a critique site for book lovers, hosted by author Jude Hardin
Sunday, February 5, 2012
A Run for Love by Callie Hutton
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.
Pretty girl, covered wagons--it's historical romance. I like the sultry, faraway gleam in her eyes. She's already lovestruck., and that aspect makes me want to apprehend why.
And once again the Empty Praise Fan Club shows up. LOL.
What I'm seeing here are three pristine covered wagons and a woman who looks like she just came from a day at the hair/nail/makeup salon.
If this were my cover, I would at least dirty the woman up a bit and replace the shiny new static wagons with some sort of action scene (a man and a woman on galloping horses or something). As is, I think the cover's just kind of boring and not very appropriate for the setting.
LOL, Jude, not all the comments were from people I know. I appreciated those remarks because as far as I know, this is the first time they're seeing the cover. I also appreciate your comments, and agree a bit. But try to find a model that doesn't have her hair and nails (and in some cases makeup) on. I used my daughter for the book trailer, and I think she looks more like my character. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8kCfEl_F4g. Take a look.
Based on the cover and title, I can tell it's a western historical romance. I like the wind-blown look of the woman. I'd definitely read the blurb to decide whether I want to read it.
Unlike Jude, I don't have a problem with the model for the most part. I like her straightforward look, but her garb does not look at all historical, so I am left wondering if this is a historical, or a modern taking place during a reenactment or something. I agree everything is awfully clean, but it might be cured by simply adding a little grunge or painterly effect to the wagons and background.
I think the typefaces themselves are fine, but the gradient of the title blends a bit too much with the sunset; it fades into them and is difficult to read.
Overall it's a pleasing cover, I do like the color scheme. But I'd be concerned about people not being able to read the title well.
I know it is quite hard to find historical men and women for covers--at least for the old west! They abound in Regencies. But still, it is a good cover, I like the wagons -says right away it's a western and that will make me pick it up!
Believe me, as a historical fiction author, I sympathize with how nearly impossible it is to find models that didn't look like they stepped right out of a modern salon. It isn't just the old West where it's a problem.
I think this one works well and you don't see her clothing enough for it to be a big issue imo. The genre is very clear: Western Romance. It's appealing. The title might pop out more but I think otherwise it works pretty well. It would be nice if we historical fiction writers could all afford original art but that just doesn't happen. Sometimes we have to make do and this gets a general thumbs up from me.
I WISH someone would tell the photographers who sell stuff that there IS a market for realistic looking historical-looking photos instead of the generally crapping stuff on the royalty-free sites.
Check out how I dressed my daughter for this character in my book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8kCfEl_F4g. Much more realistic. And since the character wore glasses in the book, it was impossible to find a picture of a woman in glasses.
I won't bother with an in-depth critique and suggestions for improvement since this is obviously not what the author wants.
If someone brings along groupies to sing their praises, let's not spoil their glory chorus.
If someone's ego is so hungry they need to misuse critique sites to feed it, and if they can't face the reality of constructive criticism without the support of fans who cushion the blows in a blanket of fluff, I pity them.
But I won't waste my time on. them.
Lets give our attention to those who genuinely want our help to improve their covers.
Wow, that was rather harsh. I didn't bring anyone along with me, and my publisher did the cover, so any criticism wouldn't be for me anyway. I submitted the cover to find out what other people think of it. There were many nice comments from people I never laid eyes on. I don't expect you to read this, Rayne, cause most times these types of commenters are hit and run.
I'm not 'hit and run', as you would know if you read comments to other covers besides your own.
If I hurt your feelings with my 'rather harsh' comment, I apologise.
Perhaps you really didn't invite friends.
Perhaps it's really coincidence that all these people who've never contributed critiques previously, suddenly turned up to shower your cover with praise.
Perhaps they're genuine, and we can look forward to their frequent constructive critiques on this site.
Rayne is a regular commenter, but I do agree she was too harsh this time. Unfortunately we have had a number of authors lately who have been using this site (and wasting our time) for a marketing scheme only, and who obviously do not want any kind of critique on their cover; read the comments by the gal who has the ballet shoes on her cover.
I haven't sensed that vibe from you, though the gratuitous fan posts are a bit irritating. I can understand if you have no control over that.
Funny, because I thought a few of the same things about the cover before I read the feedback. I immediately thought western romance. I found the cover attractive, but it's not a book I would purchase simply because I don't read romances of any genre.
The girl is very pretty but her glamour and the tidiness of the wagons just doesn't seem authentic. But the book might not be. I suppose it could be a modern romance with people who do reenactments. :) Probably one fix would be to do a treatment of the cover -- add some texture or something. This has been suggested, but I'm just seconding that.
Personally, even with these suggestions I think it's a nice cover and there's certainly nothing that would make me NOT buy the book if it was the kind of book I liked.
Golden plains sunset, Conestoga wagons, young woman with an enigmatic smile ,,, historical western romance. It's this woman's story to tell and she seemingly engages the viewer to open the pages and find out how it all comes together. The cover certainly projects an engaging intimacy.
