Poll: Help Kate choose a sourdough book cover

In the sourdough book kickstarter planning thread I’ve had a bit of a dilemma. There are two different cover options, some people like one of them, other people like the other, and I like them both and can’t decide which one to use! So I’m keen to get a better idea of what ones even more people like.

To vote in the poll, just click like/thumbs up on the cover you like the most (or on the two cover option).

Click thumbs up/+1 here if you like this cover the most

Click thumbs up/+1 here if you like this cover the most

Click thumbs up/+1 here if you like them both and think the colourful cover would be good for a paperback and the rustic loaf cover for a hardcover.

The multi-photo cover will likely interest more potential buyers. Although the cover with the traditional loaf is more recognizable as sourdough, the cover with the photos of a variety of yummy looking baked goods will intrigue those who may be unfamiliar with the untraditional products. Who knew you could do so much with sourdough!

The second cover is just too busy, too many images. Keep it simple for both soft and hard covers

The one with the round bread on it.

Your first picture nearly rolled off the screen into my kitchen. I LOVE sourdough and adore fermented sourdough so go go go!

Clem Wilkes wrote:The second cover is just too busy, too many images. Keep it simple for both soft and hard covers

I prefer the cover with several pictures because it gives a sense of variety (and those sourdough pancakes look delicious), but Clem has a point. Maybe remove one or two of the pictures to make it less busy.

I like the multi photo cover because it shows many ideas for the use of sourdough. I'm new to it so only  know of bread.

I love the 2nd one with lots of uses for sourdough!

Really like cover one but in keeping with your previous books, Cover 2 gives better insight into the content.  Cover 2 will look and feel like part of a set.

The first picture is more appealing, but, the second one fits the title better.

I voted for the first cover.  I see others’ point about the fact that it gives more of an idea how many different uses there are for sour dough.

I’m kind of burned out on book covers with several pictures on the cover.  Suddenly when ever I see one like that I think “oh, there must be a template that folks are using.”  Nothing wrong with templates!  If I wrote a book as Kate has done, I would need to use a template myself, it’s just there are so many multi photo book covers now, especially in the how to and nonfiction section. They seem repetitive and busy, rather than standing out.

It's a tough dilemma: visually I adore the first cover, it's peaceful, clear and 'spot on'.
The second cover educates us all that there's a lot of variation to using sourdough, in one look.
Reading the tagline under the title only comes after looking at the images.

And yet, I voted on the first cover.

Both covers are nice, I like the sour dough loaf the best.  Is there any way you can have both covers, sour dough loaf on the front and the multi picture for half of the back cover .  Good luck with your book.

I like the first one because people recognize it. However, on the second one if the baguettes were not on it, I think it would look better and people would enjoy that one.

Hi Kate
I hands down love the first one, but indicating other sourdough products is also good. Could you take a picture of a loaf and have a couple of other goodies in view as well? I don't even look at what the things are in the blocky design, it doesn't arrest my attention, it is too much like many other covers.

Well done at having written a book! May you sell many

I have voted for the first one.
I am not sure if the font used fits the topic.
I would go with Rustic Serif type of font (Caslon, Garamond, or a slightly distressed serifs such as Recoleta or Alegreya).
Or perhaps, for fun and pun, Bakery Script font?

I agree with Richard’s comment on the font, though I don’t have familiarity with the ones he mentions as substitutions.  My favorite font for just about everything is Lucida Bright.  To me it looks classical and traditional.

I don’t know of any specific meaning the current font might have, and font is outside the scope of the feedback you requested, Kate, so please forgive if it seems intrusive to mention it

Congratulations for having come this far!

Love the first - so simple, but suggest the second for the back cover! I’ve seen other authors do this and it is very effective to show contents without first impression clutter.

Lisa Gabrielle wrote:Love the first - so simple, but suggest the second for the back cover! I’ve seen other authors do this and it is very effective to show contents without first impression clutter.

I like this suggestion - use them front and back. I like both covers and couldn't decidecwhich would be better. I can see the pros and cons of each picture as people have pointed them out and it comes down to personal preference and  probably, demographics.  

I have voted.

For the second cover.

