Your Opinion Needed: Which Cover Do You Prefer?
By Trevin Wax on Mar 7, 2009 in Book Info | 
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We are currently looking over options for the cover of my new book, Holy Subversion: Allegiance to Christ in an Age of Rivals, to be published by Crossway.
Here are 5 possible covers. Below these covers is a poll. Please choose the one that would most appeal to you should you come across this book in a bookstore somewhere. Feel free to leave a comment if there is a cover that you definitely do not like as well. I’d also be interested in knowing your second choice. Thanks for your input!
OPTION #1
OPTION #2
OPTION #3
OPTION #4
OPTION #5
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The painting in #1 has been reproduced on book covers more than enough IMO. #3 is too busy, and #4 too plain.
#5, on the other hand, seems to have just the right balance of beauty, simplicity and quirkiness.
John Dekker | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
My first thought was of no.2 or number 4.
Seni Penitani | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I believe in the KISS philosophy. “Keep It Simple Stupid”. 1 through 3 are too Hollywood and 5 loses me as to why that picture? And #5 doesn’t have the subtitle which, to me is more meaningful than the title. When I browse the bookstore I look at titles and subtitles, not pictures.
RJ | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I’m going for #2 or #4.
Ron Durham | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
My vote is also for 2 or 4. I don’t really care for the others.
tjc | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
#4 seems like a lot of people are having books looking basically like that. 2 years ago I would have chosen that one for the simplicity. #1 & 3 are too busy. I like 5 (it does have the subtitle at the top, yes?) – not too busy, but stands out.
Jon C | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I like 4.
Bitsy Griffin | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
If you combine #4 and #5 that would be the bulls eye.
thebrigadier | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I voted for one, but I would have also voted for 4 and to a lesser extent 5 if I could have voted for more than one.
Dwightk | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
If the subtitle on #5 could be brought down with the title…bingo!
Mike Lovely | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I like #1 and #3 (I voted for #3). #2 looks too austere…like it’s a book on Communism. #4 is too similar to Tim Keller’s book, although I do like it. #5 looks like it would sit on the shelves only at Lifeway. Thanks for allowing the input!
B Lee | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I didn’t vote for it, but the concept of 3 backs up the concept of your subtitle best. It’s just too much…or too fragmented…I’m not sure how to explain it. I would go with something like this but maybe one pic that sort of sums all those images up. Not that you may have that option!
Given that I voted for 4.
Kim | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I like #3. I agree with one of the previous comments in that it is in line with the title of the book. The others are look more like music CD covers and would not get my attention on a bookshelf as much as the third option.
Jon Gilbert | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I like #3 the best. I like #1 as well but #3 would catch my attention and cause me to pick up the book. I look forward to getting a chance to read it.
I vote for #3.
Dale Myers | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
My favorites are #5 (I voted for this) and #2 which are fairly simplistic but still look good.
#3 looks pretty busy, but it definitely conveys the message of the book (at least me guessing based on the title)
#4 is next because I don’t like #1, but I think it is too simple.
#5 has a way overused picture. You could probably find an almost identical book cover if you looked enough.
Jake | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I’m sorry, I meant #1 has a way overused picture.
Jake | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
#1 or #3… hands down
njlaparra | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I find 1 offensive
David | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
Definitely not 1 or 3.
Michael | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
#3 is the most promising, but a couple of the pictures should be replaces (esp. the sacred heart of Jesus statue, which could be taken as a slap at Catholic kitsch as “rivals”).
I voted for #1.
Kevin Davis | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I like the fundamental look of #4, but I think the background should be RED, not white.
brian | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
The problem of asking others for input is that you end up with many differing opinions, some good and probably some not so good. We are all art critics. I liked #1. #2 seems to be a cover Rob Bell would use for one of his books or CD’s. #3 I liked #3, keep the Jesus statue! #4 another Rob Bell book or CD and #5 I didn’t get it.
Rick Ellis | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I like #1 the best and #3 second. Some of the others are simple, yes, but also look like not a lot of thought has gone into their design. While the cover isn’t as important as the content of the book, I think it should be catchy, and #1 and #3 are more appealing to me.
Barry | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I’m a fan of 3… It reminds me of a Driscoll cover.
Matthew Svoboda | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
#1
Demian Farnworth | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
Sorry! None of them have any appeal to me – I don’t see how the proposed covers are relevant to the title. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but if I saw any of these on the bookshelf, I would not be drawn to the book.
