That’s cool, but if he wants to make it as an author, he still needs to up his cover game. There’s no way to tell he’s just a kid just from the cover (as we’ve seen countless times before).
But now you know he’s a kid, who is still learning everything about the craft, and can maybe offer constructive criticism rather than basically telling him to thicken his skin. Judge the cover in the context of its creator and be helpful and supportive, that’s all I’m saying. It costs you nothing to be kind.
Okay, but what I said before goes. He’s competing with adults in a market that is judged by a certain level of professionalism. Therefore, if he cannot produce a cover that matches the quality of the majority of covers out there, hire someone to do so. DeviantArt or even Fivver can provide artists who are willing to work cheaply but that can provide quality work. Likewise, use an editor and proofreader (I haven’t read the text so I have no idea if this is necessary but it’s good advice) even if it’s only a teacher or parent.
Finally, if he wants to be excused for his age, include a blurb on the cover that says something like “The breakout new novel from 12-year-old David T. Lee”.
And if he’s only making this for family and friends to buy with hopes of the occasional other sale, then disregard the above.
In other words, you’re not going to give a kid any slack because — I don’t know, you feel the need to hold a young person who is still learning to your preferred standards? It doesn’t affect you, man, so maybe just back off and let him enjoy what he’s doing without pissing on him needlessly. Either he’ll learn in his own time or he won’t. It’s no skin off yours in either case.
You asked for constructive criticism and I gave it. If I was “a kid” of an undefined age I would not want everyone to tell me how my work is good “for my age group”. I grew up with parents and teachers telling me how great my drawings were and that led to a basic ennui and general feeling that I could do no wrong. It wasn’t until high school and above that I got art teachers who actually pushed me to better my work. If he wants to get better he has to continue trying and failing and trying again. Not just getting a medal for participation and saying that’s good enough.
But, yeah, it’s none of my business and I’ll shut up now.
No, in other words, what PhilO said: If a young person wants to be judged by lesser standards, he better let people know he’s a kid right up front. Otherwise, he’ll be judged by grown-up standards, just like every other book offered for sale on Amazon.
That would be in the product description where it says, “2013 (written at age 9) – Book 3: Danny and the Invasion of the Dinosaurs (17,000 words, 7 color illustrations).”
So yes, he does in fact let everyone know up front he’s a kid — currently a 15-year-old kid, who is old enough to accept constructive criticism but young enough to get demoralized by adults who can’t adjust their criticism appropriately.
We adults understand the risks we take putting our work out there. He is just getting to that point. My argument is simply that he should get a fair chance to reach that point. We can encourage and yes criticize without being unkind about it.
Sure — but the details at the bottom of the description are only going to matter to people who didn’t dismiss the book because of the artwork. The cover’s #1 job is to get the target audience to read the description. PhilO’s suggestion of putting his age on the cover was absolutely on-point; your response to him was absolutely out-of-line.
Asking for a little consideration for the feelings of a young author and being mindful of his age when offering criticism, constructive or otherwise, shouldn’t be out of line — especially since I’m fairly confident this submission did not come from David himself, looking for input. He most likely did not ask for any of this. Again, a little kindness doesn’t hurt.
The Third Doctor did this one way better, even with the cheesy 70’s SFX!
Before everyone piles on this, I know the author. He’s a kid.
Ok thanks – in that case his art is pretty good (much better than mine could ever be, truth be told)!
That’s cool, but if he wants to make it as an author, he still needs to up his cover game. There’s no way to tell he’s just a kid just from the cover (as we’ve seen countless times before).
But now you know he’s a kid, who is still learning everything about the craft, and can maybe offer constructive criticism rather than basically telling him to thicken his skin. Judge the cover in the context of its creator and be helpful and supportive, that’s all I’m saying. It costs you nothing to be kind.
Okay, but what I said before goes. He’s competing with adults in a market that is judged by a certain level of professionalism. Therefore, if he cannot produce a cover that matches the quality of the majority of covers out there, hire someone to do so. DeviantArt or even Fivver can provide artists who are willing to work cheaply but that can provide quality work. Likewise, use an editor and proofreader (I haven’t read the text so I have no idea if this is necessary but it’s good advice) even if it’s only a teacher or parent.
Finally, if he wants to be excused for his age, include a blurb on the cover that says something like “The breakout new novel from 12-year-old David T. Lee”.
And if he’s only making this for family and friends to buy with hopes of the occasional other sale, then disregard the above.
In other words, you’re not going to give a kid any slack because — I don’t know, you feel the need to hold a young person who is still learning to your preferred standards? It doesn’t affect you, man, so maybe just back off and let him enjoy what he’s doing without pissing on him needlessly. Either he’ll learn in his own time or he won’t. It’s no skin off yours in either case.
Geez, what do you want?
I didn’t make fun of the artwork or the author.
You asked for constructive criticism and I gave it. If I was “a kid” of an undefined age I would not want everyone to tell me how my work is good “for my age group”. I grew up with parents and teachers telling me how great my drawings were and that led to a basic ennui and general feeling that I could do no wrong. It wasn’t until high school and above that I got art teachers who actually pushed me to better my work. If he wants to get better he has to continue trying and failing and trying again. Not just getting a medal for participation and saying that’s good enough.
But, yeah, it’s none of my business and I’ll shut up now.
No, in other words, what PhilO said: If a young person wants to be judged by lesser standards, he better let people know he’s a kid right up front. Otherwise, he’ll be judged by grown-up standards, just like every other book offered for sale on Amazon.
That would be in the product description where it says, “2013 (written at age 9) – Book 3: Danny and the Invasion of the Dinosaurs (17,000 words, 7 color illustrations).”
So yes, he does in fact let everyone know up front he’s a kid — currently a 15-year-old kid, who is old enough to accept constructive criticism but young enough to get demoralized by adults who can’t adjust their criticism appropriately.
We adults understand the risks we take putting our work out there. He is just getting to that point. My argument is simply that he should get a fair chance to reach that point. We can encourage and yes criticize without being unkind about it.
Sure — but the details at the bottom of the description are only going to matter to people who didn’t dismiss the book because of the artwork. The cover’s #1 job is to get the target audience to read the description. PhilO’s suggestion of putting his age on the cover was absolutely on-point; your response to him was absolutely out-of-line.
Asking for a little consideration for the feelings of a young author and being mindful of his age when offering criticism, constructive or otherwise, shouldn’t be out of line — especially since I’m fairly confident this submission did not come from David himself, looking for input. He most likely did not ask for any of this. Again, a little kindness doesn’t hurt.
WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT PHILO DID: Telling him how best to compete in a marketplace where no one, looking at the thumbnail of your book, knows your age.
This thread is now closed.
A Sleestak would improve the cover. Anything can be improved with a Sleestak.