Book covers: IVP responds … Plus another request for your views

Thanks for all the feedback on the draft covers for my forthcoming books. Eleanor Trotter, from IVP, has responded and asked for your help.

We are keen to encourage constructive criticism which takes us forward, and with this in mind would like to know from individuals:

a) Which covers from the general market do you like / dislike (browse Amazon)?
b) Which covers from the Christian market do you like / dislike (browse Wesley Owen or Eden)?
c) Which of IVP’s covers do you like / dislike (browse IVP’s website)?

In each case above (a, b and c), it is vital to bear in mind please the genre of the book and not select a cover which doesn’t match (in your case) the serious content. It’s very common for people to chuck in the covers of novels at times like this, as these have an enigmatic quality that appeals very widely. However, the cover of a novel won’t unfortunately work on either of your books.

Book covers are, as you know, very subjective, and Christian publishers often err a bit on the side of conservative, not so much because it’s our preference, but because it appeals to those making book-buying decisions. We also think of the global sales aspect and of the fact that the book needs to look just as relevant a few years down the line. If we are selling large quantities to an organization like UCCF and the bookshops don’t feature so highly, then that’s a bit different.

If you’re interested in contributing your favourite book covers then I suggest you find books you like at the websites above, and then simply cut and paste the URL (the web address for that page) into a comment box. I’ll pass feedback on to IVP next Monday (31 March).

For what it’s worth, here are my own choices …

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Forgotten-Ways-Reactivating-Missional-Church/dp/1587431645/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205954572&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Experiential-Storytelling-Discovering-Narrative-Communicate/dp/0310255147/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1206530156&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Foucault-Very-Short-Introduction-Introductions/dp/0192805576/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205954626&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trinity-Kingdom-God-Doctrine/dp/0334023688/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205954963&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gilead-Marilynne-Robinson/dp/1844081478/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205955425&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventure-English-Melvyn-Bragg/dp/0340829931/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205955464&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Pi-Man-Booker-Prize/dp/0151008116/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205955502&sr=1-7