I have to replace the cover of my science fiction novel, but I'm torn as to which one to go with. Can you help me figure out which one is the better cover?

Please let me know which one you like. And also, please share for reach 🙂

#ScienceFiction #CoverSelection #IndieAuthor #HelpMeDecide #Bookstodon #FediBooks #Writing
A cover for a science fiction n…
A cover for a science fiction n…

@f https://a.farook.org/media/4884fd799f48ea001ba3a5d31a9081ee5665290f04bcd28a2edf31e8fb6caf85.jpg

^^^^^ This one. No offense but the other one like an L. Ron Hubbard book.

@f

Much prefer the one on the left.

@f The one on the right makes the title easier to read, the tiny the on the one on the left is easy to miss. It made Honest Martian sound like a second hand spaceship dealer.

@icastico Thank you 🙂If you don't mind, can you tell me what elements of the left image appeal to you? And what elemetns of the right image turn you off?

@ariaflame Thank you 🙂 Appreciate the feedback. If the title/font were the same, which image would you prefer?

@f To be honest, still the one on the right.

@ariaflame Thank you 🙂

@theexplorographer Thank you 🙂 If the orange sky wasn't so in-your-face, would the one on the right appal to you more do you think? The orange sky is my fault, I wanted a distinct sunset but I have a feeling that it might be just a bit too much 😛

@f Yes definitely.

@f Little too hot in the hot tub... 😂

@f I prefer the left one (with your name in green), the other one feels a bit outdated to me.

@theexplorographer Thank you. That information helps. We'll rework it and see if we can make it better 🙂

@Gords Thank you 🙂 Appreciate the feedback!

@f

The orange one feels too Photo-Shop-y. The font choice, layout, and color scheme say planetary invasion zombie apocalypse to me.

I like the retro-feel and composition of the not-orange one better. It feels more inviting.

The font choice and layout is a bit off the mark, especially the green.

The "Humorous Science Fiction Novel by" needs to go. It's too small to read in thumbnail. If you have to say it on the cover, the cover isn't working.

JMO.

@f Your title makes me think this is a humorous story, but neither cover conveys that to me. The left one shows a busy alien city which looks really cool and has a sci-fi, other-planets vibe. The right one looks dystopian to me, with the red sky and ruined city. Really different signals. I don't get any humor vibes. Maybe you need a third choice?

#ScienceFiction #CoverSelection #IndieAuthor #HelpMeDecide #Bookstodon #FediBooks #Writing

@nlowell Thank you 🙂Really appreciate the detailed feedback since that tells me what you're thinking/feeling.

@Nichelle Thank you for the feedback and details 🙂

I'm coming to the conclusion that I might need a different choice too. Just not sure how to convey the humour except by going for a more illustrated look. Just not sure that would work though.

@f

I feel your pain on covers.

I've been through some myself 🤪

@f

The one on the right exudes a Hallmark TV special vibe.

@nlowell Yep, my head's spinning with all the information from coverdesign experts and gurus. I think general readers don't actually follow those guidelines at all when picking a book. When I go with a cover because I like it, it seems to work better 😛

@icastico LOL. That does give me a very visual/tangible feel 🙂

@f As an example, Terry Pratchett's fantasy series covers are illustrated, and clearly both fantasy and humor. Being an indie author myself, I know it's a big expense to spring for an illustrated cover. But maybe you could have a simpler image, something like a picture of a covered entree, one of those silver domes over a plate, with an obvious dog tail sticking out the side. Something like that.

@Nichelle I loved the Josh Kirby covers on Terry's books 🙂 The covers were the reason I got into Discworld in the first place.

I did consider something like that when I first started writing but the price that I was quoted (at that time) was astronomical. Still don't have the funds to pay for something like that 😛

But do appreciate the suggestions. The covered tray with a tail stickig out would work though I bet, I'm going to have some very cross people on my case after that too 😀

@f

The readers don't follow the guidelines.

The guidelines help the author understand what message a reader gets from the cover - usually unconsciously.

Space ship on the cover? SF
Elf, Dragon => Fantasy

Look at best seller list on any niche in Amazon. The color schemes, style of art, layout, color schemes will tell you what kind of book it is.

The trick - like with tropes - is figuring out how to stand out while still sending the message you want to give without becoming cliche.

@f I like the greenery on the orange sky cover, but I like the other cover (where your name is in green) better overall.

I think the reason I like it is because it reminds me of a cover of another book I read that I liked. The "orange sky" cover is not bad, just not as appealing to me.

@AngelaPreston Thanks, Angela 🙂I think the overall reaction from most people so far has been that they like the left one (with my name in green) better.

But you're probably one of the few to articulat why 🙂And it's very interesting ot know why because it helps in figuring out what kind of cover might appeal to people generally.

I thought the reason that the orange sky one turned off people was because the orange was too strong. We were experimenting with a few other variations to see if softening the colour might help. But your explanation leads me to think that that isn't the issue at all ...