Pick a Cover for PRACTICAL DEFENCE!
Added 2022-12-30 19:05:01 +0000 UTC
A simple request:
Vote for the cover which MOST makes you think, "I NEED TO READ THAT."
That's the criteria.
Here are some bigger images, but honestly? If it's a really good cover, it will work even at small size.
… or, bonus alternate version of (F) - leave a comment if you like version (F(b)), ha ha …
You can choose as many as you like!
FAQ
- Why are they black and white? Because if they "work" in black and white, they'll work in colour. I promise.
- They're too rough for me to judge properly! When I am trying to judge my cover designs, I usually squint or un-focus my eyes so the details of the image are blurred. If it still works when it's blurry, that's another sign it's a good cover.
- Will this be the final cover? Not likely. Publishers have a rigorous iterative design process. This also doesn't mean the book is getting close to being published - I just need a "cover image" for the websites, for social media posts, etc. Something to point to when I'm talking about the book.
- Why are you asking me? I'm on holiday. You're the "artist." When I was making DD Travel Posters, I almost didn't make the LONDON poster. But a friend saw the thumbnail and said, "make that one." I did, and it is by far the best seller. So what do I know about any of this stuff?
- How long do I have to choose? The poll runs until the last week of January. Then I'll draw up the artwork and ink it while I'm inking all the Chapter Three artwork. But why wait? Don't overthink it. Go with your gut; it probably already knows which one it likes. :)
Questions or thoughts? Find me in the comments! I'm excited to hear what you all think about the sketches.
🎉
Happy New Year!
TC
Comments
The horse in A is wonderful -- I love it! The writing in F(b) against the clouds feels like a Ghibli title card -- which feels reassuringly great. I do prefer the windmill in B above all others, but discovered I am too late to the party to vote.
r kean
2023-02-01 21:06:16 +0000 UTCA has a horse in it. +1 for that. C is very buffy. But D has good balance and E is very movie-posterish.
andrea
2023-01-17 18:54:05 +0000 UTCI love the composition of B - it feels the most balanced and complete to me.
Fergus Maximus
2023-01-09 07:48:24 +0000 UTCI really love B, but I'm not sure about the gaps in the windmill, I feel it loses a bit of clarity when the title is placed against it. It's very anime/movie poster-esque, i think it would induce a lot of curiosity. F is pretty amazing, its bold and spunky! I feel like I'm watching a moment from the story ..anyway, voted for both.
Neha Dinesh
2023-01-03 10:21:42 +0000 UTCGosh that's tough. I love the whole design and vibe of B but the windmill really competes with the title. Title stands out great with C (especially from afar) and the skull is a nice bonus when pulled in closer. So went with C (I guess E would be my second choice). I see D is winning this vote but I dunno. It's a great idea but I don't think works as a book cover. Would make a fantastic horizontal banner or ad though, especially if reversed.
Mike Maihack
2023-01-01 17:51:37 +0000 UTCD is the most ominous, but A and B feel more in keeping with the cover styles of the rest of the series (heroine front and center). All of the covers read a little static to me though, in contrast to the dynamic covers of the previous books, which promised Action and Adventure in their glorious capitalized forms.
Claire Bendix
2022-12-31 18:55:40 +0000 UTCI feel like D is my favourite and a really strong illustration, but C or E might be a better family-adventure cover. Though maybe if it’s not final, D being mysteriously intriguing might be what you’re after!
Hari draws
2022-12-31 04:44:51 +0000 UTCD and E for me. The skull mist is a great visual. and creates some great negative space and silhouette. E is a great movie poster composition and it feels like a stronger more interesting version of C. Crossbones Is a fun graphic device. I'd probably take the skull from C and add it to them too.
Douglas Holgate
2022-12-30 22:54:30 +0000 UTCI liked and voted E because I felt it showed best the players and how it will be a group effort. I thought it was similar to C, but that one evokes Buffy the Vampire Slayer too much for me (although I love that show!). I liked F as well, and it would be a nice painting, but too pretty and not piratey* enough. *That is a word I just made up don't @ me lol :)
Lisa
2022-12-30 21:58:06 +0000 UTC(option C is also strong but has the same issue)
Chris Schweizer
2022-12-30 21:34:30 +0000 UTC(or, better, flip it to where it's on the left - could whole image flip?)
Chris Schweizer
2022-12-30 21:33:44 +0000 UTCI think that 2 vies with some of the others for the strongest compositionally BUT it beats them out when it comes to suggesting tone and content. The windmill also does a nice job of evoking a parasol, which subtly touches on the society/adventure dichotomy. One change I would make there, though - the right side of the flagpole runs parallel with the descender on the Y in a way that negates the impact of both. Angling it up a bit to where it crosses the Y a little might mitigate thast?
Chris Schweizer
2022-12-30 21:33:09 +0000 UTC