Dale | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I like #s 1 and 3. I voted for #3, because the message of the book is there if you look for it. It is both an initial eye-catcher and will still be meaningful after further reflection by the reader.
Steve Weaver | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I like the simplicity and style of #4. #2 is okay, but what are the pictures really about? #3 is pretty good because I think it relates to the subject (based on reading the title). #1 is terrible and #5 makes no sense. I think if I saw #1 in a book store, I’d run away.
mark | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
just not #1. Repulsive captures it for me I think.
Craig | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I think #4 will stand up over time. 1,3 and 5 look either retro or dated already.
Jeff
Scripture Zealot | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I think Option 1 is pretty horrible! 4 and 5 are pretty cool though.
Josh | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
#3 is my favorite because it shows things that break our allegiance to Christ. I like the business of it. Please don’t use 1 or 5, I think they are terrible! 5 makes me think Easter egg hunt for some reason. 1 makes me think that Jesus is about to karate kick through the cover. Don’t ask me why, it just does!
Russ
Russ | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I feel as though #3 gives a more indepth approach to what we face in these days and why the difficulty in trying to persue and follow Jesus in these days.
Pam Deason | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
I like #3. Hits the message of the book.
Scott Eaton | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
#3 is seems to be in line with what I think will be in the book.
Lauren | Mar 7, 2009 | Reply
Voted for #3. Not a huge fan of any of them, but 1, 2, and 5 are pretty bad. #4 would be my second choice, but too much like a lot of other covers…
DP | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply
I agree with the “None of the above” votes. Some of them are rather horrible, some just don’t seem to have any relevance to the title/subject matter. I don’t really like any of them.
Jeremy | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply
I could say #3 or #4
Denise Malagari | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply
One or three are the best of the options presented, but they’re all kind of weak to be honest. Numbers 2, 4, and 5 all really have nothing to do with your subject matter. I can see where the designer was going with number 3, but it has a bit of a “Vintage Jesus” feel. None of them really have that “subversive feel” that the title demands.
Aaron | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply
Hey Trevin! Well #1 and #3 have the strongest graphic quality…although I’m not sure the imagery is leading us to the intended result. As a store owner, I want the customer to pick up the book (because it catches their attention) and then -of course-buy it. I’m not sure that #’s 2,4 & 5 are interesting enough to even pick up.
Chris | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply
Hard to say… #4 seems alright.
Matt J. | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply
#3 is the best conceptually. Its busy, but the concept works for that one and just doesn’t in any of the others.
Bill M | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply
I voted for 4, but agree that it would be better with a red background!
Jeff | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply
I agree with others, 1 is a bit trite. 2, 4 and 5 all look good, but to me they say “I’m no different than any other Christian living book.” 3 is fragmented, but maybe appropriately so, depending on the content of the book. I know that without submission to Christ our lives are fragmented by media and the like. I really like the picture of the typical Jesus (that can’t look anything like the actual Man) sitting on a shelf. That’s pretty metaphorical of the average “Christian” life in America and like nations. So my vote is for 3.
Trev | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
Trevin, the feedback on this thing is all over the place. I say go with the cover that will sell it to those who might not read your book regardless of the cover. Many (such as those voting here) will by the book regardless of what on the cover. #3 represents the multitude of idols that continually fight for dominance in us. The cover might be a “mess”, but we are a “mess”.
Blake | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
I’m an editor at another Christian publisher, so I have some experience with picking covers. Honestly, I don’t like any of these. We’d tell the designer to go back to the drawing board. The first one is just plain hideous; #2–have no idea what is being communicated. #3–way too busy; #4–boring; #5–the best of the bunch if I had to pick one.
Annette Gysen | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
#3 is my favorite. #4 a close second. The Jesus sculpture on top of the TV set on #3 may offend the Hispanic/Catholic family household demographic, so weigh that carefully. I would suggest revising #3 by adding a cell phone, iPhone, or Blackberry graphic. By the way, #1 is the Imperial Japanese war flag with Christ behind it. #5 is way too happy for such a serious topic. #2 requires too much time to figure out what I’m looking at, which is a highway overpass.
David | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
I went with 2. 3 is a bit too busy. I am looking forward to this book bro.
