Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Book Cover: Thoughts?

GIY gate red

Tell me...


GIY gate blue

do you have...


giy green

a preference?

Labels:

39 Comments:

Blogger Jim Martin said...

L. L., my preference is toward the first one. The second that you have listed is my second preference. The third one is my least favorite.

I look forward to reading this!

9:57 PM  
Blogger Corinne Cunningham said...

I like them all, but prefer the last one.

9:57 PM  
Anonymous Maureen said...

I like the image with the gate, because that better conveys the "yard". I think, however, the text at the top gets lost in it.

There seem to be two subheadings and too many words consequently competing for attention. I'd use just one subhead with the title, maybe along this order:

God in the Yard
a 12-week course in spiritual discovery and play

10:02 PM  
Blogger Sarah said...

I prefer the last one . . . you didn't ask why, but somehow the image seems to lend itself more to simplicity and a lack of busyness more than the others, and I like that in the context of the title and subtitle.

10:03 PM  
Anonymous Maureen said...

I meant to add, I would also not use the scroll or leaf on the right-hand side of the cover unless it were balanced elsewhere on the left or impressed in the paper as an all-over design. I don't think it adds to the cover at this point.


And congratulations on bringing this out!

10:05 PM  
Anonymous Lyla Lindquist said...

Either one with Kelly's gate.

Releases when?

10:48 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Yes, I like number one. But I agree with Maureen that the text at the top seems to be swimming there.

May I jump for joy yet?

10:55 PM  
Blogger Bought as is said...

Hey L.L. I like the middle one the best. I guess the blue seems to go well with the black & white. The brown color would look better to me if the picture was that "brown & white" antique look. I like the words at the top of the picture, yet have to agree, they seem lost inside the picture. perhaps if they were bold, or just under the photo?

however, never having published a book perhaps I should just keep quiet.

11:12 PM  
Blogger Glynn said...

I'll like them all -- but I think I lean toward either one with the gate.

11:59 PM  
Blogger Jessica said...

I like the coloring of the last one. But prefer the picture of the gate. Which I guess my vote basically cancels itself out, doesn't it?
On a different note, here I sit, late is the hour as I work on a blog post (ironically about finding God in my Backyard) and then I stumble over to your blog and find...God in the Yard. Wow.
I think maybe He is trying to tell me something :)
You need to slow down on the publishing books thing...I am having a difficult time keeping up with my Amazon purchases.

12:00 AM  
Blogger sarah said...

I like the second one, I think the text colour suits the picture better. However, I also agree with all the points Maureen made.

2:28 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I vote for the first one. The maroon text of the title makes it stand out more.
And I always like to be really clear about which book I'm about to read. ;)

We haven't talked in ages... how are you?

4:20 AM  
Blogger Wendy Paine Miller said...

I like the picture of the gate, but the color in the last one. I'm wondering if you could have color in one of the first two.

~ Wendy

7:46 AM  
Blogger Lisa-Jo Baker said...

Knowing nothing about the content of the book, I will simply offer that I agree with what others have said - having an image to connect with the "yard" theme in the title is effective. However, the image seems to connote that something ominous might happen in the yard - it's kind of a dark feeling behind the photo. Whereas the third picture is light and filled with hope and beauty - it seems to say that the yard is a warm and welcoming place.

My two cents.

8:56 AM  
Blogger Kelly Sauer said...

I agree with Maureen about the placement of the lettering over the photo and the two-subtitle effect. But other than that, I love the layout. It's fresh, leaves a bit of room for the imagination.

And I have to say, I didn't see the dandelion working last night. Wow, though.

9:21 AM  
Anonymous Word Lily said...

I like the 3rd one best; the gate image feels a little creepy and overly dark to me. Also, the words at the top are much more readable on that cover.

9:31 AM  
Blogger jcubsdad said...

I prefer # 3. I like the green, more comforting.

9:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Maureen is genius! What a great eye she has and what great advice.

10:35 AM  
Blogger Heather said...

#1!!!

11:42 AM  
Blogger SimplyDarlene said...

the last one...

12:10 PM  
Anonymous Maureen said...

