a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Southern Man by Connie Chastain
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.
I would guess that this is a contemporary christian romance.
I'm not a fan of the Photoshop work on the people, the faded women in the background makes the whole image seem flat. I also don't like the texture back ground. The text is fine and easy to read.
Hi, I am not sure what the genre would be. The two in the front make me think of lawyers? I'm afraid I don't find them very interesting. I'm sorry. I have awful covers so I shouldn't even talk. :)
If it is a corporate setting, I would then suggest a office building in the background. The type of building could say a lot about the location and time period of the book.
Good point, Eric. Maybe I need to do another search for a building photo. I looked all over the net for one to use in the book trailer -- it's a two-story building in a moss-hung office park in south Georgia -- and really didn't find anything; but that was a couple of years ago. No telling how much content has been added to microstock sites since then. Thanks!
Even if the book is set in the 1980s, I'm not sure having the cover look 1980s is the best idea. And the rainbow effect in the background, along with the title, make me wonder, is it a gay romance?
Thanks, Robin. I didn't really set out to make it look like the Eighties. In fact, I was wondering whether people would notice the anachronism of a 1980s story and 2000s people. All these models/photos are currently available on microstock sites. You can see the component images at the bottom of this page: http://wordslingerboutique.biz/covers.html
And, no, it's not a gay romance. It's about a family man/company executive who's falsely accused of sexual harassment at his workplace. The woman on the left is his wife; the two women on the right are his accuser and her mentor.
@Connie, perhaps you are being too literal with this cover. Allegorical may suit your story better. It also avoids the issue that people have with cover characters not matching what they think the character should look like in their head.
Interesting, Robin. No doubt, I'm a very literal person, which probably explains the cover. Actually, I originally attempted symbolism (rather poorly, I think). I had tree, a Southern pine, silhouetted against a blue sky. http://conniechastain.com/PineCover.jpg
I thought the tall, straight pine sort of symbolized the protagonist; but it was one of those covers that people say, "It doesn't give a clue what the story's about." So I abandoned it and went literal. If I could think of a visual allegory or symbolism to represent false accusation, I'd certainly consider redoing the cover. Thanks for your suggestion.
I would guess that this is a contemporary christian romance.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the Photoshop work on the people, the faded women in the background makes the whole image seem flat. I also don't like the texture back ground. The text is fine and easy to read.
Thanks for the feedback.
ReplyDelete~Connie
It all looks a bit 70s to me, and I don't find any of the people appealing judging by their looks (which is all I have to go on).
ReplyDeleteMy overall feeling is it's dated. If the clothes were more modern, and one of them was using a cellphone...
Thanks, Lexi. The story takes place in 1983-84 so no cell phones.
ReplyDeleteHi, I am not sure what the genre would be. The two in the front make me think of lawyers? I'm afraid I don't find them very interesting. I'm sorry. I have awful covers so I shouldn't even talk. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback, Jeanne. Not lawyers, but the book does have a corporate setting.
ReplyDeleteIf it is a corporate setting, I would then suggest a office building in the background. The type of building could say a lot about the location and time period of the book.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Eric. Maybe I need to do another search for a building photo. I looked all over the net for one to use in the book trailer -- it's a two-story building in a moss-hung office park in south Georgia -- and really didn't find anything; but that was a couple of years ago. No telling how much content has been added to microstock sites since then. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteEven if the book is set in the 1980s, I'm not sure having the cover look 1980s is the best idea. And the rainbow effect in the background, along with the title, make me wonder, is it a gay romance?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin. I didn't really set out to make it look like the Eighties. In fact, I was wondering whether people would notice the anachronism of a 1980s story and 2000s people. All these models/photos are currently available on microstock sites. You can see the component images at the bottom of this page: http://wordslingerboutique.biz/covers.html
ReplyDeleteAnd, no, it's not a gay romance. It's about a family man/company executive who's falsely accused of sexual harassment at his workplace. The woman on the left is his wife; the two women on the right are his accuser and her mentor.
@Connie, perhaps you are being too literal with this cover. Allegorical may suit your story better. It also avoids the issue that people have with cover characters not matching what they think the character should look like in their head.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, Robin. No doubt, I'm a very literal person, which probably explains the cover. Actually, I originally attempted symbolism (rather poorly, I think). I had tree, a Southern pine, silhouetted against a blue sky. http://conniechastain.com/PineCover.jpg
ReplyDeleteI thought the tall, straight pine sort of symbolized the protagonist; but it was one of those covers that people say, "It doesn't give a clue what the story's about." So I abandoned it and went literal. If I could think of a visual allegory or symbolism to represent false accusation, I'd certainly consider redoing the cover. Thanks for your suggestion.