[deanna c]

Hi there --
I've had cover version #1 since November and I like it, but I've had a nagging feeling the cut-off faces turn some romance readers off. So... I've been playing around with a new version. What do you think? Am I over thinking this? I've got a new book in the series coming out in a couple months and I know I need to settle on a design before that, so your feedback will be really appreciated. Thx!

VERSION 1:

VERSION 2:

 

[JV]

Version 2 looks cheap to me...I don't like the washed out effect either. I also prefer not to see their faces for some reason. Version 1 is definitely the way to go.

 

[deanna c]

Thanks, JV

 

[JV]

Thanks, JV

You're welcome. The typography is all wrong in the second one too. It almost looks cartoonish...or like something that would splash across the screen of a 70's grindhouse flick.

 

[deanna c]

Yeah, the different fonts are just fillers from the designer and not what I had in mind. I'm more concerned about seeing faces .... but that seems to be my own hangup... Thanks for adding that, tho.

 

[Anna_]

I'm all for version 1 too.

 

[setherd]

version1

 

[Atunah]

I am a romance reader and I am turned off by cut off heads. Don't like headless covers.

But I don't really like either of them. Don't have any suggestions as I am not a designer. But the expression on both is kind of sourpuss. Or bored, they look bored. Lifeless.

And like I said I don't like headless corpses on romance covers. Just looks creepy to me.

 

[Hope]

Version 1

 

[deanna c]

Thanks for weighing in everybody... it's really appreciated I'm thinking I'll stick with the general design of Version 1, but without cutting off the heads and see how that goes...

 

[mbroadway]

I agree with JV. Although I'm not crazy about your type selection on version 1 either. It's too small and gets lost. Everything seems to be about the same weight and size, so you don't really have a focal point to draw the reader's eye. I would suggest, if you want heads, to move the subjects down on the page and run the title larger and above them. Or, move them up on the page and do a fade like on version 2, but fade it to black so you have a nice solid background below the figures where you can place the type. You could put your author name at the top above the heads. Just suggestions. Hope that's helpful.

 

[10105]

I prefer version 1 because the heads are cut off. I'd rather picture the characters in my imagination based on their descriptions and dialogue in the story. Then, of course, if you do a sequel, will you get the same models in another pose.

Off with their heads!

 

[deanna c]

I agree with JV. Although I'm not crazy about your type selection on version 1 either. It's too small and gets lost. Everything seems to be about the same weight and size, so you don't really have a focal point to draw the reader's eye. I would suggest, if you want heads, to move the subjects down on the page and run the title larger and above them. Or, move them up on the page and do a fade like on version 2, but fade it to black so you have a nice solid background below the figures where you can place the type. You could put your author name at the top above the heads. Just suggestions. Hope that's helpful.

Yeah, the typography kinda goes from one (not great) extreme to the other... and that's definitely something I'll work on. I like your other ideas, too. Thanks for offering them.

I prefer version 1 because the heads are cut off. I'd rather picture the characters in my imagination based on their descriptions and dialogue in the story. Then, of course, if you do a sequel, will you get the same models in another pose.

Off with their heads!

Ha! Al, you have a great sense of humor. And these are romantic comedies... The sequel will have a new couple set in the same world so, yeah, off with their heads