The author says:
Puzzling Escapes: Space Station is a puzzle book with narration to give it the feel of working through an escape room. The primary audience I’m targeting is people who enjoy puzzle books. Since it will only be available in print, I included the full print spread. This is a mock-up, so the image still includes a watermark.
Nathan says:
The cover conveys “space station” well, but not “puzzle” or “escape” — the “Puzzling Escapes” tag at the top is easily overlooked (especially in thumbnail) for the crucial few seconds in which the reader would assess the cover and decide if it’s for him or her. I don’t know how best to convey it visually; my only idea is to put a silhouette or a head from the back in the foreground to convey the idea of the reader’s involvement, but I’m not convinced even that would do it. Maybe the best way is to reverse the sizes of “Puzzling Escapes” and “Space Station.”
Further notes:
- Unless Charles’ advanced degree is indicative of his expertise in designing puzzles (and it doesn’t look like it is), ditch the “Ph.D.” on the front.
- Either have photos for both co-authors or neither.
- Your own cover bio tells us a bunch of details irrelevant to your own ability to design puzzles. Save the kids and cats for an interior back-page bio; if you have nothing in your resume that helps sell this book specifically, it doesn’t belong on the cover.
Other comments?
If this is the first of a series, definitely swap sizes on the brand and title. Ideally you will have repeat customers looking for any puzzle book in your series over people looking for any space themed book.
This brings up a useful point, there are fewer puzzle books out there than apace books. It is the more useful branding for your target audience. To avoid false flagging the graphic needs to be puzzle first, space second. Something like a sci-fi maze might be a worthwhile direction. Like a spaceship themed version of this:
Nathan is right. The cover doesn’t suggest anything at all of the puzzle nature of the book. In fact, I am not entirely convinced that it conveys the idea of “space station” very well, either. We only assume what that corridor is because of the giant words “SPACE STATION” on top of it. You might be better off using an image of a space station seen from the exterior. Perhaps with the image broken up with a jigsaw pattern with some pieces missing?
I notice that there is some rationale on the back cover for the sinister corridor, but I think that comes too late. A potential reader needs to be attracted to the book in the first place before they will get as far as looking at the back cover.
I think the branding is good; I thought “Puzzling Escapes” was plenty large and prominent, especially with the key, and I could immediately tell it was some kind of puzzle book before reading the description. I think the fonts and imagery are great.
The problems are with the text. First off, there are the two obvious typos: “shrowded” and “sci-fo”. If there are typos on the cover, my first thought is that there will be God knows how many in the text.
Second, the bios. As Nathan noted, there’s no reason these need to be on the cover at all. And the way you’ve chosen to frame yourselves is…telling. You both have math degrees and children, but your description talks about your kids and his talks about his degrees. Oof.
Third, I was looking for more information on the actual format of the book. It’s some kind of gamebook, but those can vary a lot. Is it a CYOA? Is it a linear narrative with puzzles? Do I need a pencil? Dice? Can I replay it, or is it an activity book that I use up by writing in it?
Cut the bios and use the space to put in 3 or 4 bullet points describing how the mechanics work.
Well…more comments than I usually have, about design, rather than my usual bag, fonts. The fonts seem to be fine (for a welcome change!)
I would strongly recommend different imagery, that looks like the expected space station, rather than the ubiquitous “spaceship corridor” that is in every cheesy Sci-Fi Channel movie. I agree that even if this conveyed a space-station, though, it does not convey a puzzle, or “escape room.” I would consider finding a space-station as the main imagery, and then try to figure out how to make it obvious that it’s a game, rather than a typical book.
I also strongly second–nuke the bio. I don’t mean to be mean-spirited, but I found it very offputting. If you can’t tell us why you’re especially talented at making puzzles for the reader/player… then omit it entirely. Ditto the Ph.D., which is…well, let’s say it’s unnecessary in this environment. This isn’t a non-fiction book or an academic exercise, and he’s not teaching–so why put his credentials on his byline? Your buyers won’t care if he has a 6th-grade education or if he’s a HS dropout, if the book is good, and if it’s not, his credentials won’t save it.
Perhaps something–and this is not perfect, of course–but perhaps you could use a space background, a space station-ish object, inside something like this: https://depositphotos.com/67400849/stock-illustration-elegant-circular-maze-with-shadow.html , to convey the idea? Like I said, not great, but…it would start to tell the story. If someone talented with photoshop layers is helping you, they could probably layer a maze over/under some sort of space-station imagery, to convey the “find your way outta here” concept. You really need something that says, “puzzle book,” or “escape room” or however you want to sell the idea. (Or, what about this: https://depositphotos.com/128313226/stock-photo-labyrinth-in-the-head.html against a space station? That could be very tasty, if done right.) I also feel compelled to point out this piece of artwork, too: https://depositphotos.com/34156467/stock-photo-man-in-maze.html . VERY nice and set in a space-like background, too. A space station like this one: https://depositphotos.com/17651861/stock-photo-artificial-planet.html almost shrieks “maze” or “puzzle” without help. (Okay, okay, I will shaddup now, but if you need layering help, yell–I know a designer that hangs out here that has mad layering skills.)
