I really like this, I feel like the spines do need some form of artwork as that is generally what you see first, but I’m not sure what exactly. I think a continuous picture would be cool, but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary. Also, if you add spine art, would that mess up the continuation from front to back with Wendells arm? Just a thought. Love the back concept, I feel like it adds a little bit of context for those who haven’t read your books yet. Yeah, I think that’s about all I’ve got.
So let me explain some of my thoughts....cause I'm sooooo on this cover today...
The spine art, for a continuous picture will have to be completed after the series is over.
I've tried to work it out and I THINK I could pull it off, but there's SO much that could go wrong and then I would be stuck with previously published books I cannot change...so I'm going to leave that for now.
If ANYONE has ideas for the spine, I'd live to hear them...I'm leaning towards a smaller version of the smiley, likely at the top, with something with the book number at the bottom...and the name on the spine. HOWEVER, if the title are short, I like the idea of the letters being on top of each other, so you can read the spine without tilting your head to the side.
...I don't like doing that, even if it is "the way" books are done.
Okay -- about the arm -- I started doing more sketches after I posted this article, and it always takes up most of the back over, which isn't good.
SO....I have another thought, but it's one of those ideas where I have to do thew whole thing and SEE if it works....*sigh*.... and that is a 'symbolic' effect.
TRANSLATION: I want the front black, for the short, makes the smiley pop. As the black wraps around the spine, it changes into black smoke....represents Mahan/evil, AND it can be different on each book...to a old paper background and characters on the back.
...now THIS IS KEY: I would NOT have a blurb on the back.
I don't know why that idea sits well with my gut...but it does.
Doesn't ALL BOOKS have a back blurb?
Deleyna? You're a publisher....have you ever seen a YA book without a blurb on the back?
Sure, there are probably some out there. But you need to think about the consideration stage for readers. The smiley catches their attention. They pick it up to look at it. Then they need to decide if it's right for them, but they find you are thumbing your note at them and you aren't going to tell them.
Some will keep looking. Others may suspect a bad book...
Also, you can absolutely replace covers. I'm doing it now on a series.
To do some really good artwork, I'm not sure how much of a blurb I'll be able to fit....or maybe I need it isolated, like on a scroll or something...??
We are most certainly on the same page about readers.
You ALL know my readers ALWAYS come first....so great point, and let's focus on that.
Okay...SCROLL...and I may have to condense the material, to give some quick jabs to get attention, but it won't be a full back spread. Like most of the original series, it doesn't have to be long.
Answered. But also a whole lesson in my class is about this. Look on the world anvil version under consideration. Take you about 3 minutes to read probably...
Spines are tough when you don't know the width. You could always just wrap the art, as you have it, allowing it to be seen on the spine but have a 40%-ish white or black box between the wording & the art, so the spine title stands out. Effectively fading the artwork on just the spine. I don't see any reason to clutter the spine with different art.
Let me be clear this is my opinion and you can do whatever you want.
But I think you should make the smiley on this book more…. Smiley. It’s just personal opinion but I feel like it makes a standard and beginning point. Then the expressions change more as it goes. I don’t think it has to be the “inanimate version” like the old one I just think it’s cool to line all the books up and watch as the smiley changes expression. And I think a smile is a good place to start.
...it's hard to decide what the expression should be, because unlike Prelude, SO MUCH HAPPENS in this first book!
So which is the right expression?
Now, I do like your point that this is also the starting point for the series...and likely setting the stage...so yes, I think a "smiley" smiley is critical.
The ONLY reason the smiley was non-animated on Prelude, was because Wendell had not received the mägoweave in the first book. That is NOT the case this time, so animation is ABSOLUTE on this cover.
...appreciate you, Joseph. Mostly, because I always know you'll talk straight with me on everything, and you are always willing to reason. I value that kind of feedback deeply.
Also,,,NOTE: That cover doodle was just a concept. I always intended to make the smiley more dynamic.
I really like this, I feel like the spines do need some form of artwork as that is generally what you see first, but I’m not sure what exactly. I think a continuous picture would be cool, but I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary. Also, if you add spine art, would that mess up the continuation from front to back with Wendells arm? Just a thought. Love the back concept, I feel like it adds a little bit of context for those who haven’t read your books yet. Yeah, I think that’s about all I’ve got.
Thank you, Benjamin. You rock.
So let me explain some of my thoughts....cause I'm sooooo on this cover today...
