Okay, I need your help figuring out SUPER-QUICKLY a decision between one thumbnail sketch for the cover of my YA thriller and another--the dilemma: do I go with scary cult figure on the cover that my main characters run into, or do I go with a more romantic desert scene, where my characters are trying to figure out where they are? I want guys and girls to read this. I don't want to turn off guys by too romancey a cover, but I don't want to scare off girls by a too-scary hooded weirdo (or do they like being scared by a book cover?!). ACK!!!!!!!!
Please weigh in immediately if you can, as I have to get this back to my art guy today!!!!!!
Okay, here are the thumbnails without the title of the book, as I have to leave a little something to the imagination, right? Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!!
I like the one with the couple on the cover better. I think it has broader appeal for a YA novel. hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I love the scary guy! But... I can see how the other cover might be better for appealing to both sexes. So, I'll vote for number two.
ReplyDeleteScary guy is just scary guy. It's the map on the other cover that will draw your guys; the image of chick + guy will draw your chicks. -opinion from Stacey Donovan
ReplyDeleteI vote for number 2. It will appeal to both sexes.
ReplyDeletewww.totsymae.com
I like the couple better too.
ReplyDeleteScary guy looks like what you'd get if you crossed a Dementor with Draco Malfoy. Unless he stirs a cauldron on a regular basis in the book, (but that's not your genre here) I'd go for the other two. They're cute and the hint of romance doesn't hurt.
ReplyDeleteGreat artist! where'd you find him?
Helen, your sense of humor is impeccable. In the cauldron: desert beetles and sand... he does have a red cowl, which is a bit less demon-y and more well, fiery.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and feel free to keep 'em coming, folks!
What if I have the couple, with a scary cult dude creeping around, way in the background?
I pick cover #1 -- from seeing a bunch of children's covers recently, I have the sense that they are drawn to people looking frightened. The second doesn't have enough tension -- seems more like an internal illustration.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get a hint of the scary guy in the background to add a little bit of tension. How scary is your story? If it's all about the scary, I'd go with scary guy. If it's more about adventure, I'd go with the other one.
ReplyDeleteCool covers!
Um, I don't think I've written "scary" that many times in a comment before...
I agree that the cover needs scary--I did a sketch with the creepy cult guy in the background so I'll see what the cov artist says about it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'll reveal more about the mysterious cover artist soon. He's amazing. Found him on the web. Fortuitous find. Stay tuned...
ReplyDeleteWith the children in front? Him looming from behind? That sounds creepy (and good)!
ReplyDeleteI like the creepy guy cover. THough I like your idea too from just a couple comments above me of putting him the background with the kids in the front.
ReplyDeleteThe boy and the girl do it for me. That's my vote.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the one with the couple, but that's just my personal preference.
ReplyDeleteI think the couple is probably going to attract your demographic better, since most YA readers are girls. As long as the guys aren't bare-chested or there's a ton of pink, a teen boy could still carry the book.
ReplyDeleteSusan, thanks, that made me chuckle.
ReplyDeleteUgh, I lost my first comment. But, if you're still in wonder, I like #2, but the creepy dude stalking them in the background somewhere would give you both in one!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Candy.
ReplyDeleteI like the couple, but why can't the scary guy be shrunk and scary in the background?
ReplyDeleteYou need BOTH!
Yes, that's what we decided to go with. I can't wait to see the tight sketch.
ReplyDelete