[Gregg Bell]

This thread originally asked for feedback on a possible cover, but I decided to go in a different direction and have removed it. Thanks to all who chimed in!

 

[Kathy Dee]

Any feedback is welcome. Thanks.

I think the background could be better if it were an actual photo of the sea, rather than a solid blue background.

Also don't think the yellow is the right shade.

 

[MorrowWriter]

The yellow text on blue works well. The fonts are functional but do the job. I think the cover would look very cool if the coastguard chopper appeared to be hovering over the page (plan view), and spraying the water outwards. I don't know how easy it is to get that kind of stock image though.

 

[jm2019]

Gregg, it doesn't give a "military thriller" vibe to me. It feels like a more lighter rescue story (unless that's what you're going for). Feels like the cover could be more grittier/ominous or something...

 

[EmberKent]

With the reference to the Everglades, I think you could easily make the cover more serious with some added green. Some kind of combination between camouflage and lush tropics, maybe.

If you do add green, though, I'm not sure the yellow will work.

 

[Blocked Writer]

I know you’ve written some comedic Navy books. If this is mean to be in that vein, I don’t get it from the cover. At the same time, if it’s truly meant to be a thriller, then I don’t get that either. My dad was a Navy pilot, and I grew up around the Navy, so I’d say the gold on blue colors work. But the helicopter doesn’t look “Seal” to me. Maybe try a Blackhawk.

 

[SirenaW]

What EmberKent said.

 

[Gregg Bell]

I think the background could be better if it were an actual photo of the sea, rather than a solid blue background.

Also don't think the yellow is the right shade.

Thanks Kathy

 

[Gregg Bell]

The yellow text on blue works well. The fonts are functional but do the job. I think the cover would look very cool if the coastguard chopper appeared to be hovering over the page (plan view), and spraying the water outwards. I don't know how easy it is to get that kind of stock image though.

Thanks Francis. Your suggestion would be very cool. I had difficulty finding illustrations in general, though. (I felt fortunate to find this one.)

 

[Gregg Bell]

Gregg, it doesn't give a "military thriller" vibe to me. It feels like a more lighter rescue story (unless that's what you're going for). Feels like the cover could be more grittier/ominous or something...

Thanks jm. I'm really glad to get your feedback because a lighter rescue story is what I'm going for. I would never be able to match the authenticity or grit of the real Navy SEAL stories, so yeah, mine is a hybrid.

 

[Gregg Bell]

With the reference to the Everglades, I think you could easily make the cover more serious with some added green. Some kind of combination between camouflage and lush tropics, maybe.

If you do add green, though, I'm not sure the yellow will work.

Thanks Ember. Yeah, I think the green would throw everything off. Plus it seems a lot of Navy SEAL stuff has that navy and gold combo. I know having a cover about the Everglades without green is kind of crazy. I'll have to rely on the title for that.

 

[Gregg Bell]

I know you've written some comedic Navy books. If this is mean to be in that vein, I don't get it from the cover. At the same time, if it's truly meant to be a thriller, then I don't get that either. My dad was a Navy pilot, and I grew up around the Navy, so I'd say the gold on blue colors work. But the helicopter doesn't look "Seal" to me. Maybe try a Blackhawk.

Thanks Writer. I'm glad for you feedback. I think the way you're perceiving the book is the way it is. Except it is a thriller but not a high octane end of the world kind of thriller. And there is humor but it's more realistic humor, as are the descriptions. I hear you about the helicopter but the Coast Guard one gives me a splash of color whereas the Blackhawk is pretty drab.

 

[Gregg Bell]

What EmberKent said.

Thanks SirenaW

 

[C. Gold]

I really like the cover. I think it does a good job of conveying a lighter thriller vibe and definitely says this isn't what you wrote before.

 

[Trioxin 245]

Honest Opinion. Does not scream thriller at all. At a quick glance it reminds me of a memoir type recollection book more than anything else.
Title also seems forced. Why not just, Everglades Rescue, Navy Seal Adventure 1?

 

[RBC]

It does not look like Military thriller, more of an adventure book. Could even be considered Non-fiction/memoir since design is very simple and has no background visual behind the helicopter to add more context.

Good things:
It does seem to say what the story is about (if main thing is helicopter rescue)
Font is good for thriller
Text is laid out well too
Blue and yellow works together well

Bad things:
I don't get what that white stuff around helicopter is, blending seems a bit off and could use work ( you know what it is, but people outside don't so we might not be able to assume same thing that you want us to see)
It doesn't look military (if helicopter was in military colors that would change)
Background too empty, using a texture and adding that would allow you to communicate military angle well too, plus it would be less boring and empty
Simple is good, but this needs a bit more to be not too-simple

In general, you're moving into the right direction. By far not the worst DIY cover at all and with some more work it can be spot on!

 

[Gessert Books]

Mixing centered and left-aligned text (a novel) often looks sort of jumbled.

 

[thegreenheron]

I don't think it's a bad cover. But while the blue and gold color scheme definitely says US Navy, the paint scheme and the style of the helicopter made me think of the US Coast Guard (I live near a Coast Guard station, and they use a similar orange/white scheme on their Jayhawk helicopter). I think the SEALS would typically use much more "combat-looking" helicopters like the Blackhawk or Chinook in their operations. A black, green, or khacki-colored helicopter would probably give off more of a SEAL vibe.

Otherwise, I would say it looks more like an adventure story than a thriller. I would expect a thriller to look darker and edgier.

 

[Decon]

I like the layout, font and coloring, but not the image.

The chopper looks more like a news or pleasure helicopter.

Needs a military chopper and better blended image in the background.

 

[Gregg Bell]

I really like the cover. I think it does a good job of conveying a lighter thriller vibe and definitely says this isn't what you wrote before.

Thanks C. Gold