TOR'S COVER FOR SHRIEK
This is still a rough draft cover, but it won't change very much. I think it's great.
Go here for a larger version.
Jeff
posted by JeffV @ 1:38 PM
6 comments
VanderWorld (under occupation)
“When they give you things, ask yourself why. When you’re grateful to them for providing the things you should have anyway, ask yourself why.” – Lady in Blue, rebel broadcast
Friday, January 13, 2006
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- Name: JeffV
- Location: Tallahassee, United States
I write fiction. My latest novel, Shriek: An Afterword, is now out in the US, published by Tor. I'm currently co-editing a series of anthologies with my wife, Ann, who is also the fiction editor of Weird Tales. We have three cats, all of whom have eccentric personalities. Soon, I will be moving to WordPress and my happiness will be complete.
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6 Comments:
So which one do you like better?
You're such a troublemaker!
jeffV
:)
I'm honestly not trying to be one. Both covers have almost identical elements, especially the background art (which I'm so glad both publishers kept), but there is a pretty significant difference in the text appearance and placement.
The PanMac cover is much simpler, with the title in a Courier-type font that makes a lot of sense with the photograph being of a mushroom-overtaken typewriter, with the rest of the text is an inobtrusive sans serif. None of the text screams too loudly, and so your eye, after landing on the yellow text of the title, drifts to the groovy cover art, and wonders why that invaded typing instrument looks so ominous.
Whereas with the Tor cover, even though the placement of the text is virtually identical, the very constructed look of the title font, along with its curvature and prominence on the page, brings your eye to it, and doesn't let go. The cover art itself feels diminished, as if the title itself was performing the action it describes. Though I really do like the font for the subtitle and your name on this edition.
So I'm just curious if this has struck you at all, or if I'm just nuts.
A book needs to stand out on the shelves. I think the US cover stands out more. The UK cover maybe be slightly under-designed, but that may also be the right call because the photograph is pretty arresting.
I honestly like the fact there are two such approaches. I am glad the US version is more aggressive, though.
Jeff
I'd also say--it's amazing in this day and age that my suggestions for cover art or photographs continue to get used, so the accompanying design isn't so important to me, since the photograph or cover art tends to do the main job of conveying the feel I want.
Jeff
You're right, it's pretty incredible that the publishers are actually listening to the author re: cover design.
And I can certainly see your point re: potential US vs. UK readers. And the US cover does stand out.
Looking forward to holding this in my hand.
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