The author says:

In Curb Children, a subcultural literary fiction novel, an adult millennial in 2022 recalls his punk rock raver teen years and the loss of a trainhopper friend to suicide in 2008. The target audience is people between 18-42, and anyone who enjoys strong narratives with diverse countercultural characters. For fans of S. E. Hinton, Bret Easton Ellis, Charles Romalotti.

Nathan says:

My standard quip is that “literary” novels go out of their way to look like nothing in particular — sensationalism is gauche, you know. But even then, there’s an element of marketing necessary to those covers.

In this case, nothing — AT ALL — is discernable in thumbnail.  Not only is the title unreadable and the byline invisible, the map which takes up the whole cover isn’t recognizable as such.  It’s the opposite of any eye-catching cover; it won’t even be a speedbump as potential readers browse the selection in the online store which comprise most of an indie-published book’s potential sales.

You mention three authors you’d expect to appeal to readers of your novel.

S.E. Hinton:

Bret Easton Ellis:

Charles Romalotti:

No particular commonalities except some universal good design: Simple images, clear colors and contrasts, readable titles.

Go and do thou likewise.

The author says:

This is a YA dystopian where an 18-year-old named Mirari Vega is cryogenically preserved for 12 years in order to survive a deadly pathogen that is 100% fatal to women. When her scientist father brings her back, she is the only known female on the planet. While she was “on ice” men created artificial women called feminals for companionship. Mirari must pretend to be a feminal in order to avoid slavery or starting a World War (her fertility being most valuable resource).

Target audience: teen girls over the age 15 or anyone who likes upper YA dystopian stories.

Nathan says:

What’s missing is an instantly recognized SF element in the thumbnail. I understand that the gears’n’stuff are supposed to take that role, but (a) they’re barely discernable from the thumbnail, and (b) even at full size, their significance is unknown (plus, for good or ill, gears have become very strongly associated with steampunk, which means that it connotes an alternate past, not the future.

My inclination would be to move the model further to the right, and then fill in the space on the left with a SF-style background (like this, maybe?). Remember, your cover doesn’t have to accurately convey plot points; it needs to attract the attention of readers who would like the book.

Other comments?

The author says:

Here’s a second attempt at a cover. this time using the previous suggestions and KDP’s cover maker.

[original submission and comments here]

Nathan says:

No no no NO.  We consistently mock the “Lego tower” cover template over at LousyBookCovers.com; it does no one any good, except to tell the world that you used an automated cover creator.

On top of that, the title and subtitle are now practically invisible in the thumbnail.

This is a huge step backwards.

The author says:

This book will collect a 10 – 18 short stories and poem, each with a small preface relating to the story/poem.

Nathan says:

The artwork is obviously splendid.  Two things I would suggest:

• Switch out the font for something that fits the genre better — a little more angular, a little less serif-y.
• “Anthology” is a collection of work by different authors. (Yes, I know, indie authors have been misusing it for at least a decade and muddying the waters, but we need to hold the line against the barbarians.) You’ve got a “Collection” here.

Other comments?