Help me, CoG. You're my only hope.

[Spectre-7]

I'm gearing up to self-publish a sci-fi novel in the next month or so, and I've been hurriedly slapping together cover concepts. I was hoping you fine folks might weigh in and let me know what you think.

The key question is: If you were walking down the sci-fi aisle, which of these would you pick up and read the back of (if any)?

Click for larger size.

A: Swooshboom
http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgdcog_Swooshboom_20100409_thmb.jpg (http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgdcog_Swooshboom_20100409.jpg)

B: Scribbles
http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgdcog_Scribbles_20100409_thmb.jpg (http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgdcog_Scribbles_20100409.jpg)

C: Starscape
http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgdcog_Starscape_20100407_thmb.jpg (http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgdcog_Starscape_20100407.jpg)

...or D: None of these.

And here's a final side-by-side recap:

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgdcog_final_presentation.jpg

Thanks for looking and casting your vote! :D

[Shieldmaiden]

B, definitely. A is okay, but C I wouldn't touch with an eleven-foot pole.

[civil]

LittleMexican agrees with BigJonno 110%.

Bonus points for not including "A Novel" on there.

[ClannerDelta]

B. The first one isn't bad, but lacks style. The third one is a bit too... trash novel kind of cover. You see covers like that and think "Maybe if I'm going on a long trip with extended family and I want something excruciating enough to keep my mind off of how Uncle Ted smells."

[Drayven]

I'm not a reader but I do find the cover for B interesting enough that I'd pick it up

[Shrinn]

I voted B with A a close second..I'd avoid C like the plague.

I asked my friend who's huge into scifi and she said A. She probably didn't vote in the poll though.

[Mr. Murphy]

Your title's big eye catchers are Stars and Dark, which is a bit generic as far as sci-fi goes. Couple that with C and you've got something that's so generic it's almost a parody. Between A and B I'd go with B, but I would have walked past those for the same reason - a picture of a planet with an explosion tells me this is an apocalypse tale, and the title says the same thing, so I'm inclined to believe the story within doesn't contain anything more to it than describing the end of the world.

If there are any interesting plot bits that contribute to twists or awesomeness, your cover pic would be a great place to use it - and the mushroom clouds don't count, unless you change the title. Which you might want to consider.

I almost titled my book the laughably generic Murphy's Law years ago and was told a lot of this kindof stuff.

Also have you considered Chris Randolph? It has a good flow. The J. reminds me of Kevin J. Anderson, and you don't want that.

[Kelegacy]

I'd go with D, though if I had to choose I'd pick B. The best of the 3, with C being awful (though we see that type a lot STILL these days with sci-fi)

[mightbe]

C looks like awfully designed sex toy.

B is my preference.

[Spectre-7]

To everyone who's responded (or silently voted), thank you so, so much. I really appreciate the feedback, especially since it's rather difficult to hunt down out in the real world. You folks make CoG a wonderful place to be! :)

And about C... yeah... Click for the story behind that. My brother happens to be a pretty heavy sci-fi reader, and every design he saw met with a distinct, "No, wouldn't pay any attention to it."

One day, I caught him just back from the library and I took a glance through the books he grabbed. He tossed me one and said, "This is the kind I'd pick up."

Spaceships above Earth. Having previously worked in a bookstore (and maintained the sci-fi section specifically), I'd seen several hundred books that looked just like it before. In fact, I'd estimate that 80% of space operas look nearly indistinguishable.

So, I figured what the hell... I gave it a shot. He gave it a thumbs up. I shook my head.

Of course, there's a reason 80% of space operas look alike. Obviously, spaceships above Earth sells space opera, and if I'm being perfectly honest with myself, I didn't write War and Peace. I figured putting one together couldn't hurt, although I was silently dreading that it might take the lead here.

Bonus points for not including "A Novel" on there.

Oh shit... I forgot to put "A Novel" on it! [loads Illustrator]

C looks like awfully designed sex toy.

Now, now... You're just saying that because it has a penis head with a super-massive urethra. What? It worked for Giger.

[Blue]

B absolutely. The design for A is uninteresting and the design for C makes it look like one of the same in a sea of Sci-Fi. While I understand you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, I do. That or a snappy title are what will make me pick yours up and I really dig the way B looks.

Also: congrats, as that's really awesome, and best of luck!

[Rogue_hunter]

Put the ship above Mars and it's a winner!

