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Cover change

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Written by: Kelly on February 19, 2010.

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of the forthcoming Epitaph Road by David Patneaude. One of the things that really attracted me was the sweet cover (yeah, I’m superficial, but so are you):


I think it speaks to the post-apocalyptic tone with no problem. The orange is really memorable, and I love the single person walking away. The tone for the novel is set so perfectly. Again, this is what my ARC cover is, and we know that covers change between the early copies and the final.

I noticed recently that the cover changed to this:


I’m not a fan. It reminds me of a really lame movie poster. I think putting faces on the cover detracted from the tone the first cover set. This doesn’t look post-apocalyptic but instead looks like…..well, quite honestly, it makes me think of this:


I’m pretty sure that’s not what the goal is. I don’t get why the change needed to happen. The first one was so perfect. Oh, and with the orange missing, it’s not going to stand out on the shelves any more. Those bright colors really do make a difference to readers when it comes to standing out from the crowd…and in a field full of faces on covers, I’m afraid this one might get hidden too easily.

What do you think? Early cover or the one going to print?

Comments

  1. I like the early cover better. I think you're right that it stands out more and it sets the tone better. Plus, the protagonist is a guy and it looks like they're putting a girl front and center on the new cover. Sigh.

  2. You know, too, the new cover feels way younger. This one's definitely high school and up ya, whereas Teri Hall's "The Line" is aimed younger…but looks older? I don't get it.

  3. The first cover, for sure, although it looks semi-familiar, too. I think it's hilarious how the second cover made you think of "Save the Last Dance!" Love that movie. I like to watch it while I'm on the treadmill. 🙂

  5. I agree 100%. I really liked the original cover. Giant-faces-in-the-sky covers do absolutely nothing for me. And I'm going to go out on a limb and say I'll bet they don't do much for teens either.