Tickety Boo Covers Feedback Forum...

Teresa Edgerton said:
However: It's been a while since I read the story, but I don't remember the prospective romantic partners wandering the streets of the city together.
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Yeah, me too. And I can't even remember stuff that I wrote that far back, much less stuff that I read. :D
 
You've read the book, I haven't. Free sample though-

Chapter 1: London underground
Chapter 2: A standard office
Chapter 3: Camden Market

No fairies nor beaches. Thus far, It is Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones Diaries etc etc, Yes, it needs a hint of the fantastical on there... but that's it, a hint so people aren't surprised when it transitions from pure rom com into the rom fan/para. You are right, there must not be deception hence why it's necessary to show something fantastical, but it shouldn't be the focus.

Boneman needs to stick his oar in and say what he wants, as ultimately it's down to two people - Gary and him.

And as for Paranormal Romances? You mean the parade of other book covers I've modeled for? You want a ticket as well? ;)
 
Yes, we do need to hear from Boneman, definitely. However, not only is the fairy vital to the story, she is the continuing character in the series.

She's also the only reason why the book would come out from an SFF imprint.
 
Annabel is a fairy and the plan is she will change her look for book two which is Emerald Heartfire. So she will go from purple to green.

This story for me is a fantasy with romcom elements. That's why we did the original cover.

This has been an interesting thread for sure and food for thought. Ultimately the final decision is mine but I await the guvnor turning up with his feedback as I like authors to feel part of this journey rather than me dictating.

I can fully understand why big publishers don't give the author too much input as you can go round in circles but I have tried to keep both of us happy and will continue to do so.

Onwards! :)
 
Thanks for the input, sorry to be late to the party. I did look at Romance covers way back when, and, as Teresa says this is a SFF imprint publisher. I'm hoisted by my own petard, falling between two stools, (and any other pithy sayings that fit) because it is romantic fantasy, but very light comedy. No vampires, no angels, just a tiny match-maker who is a fairy with attitude. I'll post the original poster that was prepared when it was a film script, later today. Probably I'll send it to Gary and he'll post it, as I'm technically-challenged when it comes to that sort of thing. It's important that Annabelle features, even if she's an insubstantial image, because she will be central to all three books. She never looks like the (admittedly stunning) image of the fairy in book one, and this is the hero's description of her when he first encounters her in a guided meditation:

Perching on the rock next to him is a fairy with gossamer wings and long flame-red hair flowing down her back. She's about three and a half inches tall, wearing a clinging dress with a low-cut top and a fully developed woman's figure. Bare feet, a small snub nose, covered with freckles, and full lips. 'Typical. I could have had Halle Berry, or Natalie Portman or Katherine Jenkins. What do I get? A miniature Lindsey Lohan. Still, she might know where the bar is.'

She is a construct of his imagination, a bit later this happens:

She caught sight of herself in a shop window, turning left and right, admiring her shape, pushing up her bust, checking her bottom. She nodded her head approvingly. "Not bad," she said. "I like his style."

I fear the current image is too intense for Annabelle, (whilst knowing the cover is only there to attract people) because she's a sassy, worldly-wise imp, with a great sense of humour. But that's not the important thing - attracting people to pick up the book, read the blurb and buy the book, is. If the book were on a shelf in Waterstones, facing outwards, it's striking enough to attract attention, that's for sure. I've asked the readers who've bought the book in my clinic for honest feedback - admittedly they probably only bought it because they knew me - and that might help. A little. But I'm glad the kissers have gone... I did look for a shadow outline of two people kissing just to show the romance element, but haven't found anything. I did like Ratsy's - it's even got the cat who's in the book, but no Annabelle, and ultimately, it is Gary's decision as the publisher. Kudos to him that he's asking for input, and is prepared to listen.

I'll get back to y'all later with that picture.
 
OK you need a more photographic fairy then, that looks less inhuman and has a more natural bust? Needs to give a better idea of scale too? I thought she was human sized rather than large tinkerbell sized.