The spine art, for a continuous picture will have to be completed after the series is over.
I've tried to work it out and I THINK I could pull it off, but there's SO much that could go wrong and then I would be stuck with previously published books I cannot change...so I'm going to leave that for now.
If ANYONE has ideas for the spine, I'd live to hear them...I'm leaning towards a smaller version of the smiley, likely at the top, with something with the book number at the bottom...and the name on the spine. HOWEVER, if the title are short, I like the idea of the letters being on top of each other, so you can read the spine without tilting your head to the side.
...I don't like doing that, even if it is "the way" books are done.
Okay -- about the arm -- I started doing more sketches after I posted this article, and it always takes up most of the back over, which isn't good.
SO....I have another thought, but it's one of those ideas where I have to do thew whole thing and SEE if it works....*sigh*.... and that is a 'symbolic' effect.
TRANSLATION: I want the front black, for the short, makes the smiley pop. As the black wraps around the spine, it changes into black smoke....represents Mahan/evil, AND it can be different on each book...to a old paper background and characters on the back.
...now THIS IS KEY: I would NOT have a blurb on the back.
I don't know why that idea sits well with my gut...but it does.
Doesn't ALL BOOKS have a back blurb?
Deleyna? You're a publisher....have you ever seen a YA book without a blurb on the back?
Sure, there are probably some out there. But you need to think about the consideration stage for readers. The smiley catches their attention. They pick it up to look at it. Then they need to decide if it's right for them, but they find you are thumbing your note at them and you aren't going to tell them.
Some will keep looking. Others may suspect a bad book...
Also, you can absolutely replace covers. I'm doing it now on a series.
What would you suggest?
To do some really good artwork, I'm not sure how much of a blurb I'll be able to fit....or maybe I need it isolated, like on a scroll or something...??
The key is to think about the reader. You might be able to do it with art, but words help. And a scroll would be fantastic.
We are most certainly on the same page about readers.
You ALL know my readers ALWAYS come first....so great point, and let's focus on that.
Okay...SCROLL...and I may have to condense the material, to give some quick jabs to get attention, but it won't be a full back spread. Like most of the original series, it doesn't have to be long.
If you don’t have a blurb on the back, would you have it somewhere else? Like just inside the front cover?
I can do that as well...make that the very first page on the inside of the book...
Has THAT been done before, Deleyna?
I have ZERO problems stepping outside the 'norm'....because that's my LIFE...but I don't want to throw people off SO bad they walk away.
Also, if a reader is so lazy they don't search, I'm not sure what to think of that as well...
Don't forget the blurb, tho... Words on top of images can be hard
HAHAHA!!!
....I was answering Benjamin while you wrote this. See the bottom of my reply to him....addressed to you!
[you're so cool.....]
Answered. But also a whole lesson in my class is about this. Look on the world anvil version under consideration. Take you about 3 minutes to read probably...
Love, love, love❤️❤️❤️
Do you have any suggestions, Ann?
How about the spine?
Spines are tough when you don't know the width. You could always just wrap the art, as you have it, allowing it to be seen on the spine but have a 40%-ish white or black box between the wording & the art, so the spine title stands out. Effectively fading the artwork on just the spine. I don't see any reason to clutter the spine with different art.
I really like the bandaid and red and orange on the smiley face! 👍
Let me be clear this is my opinion and you can do whatever you want.
But I think you should make the smiley on this book more…. Smiley. It’s just personal opinion but I feel like it makes a standard and beginning point. Then the expressions change more as it goes. I don’t think it has to be the “inanimate version” like the old one I just think it’s cool to line all the books up and watch as the smiley changes expression. And I think a smile is a good place to start.
Thank you for this. I agree.
...it's hard to decide what the expression should be, because unlike Prelude, SO MUCH HAPPENS in this first book!
So which is the right expression?
Now, I do like your point that this is also the starting point for the series...and likely setting the stage...so yes, I think a "smiley" smiley is critical.
The ONLY reason the smiley was non-animated on Prelude, was because Wendell had not received the mägoweave in the first book. That is NOT the case this time, so animation is ABSOLUTE on this cover.
...appreciate you, Joseph. Mostly, because I always know you'll talk straight with me on everything, and you are always willing to reason. I value that kind of feedback deeply.
Also,,,NOTE: That cover doodle was just a concept. I always intended to make the smiley more dynamic.