Compilation Covers
Now that I'm moving on to working on Caszandra, one thing I'm turning my mind to is a compilation of the entire Touchstone trilogy - for those who want their rambly SF diaries in one gi-normous block.
Now the covers I have for each of the individual books are painted covers which really match the content of the books - to me. But I'm well aware that for the market these books are theoretically aimed at (Young Adult) they don't fit the current cover fashions at all (most people think they're aimed at younger readers, because that's where painted are being used at the moment). So (since I'm too cheap to commission another painted cover, and it's going to be ebook only) the compilation is a marketing opportunity to direct the books at the audience which theoretically will most enjoy them (though Stray and Lab Rat appear to work equally well for any gender or age).
Anyone who has gone near Young Adult books lately will no doubt know that the current trend in covers is striking photographs of improbably beautiful girls in gorgeous floaty dresses, looking pensive or anguished (or, well, blank).
While gorgeous floaty dresses don't quite feel SF to me, Cass does at least frock up a couple of time during her adventures. Could I combine current trends in Young Adult covers with the book content of Space! Ninjas! Bubble worlds!? I set out on a quest for a photograph of a space ninja in a floaty dress, but they seem a bit thin on the ground. So I focused on the bubble worlds concept.
Which version works best for you?
The girl in the photo (before I dropped the Blue Eagle nebula on top of her) does in fact appear to be wearing a floaty dress. So all elements met!
[What do you mean 'no ninjas'? There's more than enough shadow there for any half-competent ninja to take full advantage of.]
Edit: Fourth option:
Now the covers I have for each of the individual books are painted covers which really match the content of the books - to me. But I'm well aware that for the market these books are theoretically aimed at (Young Adult) they don't fit the current cover fashions at all (most people think they're aimed at younger readers, because that's where painted are being used at the moment). So (since I'm too cheap to commission another painted cover, and it's going to be ebook only) the compilation is a marketing opportunity to direct the books at the audience which theoretically will most enjoy them (though Stray and Lab Rat appear to work equally well for any gender or age).
Anyone who has gone near Young Adult books lately will no doubt know that the current trend in covers is striking photographs of improbably beautiful girls in gorgeous floaty dresses, looking pensive or anguished (or, well, blank).
While gorgeous floaty dresses don't quite feel SF to me, Cass does at least frock up a couple of time during her adventures. Could I combine current trends in Young Adult covers with the book content of Space! Ninjas! Bubble worlds!? I set out on a quest for a photograph of a space ninja in a floaty dress, but they seem a bit thin on the ground. So I focused on the bubble worlds concept.
Which version works best for you?
The girl in the photo (before I dropped the Blue Eagle nebula on top of her) does in fact appear to be wearing a floaty dress. So all elements met!
[What do you mean 'no ninjas'? There's more than enough shadow there for any half-competent ninja to take full advantage of.]
Edit: Fourth option:
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