Anna, I know you don’t like version number #1 (Rough Draft), but I love this cover. It’s a book, I think it works beautifully.
The floral design is beautiful, the photograph of Meejong is stunning, and the wooden-texture background ties it all together perfectly. It looks amazing.
My favorite is Book #2, the Super Professional. I love how the flowers frame the child, and the colors are very complementary. I don't know the story, but I wonder if, instead of a circle, the frame around the child could be a diamond shape? Regarding the version 2 rough draft, I also don't care for the cursive font. Thank you for sharing your process!
Thanks for your feedback! I also really, really love that flower-framed version. That's why I decided to keep it for my "special edition." And... yeah, the cursive font. I feel so much like a writer and so much NOT like a designer that this is actually the hardest part for me. They ask, "Which one you like?" and I'm like, "How am I supposed to know??" lol
I'm no good at making these types of decisions either! There is considerable pressure to create a good cover design. But what's so much more important are the stories you share! I don't think you could go 'wrong' with any of the choices.
I actually really like the first cover - the contrast between the harsher elements of the wood like background and the stern looking font against the softness of the picture, the flowers and the scrap of paper work really well with the overall concept of the book.
I see what you mean with the second cover, I'm not keen on the font or the colour of the wording either. Is it the wooden effect you're not keen on from the first one? I think a dark background against softer elements like the flowers, the picture and the scrap of paper would be lovely 🌹
Thanks! Yeah, actually some of the other versions from the first designer leaned into the darker brown, too. And I see your point with the contrast. I'll reconsider this one. What first struck me as "no!" was mostly that it seems generic and I was hoping for a nod to Korean culture.
Ah ok I see what you mean, maybe there's a way to incorporate a small element in the design even if it's something small? Looking forward to seeing the finished book - I bet you're excited 😄
Dear Anna, thank you very much for sharing your journey. It is exciting to read because I am on that journey too.
This month my cover designer will do his work for my book and I am excited.
I have done everything with Reedsy: editor, book designer, marketer and I am so far really happy.
As for the two options, in fact, I do like the brown one, somehow I feel more presence in that look. It says “I am here”. The other one with the lighter color is a bit “shy”. It is certainly my subjective taste.
Loved to read your post, excited about your book! 😊
Thanks so much for your feedback. I wrote this post precisely to connect with other writers who are on the same journey. I'm excited to hear what happens for you, too!! Do you mind sharing who your marketer is on Reedsy? I've been doing things myself so far, but if she/he seems good... ??
Certainly Anna, his name is Martyn B. on Reedsy. (Martyn Beeny)
We met once, I filled in a very helpful questionnaire and then he prepared a lengthy plan for me to implement.
I am also doing the work myself.
However, I asked him to help me with author bio, book description and metadata as I have no time to focus on them (I am full-time employed) and I want them to be good. So at extra cost, he will do them for me.
He has written three short books in book marketing (on Amazon) which I read and found very helpful.
Thank you for sharing your journey and the book design covers, Anna. When I think of the title, I think of a sky blue and white because of the word ‘diamond.’ So in my mind, I expect to see those colours on the cover (rather than the turquoise and beige) and a sharper, more prominent font. The softness of ‘hope’ comes from the gorgeous photo. I wonder if the colours could be swapped out to see how they look and the font changed to something that looks like it’s glistening? Just a suggestion. The special ed cover is cute with the flowers however because they are busy, my eyes are drawn to them rather than the photo. A few flowers could perhaps achieve the right balance?
Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it so much! When I first envisioned the cover, I also thought of a sky, perhaps blue, white (or pink!) with diamonds. But I decided to let a professional do it. I'm not a big fan of the turquoise, either, but someone pointed out there aren't a lot of choices since it picks up the pants in the picture and red as the other option...well, in traditional Korean culture names aren't written in red so I wanted to avoid it. So many things to consider. Hm.
I think the subtitle stands out more than the title right now. I agree it might be worth experimenting with different fonts, styles, and colors to create a better balance.
Hmm, I see why they pulled the turquoise from his pants out to the font, but agree there might be something better. I think I’d ask for a few more font (style/color) variations that work better with the creams / browns.
Thanks for your feedback. I agree. My own thought was dark brown but I'm so insecure about "insisting" and then ruining what actually works in the real world (the market) when it's being done by someone with experience. This is actually the hardest part of the process for me.
I wonder if curious questions would feel more comfortable than insisting on a certain style. Do they think turquoise would work better than brown? Why / why not brown? The experts I appreciate the most usually explain the pros and cons of the different options, helping me make an informed decision (vs. deciding for me). But I've never had someone design a book cover, so it could be completely different! Also, just wanted to support you doing what you personally feel is best. Sometimes the best things happen that way!
Thanks! That approach rings true to me. I'll approach it that way. I was just looking around Amazon, and I saw an old memoir from 2007 (Without a Map) which has three different covers. Apparently, it's OK for this to evolve. The kindle and audio have a much more modern cover than the originals. So I guess, in the end, the most important thing is to choose a pretty good cover and then get the book into the world. :)
I hadn’t even thought of that, but you’re SO right. Getting it out there is more important than getting every detail perfect (but it doesn’t hurt to try just a bit, haha).
In the first one I love the flower, I see that and think “two pretty little flowers”. But in the second I am immediately drawn to the child’s face. If that’s the focal you want then that’s the one.
I just saw this thread, Anna. I wish I had met you sooner. It sounds like you have spent a lot of money on covers. And you don't have much time.
Anna, I know you don’t like version number #1 (Rough Draft), but I love this cover. It’s a book, I think it works beautifully.
