a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Dancing in the Shadows of Love by Judy Croome
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.
You can read an interview with the cover artist here.
Interesting art, but as a book cover? Besides in the small size of then pictures of the art, I can't see it well enough to tell what that is.
I can't tell what genre it is. Literary? Maybe. Most likely. But something needs to identify it. I wouldn't look more closely at this novel, I'm afraid.
I can't even guess on genre I'm afraid. Why three separate pieces of the same artwork? And the blue and green clash with it style-wise, they look very cool and subdued while the art looks tribal and full of heat and fire.
I can barely see the author name, and the title is also far too small. I do like the artwork, but it needs to shine, and it doesn't.
JR & Robin: I'm nearly bursting to tell the genre, but I don't want to spoil the fun of guessing for other commentators!
JR: The painting does need to be seen in its real size to be properly appreciated - it's huge, about 3mx3m and done in a mixed media on board by a Kwa Zulu Natal artist called Wenkidu. I love it - it is such a deep intriguing work!
Robin: you're correct about the tribal heat & fire! The art is based on the ancient San rock paintings scattered found in South Africa - it's art that has a similar style toteh ancient aboriginal paintings in Australia. If you have a spare moment, it's really worth reading the interview with the artist Wenkidu - he is *such* and interesting man.
Good point about the Amazon readers, JR! The ebook cover is basically the whole painting, but some beta readers commented it was too dominating, so when I had the print cover done, I made the painting less dominant. Anyway, this whole publication journey has been a great learning curve and I'll definitely be taking all pointers on board for the next cover! :)
I will join everyone and agree that breaking up The image hurts the cover more than helps. But even then the artwork does not tell me anything about the topic. I would look around for something different.
The text of the author's name color is too close to the background. Either outline the text or choose another color. The text should POP out to the reader.
@Judy, never be afraid to make a compelling piece of art your centerpiece. By sidelining it, and by juxtaposing it against colors that fight and clash with it, you do the art and your book no favors. Further, your title and author name are not easy to see and read. And that's pretty critical.
I hope you take the comments in the spirit in which they are intended...to make your cover better.
Eric: Yes, with hindsight, I also wasn't happy with the author name so pale - I would have preferred it orange to stand out. But Amazon cover creator has its limitations and I couldn't change certain things!!! :)
Robin: I'm happy to receive all comments that help make my book better! Well, my next one, that is, because I'll take all this on board for the future, as this book is coming to the end of it's shelf life for me, and has served its purpose (a learning curve, a *steep* learning curve!!:) I think what's coming out strongly is that I need to hire a professional cover designer rather than use the limited cover creator on Amazon. The expense will be worth the flexibility in design and the more professional end product.
PS Robin, I found the comments about the cover colours clashing with artwork interesting - I chose blue and orange because the original art is mostly blue shades with orange/tan/white tones and, in the aura colour wheel, orange and blue are the polarities representing the Svadhisthana (sacral)chakra and the Vishuddha (throat) chakra. Normally in colour therapy, these colours are used to heal imbalances in the other. So very interesting to read the various reactions to the colours in the cover! :)
I do feel that the cover creator is just too limiting. There are cover designers out there (I recommend TJ Llindroos whom I've worked with but there are many others) who don't charge a great deal and can do an professional job.
@Judy, it's not the use of blue and green by itself, it's the tone. You chose a blue and green that are very cool, muted tones, against a piece of artwork that is in very warm, vibrant tones. Unfortunately it doesn't work.
As for cover designers, well I'm one. :) http://www.ddgraphix.net
Interesting art, but as a book cover? Besides in the small size of then pictures of the art, I can't see it well enough to tell what that is.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell what genre it is. Literary? Maybe. Most likely. But something needs to identify it. I wouldn't look more closely at this novel, I'm afraid.
I can't even guess on genre I'm afraid. Why three separate pieces of the same artwork? And the blue and green clash with it style-wise, they look very cool and subdued while the art looks tribal and full of heat and fire.
ReplyDeleteI can barely see the author name, and the title is also far too small. I do like the artwork, but it needs to shine, and it doesn't.
JR & Robin: I'm nearly bursting to tell the genre, but I don't want to spoil the fun of guessing for other commentators!
ReplyDeleteJR: The painting does need to be seen in its real size to be properly appreciated - it's huge, about 3mx3m and done in a mixed media on board by a Kwa Zulu Natal artist called Wenkidu. I love it - it is such a deep intriguing work!
Robin: you're correct about the tribal heat & fire! The art is based on the ancient San rock paintings scattered found in South Africa - it's art that has a similar style toteh ancient aboriginal paintings in Australia. If you have a spare moment, it's really worth reading the interview with the artist Wenkidu - he is *such* and interesting man.
Judy, South Africa
Judy, I would strongly suggest making the artwork the entire cover instead of the three small images of it. You really are losing the effectiveness.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, when people look at covers on Amazon, they aren't going to spend time guessing the genre... Just something to think about.
Good point about the Amazon readers, JR! The ebook cover is basically the whole painting, but some beta readers commented it was too dominating, so when I had the print cover done, I made the painting less dominant. Anyway, this whole publication journey has been a great learning curve and I'll definitely be taking all pointers on board for the next cover! :)
ReplyDeleteJudy, South Africa
I will join everyone and agree that breaking up The image hurts the cover more than helps. But even then the artwork does not tell me anything about the topic. I would look around for something different.
ReplyDeleteThe text of the author's name color is too close to the background. Either outline the text or choose another color. The text should POP out to the reader.
@Judy, never be afraid to make a compelling piece of art your centerpiece. By sidelining it, and by juxtaposing it against colors that fight and clash with it, you do the art and your book no favors. Further, your title and author name are not easy to see and read. And that's pretty critical.
ReplyDeleteI hope you take the comments in the spirit in which they are intended...to make your cover better.
Eric: Yes, with hindsight, I also wasn't happy with the author name so pale - I would have preferred it orange to stand out. But Amazon cover creator has its limitations and I couldn't change certain things!!! :)
ReplyDeleteRobin: I'm happy to receive all comments that help make my book better! Well, my next one, that is, because I'll take all this on board for the future, as this book is coming to the end of it's shelf life for me, and has served its purpose (a learning curve, a *steep* learning curve!!:) I think what's coming out strongly is that I need to hire a professional cover designer rather than use the limited cover creator on Amazon. The expense will be worth the flexibility in design and the more professional end product.
Judy, South Africa
PS Robin, I found the comments about the cover colours clashing with artwork interesting - I chose blue and orange because the original art is mostly blue shades with orange/tan/white tones and, in the aura colour wheel, orange and blue are the polarities representing the Svadhisthana (sacral)chakra and the Vishuddha (throat) chakra. Normally in colour therapy, these colours are used to heal imbalances in the other. So very interesting to read the various reactions to the colours in the cover! :)
ReplyDeleteJudy, South Africa
I do feel that the cover creator is just too limiting. There are cover designers out there (I recommend TJ Llindroos whom I've worked with but there are many others) who don't charge a great deal and can do an professional job.
ReplyDelete@Judy, it's not the use of blue and green by itself, it's the tone. You chose a blue and green that are very cool, muted tones, against a piece of artwork that is in very warm, vibrant tones. Unfortunately it doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteAs for cover designers, well I'm one. :) http://www.ddgraphix.net
JR - yes, I found that about cover creator as well and learnt my lesson from this book! Thanks for the recommendation! :)
ReplyDeleteRobin - thanks for the link to your site, I'm bookmarking it!