Is a change of cover a good idea?

[Richard]

Malika, here's my take on it.

The title seems to be your name -- maybe that's alright, but I think the title needs more gravitas, as a script font is casual and informal, yet your book (from it's blurb) seems dark and very personal.

The illustration doesn't draw the reader into the story with the intimacy needed to convey the nature of the work either. I probably would have chosen a photograph (possibly later rendered, if you must have illustration)that is one or two people, expressing the fear and wariness you suggest in your blurb, and lots of soaked clothing, pressing darkness, heavy rain and ominous architectural detail. I believe a photo allows more intimate connection and as your book deals with a specific period and people's lives, intimacy is needed to draw a potential reader into that world and want to buy the book.

The blurb makes it sound really interesting, even for historical fiction readers, but the cover is too lightweight. Hope this helps.

[Red]

I agree also with Richard. I did think the author name was title of the work at first. I quite like the painting but considering the description, a cover more reminiscent of "history" might be more representative.

If using that particular image is adamant, I would use it inset as a smaller image, with an appropriate border, titling and author name on the "field." I don't feel I am describing it very well :-)so I added an example. A compelling photo to draw the reader in would be great.

[Rosen]

I really like it. I've always been attracted to bright colours and these ones really do make me think of India. It doesn't look like a children's book.

If I had to be picky, I'd say that the background is too busy behind the book title, but you could easily shift things around to fix that.

[Hajni]

A. Please don't kill the messanger.

[Rosen]

No problem. :-)

[Cassandra]

I agree with the others who thought the cover didn't match the description of the novel. The brightness of the colors and the casual font doesn't flow with this idea. Something darker might work well. The cover is nice, it just doesn't seem to go with the feeling I got from reading what it is about. Is the painting that is the cover something that readers would know and is significant to the time period you are writing about? If so it might be better to make small changes like the font and size of the author's name (I also thought this was the title).

[Rebecca]

Agree about the font size for title and author. I think the author's name should be larger than the title only if you are so well known that people will want it for the name.

In general, the question of changing the cover is of interest to me, as I've wondered the same thing. I have gotten some comments that the cover of my book is too understated to attract the kids. I rather like it, myself, but I'm not the one buying it :D

In general, does changing the cover seem like a good idea? I've also thought about waiting until the sequel comes out and making a new version for the pair of them.

I'm asking in a more general way, but I'll throw my cover in here so you can see what I mean. Too calm.

[Rebecca]

Denise, your comment is almost exactly what my friend's 11-y.o. said!

I think I'll work along those lines. That will give me time, too.

[Steve]

Sales have doubled since I made a switch. Here's the new cover for my book...

Travel To the G-Spot -- The Guide Book

Buyers? Here's where you can find it...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JPR40S

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trave...

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/trave...

http://www.smashwords.com/b/140923

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

https://www.facebook.com/TravelToTheG...

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9... (Author Interview)

http://www.activetravels.com/blog/ (“Active Travels” Review)

Some of these sites still have the old cover in case you want to compare. Let me know what you think....

[Rebecca]

Hmm. I can see where your new cover might grab more attention. . . :D

[Steve]

Thanks, Rebecca. Anyone here on this group who wants to read it can take advantage of a fantastic 75% off summer sale at Smashwords. For the month of July you can buy

Travel To the G-Spot -- The Guide Book

for the astonishingly low price of $1.50 at

http://www.smashwords.com/b/140923

The deal is only good at Smashwords and only until July 31.

Use this code: SSW75

[Rosen]

Rebecca wrote: "Hmm. I can see where your new cover might grab more attention. . . :D"

Also, the aggressive marketing strategy.

[Steve]

I think of it as assertive...