Demon’s Bane Book Cover Contest: Take Two
Two important things:
- Here’s the (revised) prospective book cover for my upcoming novel, Demon’s Bane!
- You could win a free copy of the book! To enter, just comment on this blog post by Nov. 30th, 2009.
I’m already including those who commented on the earlier post, which led to this total revision of the art. But I’d gladly appreciate further input from those who gave advice on the last cover… as long as you like this one more than the previous one… haha.
To view in higher resolution, just click on the photo (this is Version 1):
Edit: here’s a second version with the title moved into the infamous “blue space.” Is Version 2 better?
Thanks to J. W. Parente, who provided the art that went into the stylizing cycle! Also to my artistic consultant Dylan, who is a Photoshop wizard.
To enter the drawing, which ends on Nov. 30th 2009, just leave a (non-spam) comment on this post to let me know what you think of the cover. I’m still open to minor modifications. Is it awesome? Does it suck? Is the text okay? If you saw this cover in a bookstore, would you pick up the book and take a look inside? The winner will receive an autographed copy of Demon’s Bane once the book is in print, sent free of charge anywhere in the world that has post.
Related posts:
- Demon’s Bane Book Cover Contest
- Book cover update & interview
- Demon’s Bane – October Giveaway!
- David Douglas: Author
- Demon’s Bane available on Amazon US
Tags: David Douglas, Demon's Bane
I REALLY like this cover. The colors are always the first thing I notice in any picture and this one is warm and inviting. The next thing I notice is the content of the picture — what ARE they doing?!? I find it very intriguing and would absolutely look beyond the cover. Very frameable.
I like all the elements, but it seems like it’s busy at the bottom then there’s a big blue space. Love the color use – not too dark. Overall pretty neat.
I like this one better….
Great, thanks for the replies so far. I’m glad that it’s better received than the last attempt. Teresha, maybe I’ll have a frameable version one day
Looks like everyone likes my attempt at cover art. To Weez, the reason for the extra large blue space is because when I had to crop to paperback size, it literally took out a whole tree. So I probably should have considered putting it in. But again, glad Dave is happy and glad you’re all happy.
Nice job, I like this cover. I could imagine this to be very good looking on a book.
Sorry, I find it awful the figures seem to lack skill in drawing and appears to be a little sixthformish.
It might look more balanced if you put the title words in the blue sky. Not sure, though – I’d have to see it actually done to see if it would detract from the art too much.
Good luck with everything!
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Thanks for the additional feedback. I guess you can never please everyone all the time, but it’s looking a lot better than the first (photographic) attempt. I have added a second option with the title moved to the blue sky–let me know if that looks better
Hi Dave,
I like the concept of a cartoon / illustrated picture. Anyway to some analysis : I’m not a fan of the bendy swords, I don’t really know what is trying to be convey there.
I think there is a lot (read too much) happening in the cover, where as it might be better to remove some of the characters. Every inch doesn’t need to be take up by something.
http://twitpic.com/pz76s
The character in green looks like he is having a stroke or something.
Also what are these grey things ?
http://twitpic.com/pz7e0
Shields ? The look more like seals tbh.
And the wolf, are they his 3 ribs coming out ?
Sorry to be so cutting.
Paul
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Hi Paul, thanks for the feedback. The stylizing makes the drawing a bit “surreal” with bendy edges and so forth. Think a few percent Van Gogh. I see what you mean about the shields/seals a bit. Someone mentioned the green guy looks like Shaggy. I guess that’s the upside+downside of art… it can be interpreted so many ways.
The wolf has been nailed by a fireball, so his fur’s smoking a bit. You’ll be able to read this scene in the book… which is kind of the idea, that someone would be curious about what’s going on and want to read it (as Teresha mentioned).
I like version 2 better…
Good luck!
Much better than the first one! I agree with the others.
Great warm colors (love that blue in the sky).
A bit too many characters, looks a bit crowded. You don’t need to show everybody even if they are all in the scene; in real life you might not be able to see everybody at once, either. People won’t read the book, get to that scene, and say “Hey, how come half the characters aren’t on the cover!”
I like the title in the blue. It stands out more and balances the picture.
Nice work!
S
I think it is a great improvement on the first cover.
Maybe a silly suggestion but have you had a look at how it would look as just a black and white cover or maybe in greyscale ?
Neville
Agree with everyone above. Great improvement on the last.
My favorite is version 2.
Good stuff
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Thanks all! Sheryl, I already removed a few people and animals compared to the scene in the book.
I could remove one or two more, but at the moment I don’t have resources or time to re-do it again. So I think based on the feedback, this’ll be it. Version 2, with some slight modifications (e.g. “Shaggy’s” green shirt will get a bit darker).
Neville, I did try it grayscale after your suggestion, but it looks too flat. Especially some things like the blood and the fireball, which really should be red.
Great feedback so far!
I like the title moved into the blue space. I also like the colors and I would pick it up and check it out if I saw it in a bookstore.
I really like version two, I like the colors and the characters.
Great improvement, good luck again.
The picture on ur website with the big cat and bird did it for me. I would buy that book!
Okay, version 2 it is. I’m adjusting the fonts a wee bit based on some other feedback.
Thanks Deedles, Kathy, and Badsis… glad you like it! Hopefully it’s available before Christmas.
The files are submitted to the printer; if no problems arise I should have a proof shortly. BUT everyone is still free to enter the Nov contest by leaving a comment here about the cover. Final cover is a variation of “Version 2″ with the green shirt changed to brown and adjusted fonts.
2nd version is my favorite.
Like the colors and the atmosphere, most of all, the letter format and your name sounds naturally like a novelist
.
Having been a fan of comics, if I saw the book in a shop, I would think it’s targeted for kids and teenagers. A bit of a touch of Guybrush Threepwood …
I think if you want to reach teenagers, it’s fine.
All in all, I think if you’ll have the final version in your hands soon, I think you can be very proud of your project.
I prefer the 2nd version… Well done, Dave (and friends)!
My comments on the book cover….the cartoonish characters makes it looks like it’s geared more towards kids. It’s a little busy. I would think you want a simple theme that somebody can identify within a few seconds. I can’t tell if that’s one character dressed in different garb or multiple characters. Nice and colorful.
This one is much better. I have to agree with eric b, concerning the kids part, and the busy part, but in a way I guess It might lure the juvenile to your book, which might be a good thing!
I like the “title on the sky” one better.
In the end, it’s a much better choice than the first try, and more fantasy syled, which is important! Good luck!
Thanks all. Bernd, many people have told me that about my name, I guess it’s a lucky coincidence
The cover may be a little cartoonish, but at least in the final version I got rid of the green “Shaggy” shirt so it won’t bring Scooby Doo to mind.
Definitely would not hurt to get YA interest via the cover. I heard there was one of the sex scenes that might make it inappropriate for YA, though that was just one opinion. I don’t think it was *that* strong. (guess you’ll have to read it to find out…)
Dude,
The book cover artwork is not good enough. It looks to cartoonish however if you like it thats cool. It is your book, lol. I hope you sell a bunch of copies. Good luck.
Ryan