I'm not entirely sold on the illustration in both A and B, but the rest of the design of B works. The blend of the illustrated blast coupled with the photo of Earth clash for me. B needs a little more work, but it's got the seed there.

[Wilkz07]

B. and i want my copy signed.

C looks like a vibrator in space.

[Sazime]

C looks like awfully designed sex toy.
Or a WONDERFULLY designed sex toy!

I went with B as well. Certainly looks more modern, and reminds me a bit of this a little bit. At least a little stylistically. Not in a bad way, they're very different covers, but from a "modern design" perspective, there's something similar about them.... I hope I'm making sense at this point. XD

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1743/aethericmechanics2.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/i/aethericmechanics2.jpg/)

[Serapth]

I would go with C, get rid of the spaceship and work in a mushroom cloud effect.

B looks like an 1890s novel.

I would also consider dropping the "The"

Stars Go Dark has a better ring to it. Alternative, not knowing a damned thing about your book would be "When Stars Go Dark".

[roboninja]

B - Scribbles for sure.

When I first read the poll, I thought these terms were possible titles; I was going to have to vote for None of the Above :)

[Hawkzombie]

B, but I'd tweak it a bit. Make it more sketchy, or more like a Renaissance schematic for a bold contrast.

[Handmade.Mercury]

I voted thinking those were possible titles. Didn't realize I was voting on covers.

[Voodoo]

B, for sure. I'm starting to outline a plot for a sci-fi novel as well. How difficult has it been for you to stay on target?

[Pale Ale]

Like most everyone else I voted B but some is amiss.

Where the Tough-As-Nails but partly mended Broke Wing Girl with the Rack in a Tight, Tight Jumpsuit?

[digitalErich]

I like all three for varying reasons, but ultimately went with A for the awesome retro look. I like B, but if you are going to go for the symmetrical look, I say go all out...make that top third symmetrical in layout as well.

Really though, all of them are great in their own way.

[Nameless]

I agree that B is probably the best of the three, though I think A could be worked into something awesome (I find high contrast attracts my attention when it comes to book covers, and I like the swoosh (though not the font)). C is incredibly generic, as has been said before. That cover is to Sci-Fi as a dude with a big sword overlooking a weird landscape is to Fantasy. :D

[Chris_D]

A - no way.

B - easily the most eye catching. I voted for this one.

C - Well, this one seems not so popular, but for me it has a very nostalgic feeling of all the sci-fi I used to read in the 80s, Asimov, Clarke, etc. etc. So, this one too would work for me.

[Spectre-7]

Put the ship above Mars and it's a winner!

But only the slow parts of my book take place on Mars... and Mars looks just terrible in monochrome. :(

I hope I'm making sense at this point. XD

I completely get what you're saying, and yeah, I see the resemblance. Nifty looking cover, in fact.

Stars Go Dark has a better ring to it. Alternative, not knowing a damned thing about your book would be "When Stars Go Dark".

The previous iteration was Until the Stars Go Dark, but I pared it down for rhythm reasons. It refers back to a specific line of dialogue, so it's a little stuck in place. Besides, doesn't that sound a bit too much like a disaster clip-show on Fox Reality Channel? When Bears Attack at 10:00, When Cars Explode at 11:00, and at midnight, When Stars Go Dark... ;)

Before that, it was Legacy Undying but that sounded too much like a weepy vampire romance novel, and still further back, it was tentatively titled Legacy Effect, which I dropped for some fairly obvious reasons. Curse you, Bioware.

I voted thinking those were possible titles. Didn't realize I was voting on covers.

What can I say? I just don't have as much experience making polls as some folks (^^^). I do hope your vote was for SwooshBoom on the basis that every 12 year old boy would want a copy.

B, for sure. I'm starting to outline a plot for a sci-fi novel as well. How difficult has it been for you to stay on target?

I did a pretty decent job of staying on task during the writing process, but being a power slacker helped; it's a lot easier to hit target word counts when you don't have distractions like a job or social life vying for your time and attention. This was back in 2007, and I managed to keep my nose to the grindstone by refusing to buy Team Fortress 2 until I was done. At a rate of (+ or -) 1000 words a day, I hit THE END in a little over 3 months.

As for the struggle to get published, I've missed all of my targets there, racking up a measly 3 rejection letters since I started. A large part of that can be attributed to my total disgust at the state of publishing; I have a good friend who's been published three times now domestically, and he's been thoroughly banged in the derriere by both of the publishers he's dealt with. It's hard to stay motivated when you see a long road of rejection in front of you, and nothing but more bad news in the off chance you actually find acceptance.