But really disregard all my comments as I haven't read the book.
 
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This is Ian Sales' second book in the Age of Discord series. Any input will be gratefully ignored...I mean received.

I actually did some digital painting on this so quite pleased. The planet is forested, hence the green hue. The sword is there to mark the fact this has fantasy in it and is not military SF but it does have lots of space battles.

ACOO-1.jpg
 
Wonderful, however, hmm. Green background? it's great Gary, like all of your work, but if I might be so bold, it needs a little, hmm, punch. A certain up close and personal feel. Oh, I'm driveling. Just ignore me like my dog does. Woof?
 
I like this one, although there are a couple of quick wins on it and things that jar.

1. The sword. It looks like an afterthought that you've slapped on. I'm thinking why not make it subtler, but larger. Put it as a faded element in the centre background plunging down behind the planet. Maybe the guard (?) can underline the title. That will make it more integral to the cover.

2. The ship on the bottom right looks like it is stuck on (it brings to mind those starwars albums where you stick ships onto a backdrop). It should go in its entirety and you can have the weapon beams extended, coming from off shot. Also it looks a bit odd, the barrels are pointed in one direction, and the beams are being emitted in another. (Majorly on the fore cannon, slightly enough you might get away with it on the rear)

3. The superstructure is twisted in comparison to the lower hull of the main ship. I know you've combined two elements there but you need to find one where they're at the same angle. Another thought, if you can't find a superstructure that matches, bring the explosion to the left to obscure the mismatch. (Which would perfectly match the fore gun barrel as well - two birds killed with one stone)

Overall, I can see the potential that this would be the best cover (barring Endeavour's of course)
 
Agree on the lower ship. Might the sword work better on the book's spine?
 
Goodness, what a lot of debate. But you've got to choose your proverb: Is it "Too many cooks spoil the stew." or is it "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers."

Since the second one is Proverbs 11:14 you can guess which side I fall on. ---- So, I don't like the sword where it is. I like Thaddus' idea. Or, perhaps a man holding the sword in the background of the picture?
 
Honestly? I think the ships fighting look too cartoony. You're better off hinting at what may yet come, rather than try to relive an action scene on the front cover - that's what the reader's imagination is there for. And in attempting it in this piece, you are violating a slew of laws of physics - potentially killing interest from the Hard SF readers Ian Sales is already familiar with (and general SF readers who expect at least basic physics in their stories). Less is more.

The green planet - fine. A single ship as a point of focus - fine. Get rid of everything else. And that absolutely includes the sword, as with that you send confusing messages about your target genre.

Keep it simple, IMO. And the cover you have is anything but simple, and in the wrong way. Subtlety is more likely to entice.

2c.
 
So what laws of physics are you referring to? And this is fantasy space opera. Definately not hard SF or military SF.
 
Gary Compton said:
So what laws of physics are you referring to?
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Explosions in space are completely different to what you have. The colours also don't look natural. The the ship at the bottom left - it's forward beam weapon is coming from a different angle from the turret facing.

You did ask for honesty - I just think it's too far over-cooked. :)
 
The trouble with explosions in space are multiple:

1. Most images show the effect of atmospheric pressure. For example, the billowing clouds in your image. Not going to happen in a vacuum.
2. Oxygen is required for the burn effect - and unless the ship is one giant oxygen tank, at most you can realistically expect is a brief flash.
3. The presence of smoke infers combustion - but what's actually burning? Black smoke is more commonly indicative of oils and derivative products. Burning metal tends to be a white smoke.
4. Smoke in space - if present at all - is going to show area travelled, rather than rise due to the lack, or weakness, of gravity.

There are probably more.

Honestly, less is more, simplicity works best. Let the story tell the drama, and the cover infer setting. Your other covers - Abendau's Heir and Endeavour - were great in that regards.

That's only my opinion, and given simply because you asked. It's your company, though. :)
 
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