Sunday, August 24, 2014

New Cover for Southern Man

Somebody advised me that I needed to emphasize the "relationship" aspects of my novel as opposed to the issues/corporate politics aspects. The current cover certainly evokes the corporate politics in the story. It was inspired by Michael Crichton's novel, Disclosure, which is also about a false accusation of sexual harassment, but that's about where the similarities between the stories begin and end.

But Southern Man is also very much a relationship novel. There is, of course, the primary relationship of the main character, Troy Stevenson, and his wife. But it also features his relationship with his children, his best friend, his secretary, his co-workers, his pastor, and other families at church.

I've had people tell me that the Crichton-inspired cover evoked not just corporate politics, but mystery and suspense. Since there is no mystery or suspense in the story, it's probably best to replace that cover.

I really like the new one. The models look enough like those I've used in promotions (memes, banner ads, videos, etc.,) that I won't have to re-do any of them. We'll see if those "relationship" readers like it better.


I'm  testing this cover on the ebook first. If it's a go, I'll change the print cover, as well.  The size and resolution of this photo needed for print costs considerably more than the small, screen-rez version, so a test is in order before forking over the moolah.

13 comments :

  1. Bad idea. The image has very little to do with the story. Leads to confusion for the reader ... who's the woman? Keep trying.

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  2. You're familiar with the story, Anonymous? If you were, you'd know this woman is Patty, and this scene nicely illustrates Memorial Day weekend at Lake Lucy.... I like it. I think I'll stick with it for now.

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  3. BTW, Anonymous, do you ever go by the handle, "None of your business"?

    ReplyDelete
  4. No. I have gone by the handle "Austin," however.

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  5. Well I have to say, the new cover sure does look good.
    Goin' to go shopping soon, where can I find the book?
    Screw this "Anonymous" guy, if you don't have the backbone to admit who you are, you don't deserve to critique.
    Yourself and the flaggers are a great inspiration to the Sons of the Confederacy like myself!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you, Mr. Winston. Trolls occasionally find their way to my comments section. Depending on who they are, their comments frequently do not get posted.

    The VaFlaggers are indeed an inspiration.

    Southern Man is available at Amazon.com and Smashwords; Thanks for your interest.

    Trade Paperback
    http://www.amazon.com/Southern-Man-Connie-Chastain/dp/061529801X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245882533&sr=1-2

    Kindle
    http://www.amazon.com/Southern-Man-ebook/dp/B002Z7G1F4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1259715283&sr=1-2

    Many ebook formats at Smashwords
    http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/13733

    ReplyDelete
  7. I take that back, because I am a bald-faced liar. I have never used "Austin" as a handle.

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  8. Never ask for input unless you are willing to accept criticism.

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  9. I didn't ask for input -- at least, not here. I did ask for it on Facebook, and on KBoards. I got a lot of great input and suggestions, too.

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  10. Then by all means change it. Hope it improves sales. I had hoped it would be the story itself that would move the book. Guess not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous, trip over to Amazon.com and see how many of the books there have ... COVERS!!!!

      Unless a potential reader has heard about a book (from a friend, a review, etc.,) the cover is their first introduction to a story. If it grabs them, they might flip the book over and read the back cover blurb. Bui if the cover doesn't entice them, they will put the book back without even knowing what "the story itself" is about.

      People absolutely judge a book by its cover.

      Delete
  11. Connie,
    You allow comments like these through?
    Suck up whatever integrity you have left, "Anonymous" and stop antagonizing this woman!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. James, don't worry about it. It's just Simpson. Harassment and petty put-downs are his stock in trade. It would be unrealistic to expect anything more from him.

      Delete

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