The floral design is beautiful, the photograph of Meejong is stunning, and the wooden-texture background ties it all together perfectly. It looks amazing.
My favorite is Book #2, the Super Professional. I love how the flowers frame the child, and the colors are very complementary. I don't know the story, but I wonder if, instead of a circle, the frame around the child could be a diamond shape? Regarding the version 2 rough draft, I also don't care for the cursive font. Thank you for sharing your process!
Thanks for your feedback! I also really, really love that flower-framed version. That's why I decided to keep it for my "special edition." And... yeah, the cursive font. I feel so much like a writer and so much NOT like a designer that this is actually the hardest part for me. They ask, "Which one you like?" and I'm like, "How am I supposed to know??" lol
I'm no good at making these types of decisions either! There is considerable pressure to create a good cover design. But what's so much more important are the stories you share! I don't think you could go 'wrong' with any of the choices.
I actually really like the first cover - the contrast between the harsher elements of the wood like background and the stern looking font against the softness of the picture, the flowers and the scrap of paper work really well with the overall concept of the book.
I see what you mean with the second cover, I'm not keen on the font or the colour of the wording either. Is it the wooden effect you're not keen on from the first one? I think a dark background against softer elements like the flowers, the picture and the scrap of paper would be lovely 🌹
Thanks! Yeah, actually some of the other versions from the first designer leaned into the darker brown, too. And I see your point with the contrast. I'll reconsider this one. What first struck me as "no!" was mostly that it seems generic and I was hoping for a nod to Korean culture.
Ah ok I see what you mean, maybe there's a way to incorporate a small element in the design even if it's something small? Looking forward to seeing the finished book - I bet you're excited 😄
Dear Anna, thank you very much for sharing your journey. It is exciting to read because I am on that journey too.
This month my cover designer will do his work for my book and I am excited.
I have done everything with Reedsy: editor, book designer, marketer and I am so far really happy.
As for the two options, in fact, I do like the brown one, somehow I feel more presence in that look. It says “I am here”. The other one with the lighter color is a bit “shy”. It is certainly my subjective taste.
Loved to read your post, excited about your book! 😊
You are so welcome Anna. I am happy we can support each other here in this way 😊 Juggling all these balls is hard.
Thanks so much for your feedback. I wrote this post precisely to connect with other writers who are on the same journey. I'm excited to hear what happens for you, too!! Do you mind sharing who your marketer is on Reedsy? I've been doing things myself so far, but if she/he seems good... ??
Certainly Anna, his name is Martyn B. on Reedsy. (Martyn Beeny)
We met once, I filled in a very helpful questionnaire and then he prepared a lengthy plan for me to implement.
I am also doing the work myself.
However, I asked him to help me with author bio, book description and metadata as I have no time to focus on them (I am full-time employed) and I want them to be good. So at extra cost, he will do them for me.
He has written three short books in book marketing (on Amazon) which I read and found very helpful.
I am here if you have more questions.
Excited for your book 😊
Thanks for getting right back to me with that info. Will look into it! (I am also FT employed and it's a challenge to do everything. Sigh.)
Thank you for sharing your journey and the book design covers, Anna. When I think of the title, I think of a sky blue and white because of the word ‘diamond.’ So in my mind, I expect to see those colours on the cover (rather than the turquoise and beige) and a sharper, more prominent font. The softness of ‘hope’ comes from the gorgeous photo. I wonder if the colours could be swapped out to see how they look and the font changed to something that looks like it’s glistening? Just a suggestion. The special ed cover is cute with the flowers however because they are busy, my eyes are drawn to them rather than the photo. A few flowers could perhaps achieve the right balance?
Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it so much! When I first envisioned the cover, I also thought of a sky, perhaps blue, white (or pink!) with diamonds. But I decided to let a professional do it. I'm not a big fan of the turquoise, either, but someone pointed out there aren't a lot of choices since it picks up the pants in the picture and red as the other option...well, in traditional Korean culture names aren't written in red so I wanted to avoid it. So many things to consider. Hm.
I think the subtitle stands out more than the title right now. I agree it might be worth experimenting with different fonts, styles, and colors to create a better balance.
Thanks for your feedback and thanks for confirming that. I agree.
Hmm, I see why they pulled the turquoise from his pants out to the font, but agree there might be something better. I think I’d ask for a few more font (style/color) variations that work better with the creams / browns.
Thanks for your feedback. I agree. My own thought was dark brown but I'm so insecure about "insisting" and then ruining what actually works in the real world (the market) when it's being done by someone with experience. This is actually the hardest part of the process for me.
I wonder if curious questions would feel more comfortable than insisting on a certain style. Do they think turquoise would work better than brown? Why / why not brown? The experts I appreciate the most usually explain the pros and cons of the different options, helping me make an informed decision (vs. deciding for me). But I've never had someone design a book cover, so it could be completely different! Also, just wanted to support you doing what you personally feel is best. Sometimes the best things happen that way!
Thanks! That approach rings true to me. I'll approach it that way. I was just looking around Amazon, and I saw an old memoir from 2007 (Without a Map) which has three different covers. Apparently, it's OK for this to evolve. The kindle and audio have a much more modern cover than the originals. So I guess, in the end, the most important thing is to choose a pretty good cover and then get the book into the world. :)
I hadn’t even thought of that, but you’re SO right. Getting it out there is more important than getting every detail perfect (but it doesn’t hurt to try just a bit, haha).
In the first one I love the flower, I see that and think “two pretty little flowers”. But in the second I am immediately drawn to the child’s face. If that’s the focal you want then that’s the one.
Thanks so much for this feedback. I appreciate it!