The character in the foreground is actually not bad. It just looks really unfinished, like the first step in what goes into making a nice horror image with Photoshop.
James F. Brown
10 years ago
Font choice sucks. But then, it’s on a par with the cover art.
Kris
10 years ago
Is “Wastes” used as a noun or a verb? I don’t understand the title, and the art work ain’t making anything clear…
Well, thank you. Not sure Scott will agree with you though. 😉 To my defense, I’ll say that I’ve tried many times to make him change his covers but he really likes them…
Lucie, you’re an excellent friend. I happen to be happy with the cover. I’m not the one that designed it or did the art, ftr. It may not be everyone’s cuppa and I’m open to suggestions on how to make it better.
I’m not sure I can make any suggestions as to how to make this cover better. Obviously the font has to go, but just exchanging it for something else isn’t going to save this cover. As Waffles stated at the beginning, this would probably make for a good concept to submit to a designer. Anyone else?
In the future, perhaps you can try sending potential book covers to CoverCritics.com. It’s a FREE, crowdsourced book cover critique site. While this site pokes fun at bad book covers, that site requires all comments to be constructive and free of snark.
What I would suggest, is get rid of the silhouettes in the background, the one with the big willy and the jumping one, because the perspective looks out. Then find someone on DeviantArt who colours in images in an atmospheric way you think will get across the theme of your book and offer to pay them to colour the image professionally. Then practice with different fonts and submit your best try to Nathan’s sister site. 🙂
Lucie Le Blanc
10 years ago
“When you see a harsh critique of something you’re attached to or have done is there a better reaction than to just move on?”
Come on, my friend. Fight back. I’m sad to see you featured here, too. But it’s not a death sentence, you can grow from this.
If you realy want suggestions then here’s one. Keep the content, but make them appear as though you took a picture of them. I bet Scott Macumber could turn your drawing into a picture. He does great work for Jason.
![cover[1]](https://lousybookcovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cover155.jpg)
What a great… concept to send to your designer!
The character in the foreground is actually not bad. It just looks really unfinished, like the first step in what goes into making a nice horror image with Photoshop.
Font choice sucks. But then, it’s on a par with the cover art.
Is “Wastes” used as a noun or a verb? I don’t understand the title, and the art work ain’t making anything clear…
“Wastes” is used as a noun in this case as in “wasteland”.
Friends should not let friends publish lousy covers… especially when they offer critique as often as I do on this site. I’m guilty.
Is anyone is uncomfortable with the silhouette on the right as I am?
Well, hello there! O_o
Indeed. He’s such a show off.
LOL
AS not is.
Lucie – you are a terrible friend. You fit in well here.
Well, thank you. Not sure Scott will agree with you though. 😉 To my defense, I’ll say that I’ve tried many times to make him change his covers but he really likes them…
Lucie, you’re an excellent friend. I happen to be happy with the cover. I’m not the one that designed it or did the art, ftr. It may not be everyone’s cuppa and I’m open to suggestions on how to make it better.
I’m not sure I can make any suggestions as to how to make this cover better. Obviously the font has to go, but just exchanging it for something else isn’t going to save this cover. As Waffles stated at the beginning, this would probably make for a good concept to submit to a designer. Anyone else?
In the future, perhaps you can try sending potential book covers to CoverCritics.com. It’s a FREE, crowdsourced book cover critique site. While this site pokes fun at bad book covers, that site requires all comments to be constructive and free of snark.
What I would suggest, is get rid of the silhouettes in the background, the one with the big willy and the jumping one, because the perspective looks out. Then find someone on DeviantArt who colours in images in an atmospheric way you think will get across the theme of your book and offer to pay them to colour the image professionally. Then practice with different fonts and submit your best try to Nathan’s sister site. 🙂
“When you see a harsh critique of something you’re attached to or have done is there a better reaction than to just move on?”
Come on, my friend. Fight back. I’m sad to see you featured here, too. But it’s not a death sentence, you can grow from this.
Oh I know it’s not a death sentence. I’ve been thinking about this since yesterday. I’m writing up a blog post as a result.
Thank you for the post, Scott. I’m happy to see the number of comments it’s generating. It’s such a touchy subject.
You’re welcome!
If you realy want suggestions then here’s one. Keep the content, but make them appear as though you took a picture of them. I bet Scott Macumber could turn your drawing into a picture. He does great work for Jason.