And that's how I ended up here at self-publishing. I think there's a better way, and I think Cory Doctorow (http://craphound.com/) has a pretty good lead on finding it. My book isn't making me a dime collecting dust on a hard-drive, so I might as well see if any of my ideas will pan out. Even if it only nets me a dime, it's one I don't have right now.

I like all three for varying reasons, but ultimately went with A for the awesome retro look.

So glad someone dug the retro vibe. I was definitely aiming for a late-50s/early-60s flavor... especially with the mushroom cloud, which hasn't seen much work on sci-fi covers since the Cold War. :)

Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to share your thoughts. I apologize if I haven't addressed your comment or concern personally (this post is already far too long and self-indulgent), but rest assured that I am reading absolutely everything, and am keen to hear your opinion, good or bad.

[CappinCanuck]

B. It's the only one that would catch my eye.

[Crittias]

When and where will your book be available for purchase?

[boratika]

I actually quite like A, but for whatever reason it looks to me like the cover of a non-fiction book. If the title was replaced with Lorum Ipsum, that's what I would have thought it was.

C, like others have said, just looks too trashy. It has the look of this book is not a classic. You know, whatever the novel equivalent of forgettable summer action movies is. I don't know, maybe that's what your book is...


B, I actually really would be inclined to pick up if I saw it on a shelf. One one gripe is that the font used for the title doesn't seem to fit. But I don't have any input on what to do to make it better.

[Nuggsy]

B is definitely my favorite but I'm not a fan of the mushroom cloud motif from the first two designs at all. If I may be so bold - ditch it from design B and reposition the Earth. The way it's set up right now it looks as if the Earth hit the turbo thrusters and is speeding away from something. Unless that's the point in which I'd argue it gives away a staggering amount of information about your plot.

[Crittias]

Another cover B reminds be of, for some reason:
https://www.tor.com/images/stories/Dhalgren%20-%20Bantam.jpg (http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=59084)

[Spectre-7]

When and where will your book be available for purchase?

It should happen next month if everything goes as planned, with simultaneous releases over the Kindle service, hardcopies through either Createspace or Lulu (perhaps both), and for free by Bittorrent. Since things usually don't go as planned, next month probably means sometime in June.

Another cover B reminds be of, for some reason:
https://www.tor.com/images/stories/Dhalgren%20-%20Bantam.jpg (http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=59084)

Very cool. I dunno why, but I love old sci-fi book covers... they always make me wish I had some skill with a paint-brush.

Oddly, that one reminds me a lot more of a piece I put together this morning on a whim.

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_heatboom_20100413.jpg http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_heatboomMix_20100413.jpg

Seems a bit too aggressive, though. I'm out to catch eyes; not punch 'em. There was also this last night...

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_crescent_20100413.jpg

But there's so much enthusiasm for the scribble design that these are pretty much just exercises. Pixelized itch-scratching.

[Serapth]

I would assume the last book was about Islam.

[Spectre-7]

I would assume the last book was about Islam.

Took me way too long to figure out. "Islam? What in the name of Sam Hill is he on abou... OH."

For one reason or another, that's not a really strong symbol association in my head. Maybe I just don't think about Islam that often. Make a fine cover for The Space Quran, though.

edit: http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/spacequran.jpg
Dianetics, eat your heart out.

[Serapth]

Took me way too long to figure out. "Islam? What in the name of Sam Hill is he on abou... OH."

For one reason or another, that's not a really strong symbol association in my head. Maybe I just don't think about Islam that often. Make a fine cover for The Space Quran, though.

Now, that would sell books! Call it the Space Quran, with a forward by Salman Rushdie. Now, I can't say much about your life expectancy but you would get tons of press!

[Ghostbear]

I like B, but like others have said the title next to your name like that seems... off.

[muddi900]

Now, that would sell books! Call it the Space Quran, with a forward by Salman Rushdie. Now, I can't say much about your life expectancy but you would get tons of press!

Not to derail but local writers were doing Rushdie's schtick in the 50s. Well almost.


On topic: B

[boratika]

This is the cover I was reminded of:

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/boratika/altered_carbonlarge.jpg

(It's Altered Carbon)

Though I didn't realise immediately, so I just had a vague positive association.

[SilentScreams]

I like B. A is good but I think it would be easily lost in the Sci-Fi section of most book stores or libraries.

