Many of you know I am involved in helping bring a new novel and novelist to the public table with a book that has captured my heart. The folks I’m involved with want to do a bit of focus group consideration for a cover concept. If you’d like to give us your feedback, that would be awesome.
Look at the cover below:
The less you know about the book, the better, since we just want some reader input from the cover design itself. If you don’t mind could you either leave a comment here or email me to let me know what you think.
- What feelings or thoughts does this cover evoke for you?
What kind of book would you expect behind the cover?
Does this entice you to read it or turn you off?
Are you male or female?
Feel free to make any other comments about what you like or dislike about he cover.
We hope to have the book out around May 1.
Thanks.
I love old rural buildings! They evoke a feeling of a forgotten story that needs to be discovered and told. I would expect that the story behind the cover of this book would be valuable to anyone who needs to discover memories in their own lives that would influence their present and the future. A woman’s curiosity about the personal histories of those that lived in this shack would be the reason I would pick up this book to read and maybe pass on to friends.
How about a thinner shaft of light coming down from the sky, and a noticeable light coming from a few of the spaces between the window boards in line with where the shaft goes in? I think the way it is now overpowers the shack a bit.
Of course, this idea may not fit with the story : )
I love old rural buildings! They evoke a feeling of a forgotten story that needs to be discovered and told. I would expect that the story behind the cover of this book would be valuable to anyone who needs to discover memories in their own lives that would influence their present and the future. A woman’s curiosity about the personal histories of those that lived in this shack would be the reason I would pick up this book to read and maybe pass on to friends.
How about a thinner shaft of light coming down from the sky, and a noticeable light coming from a few of the spaces between the window boards in line with where the shaft goes in? I think the way it is now overpowers the shack a bit.
Of course, this idea may not fit with the story : )
The ladybug makes little sense with the rest of the thing. Although reading the story may bring that out, it just seems like ladybugs are not a great interest grabber to a 30 yr. old male. (Threw that in there because you wanted to know). I agree with Jim, the light is way too much. The shack looks more like an old hay barn to me. All in all, just from the cover, the book would not make me take one second look if I were browsing through a book store. I can’t wait to read the book though, and I hope that something productive can be brought out with all of our comments. Hope this helps, and I do like the font.
The ladybug makes little sense with the rest of the thing. Although reading the story may bring that out, it just seems like ladybugs are not a great interest grabber to a 30 yr. old male. (Threw that in there because you wanted to know). I agree with Jim, the light is way too much. The shack looks more like an old hay barn to me. All in all, just from the cover, the book would not make me take one second look if I were browsing through a book store. I can’t wait to read the book though, and I hope that something productive can be brought out with all of our comments. Hope this helps, and I do like the font.
47-year-old female. Do not understand the ladybug. My first thought when I saw the shack was mystery and for a second fear because of all the darkness around it. I wondered what the source of the light was. Not all light is good.
47-year-old female. Do not understand the ladybug. My first thought when I saw the shack was mystery and for a second fear because of all the darkness around it. I wondered what the source of the light was. Not all light is good.
I’m not sure Wayne. I appreciate the work gone into the cover as I’m graphics challenged. Even so, I think there are just too many disparate elements which collectively don’t meld well. I know nothing about book publishing however I’d like the cover to provide an insight into what’s between the covers.
* I agree with the previous commentators, the ladybug doesn’t visually make sense.
* The image composition strikes me as being unnecessarily rectangular – the black bands at the top and bottom don’t do anything for me. I’d rather see the main image continue with the snow graduating to black if you wan’t to continue with the quote.
* Let’s look at the quote then … you mentioned ignorance is good so I’m emminently qualified. Until a couple of minutes ago I knew nothing about Dale Lang’s book so a quick look at the publisher and it appears to be a powerful story about grief and forgiveness. Not knowing anything about the book I thought the title , “Jason has been shot”, was referring to a thriller or detective story. Too many Patricia Cornwell books I guess.
I’m male, 49 and spend too much time looking in the mirror lamenting about hair growing in places where it has not right to and not growing in places which for the past 45 years has been perfectly okay.
Sorry Wayne, you can delete this if you like but I meant to add to above that I’m being super picky here … I’ve seen heaps of book covers that are not as attractive as this one. Also, I forgot to mention that the juxtaposition of the broken down shack and the shaft of light hints that the story will be about restoration and new life.
Of course I could be totally wrong and it could be about home renovation – extreme makeover style 🙂
Love the shack, light, snow and ladybug. Without the light I would suspect a suspence novel; isolation, lonliness, and despair. But with the light and ladybug (I wear a ladybug pendant) it symbolizes hope and endurance. The light is the “enlightenment” that shines through even the most desolate places and times in our lives.
