Memoir Authors discussion

I've recently posted my covers in a group of memoir readers and a site of designers, wondering which type of cover would be best. I'd like to know the opinions of other authors as well. If you could let me know which cover appeals to you (or would appeal to the general public) more that would be great!

Michelle - Love the top one!

I love the top one as well!

second one. Top one is too blatant. I prefer a little subtlety

Thank you so much for the feedback!! I had concerns about the first one not fitting the genre and I definitely see now how it can be viewed as too blatant. Although most liked the first, I've decided to go with the second version. I've updated it (below) to make it more eye-catching as that was something that I think needed to be changed :)

It's a rough version by the way:

Hi Michelle
just a word of advice from someone who self-published a memoir. If you can afford it, you should hire someone to design the cover. Your designs are nice but the first one, in particular, looks DIY. I was able to find a very reasonably priced designer to do front and back cover. I had to supply photos and made other suggestions. just go to my author's page and you'll see what the cover looks like. Good luck, Pam

Pamela wrote: "Hi Michelle
just a word of advice from someone who self-published a memoir. If you can afford it, you should hire someone to design the cover. Your designs are nice but the first one, in particular..."

Pamela,
Good advice and nice cover.

Thanks, Robert! (You can also see the back cover on Amazon).

Michelle, I really like the one you picked except for the way the subtitle is lined up. I might put it at the bottom and all in one line.

Also, if people are looking for a reasonably priced way to access a designer for a book cover, I used 99Designs. It's a website where designers compete for your work. I like vet my cover and got 45 entries to choose from

Thanks for the advice Pam, I have a friend who's a graphic designer so I've asked her for some feedback.

Thanks for the tip Mike, for some reason I hadn't thought of doing that!

It would appear Michelle, you wish to use tear drops for the cover. The latest version of your blue and white cover is okay but I doubt it captures the drama and emotion you are looking for.

I have to say, personally, I am never influenced by a book's cover. It is the synopsis I look at. Nevertheless, as may be seen from reading almost any social media discussion on the topic, a majority of readers are influenced by covers and openly state if the cover does not catch their attention they will not even bother considering the book. Rather a narrow minded outlook, in my opinion, but if that is how life is then it has to be taken into account.

Wish you all the best.

Test both the Cover and the Title of your book:
How do you test the title for your book? I learned the hard way that I should have tested the title of my book on Amazon. Example: my title is Mom, Mania, and Me, Surviving and Changing a Volatile Relationship. This is a serious memoir about how our family coped with a mother who was bipolar manic. As the title has 'Mom' in it, Amazon ‘s system connected it to t-shirts for sale that state: Tell Your Mom to Stop Sexting Me. Twelve Amazon Customer Service people cannot get this horrible connection changed.
I suggest testing your title by entering it in the Amazon book title search. See what other books appear. Are they related to your topic? See what products will be connected to your title.
Hope this helps.
Diane Dweller

I agree with Mike on your choice for a cover and putting the sub-title at the bottom.

Diane wrote: "Test both the Cover and the Title of your book:
How do you test the title for your book? I learned the hard way that I should have tested the title of my book on Amazon. Example: my title is Mom, M..."

I tried this, but nothing came up. Since my books doesn't exist yet...

Interesting thread... From my experience I have found in my promotion work that a cover can account for up to 50% of the decision in readers' purchase choices. Very important to have a professional cover. And another tip - always make sure it looks good when viewed at a very small size, such as will show up on Amazon.

I prefer to graphic tear drop to the photo.
This topic is my current pre-occupation. We self-published Never Say Di but I've now been offered a deal with a small publisher, who commented that the cover would have to change. The current design is based on a photo that Di took (it's her memoir, which I ghostwrote). Very sadly, she died, so isn't here to help me decide. I'd love to know whether anyone has an opinion on the cover as it stands.
Here's a link Never Say Di

I agree with the publisher. It's not a good cover for a memoir

Anthony wrote: "I agree with the publisher. It's not a good cover for a memoir"

Thanks, Anthony. I wonder what elements you would include instead? I've just done a quick Google search and some are similar to Never Say Di, whereas others go down the somewhat hackneyed black and white photo route. I think I prefer an illustration of something abstract but that might be 'wrong' too!

I read the memoir, and it's filled with so much good stuff about Di. This cover does NOT represent who she was or what she was like. Since she was a NURSE, perhaps you could come up with something oriented more to that occupation, but with an interesting design.

That's really helpful feedback; thanks Marilyn. I appreciate the suggestion but even more, I am grateful for your supportive comments. Thank you

Sue wrote: "Anthony wrote: "I agree with the publisher. It's not a good cover for a memoir"

Thanks, Anthony. I wonder what elements you would include instead? I've just done a quick Google search and some are..."

I would steer away from any nurse illustration, but look at the covers of other similar books and see what you find moving.
Do abstracts move you sufficieently to want to order the booK? Landscapes can be surprisingly moving, as can figures that don't show the face .

Very interesting - thanks, Anthony.

The original cover was the author's choice but she wasn't an expert (and isn't here now to ask :( ).

I struggle to find a similar book. I read one, which had an illustration of a nurse with a mining town background, but it put me off, if anything. Made me think of old issues of People's Friend magazine!

I like your suggestions and will try exploring them, Thanks again.

Hi,
Top cover for me, but I'm shocked that people haven't learned " you can't judge a book by it's cover!"
Book sounds great! Is it on the round robin ?
Marian

Marian wrote: "Hi,
Top cover for me, but I'm shocked that people haven't learned " you can't judge a book by it's cover!"
Book sounds great! Is it on the round robin ?
Marian"

Hi Marian,
Thanks for your input but I've actually gone with a different cover than any on here. I'm glad you like the sound of my book! It won't be published until the end of February, but I will most likely add it to the round robin once it's released :)

Will look forward to it -- good luck,
Marian

cover on bottom !