1. outsider

    outsider Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2012
    Messages:
    997
    Likes Received:
    641
    Location:
    Glasgow, Scotland

    Ebook Cover Disasters

    Discussion in 'Cover Design' started by outsider, Mar 19, 2015.

    Tsitsi, Nicoel, bumble bee and 2 others like this.
  2. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    Messages:
    10,742
    Likes Received:
    9,993
    Location:
    Near Sedro Woolley, Washington
    This reminds me of this post from the Kahn's Corner blog (very much worth reading, BTW).

    More here.
     
    outsider and GingerCoffee like this.
  3. Edward M. Grant

    Edward M. Grant Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2012
    Messages:
    711
    Likes Received:
    348
    Location:
    Canada
    The author of the 'But... you're a horse!' book says that sales have increased dramatically thanks to the news stories. Wish I could get that kind of exposure for my books!
     
  4. Chinspinner

    Chinspinner Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2011
    Messages:
    1,901
    Likes Received:
    1,023
    Location:
    London, now Auckland
    Everything about the "But... you're a horse" title and cover is inspired. I wouldn't class that as a disaster.
     
  5. A.M.P.

    A.M.P. People Buy My Books for the Bio Photo Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2013
    Messages:
    2,163
    Likes Received:
    1,374
    Location:
    A Place with no History
    Hubardo and Mike Hill like this.
  6. GingerCoffee

    GingerCoffee Web Surfer Girl Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2013
    Messages:
    18,385
    Likes Received:
    7,081
    Location:
    Ralph's side of the island.
    If you write humor you can have a humorous cover.
     
    Mike Hill likes this.
  7. AutumnGaslight

    AutumnGaslight New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Warminster, England
    My book cover is no saint (being redone properly. Only using the current for a week)... but these ones are pure fail. So bad it's brilliant hehe
     
  8. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2010
    Messages:
    13,984
    Likes Received:
    8,565
    Location:
    California, US
    One of the biggest mistakes self-published authors make is not investing in a professional cover. If you're going to put all that time into writing and publishing a novel, and then throw an amateur cover on it, I think you've made a mistake. Another mistake is not hiring a decent editor if you need one.
     
  9. AutumnGaslight

    AutumnGaslight New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2015
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Warminster, England
    Totally (and ironically) agreed.
     
  10. A.M.P.

    A.M.P. People Buy My Books for the Bio Photo Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2013
    Messages:
    2,163
    Likes Received:
    1,374
    Location:
    A Place with no History
    Omg, did you read some of the new cover disasters?
    Whorenado and Children of the Lambs are the best :3
     
  11. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 1, 2008
    Messages:
    23,826
    Likes Received:
    20,820
    Location:
    El Tembloroso Caribe
    I've mentioned this before in similar discussions, but besides terrible artwork, what's with books with multiple titles?

    The Wind Across My Face
    I Breezy Murder Mystery
    Book 1: The Year of El NiƱo

    Pick a frakking title - one title - not three! :wtf:
     
    Hubardo likes this.
  12. bumble bee

    bumble bee Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2015
    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    39
    I love this!

    I basically now want to marry Chuck Tingle
     
    kfmiller likes this.
  13. AspiringNovelist

    AspiringNovelist Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2015
    Messages:
    385
    Likes Received:
    139
    Location:
    Gulf Coast
    That was funny. I have extensive experience in photoshop, so if you're close to your self-publishing deadline and want a free cover -- shoot me a PM. If I have time, I'll get the details and help you out.
     
  14. Nicoel

    Nicoel Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2015
    Messages:
    474
    Likes Received:
    343
    Haaa. Reminds me of the first book I finished and I wanted a cover for it. I got a friend to make me a cover for it.

    He took a selfie, changed the color of it, then manipulated the photo so much it looked like a star burst and you had no idea it was originally a selfie.

    Twas quite beautiful, really.
     
  15. Australis

    Australis Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2015
    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    27
    The horse one isn't that bad (ok, the topic is creepy), but I wouldn't rate the cover as bad. Texting Mr Right mightn't be fantastic, but it's hardly the worst either.
     
  16. daemon

    daemon Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2014
    Messages:
    1,357
    Likes Received:
    978
    [​IMG]

    I do not even have words for this.
     
    Aaron Smith and Tenderiser like this.
  17. cutecat22

    cutecat22 The Strange One Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2014
    Messages:
    2,780
    Likes Received:
    1,424
    Location:
    England
    have a look at http://lousybookcovers.com/
     
  18. Tenderiser

    Tenderiser Not a man or BayView

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    Messages:
    7,471
    Likes Received:
    10,218
    Location:
    London, UK
    Reminds me of this:

    [​IMG]
     
  19. OurJud

    OurJud Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    May 21, 2009
    Messages:
    9,503
    Likes Received:
    9,763
    Location:
    England
    I'm not sure it's that simple. I think the people who put their books out with these covers simply have no sense of vision. I mean, how could they? I honestly don't think they realise how bad their cover is until it ends up on one of these sites.

    This returns us to the 'never judge a book by its cover' argument, and why I believe it's not only justified, but advised. If these people can't see how bad their covers are, what's the writing going to be like?
     
  20. Australis

    Australis Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2015
    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    27
    Well, Candy, Blood, and Sex sure lets you know what the book is about, doesn't it.
    Rapture Theory's cover wouldn't be so bad without the pool ball holder.
     
  21. Australis

    Australis Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2015
    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    27
    What do people think about this cover?

    Matilda Meets The Death Queen x420.jpg
     
  22. Tenderiser

    Tenderiser Not a man or BayView

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2015
    Messages:
    7,471
    Likes Received:
    10,218
    Location:
    London, UK
    I've seen much worse. At least it's fairly clean.
     
  23. outsider

    outsider Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2012
    Messages:
    997
    Likes Received:
    641
    Location:
    Glasgow, Scotland
    Not a lot. A blank cover with the author and title would be preferable.
     
    Australis likes this.
  24. theoriginalmonsterman

    theoriginalmonsterman Pickle Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2014
    Messages:
    896
    Likes Received:
    460
    Location:
    New England


     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2015
  25. psychotick

    psychotick Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2011
    Messages:
    1,533
    Likes Received:
    485
    Location:
    Rotorua, New Zealand
    Hi,

    OMG they're brilliant! My only objection is that none of mine are included. But personally the photoshopped cat / bat on the Lorellei book takes the cake. It's just so brilliantly wrong.

    Cheers, Greg.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice