I just got two new cover designs from Lou Harper for my SF novella Looking Through Lace, and I would love some feedback!
Here is the description:
As the only woman on the first contact team, xenolinguist Toni Donato expected her assignment on Christmas would be to analyze the secret women’s language — but then the chief linguist begins to sabotage her work. What is behind it? Why do the men and women have separate languages in the first place? What Toni learns turns everything she thought they knew on its head.
Originally published in Asimov’s in 2003, “Looking Through Lace” was a finalist for the Tiptree and Sturgeon awards. The Italian translation won the Premio Italia for best work of speculative fiction in translation in 2007.
And here is the present cover:
It’s one of the first covers I did with my daughter, and I figured the book could finally use a facelift. 🙂
So what do you guys think? Which do you prefer and why?
#1. (I think #2 ended up looking more like a thriller cover for me, mainly because the color scheme + the choice of background made it hard to see what I was staring at was a nebula, and I thought it was some kind of forest fire).
Thanks, Aliette! I was a bit worried the blue one might look too much like fantasy, but SF readers are all voting for it. 🙂
I’d feel better voting if i had a synposis of the story. I like #1 but I wish I could see her eyes. Even without that, I still like #1 the best
Um, I did give the book description, if not a complete synopsis. But that is not necessarily something I want to post on the web — spoilers! *g*
Of course! I just found your blog sorry. All are great cover designs brw
I guess I’m the contrarian here. The first cover seems like “looking through hair” to me. And she doesn’t look like the Toni I imagined while reading, so … I like the second cover better. The colors remind me of how you described the atmosphere of Christmas.
Since I’m of two minds myself, I understand completely. Maybe the cover artist could weave the stars more into the hair across the face …
But why must there be hair across a face? That’s more romance novel, no? I’d rather see the second one modified to be more space-atmosphere-y than forest-fiery.
On Wednesday, December 9, 2015, Ruth Nestvold – Indie Adventures wrote:
> Ruth Nestvold commented: “Since I’m of two minds myself, I understand > completely. Maybe the cover artist ould weave the stars more into the hair > across the face …”
I think I’m with Margo in that I prefer the second one, for the same “looking through hair” reason.
I’ve written the cover designer about some modifications. “Looking Through Hair” was the hands down winner on Facebook, so that’s the one I think I need to use as a basis for the final cover.
I like the hair. 🙂
Me too. 🙂 She does look too young, though. I’ve written Lou about that, and maybe she can change it.
Okay… since you asked… Honestly, I like the original best. The nebula has a much lacier feel to it to tie in more with the title. Of the new ones, I lean toward #2 but like #1’s color scheme better. Also, not sure about the ‘orb’ in the woman’s eye in #2. I find it pulls my eye directly to it and that’s all I see, wondering what it is.
That’s not what I wanted to hear! *g* But seriously, if just isn’t professional enough. I can’t get ad slots for “Looking Through Lace” anymore, and if I can’t get ad slots, the book drifts into obscurity. I like our design too, but I also see its limitations.
I’m with Kathi on this one…I prefer the original. It has all the elements I like best in the other two, and that ‘certain something’ too.
I like the third one best. The first has too much hair and the second looks like she has cancer of the eye (sorry! – but the thing in the eye looks weird) the third is simple and attractive.
Thanks! If only those who promote books thought the same thing. 🙂
I like the second one better. I’m meh on the hair in the first one, and I also like the colors better in the second one.
Too bad you can’t keep the third one…I was all set to vote for that one until I realized that was the current one! LOL
I think the eye in #2 is too close of a close-up to get the ‘through’ bit of looking through Lace.
I keep wanting to say to the woman on #1, “Get that hair out of your eyes!” 🙂
I like the current cover too … so by default, it’s #1 for my vote
Ah, well, if the new cover doesn’t work, we can always return to the unprofessional cover and continue to sink into obscurity. 🙂
You and obscurity? Nope! Never happen, 🙂
Aw, that’s so sweet of you! But I fear you are wrong. 🙂 As far as sales are concerned, I am very obscure, unfortunately. Might well have to give up the experiment soon and go back to a real job. 😦
I LOVE the fiery looking cover, and second would be the original cover