If you have a few seconds free, I’d really appreciate your opinion…..
I’ve written a book which, subject to any late changes, I’m going to self publish in the coming weeks.
It’s a suspense/thriller novel of around 95,000 words called ‘I Know She’s Out There.’
I’m preparing the cover and tidying/editing the text at the moment.
To assist I’ve included the elevator pitch below:
After her release from psychiatric care Chrissy Clews is quietly rebuilding her life working at a motorway service station when her former teacher walks in and tries to discreetly buy a porn magazine. He doesn’t recognise her, but when he drops his wallet she hides it and can’t resist looking inside. She’s shocked to find a tatty passport photo of Laura Duggan, a school friend who went missing 30 years ago and was never seen again. She decides to investigate…
I’ve taken some images and mocked up covers. Obviously, I’m an amateur at this kind of thing (very much Sunday pub league), but please let me know if you have a preferred option, or indeed, if another approach is required.
When I publish I’d be delighted if anyone wishes to have a copy to review.
Thanks for your time.
Richard Lakin's Blog 
My choice is the second one, with the poppies. I will reblog it now, and ask my followers to help you choose.
Cheers, Pete.
Thanks Pete. Much appreciated
Reblogged this on beetleypete and commented:
Please help Rich Lakin choose the cover for his forthcoming novel. It will only take a few seconds, and you can vote for your choice in the comments on HIS blog.
Many thanks, Pete.
Yes I like the one with the poppies too. I’ve had a thought though – if the girl went missing 30 years ago, would her school tie still be on the tree? Just sayin’ …
Thanks much appreciated. It’s a kind of mockup of a scene in the late 80s hence the ghastly tie! Although my tie was worse!
I also like the one with the poppies. Good luck!
Thanks for the feedback Olga
Visually, I like the poppies too, but for your purpose I like the first with its knots and loops suggesting…complications, foul play? Black and white maybe suggests time past? Perhaps I am over thinking. The one with the path works for me too. Somehow I think this won’t help! Best of luck and I would love to read the story. Cheers.
That is helpful. Thank you for commenting and assisting me!
Rich, there are a couple of suggestions in the comments on my post, despite me asking people to post them here. You might have to check out my reblog too.
Cheers, Pete.
Will do thanks
I would choose the black and white one since it evokes the passage of time. She had been missing 30 years. Personally I find the poppy distracting, taking my eye away from the title. The first one is my second choice.
Thanks Elizabeth
First one.
Thank you 😊
I prefer the b&w.
Thanks Audrey
Wouldn’t it be funny if after all the votes are in, it turns out to be a…TIE?
Ha ha. I didn’t think of that….unless there’s a cravate….sorry caveat
The first one
Thanks Don
I like the one with the poppies best. It’s more mysterious, arty and threatening than the others. I’m not keen on the font and how the text is arranged. I would suggest exploring other fonts and spacings.
Thanks Paul. Yes I’ll spend more time on the font and spacing….
My choice would be number one. I like the image of the tie on the nail.
Thank you
I like the black and white one best. When I visit a book store they stand out among the other covers. Good luck!!
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you!
Hi Rich. My preference is #3: I like the composition with the background, and the balance of the text size; also, the fact that the tie is just casually/carelessly hanging off the bush, rather than still in a loop. I would be interested in reviewing it, when available: jrisdon17@googlemail.com. Cheers, Jon.
Thanks very much Jon. I appreciate your comments and I’ll share soon. Cheers Rich
Always happy to support another self-publisher! 😀
I like # 3 too. It has a mysterious path ahead look. And a deliberate tie hanging neatly on the tree branch. 📚 Christine
Thanks. I appreciate your thoughts
Reblogged this on Wilfred Books and commented:
Can you help Rich Lakin choose the cover for his new book? Leave a comment if you can.
I,like the B&W one…..basic yet stark…..chuq
Thanks. Much appreciated
😎
I like the 3rd one down. The path makes the mystery all the more intriguing.
Thanks. It’s becoming more popular after an early start for the poppies!
I wanted to pick that one, but I thought it gave too much away.
I’ve chosen the third one as the path invites you to travel down the narrative.
Thank you. That’s becoming popular 👍
black and white for me, seems more of a mystery from the past
Thanks Beth… 👍
Is the title set in stone? Perhaps “She’s out there somewhere – I know!”? I prefer the rusty nail and higgledy piggledy tie. Good luck with this difficult decision!
Thanks Peter. Yes still up for grabs!
Yep, I think ‘She’s Out There Somewhere’ is better. thanks
The black and white one. The colourful ones are too cheerful to evoke mystery for me.
Thanks. Good point!
Definitely the last one – the 5th. Simple – and BANG – it grabs you.
I would highly recommend NOT using a photo as it really says “this is self-published”. Check out the great templates on Canva and stick with simple colours and figures with a strong focus on the title.
This one took me 2 minutes to give you an idea of what I mean
https://www.canva.com/design/DAFDo4F8G6o/JTikmjhKan-YF1BnJdl-8A/view?utm_content=DAFDo4F8G6o&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
That’s great thank you. I’ll revisit. Self publishing is tough….the whole experience of endless rejection more so!
Thanks. I’ll have another look
The black and white one …but 2 and 3 also struck a chord 🙂
Thanks Carol