Blake | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
#4 by far. It’s clean and pretty, but it doesn’t say much about what’s inside the book (which may make someone pick it up and read the back cover). It’s the only cover out of all of these that I would pick up. #2 is ok but the highway overpass stuff doesn’t make sense to me unless it’s an illustration or story you use in the book.
leah | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
Unless the topic is the promotion of atheism, #1 is flat out. #5 is meaningless. Any of the three in the middle would probably be serviceable.
I like the white one personally.
Frank Turk | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
Trevin, I like 2 but 5 would be a good one also. 3 way to busy for me.
Kenny | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
Trevin, check your email for an alternative.
Michael | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
#5 reminds me of a David Wells cover.
JC | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
First thing I saw on #4 wasn’t the face of Christ, it was what looked to me like a WWII-era “Rising Sun” motif. Probably not quite the subtext you’re looking for! And while #3 is illustrating some of the rivals, I didn’t get it till the 3rd or 4th time looking at the cover.
I’m voting for #4
Dan Martin | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
#4 with some red (maybe) 2 things:
How did you get someone to design a cover that might be used (this is frequently frowned upon in the design/free lance world. You must have had some company on it)?
#3 looks like too many other Christan books out there (ie. the recent Driscoll books).
Ben Bailey | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
i picked #5 because it was pretty. outdoor scenes like that appeal to me. =)
please don’t pick #1. Jesus was a middle eastern, so His eyes weren’t blue. that gets on my nerves a little bit when people draw Him like that. =p
my second choice would be #4.
God bless you! =)
jennie | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
I liked #5, but the title needs to stand out from the background a little more.
Scott Long | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
#3 with very good overall. It conveys the competition of things vs. Christ. I agree with post #20 about drop the Jesus statue, but for a different reason (2nd commandment compliance).
#2 & #4 are good but look washed out. They would not jump out at me on a store shelf.
#1 – No because of 2nd commandment again.
#5 – Is good, but the font reminds me of some 80’s Christian books I have with minimal design work.
Bill | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
I voted for #3. It illustrates the sub-title quite well. Yes, it’s busy, but so is all the clamoring for our attention and time by the rivals of the sub-title.
Just didn’t like #1. Not sure why.
You can only do #2 if you include a copy of Newsboys’ Adoration album or a video CD of REM’s “Everybody Hurts”.
#4 was a cool cover when it first was being used. But it passed its saturation point 3 or 4 book releases ago.
#5 would be my second choice. Inverse reason of #1. (I have no clue why.)
Brendt Waters | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
I LOVE 2, it is subtle yet it draws your attention.
Terry | Mar 10, 2009 | Reply
Trevin i think that three has a lot going on ,however, it does show what the rivals of the ages are being money, food, television, idols of the heart to put it frankly.
Michael Clark | Mar 10, 2009 | Reply
I agree with commentator #47. #3 is unfocused to relay the message of the book. #5 Would be a good possibility.
Brad | Mar 11, 2009 | Reply
As a bookseller, #3, in the lead as I write this, contains elements that could be dated really quickly. I liked the picture in #2, but the graphic elements in #5 (lines going off in every direction) was fresh; something I’d never seen before. Seems we all agree on #1 anyway.
About a year ago I was on a list from Bethany House publishing where they’d send out four covers and ask what we liked best. Was never sure if it was really my opinion they wanted, or just clever marketing for upcoming titles.
paulthinkingoutloud | Mar 12, 2009 | Reply
Option three communicates the message of the book far better than the others. Option 1 looks like something I’ve seen before. Option 2looks like David Wells’ “The Courage to be Protestant.” Option 4 looks like Rob Bell and Steve Jobs’ love child. Option 5 I like, but it looks like a cover I’ve seen on Tozer’s “Knowledge of the Holy.”
Asa | Mar 13, 2009 | Reply
I voted for #3 because it kind of gets at the theme (as far as I can assume) of what the book is about. It’s also the one that will ‘jump off the shelf’ the best — great contrast of colors and awesome design that makes the text really stand out. #1 is a second choice… because it has that ‘pop’. For what it’s worth: I really like the design/rule of thirds/etc on #5, but it doesn’t seem to fit for some reason. Gorgeous colors on it, as well. #4 strikes me as unimaginative (no offense to whoever designed it! =) ) and #2 is my least favorite by a lot. [And I don't say this to brag, but I make my living in design/layout/etc.] Hope this helps, Trevin!! Can’t wait to read it!
Steve | Mar 15, 2009 | Reply
Number 4 is where it’s at! Remember, less is more!
Chris Ashton | Mar 19, 2009 | Reply