I'm gone on another trip and look what happens. The site explodes again.
This cover does a good job in that it does say western romance. HOWEVER, I would also agree that the women looks to much like a fashion model and doesn't look right for the time period at all.
Now the question does the model need to look period? That is harder to answer. If the author is trying to sell the HISTORICAL part of the book more, then a different women would help that more. But if the author is trying to sell the romance more then this women works great. It all get down into what image one is trying to sell.
It's a beautiful cover! As for the woman not looking period, IMO they never really do. I think the goal is to capture the attention of romance readers, not teach history. This cover does the job!
I love historical romance and this would definitely grab my interest.
I think it's a great cover. It says historical, western and romance all in one. I guess I'm a reader and not an analyzer because I didn't think anything about the clean wagons or the woman not being in period. I just don't look at the bookshelf that way when I'm searching for my next read. The cover draws me in and the blurb on the back would make me buy or move on. I guess it might be different if the book was a documentary or memoir. But it's romance and as a romance reader I want the fantasy and dream of love, which happens to be 'blind' to the dirt of the wagon trail. I think the woman, her expression, the sunset and the pristine wagons are a beautiful combination.
@Cindy, what I think some people don't really "get" about this site is that most of us who are regular commenters are also graphic design professionals of some sort. And yes, that does mean we have a different, and higher, standard for a cover than an everyday reader.
We will see things, and comment on things, that others might not notice. But that's our "job" here. Or rather, that's what we do here on our own time at our own expense to try to help authors develop better covers. We aren't here to pander to authors, and most of us don't or won't care about the book. That's not the point of what we do.
It's not a popularity contest, nor are we insulting the quality of the writing itself we we have suggestions for improving the cover. Sometimes we disagree on things. But authors who really do want to improve a current cover or learn what to think about and look for on a future cover can get a lot out of this site. Unless they let their ego interfere (which, by the way, I have not seen from Callie but has definitely been seen from other authors).
I like it
ReplyDeleteThe determination in the eyes combined with the title and the covered wagons draws me in.
ReplyDeleteThis cover tells me that it's obviously a romance that will meet against great odds. I'd buy the book based on the cover.
ReplyDeleteRomance and adventure. It's a beautiful cover and I'd definitely read the book!
ReplyDeletePretty girl, covered wagons--it's historical romance. I like the sultry, faraway gleam in her eyes. She's already lovestruck., and that aspect makes me want to apprehend why.
ReplyDeleteEverything the previous commenters said, plus it's beautiful. Callie, I'd buy it in a heartbeat on the cover alone! I'm looking forward to the read.
ReplyDeleteAnd once again the Empty Praise Fan Club shows up. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm seeing here are three pristine covered wagons and a woman who looks like she just came from a day at the hair/nail/makeup salon.
If this were my cover, I would at least dirty the woman up a bit and replace the shiny new static wagons with some sort of action scene (a man and a woman on galloping horses or something). As is, I think the cover's just kind of boring and not very appropriate for the setting.
LOL, Jude, not all the comments were from people I know. I appreciated those remarks because as far as I know, this is the first time they're seeing the cover. I also appreciate your comments, and agree a bit. But try to find a model that doesn't have her hair and nails (and in some cases makeup) on. I used my daughter for the book trailer, and I think she looks more like my character. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8kCfEl_F4g. Take a look.
DeleteBased on the cover and title, I can tell it's a western historical romance. I like the wind-blown look of the woman. I'd definitely read the blurb to decide whether I want to read it.
ReplyDeleteUnlike Jude, I don't have a problem with the model for the most part. I like her straightforward look, but her garb does not look at all historical, so I am left wondering if this is a historical, or a modern taking place during a reenactment or something. I agree everything is awfully clean, but it might be cured by simply adding a little grunge or painterly effect to the wagons and background.
ReplyDeleteI think the typefaces themselves are fine, but the gradient of the title blends a bit too much with the sunset; it fades into them and is difficult to read.
Overall it's a pleasing cover, I do like the color scheme. But I'd be concerned about people not being able to read the title well.
I know it is quite hard to find historical men and women for covers--at least for the old west! They abound in Regencies. But still, it is a good cover, I like the wagons -says right away it's a western and that will make me pick it up!
ReplyDeletePleasing cover. I rather like it.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, as a historical fiction author, I sympathize with how nearly impossible it is to find models that didn't look like they stepped right out of a modern salon. It isn't just the old West where it's a problem.
I think this one works well and you don't see her clothing enough for it to be a big issue imo. The genre is very clear: Western Romance. It's appealing. The title might pop out more but I think otherwise it works pretty well. It would be nice if we historical fiction writers could all afford original art but that just doesn't happen. Sometimes we have to make do and this gets a general thumbs up from me.
I WISH someone would tell the photographers who sell stuff that there IS a market for realistic looking historical-looking photos instead of the generally crapping stuff on the royalty-free sites.
