I think it's more basic.  In my opinion, it's the cover.  That's not say it's a bad cover, if my memory serves correct you've been praised on it here on the boards for a few times.  But there something about it that is a little cartoonish, and I completely understand why -- at first glance alone -- it's mistaken.  Without reading the blurb, I too would think it is a children's book -- probably 3rd-5th grade reading level.  

After reading the blurb, I'm leaning towards it being more Sci-Fi ... and even then, with that assumption (because I'm not sure it is), I still don't totally "get it" ... and I still think the cover is more appropriate for a different genre.  

Just my .02

 

[kurzon]

People associate original artwork with "middle grade" these days.  That's because most adult and teen books are using photos and photo-manip.

 

[Pnjw]

I think it's the title and the cover. Banjie the Beast sounds like it would be a children's book.

 

[Mathew Reuther]

The style of the art says "kids" to most people. The fact that it's a woman holding a child seems like it speaks to a different audience than you intend.

 

[Edward Lake]

I guess that's the final verdict. But let me ask this, if the cover were real people(or digital images that looked like real people) and not a drawing, would that at least help the obvious perception?

 

[Ann in Arlington]

I guess that's the final verdict. But let me ask this, if the cover were real people(or digital images that looked like real people) and not a drawing, would that at least help the obvious perception?

See, that's a question that I don't see any way to answer.

 

[Mathew Reuther]

If it's a mom and a baby it may still have an add first glance effect.

People associate that with a lot of things, but not fantasy.

SO illustrated would be fine if it were a different style of illustration, even with the mom/baby.

But photo mom/baby might just people people think it's a book for moms.

 

[AshMP]

I guess that's the final verdict. But let me ask this, if the cover were real people(or digital images that looked like real people) and not a drawing, would that at least help the obvious perception?

Yes, no, maybe so? As Ann said, there is no way of knowing until you know. So much would depend on the background of the image, the typography, and even the quality/graphic nature of the image.

I read your blurb, as well as the first couple of pages in your book, and while the book picks up with Banjie as a newborn child I don't know if you need him to appear as a child on the cover. Maybe a huge primate bear hybrid would be cool since -- looking at your blurb -- the story seems as if it deals with a "more mature" version of your MC. That's just a thought if you're looking to steer clear of the "children's book" look.

 

[Edward Lake]

If it's a mom and a baby it may still have an add first glance effect.

People associate that with a lot of things, but not fantasy.

SO illustrated would be fine if it were a different style of illustration, even with the mom/baby.

But photo mom/baby might just people people think it's a book for moms.

Well statistically most readers are women. So I guess that's not a bad thing. But I'm still not sure what to do about the perception of a children's book.

 

[Monique]

The blurb describes something akin to Beast or Wolverine. If the story isn't about him as an infant, and it doesn't appear so, I would avoid that imagery for myriad reasons. If you can afford it, an artist on DeviantArt might be able to capture Banjie's power and physicality. Definitely something more actiony and cool, comic-booky and less weepy.

 

[Edward Lake]

Yes, no, maybe so? As Ann said, there is no way of knowing until you know. So much would depend on the background of the image, the typography, and even the quality/graphic nature of the image.

I read your blurb, as well as the first couple of pages in your book, and while the book picks up with Banjie as a newborn child I don't know if you need him to appear as a child on the cover. Maybe a huge primate bear hybrid would be cool since -- looking at your blurb -- the story seems as if it deals with a "more mature" version of your MC. That's just a thought if you're looking to steer clear of the "children's book" look.

It's about 30/70. 30% younger Banjie, 70% teenage/young adult Banjie. Same thing for his peers. But what you're saying is, if the book spends more time with Banjie as a grown up, the cover should illustrate that.

 

[Amanda Brice]

I thought it was a middle grade book about a zoo keeper who finds a baby chimp.

 

[Edward Lake]

If you can afford it, an artist on DeviantArt might be able to capture Banjie's power and physicality. Definitely something more actiony and cool, comic-booky and less weepy.

I will take a look at that and thank you. Especially now that we're in tax season

 

[Edward Lake]

I thought it was a middle grade book about a zoo keeper who finds a baby chimp.

Lol . This was truly a laugh out loud moment.

 

[Mathew Reuther]

Well statistically most readers are women. So I guess that's not a bad thing. But I'm still not sure what to do about the perception of a children's book.

How many of those women have small children though?

They're only infants for a short time.

 

[daycaremommy03]

I actually do write children's  books and I did not get that feel from your cover.  My initial feeling was "horror story."  Is that what the book is?  I haven't read it nor the summary but I'd say it is an adult fiction book that is about a woman on the run or hiding some sort of story about her baby. Just my initial impression.

Most children's book covers are bright, colorful, and engaging.  After all, the publisher wants children to WANT to read it.  Some illustrators/authors go with a monsters on the cover or fantastical (sci-fi looking) creatures on the front - if the story warrants it, but for the most part, a children's book is going to have some type of cartoonish animal or person.  Again, just my take on it.  I teach children ages one to five years.

 

[MJMapes-Plummer]

It looks more young adult to me... but the illustration and title definitely lend it to a younger audience at first glance.