When I revealed Musiville’s book cover the other day, you were all so sweet about it and seemed to enjoy it. However, John Howell’s comment about how he liked Pandiano made me think.
You see, that problem I’m having is that Maraceros, the protagonist, is not book cover material, as he looks like a misshapen smudge when small. That’s why I picked Trumpephant instead.
The options I have, as I see it, are:
- Use Maraceros, ignoring the smudge factor.
- Use any photogenic, animal for the cover – say Trumpephant or Pandiano.
- Use a number of animals to highlight the “village” thing.
So, please allow me to present these options in all their glory. Any feedback will be much appreciated!
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- Option 1: Use Maraceros, the book’s protagonist
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- Option 3: Come to think of it, Trumpephant rocks
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- Option 2b: Use Pandiano
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- Option 1: You’ve already seen this
To help you vote, here’s a small poll:
[polldaddy poll=9139643]
Many have picked 3 as first choice and that was mine originally except that the village tells more of a story. So why not use the village but make the elephant character larger? Also as I wrote before life the branch up higher so the bird can be more centrered and he’d be interacting more with the other characters.
Thank you! 🙂
No 3 and no doubt. The ‘ville’ is implied by the gentle giant with a blaster. Who would resist?
Lol – hopefully, no one 😀
Thank you!
Any cover has to attract attention from a distance: Whether the customer is looking online or at a bookstore, it has to draw attention OVER the attention of other book covers. THAT SAID, here are my thoughts:
Either 2b OR the Village cover, but in each case design modifications:
1) 2B: He looks like the cover wasn’t printed correctly, because he’s coming off the bottom. So raise him up and have his hair higher, even filtering into the left and right of the two lines:
llustrations
Dimitris LastNBame
because those two lines’ print is so tiny and to the left and right are unused space. So bring Pardiano’s hair upward to use that space.
2) Village (also 2b?) I like the village concept, like others. But the images are tiny. I recommend: Bring the tree branch up so it lifts to the left of the “M” in Musiville, and then the bird will be more centered. Enlarge the other two animals.
Jane
http://www.dogsdontlookbothways.com
Thank you so much for the excellent suggestions! I really appreciate the thought you put into it 🙂
#3, but I have some ‘buts’s 🙂
The green background is way too strong. It takes over everything. It also doesn’t add anything to what you’re trying to convey with the other two elements of the cover.
Love the shape/whimsey of the title, but … the font’s too thin/weedy, and hard to read.
The critters and their positioning on the cover is perfect!
Thanks for the great feedback! The green is because we wanted it to stand out among the rest of the children’s books. Dimitris is working on an alternative version of #3. I’ll soon put it to the vote 🙂
2a and 3 are both awesome!!! 3 might make more sense b/c of the village thing since 2a isn’t the main character? I don’t know- but both of those are great!
Yay! Thanks 😀
Loved option 3 and I love your blog ❤
Yay! Thank you so much – and welcome 😀
You’re welcome
To quote from your blog (see pic):
https://revaparihar.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/wpid-4mml71s5er.png
I like the many animals version. I’m not entirely sure why. It just … speaks to me.
Interesting! Thanks 🙂
Option 3 , lot of animals give me more appeal of the village and idea of multiple characters in story!
It does seem to be a popular choice. Thank you – and welcome 🙂
Reblogged this on kyrosmagica and commented:
Help Nicolas Rossis choose a book cover for Musiville.
I went for option 3, variety looks good. That seems to be the most popular at the moment. Great cover art. 🙂
It’s almost evenly split between that and Trumpephant. Thank you for voting 🙂
Yes I must say I liked Trumpephant too!
Dont use pandiano! He’s too scary for the cover!
Sigh… I’m afraid you’re right. Plus, he only got, like, 3 votes out of some 50. Poor thing’s devastated. He’s been hiding under my bed all morning.
Oh poor thing! I do think hes a great character, just not for the cover.
I’ll be sure to let him know you said that 🙂
I like option 2a Tumpephant and 3 Various Animals
Thanks! 🙂
Seems like Trumpephant is winning this race. 🙂
It’s almost 50/50 right now 🙂
I loved a and b but couldn’t decide which, that is why I thought you should use a number of animals! 🙂
Lol – it’s definitely a possibility 🙂
I like 2a the best. Great designs! Congrats on your book.
Thank you – and double thanks for the vote 🙂
Absolutely!
I’m with most everyone else 2a or 3. I was most drawn to 3, but I can see why 2a would be another good choice. Good luck!
Thank you! It seems to be split 50/50 🙂
I was noticing that. 😀 I’m sure whichever you choose will be the right choice! 😉
Erm, yes, me too 😀
haha You got this. 😀
*HUGS*
I like 3 the best
Thank you, John! 🙂
They are all nice. I voted for 2a as I think it will be the one readers will relate to the best. I look forward to seeing the final.
Hey, long time, no see! Thank you, Elle 🙂
They were all great, but I really loved 2a and 2b. Ultimately, I picked 2a because one of my kids loved them when he was small.
Trumpephant is starting to pull ahead, it seems. Thank you! 🙂
Nicholas, I like either 2a or 3. 2a favors Runaway Smile (one character). 3 is a “village” orientation. Might be nice to go the village way. It’s a balanced three items as in Japanese art. And kids like a variety. Good luck with your choice! Chryssa
I sense an additional “help me choose” coming up 😀
Thank you 🙂
I’m going for 2a.
A fine choice, indeed 🙂
I like 3 and 4. bet you wish you had never asked.
On the contrary. This is great! I’d be lost without you guys 😀
Reblogged this on Books and More and commented:
I like 2b or 3
Hi, 2a or 3. I like both quite a bit and can’t decide between. The covers are adorable.
