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?

The author says:

Quiver and Quake is a fantasy novel set in the Renaissance-inspired world of Authland. It follows the story of a girl who is determined to find the source of the earthquakes that constantly shake her island. The target audience is young adult fantasy readers, though it is also appropriate for middle-grade readers. It is intended to appeal to readers of Shannon Hale, Andrew Peterson, and S. D. Smith.

Note: I am also the cover artist, but if the art doesn’t work, my feelings won’t be hurt in the slightest. This is just a quick mock-up of an idea I liked. I wanted to make sure that the cover worked on a macro level before spending hours fiddling with the details. If the design doesn’t work at a basic level, I am more than happy to scrap it and start over.

Nathan says:

The main complaint I have about this is it doesn’t feel magical enough.  (It doesn’t feel Renaissancish enough either, for that matter.) My first guess, looking at the cover without reading the description, was that it was a religious memoir or novel — the combination or a long robe/dress and the sunbeams, I guess.

Other comments?

The publisher says:

This book was first published in 1926 in the Harlem Renaissance. Short stories, fiction, about life in the Caribbean at that time. All the stories have a sinister ending: getting leprosy in Panama, a poor kid dying from eating too much dirt, a vampire bat, etc. For anyone interested in the Harlem Renaissance or colonialism: fans of Toomer, Hurston, latin-American writers, etc.

[original submission and comments here]

Nathan says:

My honest-to-Pete first reaction: “Where are the dinosaurs?”

I think you’re still flailing. If the significance of this book is its relationship to the Harlem Renaissance, show me something indicative of the Harlem Renaissance.

I’ll repeat my advice from the first submission:

I find that covers for new editions of “significant” literature from the past works best using one of two starting points:

• • A photo of the author.
  • An image sourced from the time period of first publication.

Other comments?

The author says:

Set in New Orleans LA An alien hiding in New Orleans, now known to FBI who is investigating him. There is a series of murders, investigation by female detective, also complicated by a spiritual assailant/witch.

Nathan says:

It looks like the disparate cover elements have been assembled without a plan. For instance: The male figure is too large to balance with the female figure beside him, but he’s not so large that he intentionally dominates the layout.  And the woman up top, instead of adding anything to the first impression, just obscures the New Orleansiness of it all. (The Poser-made male also clashes with the photographic female.)

My advice: Scale down the number of elements so that in thumbnail it communicates clearly at first glance.

Other comments?