Excellent info in this article. As a self-publisher I relate. The main obstacle I'm also finding is the marketing. If I could get some robot to take that over while I get back to making art, I'd be overjoyed.
In regards to covers, the overview choice is the best of the 3, but maybe there's a better representation that's more dynamic, up-close, and relatable. Perhaps a layout that's a collage of people and unique local architecture/sights? Granted, it's a far more difficult illustration, but I'm just putting it out there to help you dig deeper on other marketable cover ideas.
Regarding the cover, I think the red ship one would be a great contrasting eye catcher for when browsing either on a webstore or physical store. But yeah it looks like a themed book. So I think the second image but zoomed into the docks (lower left square) where you can see the red ship the docks and part of the city would be a great mix of your 3 versions and intentions
I agree with the AI that an overview of Lyttleton gives the reader a better idea of what the book is about rather than an illo that focuses on a boat or boats, but am not crazy about the drawing. Your cartoons are charming, but this image wouldn't hook me. You're right - the big red boat is eye-catching - and it focuses too much on one aspect of the town. FWIW, I did an image search with DuckDuckGo using the terms "travel book covers," which returned several similar covers depicting a person in the foreground with his/her back to reader, facing the place s/he is about to explore - a road to the mountains, a river valley, a cityscape. Since several popped up maybe this is overdone? Another cover involved drawings of a bunch of representative figures inside a representative item (a teacup stuffed with the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and other famous buildings). You might put Lyttleton icons - whatever those are (people, buildings, animals) - inside a tugboat as it floats in the harbor or by a prominent point? (Maybe too busy?) Just a thought, if you want to invest more time on it.
Thanks for all the feedback. If I get time before launch, I'll work on the cover, but the good thing is you can change book covers without changing ISBNs, listiings, reviews, etc.
Wow, that blurb is actually really good!
It needs work, but is MUCH better than what I'd do!
Excellent info in this article. As a self-publisher I relate. The main obstacle I'm also finding is the marketing. If I could get some robot to take that over while I get back to making art, I'd be overjoyed.
In regards to covers, the overview choice is the best of the 3, but maybe there's a better representation that's more dynamic, up-close, and relatable. Perhaps a layout that's a collage of people and unique local architecture/sights? Granted, it's a far more difficult illustration, but I'm just putting it out there to help you dig deeper on other marketable cover ideas.
Regarding the cover, I think the red ship one would be a great contrasting eye catcher for when browsing either on a webstore or physical store. But yeah it looks like a themed book. So I think the second image but zoomed into the docks (lower left square) where you can see the red ship the docks and part of the city would be a great mix of your 3 versions and intentions
I agree with the AI that an overview of Lyttleton gives the reader a better idea of what the book is about rather than an illo that focuses on a boat or boats, but am not crazy about the drawing. Your cartoons are charming, but this image wouldn't hook me. You're right - the big red boat is eye-catching - and it focuses too much on one aspect of the town. FWIW, I did an image search with DuckDuckGo using the terms "travel book covers," which returned several similar covers depicting a person in the foreground with his/her back to reader, facing the place s/he is about to explore - a road to the mountains, a river valley, a cityscape. Since several popped up maybe this is overdone? Another cover involved drawings of a bunch of representative figures inside a representative item (a teacup stuffed with the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and other famous buildings). You might put Lyttleton icons - whatever those are (people, buildings, animals) - inside a tugboat as it floats in the harbor or by a prominent point? (Maybe too busy?) Just a thought, if you want to invest more time on it.
Middle drawing is the correct one. I agree with the AI on this!
I recently retired as a copy editor, and I like how you’re using AI. Your process combines the best of carbon and silicon.
I like how you use carbon and silicon.
Thanks for all the feedback. If I get time before launch, I'll work on the cover, but the good thing is you can change book covers without changing ISBNs, listiings, reviews, etc.
Fascinating that Claude can “read” an image and provide its preference.
I know - that's what freaked me out.