I wear the ladybug pendant because it’s due time that this bug get it’s recognition for a remarkable life of endurance, purpose, adaption, and just all around cuteness. The snow to me symbolizes a blanket of insulation and beauty too.
Hi, I’m a 23 year old male. A shack and light into darkness makes me think a little about a christmas book, but the shack itself doesn’t look too christmas, so that’s fine.
I’m kind of turned of by the comments of Dale Lang. Maybe that’s because I’m European, but two times telling me that the book is going to change my life (whether I want that or not!) turns me off. Although well-meant, it sounds to me like commercial ‘blah blah’. And secondly, it creates very high expectations, because I only know 3 or 4 books of the many I read that God used a lot to change things in me. But maybe the life-changing comment is ‘normal’ in the USA, I don’t know. In my culture it isn’t.
Looking forward to the contents though!
What feelings or thoughts does this cover evoke for you?
Curiosity, What is or has happened around or in this Shack
What kind of book would you expect behind the cover?
A book of change or transformation, with the light shinning in on the old rickity shack, something has dawned upon it!
Does this entice you to read it or turn you off?
I would be intewrested in reading curious what this change is about.
Are you male or female?
Stubborn male
I’m not sure Wayne. I appreciate the work gone into the cover as I’m graphics challenged. Even so, I think there are just too many disparate elements which collectively don’t meld well. I know nothing about book publishing however I’d like the cover to provide an insight into what’s between the covers.
* I agree with the previous commentators, the ladybug doesn’t visually make sense.
* The image composition strikes me as being unnecessarily rectangular – the black bands at the top and bottom don’t do anything for me. I’d rather see the main image continue with the snow graduating to black if you wan’t to continue with the quote.
* Let’s look at the quote then … you mentioned ignorance is good so I’m emminently qualified. Until a couple of minutes ago I knew nothing about Dale Lang’s book so a quick look at the publisher and it appears to be a powerful story about grief and forgiveness. Not knowing anything about the book I thought the title , “Jason has been shot”, was referring to a thriller or detective story. Too many Patricia Cornwell books I guess.
I’m male, 49 and spend too much time looking in the mirror lamenting about hair growing in places where it has not right to and not growing in places which for the past 45 years has been perfectly okay.
53 year old female. Cover a little too overstated for my personal taste….too much light over the shack, too strong a claim in the quote “….You will be changed”. (Thinks…”Well maybe I just won’t!”) Also not sure about the bug…is it a death-watch beetle or something significant lke that?! Our Australian labybirds (ladybugs) look a little different so I’m not sure…
I think to pick it up and read it, judging from the cover alone, I’d need some idea of the content…or is that on the back cover?
I have to be honest, the light on the building would turn me off. It’s a bit much, somehow. I like the ladybug, but I’m a bug person. I would assume it has something to do with the story. 31 year old female.
The bug and the dark shack. I thought of The Silence of the Lambs type movie. Then I noticed the light and thought of Alien spacecraft. I like the lonely, wooded scene itself. I didn’t relize at first it was a dwelling. I’d move in closer to the shack. Yeah, maybe a different source of light. Ladybug doesn’t work for me either. As it is now, honestly, it looks a little scary and violent. Baby boomer — too many movie formulas in my head. I’m a 45 year-old female.
Sorry Wayne, you can delete this if you like but I meant to add to above that I’m being super picky here … I’ve seen heaps of book covers that are not as attractive as this one. Also, I forgot to mention that the juxtaposition of the broken down shack and the shaft of light hints that the story will be about restoration and new life.
Of course I could be totally wrong and it could be about home renovation – extreme makeover style 🙂
The Ladybug seemed out of place, especially since the rest of the cover depicts a winter scene. The picture leaves me conficted about what I would expect inside the book. The shack in the middle of nowhere makes me think of a mystery or horror type story; possibly similar to “House”. But the light and white snow, don’t seem to match with that impression. Maybe adding a subtitle would make it more clear. Having said that, I think I would stop and take a look at the back cover of the book to see what it’s about.
BTW, I’m 38, a male, and I love to read.
Love the shack, light, snow and ladybug. Without the light I would suspect a suspence novel; isolation, lonliness, and despair. But with the light and ladybug (I wear a ladybug pendant) it symbolizes hope and endurance. The light is the “enlightenment” that shines through even the most desolate places and times in our lives.
I wear the ladybug pendant because it’s due time that this bug get it’s recognition for a remarkable life of endurance, purpose, adaption, and just all around cuteness. The snow to me symbolizes a blanket of insulation and beauty too.
Hi, I’m a 23 year old male. A shack and light into darkness makes me think a little about a christmas book, but the shack itself doesn’t look too christmas, so that’s fine.
I’m kind of turned of by the comments of Dale Lang. Maybe that’s because I’m European, but two times telling me that the book is going to change my life (whether I want that or not!) turns me off. Although well-meant, it sounds to me like commercial ‘blah blah’. And secondly, it creates very high expectations, because I only know 3 or 4 books of the many I read that God used a lot to change things in me. But maybe the life-changing comment is ‘normal’ in the USA, I don’t know. In my culture it isn’t.
Looking forward to the contents though!
My thougts are of images of a person’s life feeling lonely, cold and lost in desolation when Light comes from seemingly nowhere to suddenly make the person’s life incredibly bright,warm and full of meaning! – maybe the amazing grace of God’s love invading someone’s life?? – when all seems totally pointless, or perhaps coming to know God’s love in the midst of barrenness of life or just normal mundane life?
Maybe the Shack symbolises one’s own imprisonment within one’s self or symbolises the ordinariness of everyday life?
Or it could be just a sequel to ‘Fire in the Sky’ and is a terrible alien abduction movie?….LOL!
This cover CERTAINLY entices me to want to read the book! …Please keep it !
I am male – 35 yrs
The Lady bud does seem out of place. The blurb at the bottom of the page would seem to be better placed on the back cover or the inside cover.
The statement “When you close the back cover of this book you will be changed” is a pretty presumptuous statement considering the book is neither the Bible or God’s Spirit. I also think a sub-title from the author’s heart would be helpful to pique interest rather than the words of an observer. A sub-title would make the bug and the light a little clearer.
What feelings or thoughts does this cover evoke for you?
Curiosity, What is or has happened around or in this Shack
What kind of book would you expect behind the cover?
A book of change or transformation, with the light shinning in on the old rickity shack, something has dawned upon it!
Does this entice you to read it or turn you off?
I would be intewrested in reading curious what this change is about.
Are you male or female?
Stubborn male
53 year old female. Cover a little too overstated for my personal taste….too much light over the shack, too strong a claim in the quote “….You will be changed”. (Thinks…”Well maybe I just won’t!”) Also not sure about the bug…is it a death-watch beetle or something significant lke that?! Our Australian labybirds (ladybugs) look a little different so I’m not sure…
I think to pick it up and read it, judging from the cover alone, I’d need some idea of the content…or is that on the back cover?
I have to be honest, the light on the building would turn me off. It’s a bit much, somehow. I like the ladybug, but I’m a bug person. I would assume it has something to do with the story. 31 year old female.
The bug and the dark shack. I thought of The Silence of the Lambs type movie. Then I noticed the light and thought of Alien spacecraft. I like the lonely, wooded scene itself. I didn’t relize at first it was a dwelling. I’d move in closer to the shack. Yeah, maybe a different source of light. Ladybug doesn’t work for me either. As it is now, honestly, it looks a little scary and violent. Baby boomer — too many movie formulas in my head. I’m a 45 year-old female.
The Ladybug seemed out of place, especially since the rest of the cover depicts a winter scene. The picture leaves me conficted about what I would expect inside the book. The shack in the middle of nowhere makes me think of a mystery or horror type story; possibly similar to “House”. But the light and white snow, don’t seem to match with that impression. Maybe adding a subtitle would make it more clear. Having said that, I think I would stop and take a look at the back cover of the book to see what it’s about.
BTW, I’m 38, a male, and I love to read.
I love it! I feel like I’m in a building (a neighbor?) looking out of a window. I like the contrast between the dark and light and how the light lights up the surrounding area. The ladybug doesn’t ‘bug’ me at all, and it’s in the building I’m in!! Eager to read this!!
50-female
My thougts are of images of a person’s life feeling lonely, cold and lost in desolation when Light comes from seemingly nowhere to suddenly make the person’s life incredibly bright,warm and full of meaning! – maybe the amazing grace of God’s love invading someone’s life?? – when all seems totally pointless, or perhaps coming to know God’s love in the midst of barrenness of life or just normal mundane life?
Maybe the Shack symbolises one’s own imprisonment within one’s self or symbolises the ordinariness of everyday life?
Or it could be just a sequel to ‘Fire in the Sky’ and is a terrible alien abduction movie?….LOL!
This cover CERTAINLY entices me to want to read the book! …Please keep it !
I am male – 35 yrs
The Lady bud does seem out of place. The blurb at the bottom of the page would seem to be better placed on the back cover or the inside cover.
The statement “When you close the back cover of this book you will be changed” is a pretty presumptuous statement considering the book is neither the Bible or God’s Spirit. I also think a sub-title from the author’s heart would be helpful to pique interest rather than the words of an observer. A sub-title would make the bug and the light a little clearer.
I am a seventy year old male, and a lifelong bookworm. Sorry, but I wouldn’t even pick up this book and look at the back cover for more info. The setting looks cold and I have had enough cold this year. (Mich resident!) It also looks like a science fiction book, and I don’t read science fiction. With your recommendation, however, I’d grab it and head for the cash register!
I love it! I feel like I’m in a building (a neighbor?) looking out of a window. I like the contrast between the dark and light and how the light lights up the surrounding area. The ladybug doesn’t ‘bug’ me at all, and it’s in the building I’m in!! Eager to read this!!
50-female
I am a seventy year old male, and a lifelong bookworm. Sorry, but I wouldn’t even pick up this book and look at the back cover for more info. The setting looks cold and I have had enough cold this year. (Mich resident!) It also looks like a science fiction book, and I don’t read science fiction. With your recommendation, however, I’d grab it and head for the cash register!
I find the cover somewhat creepy. It is dark and cold and the bug at the top makes me think it is something like a dark thriller. I don’t know anything about this book other than that it is a Christian novel and that it offers redemption in the midst of pain (from the next more recent post). The light on the house does suggest redemption, but it is not enough to entice me to want to read it. I want to read something that looks warm and inviting. Perhaps if there was a tag line on the front describing what it’s about I might think differently.
I am a 37 year old Christian woman. Godspeed on the success of the book!
I find the cover somewhat creepy. It is dark and cold and the bug at the top makes me think it is something like a dark thriller. I don’t know anything about this book other than that it is a Christian novel and that it offers redemption in the midst of pain (from the next more recent post). The light on the house does suggest redemption, but it is not enough to entice me to want to read it. I want to read something that looks warm and inviting. Perhaps if there was a tag line on the front describing what it’s about I might think differently.
I am a 37 year old Christian woman. Godspeed on the success of the book!
Wayne, ever since you started mentioning this book (via the podcast), I’ve been VERY intrigued. So, I feel like I’m IN… even if the cover was a white plastic Ralphs bag.
But… if I’d never heard of this book and just saw it at Barnes & Noble…
-I’d be intrigued by the light coming down on the shaft. I’d be thinking, “This must be a ‘God-book’ of SOME sort.”
-It looks Steven King-ish which intrigues me.
-The font, though, makes me think (to be honest), “Self-published. Might not be that good.”
-I, personally, am easily put off by too many exclamation points in the raves and encouragements-to-read. I find that the simpler the comments/quotes, the better. (Exclamation points make it seem like the publishers are trying too hard, and I’m put off by that.)
-I’m assuming the ladybug is some integral part of the story. It intrigues me. If I bought the book, I’d be reading it with this thought in the back of my mind: “There’s gonna be something about a ladybug in here, and it’s gonna be important.”
-Dale Lang’s rave has the word “change” in it, twice (granted, it’s two different parts of speech). This feels (again, honestly) sloppy to me. If he’d let you, and you could switch it from “Life-changing” to “Life-altering,” I think it would read better.
-Darkening the reddish color on the ladybug may help it blend in a little better AND could give the cover a bit of a more ominous feel to it. I’m not sure what this murder of the girl is like, but by making the ladybug a little more (excuse me) blood-red… well, it could give more of a foretaste of what’s inside.
-Just my take. Again, though… I’m IN.
PS I’m a 33-year old male.
Wayne, ever since you started mentioning this book (via the podcast), I’ve been VERY intrigued. So, I feel like I’m IN… even if the cover was a white plastic Ralphs bag.
But… if I’d never heard of this book and just saw it at Barnes & Noble…
-I’d be intrigued by the light coming down on the shaft. I’d be thinking, “This must be a ‘God-book’ of SOME sort.”
-It looks Steven King-ish which intrigues me.
-The font, though, makes me think (to be honest), “Self-published. Might not be that good.”
-I, personally, am easily put off by too many exclamation points in the raves and encouragements-to-read. I find that the simpler the comments/quotes, the better. (Exclamation points make it seem like the publishers are trying too hard, and I’m put off by that.)
-I’m assuming the ladybug is some integral part of the story. It intrigues me. If I bought the book, I’d be reading it with this thought in the back of my mind: “There’s gonna be something about a ladybug in here, and it’s gonna be important.”
