The other day I asked you for comments as to your thoughts on the cover I’d designed. And I got heaps of suggestions or comments which I really appreciated! Then a certain blog friend got in touch and said she’d like to help. Well..
Here are the results of that help.
Attempt one
We both liked this but feedback from friends suggested that it looked too much like a ‘boys’ book. One friend in particular said ‘I love it, but I’d buy it for my son not my daughter (on a looks alone basis)’ So back to the drawing board. I suggested we try using that emblem thing I’d put on the front of my cover attempt and that is how got attempt two.
Then attempt three was a shot at making it look more girly.
Then I finally admitted to myself that the emblem I’d created just wasn’t doing it for me.. so we had another brainstorm. I suggested a ‘dark forest’ as the girls arrive in the forest and the first big fight scene is at night in the forest. Here’s attempt four.
This was waaayyy closer to what I had in mind and my clever friend decided to make a couple more tweaks and we ended up with this. My beautiful cover!!!!
And all this was created by someone who refers to herself as a novice just playing around! Ha! The lovely Keary Taylor is just gifted beyond words in my opinion *grin* Not only does she write spine tingling and unforgettable reads but she also creates all her own beautiful covers and trailers. I can’t thank her enough for my gorgeous cover!! It’s such a weight of my shoulders to know that I have a cover and it ROCKS!
Holy crap, the last one definitely nails it. The second to last draft seemed kind of…I don't know a different genre, but the last one really nailed the 'epic fantasy' feel I got the impression of when reading the synopsis. Be proud of the final product! It gives it some good edginess. Though, I have to say, the formatting on all of this is wonderful, not too cramped or anything. Aaaand, maybe you could use a female and a male cover, attract more of the other gender? It's looking great, though, Keary is definitely talented!! She should do more of this!
i really love the first one. those are so awesome! she is so talented!
It's beautiful! Congratulations 🙂
Very cool, Nicole!
That is an awesome logo and graphic-excellent!
I like it. But I like the first one too.
et voila! you have struck gold medear
Oh yes, the process was well worth it. Love the end result. Isn't it nice to have blog friends? 🙂
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
I missed the first attempt, and I *really* liked the second one with the colored circle…but this last one is WOW. Something tells me she's going to get a lot of requests from other bloggers!
The last one is perfect. Love it! :O)
Oooooh!!!!! I love the font to The Arrival!! And it's an amazing book cover – well done you and Ms Taylor – how brilliant and creative!!! yay!!!
Take care
x
Thanks for the shoutout Nicole! And I had a blast creating the cover for you 😉
I'm torn between the first one and the last one. But, I'm leaning towards the last. You have a great book designer.
CD
I love the last cover! It's beautiful; I love the font and the background. But as for the first one being a "boys'" book, I'd pick it up even though it's dark–and I'm a girl. 😀
When I saw the first cover, I thought, "Hmm!?!". I thought to myself that if it was the final cover, it would be okay. Then came the whole emblem thing, and I started to crinkle my nose a bit. When I got to the end and saw the final version, it was clear that it was perfect. I even liked the "girly" attempt better than the ones in between. In any event, I think it's a brilliant cover and would definitely cause me to stop and grab it off the shelf. Great job to all!
-Jimmy
I'm just sooo happy to know it looks good, best thing ever! Now I just have to finish the editing and set it up in Kindle and smashwords format ;p I did get a great quote from Kimberley at BookNook but it was still out of my xmas budget *sigh*
And it is wonderful!!! Just like th book – i can see it being snapped up super quick!! I'll be scouting the net for the ebook as soon as i'm back from Taupo!
I vote 1st one. A mix of magical with Arthurian. Parallels mythos of the story best.
just my two cents….
Last one is excellent!
i vote for the last one!
Wow, it looks incredible! Thanks for sharing how it came to be. I definitely like the last one the best.
Wow, that final one is the best. Congratulations! Have a wonderful holiday season. 🙂
Yep I agree…. Awesome cover….
Sorry I haven't been on here, but I have had no Internet. It is taking be 30 mins just to download my email…sigh….
Anyway, you know I love the blue cover with the silver/white circle around it.
So excited for you Nicole. Good luck and happy festival/holiday time.
Lots of love from the slightly intoxicated pixie, Sarah