C looks more like something from an early 90s computer game.

[Hawkzombie]

C looks more like something from an early 90s computer game.

Space Quest 8
Roger Wilco in The Stars go Dark!

[Rogue_hunter]

Space Quest 8
Roger Wilco in The Stars go Dark!

I would buy that game in a heartbeat.

[Generation ABXY]

"B" only slightly edged out "A" for me; they both have a nice, retro sort of look.

I'm not big on sci-fi, but if the writing's anywhere close to what we saw in the pulp section, I'll be all over it (even if it isn't comedic).

[Wasson_]

I like A. It looks like something you see on someone's shelf, you open it up and it smells dusty and the copyright date is 1972.

I don't really see the appeal of B. In the end I think it's really pretentious and silly looking if it's about nuclear war / space ships and shit.

and in all honesty for C...if that fits what's in the book than more power to it. All of those pulp sci-fi novels use more flashy covers like that, why wouldn't yours?

[Spectre-7]

This is the cover I was reminded of:

I'm pretty sure that's one of Leonardo Da Vinci's sketches... And since I don't anticipate my work being compared to Da Vinci's again any time soon, I'll just take that moment and put it in my pocket. ;)

I would buy that game in a heartbeat.

I would too, although it couldn't possibly top Space Quest V: The Next Mutation.

"B" only slightly edged out "A" for me; they both have a nice, retro sort of look.

I'm not big on sci-fi, but if the writing's anywhere close to what we saw in the pulp section, I'll be all over it (even if it isn't comedic).

Hehe, thanks. :o It's definitely more serious than the Vengar story, but there's also a bit of levity in there. As for the quality, the jury is still out. I mean, I like it but my opinion may be a little biased.

I don't really see the appeal of B. In the end I think it's really pretentious and silly looking if it's about nuclear war / space ships and shit.

This might be something of a misstep I'm still trying to deal with: there's actually no nuclear war in the book. The mushroom cloud represents an impact event (two actually) of globally catastrophic proportions, which is where the main plot kicks into gear. There's a major subplot in space, but the bulk of the action is on Earth where scattered survivors are fighting back against an alien occupation.

Overall, it's sort of Robotech + Rendezvous with Rama, with a dash of Farscape for flavor. Do any of the covers fit? I'm not completely sure.

And how weird... it's usually my writing that's pretentious. ;)

and in all honesty for C...if that fits what's in the book than more power to it. All of those pulp sci-fi novels use more flashy covers like that, why wouldn't yours?

Because of precisely that, I think. If a majority of book covers are similar, I'll choose to be different if only to catch a stray curious eye every now and again. I've always been an upstream swimmer.

To be honest, though, I'd probably settle at this point for anything that looks reasonably professional. People judge books by their covers despite all advice to the contrary, and I really don't want someone to see mine and skip it because it looks like a self-published book.

I wonder if there's any way to make people look at indie authors the way they look at indie music or games.

[Wasson_]

It's clear that the cover needs to be a rose blossoming in a lone destroyed city scape covered with ash and debris. And a guy wearing a shirt that says "ALIENS DID THIS!" while shaking his fist at the heavens.

Failing that. The only thing I can suggest further is a picture of Robocop fistfighting with Batman.

[Spectre-7]

It's clear that the cover needs to be a rose blossoming in a lone destroyed city scape covered with ash and debris. And a guy wearing a shirt that says "ALIENS DID THIS!" while shaking his fist at the heavens.

Can he be screaming? I just don't believe a man's anger unless I can see his uvula.

Failing that. The only thing I can suggest further is a picture of Robocop fistfighting with Batman.

Shit... How did you know about the denouement*? I didn't send you a review copy, did I?

* -- "This is what we call the dénouement. That's French for when we beat up the supervillain.

[Wasson_]

Can he be screaming? I just don't believe a man's anger unless I can see his uvula.

uvula? maybe...Just make sure it's nice a subtle. Like the guy on the cover of EMPIRE Total War

http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs39/f/2008/329/b/a/Empire__Total_War___PC_Gamer_by_michaelkutsche.jpg

[Spectre-7]

Things are crawling along here while I wait for some reader feedback to come back. In the meantime, I've been chasing a different design (really refining one previously posted) and wanted to see if it was doing anything for y'all. Curious to see whether any of these variations stands up at all to the previous champion.

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_heatcreepy.jpg

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_heatteal.jpg

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_heatmix.jpg

So... sexy or something you'd be embarrassed to be seen with in public?