Another thought I had (which might be possible with photoshop): Could the gate image be extended in such a way that ground in front of the gate fills the remainder of the cover, with the title/subtitle suspended within that ground? It would keep the cover from looking so cropped or sectional.

12:12 PM  
Blogger Linda said...

I like the last one - it makes me feel content somehow.

1:12 PM  
Blogger Andrea said...

the first!

3:21 PM  
Anonymous kingfisher said...

After this many comments, you probably don't need more. I'm not fond of the gate. If it were blown up to cover-size maybe the yard beyond the gate would appeal, but in this small form the gate seems to shut out a cluttered, or junky space, or even, as one commenter put it, sinister.

The one with the seed heads is nice. I could go for it. But I'd like it better if there was more contrast between the white fluffs and the background. Again, maybe at cover-size it would show up as "airy", but in this size it doesn't give full attention to the fluffy white lines.

Are you locked in to having one or the other? If your e-mail accepts file-attaches, I'm going to send a couple of my photos that give a different suggestion.

3:41 PM  
Anonymous kingfisher said...

The statement "for the rest of us" in sub-title didn't engage me. Who are we, those who are the rest of us, and why is it important that we be the rest of us? I like Maureen's slogan of "spiritual discovery and play."

3:57 PM  
Blogger Bonnie said...

The first one brings me in to see what it is and it is more striking to the eye. The last one seems more appropriate but that's why I don't think it would work. Seems like a Hallmark card! (and if that is your photo, sell it to them!)

5:52 PM  
Blogger RissaRoo said...

Just a wild thought...what if the gate were on the bottom of the cover and above it a faded image of more garden over the rest of the cover, behind the words? Not so much a clear image but the hint of garden. You could even add a little color to the gate image (and garden beyond) without making it a "color" image, using Photoshop to color just a few things or to put in some faded, grainy color. I don't know if I can describe what I'm thinking well with words. Just a crazy thought!

11:44 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I can't wait to read this, L.L.

I think one of your paintings should go on the cover.

3:17 PM  
Blogger Ted M. Gossard said...

Here I am again. Saw this on facebook, and didn't see the difference in color there as I do here (or maybe because it was brought to my attention). So maybe I'll just copy from there and paste, though it looks like I'm on the losing end:

I don't know. I like them both. But maybe at the moment the latter. It seems to convey to me a kind of wonder that goes along with the idea of God in the Yard. One could say that the former is good in showing how God is present and active in the ordinariness. But I probably lean to the green cover.

4:53 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like the first one. The gate invites you to come into the yard, and the color of the title is more appealing.

6:04 PM  
Blogger Kathleen Overby said...

First one is the only one, just like it is. :) Ha.
Pls don't coldly desecrate the sacred with "12 week course"

You asked - I'm blunt. You're an easterner, you don't mind? :) I would pick it up, but then I do have sentimental ties to that gate........

6:56 PM  
Anonymous Irene said...

No 1! :)

1:31 PM  
Anonymous Maureen said...

Kathleen,

She could say:

God in the Yard
An Invitation to Spiritual Discovery and Play

5:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

how about...

God in the Yard
even if you live in a small, 4th floor apartment in New York

God in the Yard
who let the dog out?

God in the Yard
a dozen delightful directions to discovery

God in the Yard
bar-b-que tonight, bring a side dish, wine provided

God in the Yard
watch your step

6:18 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

the gate invites me to open the book.

so happy to see kelly's image here.

agree that the words get lost in the gate photo though.

6:28 PM  
Blogger moondustwriter said...

The reason I don't like the first two is the initial reaction I get is an unkempt yard. So because of that would lean toward the third

6:40 PM  
Blogger ELK said...

i like the gate ..BUT the third is easier to see...the lowly dandelion and yard go together in my mind...especially ...i like the "cleaner" visual look...makes me eel more peaceful

7:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like the B&W photo, but was drawn more to the color in the last. I think a little color is important for such a subject.

6:18 AM  
Anonymous Cheryl Smith said...

The first two are very beautiful, artistic, and conjure up lots of thoughts about opportunity and entering. But the third, that's the graphic that, for me, most conveys the idea from your subtitle - playing! Many people can identify with the idea of running through a field of dandelions, blowing the "flower" and watching the seeds fly away.

1:30 PM  

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