Thank you! I just spoke to Dimitris, and he’ll prepare a decent “villagy” cover. I’ll be sure to share when it’s ready! 🙂
I think 3 the multiple solution is best as it reflects the whole village thing – and you could still put Macaceros in there as the principal character without bringing too much attention to the smudge! 😉
That’s a good point. We may have to come up with a “villagy” design just for the first page. Hmm… Poor Dimitris…
My first choice is 2a, but 3 is a strong second. Though I like them all, I love the Trumpephant (but I have a collection of elephant figurines). He seems so much friendlier and joyful than Pandiano, Three would work because there are obviously more than one character in the book.
When will it be available?
Perhaps as soon as next week 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
I like the one you have because it captures the nuance of the story i.e. musical animals. After I voted, it seems many others agree that it’s perfect. I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you! 🙂
The one I have – you mean Trumpephant, right?
Yup. That’s the little dude. Adorable! Though I am partial to elephants, anyway.
Sounds like many people are! 🙂
I can’t help it…I love the one with the piano teeth…2b Good luck Nicholas!
Me too! I just worry it’s too much for children 🙂
Well…I don’t know! For me as an adult…that smile grabs me…but in the eyes of a child…hmmmm…didn’t think about that! Will be interesting to see which one wins!!
I’ll let you know 🙂
Say, I’ve got a favor to ask. from reading The River I gather you know a thing or two about fishing, right? I’ve got a short story that features deep sea fishing, and wanted someone to check it for accuracy. Any chance I could impose?
Sure…but I don’t know much about deep sea fishing…would be happy to take a look at it and see if I can help!! Would you like to just send a PDF to Sandy over at greymyre at gmail dot com? We will both read it. Jeremy Wade (on TV) is a fresh water fisherman that I watch all the time so maybe can offer some sort of insight? Thanks for offering Nicholas!! Take care and keep workin’ on that nursery!! 🙂 My daughter’s birthday is today so have been reminiscing about that day. They are always your little kid forever…she is 38 today 🙂
Aw, that’s so sweet! Happy birthday and many happy returns 😀
Many thanks for offering to read – I just sent Sandy the story 🙂
Perfect!! We’ll get right on it!! Lots of such neat memories with kids…hard to believe they are so old now…my son will be 41 on New Year’s Eve this year…wow…dating myself… 🙂 I just can’t even tell you the joy you will experience through the years. The one thing is you have to keep from laughing when they do stuff wrong!! You will have such fun…
*giggle*
I see what you mean about Maraceros being a ‘smudge’. Not easy to figure out what he is. Honestly, I like Trumpephant because he’s clearly seen, easily identified as an elephant by kids, and looks friendly. Pandiano looks cool, but rather creepy especially for a children’s book. Reminds me of one of the things from 5 Nights at Freddy’s, which is a jump scare video game. So I think that might set the wrong tone. Also, you can’t really tell what animal type he’s supposed to be on sight. As for the multiple characters, it just seems too cluttered compared to the other ones that bring my attention right to the center and hold it.
All excellent points. Thank you!
You’re welcome. Looking forward to seeing the winner.
sorry mate would love to help but blind so can’t see the images I sent that the group 1 is probably best personally but I’m sure I can’t see them good luck sorry can’t help
Finally, someone who doesn’t judge a book by its cover 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to comment!
that’s write and I hope I do the same for people
I think 2a is the way to go – Trumpephant really represents the joy of music the best and I think kids will love an elephant-like creature that has a trumpet for a trunk 😀
Let’s hope you’re right 😀
I’ll go with 2a. I like Pandiano more, but it might be a bit creepy for a children’s book. Trumpehant is cute, the concept is clearly shown, and I like how the trumpet extends to the left, showing motion.
All excellent points. Thank you!
I see that the vote is split 50-50 with the leaders. I voted for Trumpephant, although I like Pandiano best, I can see he might look a little scary. And elephants are always popular, after all.
A hard decision for you, Nicholas!
Best wishes, Pete.
I added the poll after 5 people had already voted for #3 (and 3 for #2a), so it’s pretty much a tie 🙂
Yes, it is! So, your help is much appreciated 😀
2a or 3. I prefer the first but suspect the ‘ville’ part is clearer in 3. Elephants have universal appeal, both to children and parents. I also think 3 does keep the tradition of Runaway smile and establishes you more consistently as a children’s author on the rise!
Thank you so much, Phillipa 🙂
It’s called ‘blowing your own trumpet’ :not that you need to with an orchestra of friends who do it for you! A veritable fanfare awaits.And so it should!
Ha ha – so cute! Thank you 😀
I like #2a, it fits the style of Runaway Smile, if you want to keep the style consitent. But my personal favourite is #3, it looks balanced, and interesting. Makes me want to know more about the book.
Amazing – thank you 🙂
I like 3 the best. 🙂
Amazing – thank you!
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Help Nicholas Rossis decide which cover to use for his latest creation.
I like 2a and 3 and probably if pushed 3.
A second vote for 3 – how interesting! Thank you 🙂
I like 2a. I think it looks a more inviting animal to a child.
An interesting point. I was worried that Pandiano comes across as a bit manic (he’s actually a sweetheart, of course).
I do speak from the perspective of being a big kid LOL
Lol – that’s the best kind of comment 😀
Maybe he’s a bit scary for the little ones, at least on the cover.
I like 2a and 3, especially 3. A selection is always better, I think. Good luck!
Interesting! I was worried that the many animals were a bit too much. Thanks for that 🙂
I’m a little on your side about too busy but I think Trumpephant is fully deserving of a cover to himself. Maybe ‘the next book’ can use Pandiano 😉
Lol – Pandiano is such a fun creature, isn’t he?