If I were casually perusing books at the bookstore/library, after reading the title,
my mind would be drawn to the second cover as it promises greater possibilities.

Just a split-second assessment. That's how my brain works.

I will be ordering two once it launches. Notification is already set.

Could your printer cost stretch to a front and back cover, keeping the simple loaf on the front and various bakes on the back or inside the cover?
I would strip out the French sticks and emphasise the raison pancakes, if not. You want a maximum of 5 panels/products that focus on variety if you are using the multi image photographs.
Best wishes for you Kickstarter.
Helen

I like the first one with the round loaf though I feel that the second one might sell more books.

The second one makes me want to cook up some pancakes.

I like the simplicity of the first. If the second could be used as the back of the book or an inside page that would be inspirational to those who are unaware of the marvelous uses of sourdough.

I don't think it's a good idea at all to have different covers for p/b and h/b editions (option #3). Lots of reasons, but the main one is that you'll confuse the audience (and the purchasers).

I voted for the multiple images (#2) because they illustrate the book title. But I actually prefer #1 from a design perspective because it's clear and attractive.

I agree with all the comments about visual clutter in option #2, and the baguettes do seem to fight with everything else.

I like the suggestion that you could put some of the detail (#2) on the back cover, and use #1 as the front cover.

I also like the suggestion that a fresh shoot, with several creations visible in the one image, may work.

I'm craving some sourdough RIGHT NOW! - must be something about those pictures!!!

Good luck with the project.  

Cover 1 for the paperback, cover 2 for the hardcover.

A little more tinkering with the colourful cover, in response to the feedback about baguettes and too many pictures.

Which one do you like more? (1st one has 50% rye in the top left corner (same as the earlier version), 2nd one has oat porridge bread in the top left)

What a paralyzing situation.

I have trained my Missus on how to deal with these
- let the universe decide. You remain impartial and
demonstrate that you can stick with the decision
come what may.

We agree on which half of the clock face goes with
which option. Then one of us calls out and the covered
Swatch watch is revealed. Every particle in the universe
has exerted its influence to this nexus.
Note: this does not work with digital/Apple watches.

OK, there are "edge" cases where the seconds hand is
too close to 12 or 6. Then a second method is employed
as a tie breaker - upper half/lower half, the last digit of
the serial number of a random banknote(odd/even).

Left alley or right alley - should you be running from the
authorities. Obviously the seconds hand of a watch face have
too long of a cycle time plus if a quick glance sights a
dead end it is a no brainer,

. . . would you have anticipated this and brought along
a pack of playing cards? Black - left, red - right . . .
TIP : keep and don't toss the cards away.

After your tweeking of the pictures, I like the first one. It looks more appetizing than the second book.

Late to this conversation- I'm partial to the more simple version with one photo that is easily recognizable. But I see that more people responded to the multi picture version. I think it definitely feels less busy when you pare it down from 5 photos to 4. I like the first one of those better I think. Looking forward to this book because I LOVE SOURDOOOOOUUUUGGGHHH!

Still in favor of the original simple one photo front cover and what ever multi-photo you devise on the back🤷🏻‍♀️

Or, if it’s to be a multi photo front cover, could you make the loaf of bread large, and a row across the bottom of much smaller photos of the pancakes etc?

I tinkered around with the fonts. These two are my favourites.
Phosphate solid/cinzel
Superclarendon/cinzel

Give this post a thumbs up if you like these ones more than the original font choices. Or reply if you have a particular favourite out of these two.

Right now I’m leaning towards the superclarendon (serif) version.

These are just from fonts that were already on my computer. I’m going to have a quick look around for other fonts in the next couple of days.

Thekla McDaniels wrote:Still in favor of the original simple one photo front cover and what ever multi-photo you devise on the back🤷🏻‍♀️

Or, if it’s to be a multi photo front cover, could you make the loaf of bread large, and a row across the bottom of much smaller photos of the pancakes etc?

That is a good idea. I'll have a tinker around and see what I can come up with. It all depends on how much blank space is around the bread in the original photo.

I vote for the clarendon serif font

Looks like this one is the current favourite... Does anyone have any more feedback to offer before I finalise it?