a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Thr Half-Life of Johnny Seiko by C.F. Shifflett
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 say hard Sci-Fi. And I really like this cover, at the same time there's something that doesn't quite fit for me and I'm not sure what it is. Maybe it's the giant phallic symbol by "hard lessons"? Or maybe it's that the background is almost too monochrome. Giving it a bit more depth of color might help.
I will say that though I don't typically like just "plain" type with no effects at all, it works for this cover for me. And the size, juxtaposition, and contrast in weights are all extremely well done. We see a lot of covers with good backgrounds but poor typeface layout. this one has very good typeface layout and an adequate background.
I'm afraid I looked at it and went "what the **** is that supposed to be". It does look kind of like space opera (rahter than hard SF, but a fair number of people don't know the difference) but I wouldn't swear to it since I honestly can't tell what it is supposed to be.
I instantly thought it was Sci Fi .. and overall I like the cover. I'm very curious to know what that critter is next to the person. Is it a dog? A cat? A monkey? Something not of this world?
The structure in the middle of the cover makes me think of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona ... which fosters more interest in reading this book.
I agree with Robin .. I wouldn't mind a bit more depth of color.
The artwork says to me Science Fiction, but I would need to read the blub to know if it was hard, space opera and so on.
The text is fine and easy to read but do we really need the two secondary titles? Saying the "half life..." at the top and then "hard lessons" at the bottom? I have seen this as a trend in that people are trying to cram too much text onto the covers, but it's text that is not helpful to the reader. The text above and below Johnny Seiko does not to help me know about the book or help me decide if I want to read the book.
Both the artwork and text are there to sell your book, use them both as much as you can.
I'm going to change my mind regarding my original comment about wanting more depth of color. This blue palette conveys loneliness, which might be supported by the graphic of the character searching for something.
I'd like to thank everyone who has commented on my eBook cover. I wanted a frank and unbiased response, and I got it, some of which I'll be applying to all future book covers in the series. I appreciate you all for taking the time to stop and give it.
I would say hard Sci-Fi. And I really like this cover, at the same time there's something that doesn't quite fit for me and I'm not sure what it is. Maybe it's the giant phallic symbol by "hard lessons"? Or maybe it's that the background is almost too monochrome. Giving it a bit more depth of color might help.
ReplyDeleteI will say that though I don't typically like just "plain" type with no effects at all, it works for this cover for me. And the size, juxtaposition, and contrast in weights are all extremely well done. We see a lot of covers with good backgrounds but poor typeface layout. this one has very good typeface layout and an adequate background.
I'm afraid I looked at it and went "what the **** is that supposed to be". It does look kind of like space opera (rahter than hard SF, but a fair number of people don't know the difference) but I wouldn't swear to it since I honestly can't tell what it is supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteI instantly thought it was Sci Fi .. and overall I like the cover. I'm very curious to know what that critter is next to the person. Is it a dog? A cat? A monkey? Something not of this world?
ReplyDeleteThe structure in the middle of the cover makes me think of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona ... which fosters more interest in reading this book.
I agree with Robin .. I wouldn't mind a bit more depth of color.
The artwork says to me Science Fiction, but I would need to read the blub to know if it was hard, space opera and so on.
ReplyDeleteThe text is fine and easy to read but do we really need the two secondary titles? Saying the "half life..." at the top and then "hard lessons" at the bottom? I have seen this as a trend in that people are trying to cram too much text onto the covers, but it's text that is not helpful to the reader. The text above and below Johnny Seiko does not to help me know about the book or help me decide if I want to read the book.
Both the artwork and text are there to sell your book, use them both as much as you can.
Just my $0.02
I'm going to change my mind regarding my original comment about wanting more depth of color. This blue palette conveys loneliness, which might be supported by the graphic of the character searching for something.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to thank everyone who has commented on my eBook cover. I wanted a frank and unbiased response, and I got it, some of which I'll be applying to all future book covers in the series. I appreciate you all for taking the time to stop and give it.
ReplyDeleteOnly 15 more to go!
Cheers,
C.F. Shifflett II