Two other things–fix the typos asap. They were the first thing that leapt out at me. Typos on the cover (and yes, I realize this is a draft) are a NoFlyZone for me.
Lastly, I agree with Gwen–how’s the “game” played? How’s the escape worked? Is it simply mental exercise, like a murder mystery? Are any other items needed, like die? Notepad? Or…? Are you telling me in the book’s description? If you are, are you blowing the opportunity to reel me in with a storyline hook?
If you’re planning on branding this and selling more of them, take the time to get it right in this first one, so that you don’t have to go back and fix it later, or redesign the entire series.
I personally find the phrase “escape room” kind of dumb, but I realize that’s not your creation and thus, not your fault. If that’s the terminology that’s used in the community that likes these sorts of games and books, then stick with it. I’m not in that community, and to me, it looks like someone made a terminology mistake, but again–if that’s what people expect, keep it.
It seems like a fun idea, and I hope you get the cover really cooking for it. You’ve obviously taken care with this design, worked hard on it, but I think it could be quite a bit better, and do a better job of selling the book–which, after all, is its job. The book sounds like a hoot–could do well!
I’m your target audience here as I buy these types of books. I wouldn’t buy this one mostly because of the biographies. The art is okay. It isn’t great but it does get the space adventure theme across and puzzle buyers will immediately flip to the back anyway. Hitch’s space station maze picture would be amazing for this…. I’d make your branding just a hair bigger and more prominent. When I’m choosing a game book I don’t care a whit about the author. I care about the series, IE have I enjoyed one before and I want the story and mechanics spelled out for me. I especially want it to be clear if it’s reusable and if multi people can play it.
A line like– grab a paper and pen and read along with your friends or go it alone as you try to escape Petty Officer Carlson and his band of mutineers— would lure me WAY more then a random cat fact. I recommend skipping the bios on the back completely and putting them inside in the back matter.
I’d rewrite that blurb in it’s entirety. (Don’t tell us it’s a book. Talking down to the puzzle crew is a big no-no) I’d be clearer on the type of puzzle it is, how to play along. I might even give some bullet points on what’s needed, how to play. I’d mention the time it takes the average person to figure it out.(We all like to think we’re smart so I’d pad that time a bit) I’d mention a website where I could go for help or to talk to my fellow detectives. I’d mention other books in this series if there are any. I’d especially mention if this needs to be done all in one go or if you can read a chapter, figure that part out set the book down and come back to it later.
I also love to win stuff, even virtual stuff, and that’s a great opportunity for you to build a readership. A line like, solve the puzzle and earn your first key and a chance to unlock the vault at http://www.wherever. and you could give out a signed ebook copy or a free short story or offer a discount for them to buy a bookmark or something.
Thanks everyone for the really helpful feedback so far!
As far as the back goes, I’ll be rewriting the copy with all of Savoy’s points in mind. Charles’s occupation is what qualifies him to write this book, but since he doesn’t want that detail revealed, we’ve decided to not include him in the byline. I’ll tuck my bio inside the book instead of on the back. I sell most of my physical books in person and have found that people like having my face on the back cover, but I’ve only published novels so far.
I’ve put together a couple more ideas which I hope communicate ‘puzzles’ better.
https://i.imgur.com/BzVaDED.jpg I tried making the branding really big, adding a maze, and using a smaller picture. I don’t know it the circuit keyhole says space, but I think it conveys puzzles and escape well.
https://i.imgur.com/0sFLd3M.jpg I thought this ball was interesting and added the keyhole and maze.
Are either of these heading in the right direction? I’m willing to hire a cover designer but wanted to give it a go myself first.
I prefer the first one by quite a bit, but I think that both are definitely heading in a much, much better direction. Nice.
I second DepositPhotos. I buy images when they have big sales through AppSumo, MightyDeal, etc., scarfing up 50-100 at a pop for virtual pennies. I have yet to see anything that I can’t live without at Shutterstock or iStockPhotos that I can’t find, or find a great equivalent, at DP.com instead. Even at full DP price, they’re WAAAAAAAAAAAY less pricey than Shutterstock or iSP.
Hope that helps, and yeah–I’m now enthusiastic about seeing the new versions. 🙂
Both of these, especially the first one, make me think “cyberspace,” not “outer space.”
I like the second one a lot but the keyhole is centered and the sphere isn’t which just bugs me, but that could be a personal thing…lol
I bet you could find that same exact sphere at depositphoto for much cheaper than shutterstock. They have amazing sales on their pictures pretty regularly (they sell them for a buck each in blocks of 50 )and their credits don’t expire like shutterstocks do.
the reason I suggest it is because a shuttle craft flying in to land on that sphere would be amazing!
If you have time it might be awesome to try a cover with the sphere much bigger and clearly in space with a shuttle craft heading into that lock. you could have a beam of light in the maze pattern leading from the lock to the craft
I agree that the shuttle craft landing thing would be GREAT. The beam of light idea is also pretty cool.
The new cover ideas are much better, and Savoy’s suggestions would make them even better, but there is still really nothing that conveys explicitly enough the special nature of the book. There are straightforward mysteries, even science fiction mysteries, that use the word “puzzle” or the image of a maze. Your best solution might be to straight-out say, in a subtitle, that the book is literally a puzzle to be solved by the reader.