Also, Mr. Murphy's comments echoed some of my own ongoing misgivings, and I've been strongly considering changing the title. The current leader is Stars Rain Down, which I think has a little better ring to it.

Any and all feedback is, as always, super appreciated.

[Sazime]

Ooooo, can I take the last one to the prom?

[Grifter]

Things are crawling along here while I wait for some reader feedback to come back. In the meantime, I've been chasing a different design (really refining one previously posted) and wanted to see if it was doing anything for y'all. Curious to see whether any of these variations stands up at all to the previous champion.

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_heatcreepy.jpg

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_heatteal.jpg

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_heatmix.jpg

So... sexy or something you'd be embarrassed to be seen with in public?

Also, Mr. Murphy's comments echoed some of my own ongoing misgivings, and I've been strongly considering changing the title. The current leader is Stars Rain Down, which I think has a little better ring to it.

Any and all feedback is, as always, super appreciated.

I like the overall tone of the first one but the color shift in the third is pretty slick though I would use the hue of the second for the blue in the third.

How about "When [The] Stars Go Dark"

[SilentScreams]

I agree with Grifter. I was going to say the third one, but I think it'd look even better with the blue from the second one.

[DangerousDaze]

I went with C because it's the closest in theme to the one I'd choose. I agree with everyone else that the specific detail is poor. The ship looks like a super-soaker water pistol and the star field overpowers the planet.

[Khrymsyn]

Personally, I would take the muted colors like the first one, and use that as the top, then mute the colors of the orange part. Just something I'd like to see as a comparison =)

[Dukefrukem]

These results perplex me. Am I the only one who feels the eye is more drawn to color?

[Superman's Dead]

These results perplex me. Am I the only one who feels the eye is more drawn to color?

Maybe in terms of normal books. But when it comes to sci-fi covers (from an experienced viewer), sometimes simplicity draws the eye even more.

[Squidbot]

Damn, Spectre...um, torn between the first and third. I'm tempted to go with the third.

[Khrymsyn]

These results perplex me. Am I the only one who feels the eye is more drawn to color?

You are correct, the eye IS more drawn to color. Until it's in a sea of colors. Then the eye is drawn towards the lack of color.

i.e. The eye is drawn more toward the exceptions than the rules.

[LongStepMantis]

Anything other than C.

C is the same kind of vague sci-fi cover that you've seen a thousand times over. In fact, looking at that picture reminds me of no less than 6 other books. Not saying it's a bad style, but highly overused.

[Straximus]

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_heatmix.jpg

That's hot.

[Akion-Totocha]

Oh... I didn't realise it... I just thought they were titles of books that I was supposed to have read. Please take my vote of D back.

But upon reading properly, I'd say B with certainty. C looks like a ST rip. Just the general feel of it.

[Spectre-7]

Oh... I didn't realise it... I just thought they were titles of books that I was supposed to have read. Please take my vote of D back.

That seems to be a common problem. Methinks I should pay a little more attention to how I phrase my polls... as if the Bulgarian cab-driver style of "Which book you read the back of?" isn't evidence enough of that.

Still, let that be a lesson to ya, newbie: Read polls before voting. Your local form of democracy will thank you.

But upon reading properly, I'd say B with certainty. C looks like a ST rip. Just the general feel of it.

And B is certainly a popular choice, although I'm personally leaning in the direction of the new kids on the block. (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showpost.php?p=557053&postcount=46) Of course, reader reviews are slow coming back, so I still have some time to think about this.

[nabokovfan87]

http://sites.google.com/site/spectre7/Home/tsgd_heatmix.jpg



I wonder what Flipping the orange and blue would look like....

[Akion-Totocha]

And B is certainly a popular choice, although I'm personally leaning in the direction of the new kids on the block. (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showpost.php?p=557053&postcount=46) Of course, reader reviews are slow coming back, so I still have some time to think about this.

Ah, in that case, then the first or the second. But to be honest, I like cover: 'blue-second', and 'B.'

Cause... The blue is really vibrant. :)

((And with the polls that we just had in England, it seems as if everyone just closed their eyes and ticked the first bit of paper their pen touched, regardless of if it was in a box, or even on the sheet itself.))

[BrassGecko]

I like the swirly bits you've got going on in the second and third new ones.

I wonder what Flipping the orange and blue would look like....

http://www.flexamail.com/GetImage.ashx?id=3419