Check out how I dressed my daughter for this character in my book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8kCfEl_F4g. Much more realistic. And since the character wore glasses in the book, it was impossible to find a picture of a woman in glasses.
DeleteThis is one of the better Western covers I've seen. It would absolutely make me want to buy it.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is pleasing but unexciting.
ReplyDeleteI won't bother with an in-depth critique and suggestions for improvement since this is obviously not what the author wants.
If someone brings along groupies to sing their praises, let's not spoil their glory chorus.
If someone's ego is so hungry they need to misuse critique sites to feed it, and if they can't face the reality of constructive criticism without the support of fans who cushion the blows in a blanket of fluff, I pity them.
But I won't waste my time on. them.
Lets give our attention to those who genuinely want our help to improve their covers.
Wow, that was rather harsh. I didn't bring anyone along with me, and my publisher did the cover, so any criticism wouldn't be for me anyway. I submitted the cover to find out what other people think of it. There were many nice comments from people I never laid eyes on. I don't expect you to read this, Rayne, cause most times these types of commenters are hit and run.
DeleteI'm not 'hit and run', as you would know if you read comments to other covers besides your own.
DeleteIf I hurt your feelings with my 'rather harsh' comment, I apologise.
Perhaps you really didn't invite friends.
Perhaps it's really coincidence that all these people who've never contributed critiques previously, suddenly turned up to shower your cover with praise.
Perhaps they're genuine, and we can look forward to their frequent constructive critiques on this site.
Rayne is a regular commenter, but I do agree she was too harsh this time. Unfortunately we have had a number of authors lately who have been using this site (and wasting our time) for a marketing scheme only, and who obviously do not want any kind of critique on their cover; read the comments by the gal who has the ballet shoes on her cover.
ReplyDeleteI haven't sensed that vibe from you, though the gratuitous fan posts are a bit irritating. I can understand if you have no control over that.
Hi Robin,
DeleteI can understand the irritation from lots of positive comments, but I just wanted to see what people thought of my cover. Thanks for the buffer.
Funny, because I thought a few of the same things about the cover before I read the feedback. I immediately thought western romance. I found the cover attractive, but it's not a book I would purchase simply because I don't read romances of any genre.
ReplyDeleteThe girl is very pretty but her glamour and the tidiness of the wagons just doesn't seem authentic. But the book might not be. I suppose it could be a modern romance with people who do reenactments. :) Probably one fix would be to do a treatment of the cover -- add some texture or something. This has been suggested, but I'm just seconding that.
Personally, even with these suggestions I think it's a nice cover and there's certainly nothing that would make me NOT buy the book if it was the kind of book I liked.
Golden plains sunset, Conestoga wagons, young woman with an enigmatic smile ,,, historical western romance. It's this woman's story to tell and she seemingly engages the viewer to open the pages and find out how it all comes together. The cover certainly projects an engaging intimacy.
ReplyDeleteI'm gone on another trip and look what happens. The site explodes again.
ReplyDeleteThis cover does a good job in that it does say western romance. HOWEVER, I would also agree that the women looks to much like a fashion model and doesn't look right for the time period at all.
Now the question does the model need to look period? That is harder to answer. If the author is trying to sell the HISTORICAL part of the book more, then a different women would help that more. But if the author is trying to sell the romance more then this women works great. It all get down into what image one is trying to sell.
It's a beautiful cover! As for the woman not looking period, IMO they never really do. I think the goal is to capture the attention of romance readers, not teach history.
ReplyDeleteThis cover does the job!
I love historical romance and this would definitely grab my interest.
I think it's a great cover. It says historical, western and romance all in one. I guess I'm a reader and not an analyzer because I didn't think anything about the clean wagons or the woman not being in period. I just don't look at the bookshelf that way when I'm searching for my next read. The cover draws me in and the blurb on the back would make me buy or move on. I guess it might be different if the book was a documentary or memoir. But it's romance and as a romance reader I want the fantasy and dream of love, which happens to be 'blind' to the dirt of the wagon trail. I think the woman, her expression, the sunset and the pristine wagons are a beautiful combination.
ReplyDelete@Cindy, what I think some people don't really "get" about this site is that most of us who are regular commenters are also graphic design professionals of some sort. And yes, that does mean we have a different, and higher, standard for a cover than an everyday reader.
ReplyDeleteWe will see things, and comment on things, that others might not notice. But that's our "job" here. Or rather, that's what we do here on our own time at our own expense to try to help authors develop better covers. We aren't here to pander to authors, and most of us don't or won't care about the book. That's not the point of what we do.
It's not a popularity contest, nor are we insulting the quality of the writing itself we we have suggestions for improving the cover. Sometimes we disagree on things. But authors who really do want to improve a current cover or learn what to think about and look for on a future cover can get a lot out of this site. Unless they let their ego interfere (which, by the way, I have not seen from Callie but has definitely been seen from other authors).