Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Which Cover Do You Like Best? #IWSG

I thought I'd have more time after the release of the conclusion to my YA epic fantasy trilogy, Wielder's Storm. Silly me. Unfortunately I have a gazillion ideas and even more projects on the run (or so it feels). I'm currently writing more fantasies. I'm also working on their covers. And, because I can't leave well enough alone, I adjusted the cover of my third book to make it darker. I love the original cover, but I thought maybe a darker cover would be more appropriate for the YA market.

I've reached a place where I can't tell if the new cover is better or about the same, or maybe it's worse. I don't know. So I thought I'd share it and ask you. Which cover do you like best? Which one draws you? 

Because of a lack of time and brain power, I'll have to skip the optional monthly question for the IWSG. I hope you are all well and safe in this crazy world.

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.

49 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Lynda - the lighter one ... it is clearer. Yes there's a lot to occupy our day to day thinking ... stay safe - Hilary

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I do like the dark one, but I think for fire, you'd want the brighter one.

Debbie Johansson said...

I like them both, however I am drawn the the darker one. Looking at the covers of the first two books, they appear to be getting darker as the series progresses. The darker cover for the third book therefore seems appropriate.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

With the three together, I think the lighter of the two compliments the other two better.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I like the darker one better but I can see Alex's point about the lighter one. Good luck picking one.

Nick Wilford said...

As I said on FB, I prefer the dark one, though both are good. It's like the difference between dusk and dawn and I think if the book has a darker tone, the first of those is more apt.

Liza said...

I gravitate toward the darker cover. It looks more complex somehow, as if what is inside will be deeper.

Jemi Fraser said...

ACK! I love them both!
I like the contrast in the new one but I like the hope in the original. Sorry, I'm no help!

Pat Hatt said...

I like both with the darker winning out, but I think the lighter fits better with the other two covers.

Chrys Fey said...

The darker is neat, but the lighter cover (the original) pulls my eye more. :)

Botanist said...

On its own, I find the darker version more striking. But I also see what others have said about lighter being more in keeping with "fire" and working better looking at the three as a set. Then again ... :)

They are both good. Either one works. Seems to me it's down to which do you prefer?

Computer Tutor said...

I'm going to answer before I check the comments. The darker one. The title and author are easier to read (though the lighter is fine too). It does give a darker sense to the story which probably doesn't matter.

Now I'm going to see what the rest of your readers suggested!

Cathrina Constantine said...

In truth, I like both of them. The lighter cover suggests fire, while the darker cover I can see the bubbles on the side better. I'm closing in on the ending of Wielder's Fire...I didn't think they could get any better, but I really love this one!

Tyrean Martinson said...

I like both of them, but I think the first one has more eye "pop" power. Sorry, I know that's kind of a weird way of answering, but I notice it first, then slowly make my way to the second image, then come back to the first. So, I think it's the best one for marketing.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks, Hilary

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks, Alex

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

The darker one is the clear winner via Twitter and Facebook so far. Thanks for your input, Debbie.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

As is, they look great as a set, but they aren't sold as a set on Amazon. If at person comes across book 3 on its own, I want the reader to be pulled in enough to investigate further.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks, Natalie

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks again, Nick :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Interesting point! Thanks, Liza

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

It is a difficult choice to make. Thanks, Jemi

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks, Pat

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks, Joylene

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Cool. Thanks, Chrys

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I like them both, but it seems the darker one is winning out.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks, Patricia

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I think giving a darker sense to the story does matter. I'm starting to lean toward the darker one too now.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I'm thrilled you love the third book. Super happy, even. Thanks, Cathrina.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I totally agree with you, Tyrean. I asked across Twitter and Facebook too and the darker one is the clear winner. It means a lot more work for me, but it will be worth it in the end.

Anonymous said...

I like them both, but the darker one has more of a 'fire' feel for me. Good luck with the new book!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks, Lee

dolorah said...

I also like the dark one.

Nice to have a lot of ideas to work on - can't get bored, lol. Good luck with all that.

Michelle Wallace said...

I like both covers, each has something interesting.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
I like the first one best because it is with darker colors.
All the best.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Yvette Carol said...

I like them both. Is the story filled with promise and light, or is it scary, pitched and fraught? I always think the content of the book should inform the cover. Congrats on the new book!

Beth Camp said...

That first cover with darker color catches my eye and makes me curious about the story. Even the higher intensity between the color of the title and author name and the background would work well at the smaller thumbnail size. Re images, the ship and the waves of the ocean stand out more than the mariner's compass. How does that suggest the story that follows? Really a beautiful cover. Also, I feel the darker cover fits in nicely with the covers for those stories earlier in the series. So, congratulations on finishing the story -- and on coming up with a new cover!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Definitely not bored

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks, Michelle

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks, Pat

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

It's the latter. Thanks, Yvette

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Yeah, I'll give the darker cover a go and see what happens. Thanks, Beth

Steph W. said...

Very exciting! I think these are good "problems" to have. I am looking forward to reading some of your work, it sounds like it fits nicely into what I enjoy reading. It also sounds like everyone has helped you with the cover already, but I do like the darker one better too.

Toi Thomas said...

I'm natually drawn to the darker one, but when looking at all three, the lighter one matches the others in the series better. Wonderful design either way.

Denise Covey said...

A good move asking for opinions. I gave mine on FB but when you highlighted the sails in the dark one, they popped more.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

The darker one is the clear winner. Thanks so much, Steph

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I think I'll go with the darker one for a while. Thanks, Toi

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks, Denise

Beth Camp said...

:) Looking forward to the release!