a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Better Off Without Him by Dee Ernst
What's the genre? What is it you like or don't like about this cover? Does it make you want to know more about the book? Does it make you want to BUY the book? Discuss.
Sorry to say but this cover does absolutely nothing for me. Unless the book revolves around stacking books beside a potted plant and a martini, it gives zero indication of content or genre. The title font is a good size and contrasts well against the dark background, but the title itself, which gives the only hint of the story within, is rather generic. I suppose it could be a romance though the title leans towards a recovery, and the image leads me to believe it will be dull, tedious and involve some alcohol. The book itself could be heart-wrenching or it could be humorous but I can't tell from this and the bland cover falls short of catching my interest. I'd suggest the author start fresh with something that gives better indication of the story within.
I'm going to guess women's fiction because of the title but the cover does nothing for me. Sorry. It's not eye-catching, nor does it tell me anything about the story itself.
Don't get me wrong, since I love reading, but I don't want to read about characters who read. I want them to do something, and the stack of books leads me to believe she'll self-medicate through losing herself in a good book. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it doesn't make for an interesting plot.
I'd guess women's fiction as well. Do women drink regular martini's? I'd change that to a purple or pink or red martini. Maybe even lipstick on the rim of the glass. The plant should maybe be flowers instead with a little color.
I think it's chick lit? The martini really disappears into the plant. I agree it's a bit dull and depressing, and raises questions for me about how interesting the book is.
I'm sorry to say that the cover is very bland and does not convey any real information. With the Martini lost in the plant all we see are plants and books.
The name of the book is the only clue to what the book might be about. This is another start over from scratch cover.
I'd say this is chick lit. Life after divorce, maybe?
I'm not so sure the protagonist is really better off without him... It seems that her life-after-breakup plan involves sitting around, reading, drinking and watching the plant as it slowly dies. That plant could use some water, imo.
I like the font but I don't like the aesthetics of the title and author's name being broken down into two lines.
The contemplative nature of this cover does not entice me to pick it up as it promises a boring plot.
Wow - could this be why sales are slow? It's funny, because this is available as a paperback, and I get a much better response from people who have the hard copy. It's a romantic comedy - the character is a writer, and I didn't want the usual cartoon/animated look. Suggestions everybody please!
I'm guessing this is science fiction about a plant who's owner leaves without watering it. Desperate, the plant turns to alcohol, and begins to photosynthesize in a totally new way.
Ok, I read the other comments and looked at your new cover idea. Here are my thoughts.
It's better, but still not great. The new image has some possibilities but the proportions of the book and the font still scream amateur. The bookshelf is also a bit too busy.
I wasn't suggesting that my image be the final. I just tossed it together in about 10 minutes. I just look through Google images until I found something close to my idea.
I liked the image because the women in it would suggest woman's lit and the awkward pose on the latter suggested a bit of comedy. I agree with the bookshelf, but It came with the rest of the image.
If the author like the concept they could find a better image or go out and shoot their own to fix these problems.
Sorry to say but this cover does absolutely nothing for me. Unless the book revolves around stacking books beside a potted plant and a martini, it gives zero indication of content or genre. The title font is a good size and contrasts well against the dark background, but the title itself, which gives the only hint of the story within, is rather generic. I suppose it could be a romance though the title leans towards a recovery, and the image leads me to believe it will be dull, tedious and involve some alcohol. The book itself could be heart-wrenching or it could be humorous but I can't tell from this and the bland cover falls short of catching my interest. I'd suggest the author start fresh with something that gives better indication of the story within.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to guess women's fiction because of the title but the cover does nothing for me. Sorry. It's not eye-catching, nor does it tell me anything about the story itself.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, since I love reading, but I don't want to read about characters who read. I want them to do something, and the stack of books leads me to believe she'll self-medicate through losing herself in a good book. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it doesn't make for an interesting plot.
I'd guess women's fiction as well. Do women drink regular martini's? I'd change that to a purple or pink or red martini. Maybe even lipstick on the rim of the glass. The plant should maybe be flowers instead with a little color.
ReplyDeleteI think it's chick lit? The martini really disappears into the plant. I agree it's a bit dull and depressing, and raises questions for me about how interesting the book is.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to say that the cover is very bland and does not convey any real information. With the Martini lost in the plant all we see are plants and books.
ReplyDeleteThe name of the book is the only clue to what the book might be about. This is another start over from scratch cover.
I'd say this is chick lit. Life after divorce, maybe?
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure the protagonist is really better off without him... It seems that her life-after-breakup plan involves sitting around, reading, drinking and watching the plant as it slowly dies. That plant could use some water, imo.
I like the font but I don't like the aesthetics of the title and author's name being broken down into two lines.
The contemplative nature of this cover does not entice me to pick it up as it promises a boring plot.
Wow - could this be why sales are slow? It's funny, because this is available as a paperback, and I get a much better response from people who have the hard copy. It's a romantic comedy - the character is a writer, and I didn't want the usual cartoon/animated look. Suggestions everybody please!
ReplyDeleteI like a challenge. Here is an idea I tossed together for a possible new cover.
ReplyDeletehttp://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h223/ni_teach/Better-off-cover.jpg
I'm guessing this is science fiction about a plant who's owner leaves without watering it. Desperate, the plant turns to alcohol, and begins to photosynthesize in a totally new way.
ReplyDeleteJust kidding. I actually can't tell the genre.
Ok, I read the other comments and looked at your new cover idea. Here are my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIt's better, but still not great. The new image has some possibilities but the proportions of the book and the font still scream amateur. The bookshelf is also a bit too busy.
I wasn't suggesting that my image be the final. I just tossed it together in about 10 minutes. I just look through Google images until I found something close to my idea.
ReplyDeleteI liked the image because the women in it would suggest woman's lit and the awkward pose on the latter suggested a bit of comedy. I agree with the bookshelf, but It came with the rest of the image.
If the author like the concept they could find a better image or go out and shoot their own to fix these problems.
Oh, sorry, I thought the author had put together the new cover. I agree, it would be a better place to start.
ReplyDeleteRomantic comedy? Oh wow, I never would have guessed that, and I read a LOT of rom-com and chick lit.
ReplyDelete