More Cover advice

[gary compton]

I like Fred Bartlett cover that Troo has done but as I am self publishing - the complete deal not just Lulu or anything similar. No disrespect intended.

I have to consider my marketing strategy. All things psychic do interest people and if I have "psychic" in the title and if someone does a search on google that incudes that word there is a possibility they will find my site and buy a book.

Whereas Fred Bartlett is a total unknown so I am undecided

[Doctor Sax]

Troo's design looks like the sort of book you would see sitting on a bookshelf. I think you should go with that, meself. I take your point about Fred Bartlett, though - you don't want to pick up readers who think they're getting the latest adventures of a genial Bassett Hound who usually makes weak jokes in a right-wing rag. "Psychic Detective", on the other hand, is overused to the point of cliche. Amazon uk chucks up 37 books with the phrase in the title. Perhaps you need to coin your own "psychic detective" style word, like Brian Lumley's Necroscope, maybe. Fred Bartlett - Psytech. Although that sounds a bit SFy.

[gary compton]

Originally Posted by Doctor Sax

Troo's design looks like the sort of book you would see sitting on a bookshelf. I think you should go with that, meself. I take your point about Fred Bartlett, though - you don't want to pick up readers who think they're getting the latest adventures of a genial Bassett Hound who usually makes weak jokes in a right-wing rag. "Psychic Detective", on the other hand, is overused to the point of cliche. Amazon uk chucks up 37 books with the phrase in the title. Perhaps you need to coin your own "psychic detective" style word, like Brian Lumley's Necroscope, maybe. Fred Bartlett - Psytech. Although that sounds a bit SFy.

Good advice Doctor Sax...can I make an appointment to come and see you.

I jest, but I appreciate your comments. I will give it some thought.

[Mouse]

A Fred Bartlett novel, to me, sounds like a novel by Fred Bartlett.

[Troo]

But does a Felix Castor novel sound like a novel by Felix Castor?

I agree the "DEMON" is a bit too big. Alas I wasn't on the machine with InDesign on it, so wasn't able to get down to the nitty gritty with font tweaking - all that was available was changing the whole size, rather than widening or altering the kerning.

I'm happy to do the finished item once Gary's decided on a design tho

[JDP]

Boo, the great firewall of china is blocking the image for me! Any chance you could upload it to chrons? Cheers!

[Troo]

Let's see if this works

[JDP]

Hooray, I can see it! That looks great, good job. I'd second Mouse about the Fred Bartlett thing, though. Swings and roundabouts, eh?!?

[Doctor Sax]

I think the way Troo's done it is fine, and there's no doubt that this is a book about Fred Bartlett rather than by him. But, perhaps, just to be sure... maybe if he had a bit of a sexier - or at least more memorable - name, if he's going to become a "brand" character in a series of books?

[Quokka]

The covers of the Les Norton books always has Les Norton in.... or Les Norton's back in.... etc. It's a bit cheesy but it makes it very clear Les Norton is the main character and it suits that style of books (he's a bouncer that acts more like Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote, so a dectective story that doesn't take itself very seriously).

Edit: and just my 2c but I'd be more likely to buy a book with the Fred Bartlett cover and then finding out he was a psychic detective on the blurb, rather than having The Psychic Detective on the cover. As Dr Sax said it just sounds a little cliche.

[gary compton]

Originally Posted by Doctor Sax

I think the way Troo's done it is fine, and there's no doubt that this is a book about Fred Bartlett rather than by him. But, perhaps, just to be sure... maybe if he had a bit of a sexier - or at least more memorable - name, if he's going to become a "brand" character in a series of books?

How about Quenton Smith?

[Troo]

Quentin's a great name, but only for the English

EDIT: What I mean by that is other people might find it a bit weird.

[gary compton]

It was a joke Troo

Anyway I've already got me Bartlett t-shirts done,

By the way John Rebus, Jack Frost and Jack Regan they are not sexy,are they?

[Quokka]

I was going to say I wouldn't worry too much about the name itself imo they build their own character I mean James bond wouldn't have been the most glamorous name when Fleming started.

[Doctor Sax]

Originally Posted by gary compton

By the way John Rebus, Jack Frost and Jack Regan they are not sexy,are they?

Shut it, you slag.