-Dale Lang’s rave has the word “change” in it, twice (granted, it’s two different parts of speech). This feels (again, honestly) sloppy to me. If he’d let you, and you could switch it from “Life-changing” to “Life-altering,” I think it would read better.
-Darkening the reddish color on the ladybug may help it blend in a little better AND could give the cover a bit of a more ominous feel to it. I’m not sure what this murder of the girl is like, but by making the ladybug a little more (excuse me) blood-red… well, it could give more of a foretaste of what’s inside.
-Just my take. Again, though… I’m IN.
PS I’m a 33-year old male.
The entire cover draws me and it speaks of an invitation to come in. It is the where there is warmth and peace from being out in the cold darkness, and it is as if I stumbled upon this safe haven withouth knowing there was one to be found. My initial thought was that inside the old cabin is a treasure that is unrecognized until I cross the threshold and enter into it, and it is this unseen something inside that compells me to come in.
The lady bug only increases what I suspect what could be on the inside of the cabin, for this lady bug doesn’t seem to belong with the rest of the scene. Yet, it only enhances that which is the heart of the shack.
The entire cover draws me and it speaks of an invitation to come in. It is the where there is warmth and peace from being out in the cold darkness, and it is as if I stumbled upon this safe haven withouth knowing there was one to be found. My initial thought was that inside the old cabin is a treasure that is unrecognized until I cross the threshold and enter into it, and it is this unseen something inside that compells me to come in.
The lady bug only increases what I suspect what could be on the inside of the cabin, for this lady bug doesn’t seem to belong with the rest of the scene. Yet, it only enhances that which is the heart of the shack.
Wayne,
I think the cover is attractive but wonder about the light somehow. It seems a little fake, more like a snowfall or something. I also wonder about the position of the shack itself. Should it be more to the foreground and a stronger presence in the picture?
Can’t wait to read the finished product.
Wayne,
I think the cover is attractive but wonder about the light somehow. It seems a little fake, more like a snowfall or something. I also wonder about the position of the shack itself. Should it be more to the foreground and a stronger presence in the picture?
Can’t wait to read the finished product.
I love the shack! If you could move in close on it, do away with the eerie light (but maybe have a soft glow from the inside somehow?). I like the back cover with the blue and the ladybug…it seems to work well, but the red bug and the blue on the front seem out of place. And while I’m at it (sorry!) the black/white contrast does not draw me in. If I didn’t know anything about it, it wouldn’t entice me to read; it looks scary. I really do love the old building though, it’s great! I would love to see it in the daylight! Female, 49
I love the shack! If you could move in close on it, do away with the eerie light (but maybe have a soft glow from the inside somehow?). I like the back cover with the blue and the ladybug…it seems to work well, but the red bug and the blue on the front seem out of place. And while I’m at it (sorry!) the black/white contrast does not draw me in. If I didn’t know anything about it, it wouldn’t entice me to read; it looks scary. I really do love the old building though, it’s great! I would love to see it in the daylight! Female, 49
Wayne, I wasn’t going to comment until I saw your newer cover; I think this one is much better. I don’t like the light, but everything else…the rectilinear framing, the bug, the lonely shack…creates a tension between lonely and picturesque in a way that leaves one uncertain whether to feel peaceful or afraid.
I find that very provocative, which would make me want to read it.
I’m 28, a lifetime reader, and hardly ever pick up “Christian” novels, with their warm and fuzzy (and sloppy) writing and artwork–which ultimately say nothing (or worse) about life and human nature. For that reason, I really don’t like the light, or all the raving on the cover. It’s a *novel*, and should be able to stand as a story without all the “life changing” hype. Stories change us subtly or not all, and I have little patience for sermons masquerading as stories. I sincerely hope William Young is not a new pen-name for Andy Andrews.
Wayne, I wasn’t going to comment until I saw your newer cover; I think this one is much better. I don’t like the light, but everything else…the rectilinear framing, the bug, the lonely shack…creates a tension between lonely and picturesque in a way that leaves one uncertain whether to feel peaceful or afraid.
I find that very provocative, which would make me want to read it.
I’m 28, a lifetime reader, and hardly ever pick up “Christian” novels, with their warm and fuzzy (and sloppy) writing and artwork–which ultimately say nothing (or worse) about life and human nature. For that reason, I really don’t like the light, or all the raving on the cover. It’s a *novel*, and should be able to stand as a story without all the “life changing” hype. Stories change us subtly or not all, and I have little patience for sermons masquerading as stories. I sincerely hope William Young is not a new pen-name for Andy Andrews.