Monday, August 27, 2012

Help me pick the AFTER cover!

Right now I am hitting the stretch run on AFTER, my post-apocalyptic thriller. It's the point in the marathon where you have a stitch in the side, dehydration, and blurred hallucinations of giant bunnies hover in the periphery of your vision. But it's one aching foot after another..."after," after all.

But I need a cover. Stephanie of Mooney Designs has offered these two very cool images to choose from, so please chime in with your thoughts! Thanks!



Also still running some freebies:

Bad Blood (with H.T. Night)- Aug. 25-27

Ghost Files Set- Aug. 28-30

Dark Spells- Aug. 31- Sept. 2

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21 comments:

Joseph said...

The left cover looks more commercial, but I think the right cover is more beautiful.

And no, I will not offer a more helpful opinion.

Tim McGregor said...

I second what Joseph said. The title on the right hand cover may be a little harder to decipher at first glance but visually it's stunning.

AO said...

i go for one on the left. no further comments. :)

Steven Bone said...

The one on the left is better, IMHO. I much prefer the word 'After' whole, not split. The background also implies the post-apocalyptic nature of the book.

On the other hand, the silhouette of the woman is intriguing (assuming she is important to the plot). Putting that image behind the "AFTER" on the left may be a good compromise.

Jessica McHugh said...

Both really awesome, but I prefer the cover on the left.

Lexi said...

Both good, with lovely colour and texture, but AF TER doesn't work for me.

Like Steven, I'd prefer a mix of the two.

CB Edwards said...

Left one. Maybe put A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller across the top.

Pam B said...

I'm also a fan of the cover on the left. Can't wait to read the book!

An Aul Han said...

The one on the left is much more accessible. The designer has chosen to split the word AFTER on right hand cover . This suggests that the letters AF or/and TER have some special significant or represent some form of visual pun. If this is not the case I would avoid this cover.
Best wishes
Darren

Keith Robinson said...

I'd definitely prefer to see "AFTER" as one word, and the words "A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller" at top or bottom... but otherwise I think I prefer the image on the right. I'm tired of seeing long empty roads to depict an apocalypse. Both covers say apocalyptic, it's just that the one on the right looks like the apocalypse is happening RIGHT NOW!

Be careful though. Is there actually a naked woman walking through flames in the book? If not, that would be false advertising. ;-)

Trey Lindsay said...

The split AFTER on the right makes it kind of look like something from the periodic table, rather that the word "after". Have you thought about perhaps combining the two designs? Have the CLOSE ENCOUNTERS roadway receding towards flames in the distance with a ghostly silhouette of the woman right at the horizon? The title treatment AFTER can be lowered to fill up the empty roadway... just a thought.

Vicki said...

I prefer the cover on the left. :)

T.Pittman said...

The cover on the left has my vote for what it's worth. :)

Sharon Stogner said...

tough one...I will say the one on the left looks more post-apocalyptic-ish. the other one looks kind of Sci-fi-ish. Hope that was helpful-ish

A Voracious Reader said...

Left cover definitely. I don't like words that are split, plus the left cover is very compelling.

sherry fundin said...

I know most people picked the cover on the left, be the one on the right drew me into the photo looking for more.

The one of the left is missing something.

Tim said...

The transparency of the lettering on the right is good. On the left the lettering is just too solid. To me that is what is spoiling the left hand cover from being excellent. Not sure about the shadow coming forward like that either...

author Christa Polkinhorn said...

The way they are now, I have to say the one on the left works better. I also don't like the splitting of the title on the right, but I really like the coloring of the right one. Don't know if that helps.
Christa

Author Scott Nicholson said...

Thanks, everyone, we made the left one brighter in the background, which helps the title stand out more, and changed my name lettering to the one on the right. No naked woman, though...

I appreciate all the input, it has been educational!

Byron 'Giggsy' Paul said...

I prefer the left one for a front cover, as you see an image that hints at post apocalypse, the right one is really vague in that area. I think if you lose the AF TER on the right one that may work well for a back cover image

Author Scott Nicholson said...

Thank you, Byron.