a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Before I Sleep by Milton Bagby
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.
This cover suggests to me a modern hard-boiled detective novel with an African-American theme. The stark black and white title, reminiscent of Chandler's "The Big Sleep", superimposed over a black-and-white photo, suggests something sinister and ominous. I expect grim situations, unsympathetic characters, and a serious moral struggle.
The colors of the book, arranged in stripes like that, are those of the Pan-African flag, a symbol of African-American pride and unity since 1920, which is why I would expect an African-American story. To anyone with familiarity with the flag, the resemblance is there. But I do have to question if that was the intention, since nothing else about the cover suggests it. If it is not the intention, perhaps some rethinking of the color scheme is in order.
A bit of a cheat with both the front and back cover ;-)
Just the cover says crime drama to me.
The colors are bold and really stand out. The text is large and easy to read. The black and white image... hmmm.... says water and city in the back ground. That is the classic "sleep with the fish" image, but I'm not sure that's the strongest image possible. It's kind of hard to see under the large text.
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I'll have the revised version posted here soon, if that's allowed. BTW, there is a barcode on the CreateSpace version--they add it after you upload the art. Thanks again
This cover suggests to me a modern hard-boiled detective novel with an African-American theme. The stark black and white title, reminiscent of Chandler's "The Big Sleep", superimposed over a black-and-white photo, suggests something sinister and ominous. I expect grim situations, unsympathetic characters, and a serious moral struggle.
ReplyDeleteThe colors of the book, arranged in stripes like that, are those of the Pan-African flag, a symbol of African-American pride and unity since 1920, which is why I would expect an African-American story. To anyone with familiarity with the flag, the resemblance is there. But I do have to question if that was the intention, since nothing else about the cover suggests it. If it is not the intention, perhaps some rethinking of the color scheme is in order.
A bit of a cheat with both the front and back cover ;-)
ReplyDeleteJust the cover says crime drama to me.
The colors are bold and really stand out. The text is large and easy to read. The black and white image... hmmm.... says water and city in the back ground. That is the classic "sleep with the fish" image, but I'm not sure that's the strongest image possible. It's kind of hard to see under the large text.
Honestly, I wouldn't touch it. It screams "Too much!" at me. Those bold colors + the grayscale photo = distracting.
ReplyDeleteSorry.
As busy as this cover is, it still isn't popping. I would strongly suggest a color picture on the cover. That black and white one is flat.
ReplyDeleteSince this is a cover for a print book, it would be greatly beneficial to put a barcode on it.
I'm not a graphic artist, nor do I play one on TV, but the cover is too busy for my tastes.
ReplyDeleteMaybe tone down the colors (eek - turn off the bright!). And/or maybe blow up the b&w photo to encompass the entire front of the book?
My guess is that it's a thriller or some sort of crime fiction.
Christmas gone wrong?
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for your comments. I'll have the revised version posted here soon, if that's allowed. BTW, there is a barcode on the CreateSpace version--they add it after you upload the art. Thanks again
ReplyDelete