a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Friday, January 20, 2012
Stringing Beads by Debra K. Maher
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.
Attractive, if a bit plain. I like the necklace. And I'm glad there's the bit "Musings of a Romance Writer" otherwise I wouldn't be able to determine what the book might be about.
Overall, I think the cover composition is striking and original. If I have to get nit-picky (and yes, of course I do...) there are just a couple of things that bug me from a design standpoint.
I don't like the author and byline typeface. Cataneo is not a BAD typeface, but it's sort of "been there, done that." A bit dated. I also would move the byline down a bit, and make it small enough to not touch the beads, since none of the other type elements do. Likewise, I'd move the title a little to the left, or at least the word "Beads." The S in "Beads" is closer to the pendant than the G in "Stringing" (see, I told you, nit-picky!!)
Finally, I probably know why you chose red as the cloth color, because it's romancey. But the bright red actually doesn't go with the earthy agates in the necklace. I could see the red going with a set of pearls. Or the agates with a softer, more earthy color. Maybe just a more orangey red.
I like the simplicity of this cover. The bright red attracts attention.
Without the subtitle, I wouldn't have guessed what it's about, though. It could be anything from romance novel to beading craft instruction.
I expect this won't be a problem for potential buyers who know what they want and browse the relevant category, although it may mean fewer spontaneous sales and less impact on promotional sites which don't have clear categories.
BTW, I think the concept of the book is itself compelling. It just deserves type treatment that does it justice. Maybe just a switch to a 'Typewriter' font for the subhead, to say 'writer'. Hokey, I know, but the current font isn't special either.
My problem with it (ignoring out local "font junkies" ;-) ) is that it's impossible to tell the genre. When I first glanced at it my thought was "literary" and I still am not sure exactly what the non-fiction subgenre is.
Attractive, if a bit plain. I like the necklace. And I'm glad there's the bit "Musings of a Romance Writer" otherwise I wouldn't be able to determine what the book might be about.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think the cover composition is striking and original. If I have to get nit-picky (and yes, of course I do...) there are just a couple of things that bug me from a design standpoint.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the author and byline typeface. Cataneo is not a BAD typeface, but it's sort of "been there, done that." A bit dated. I also would move the byline down a bit, and make it small enough to not touch the beads, since none of the other type elements do. Likewise, I'd move the title a little to the left, or at least the word "Beads." The S in "Beads" is closer to the pendant than the G in "Stringing" (see, I told you, nit-picky!!)
Finally, I probably know why you chose red as the cloth color, because it's romancey. But the bright red actually doesn't go with the earthy agates in the necklace. I could see the red going with a set of pearls. Or the agates with a softer, more earthy color. Maybe just a more orangey red.
www.bookcoverblog.com
I like the simplicity of this cover. The bright red attracts attention.
ReplyDeleteWithout the subtitle, I wouldn't have guessed what it's about, though. It could be anything from romance novel to beading craft instruction.
I expect this won't be a problem for potential buyers who know what they want and browse the relevant category, although it may mean fewer spontaneous sales and less impact on promotional sites which don't have clear categories.
Generic, ordinary type, but clean and readable.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I think the concept of the book is itself compelling. It just deserves type treatment that does it justice. Maybe just a switch to a 'Typewriter' font for the subhead, to say 'writer'. Hokey, I know, but the current font isn't special either.
ReplyDelete@Jeff, I personally think American Typewriter would be too unsophisticated, but cataneo needs to go.
ReplyDeleteMy problem with it (ignoring out local "font junkies" ;-) ) is that it's impossible to tell the genre. When I first glanced at it my thought was "literary" and I still am not sure exactly what the non-fiction subgenre is.
ReplyDeleteCraft how-to? Memoir? Autobiography?
Hey! I resemble that remark!
ReplyDelete