Just yesterday, I got the cover for the story from the very talented designer at Amber Allure (the GLBT division of Amber Quill Press), Trace Edward Zaber. I was pretty thrilled with it, although I thought the font used could have been tweaked a little. Below are the two versions, the original and the final.
Which one do you prefer? I'm just curious to see if you agree with me. Leave your comment below and I'll let you know the answer on Thursday, July 2. As an added bonus, I will draw one winner from all the comments who will receive a free copy of the e-book when it releases in August.
Blurb
What if…
A stranger with a knife ripped the love of your life away?
What if…
That love came back to you?
What if…
That love looked the same, but you knew it couldn’t really be him?
Incubus is the haunting—and haunted—tale of Oliver and Ryan, a young couple who have traveled to Montreal from Chicago to get married. It’s late and they’re on their way home from their honeymoon…and their trip on Chicago’s el trains and subways is fraught with strange characters, one a biker-jacket clad man who urges them to “Get close to Lucifer!” But the oddest stranger they encounter is a man in a zippered leather mask who waits for them in an underground parking garage with a knife. Only one of the couple will emerge from this encounter alive.
Oliver’s depression overwhelms him, having seen his hope for a new life with his new husband squashed in an instant. He feels so alone. Or is he? When Ryan begins to appear to him again in the dark, and to make love to him, Oliver is happy…and in denial. He ignores this new Ryan’s cold touch, his strange eyes, and the odd burns Ryan’s touch leaves on his skin.
Has Oliver’s despair and desire for his lost love opened a door to something dark and terrifying? Is the Ryan who returns to him really the Ryan he loves…or a demonic imposter? And when love is brutally ripped away, will Oliver decide it doesn’t matter?
With Incubus, Rick R. Reed merges his talent for horror with a tragic love story and the result is…chilling.
I like the top one. It looks more haunting and demonic. Thanks for all of the tweets!
ReplyDeleteThe first one's letters look weird and freaky, I really like it, the next one are tamed and subdued, it does nothing for makes you wanna sleep, Zzzzzzzz...just my opinion...
ReplyDelete;)))
I like the first one. dthoward64@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI like the first one since the font gives it more of the razored edge like claws or the knife mentioned in the blurb. The font makes the title stand out more it'll grab your attention and pull you in ro read the blurb and then the book. The second you might just pass by because the outlined letters don't snag you.
ReplyDeleteI like the title font of the first one but it needs to be a bit lower or smaller so that the letter U is not sticking up the nose of the cover model, or maybe just trim that letter a bit.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the author font of the second one because it is bolder, easier to read and makes your name stand out.
I am not sure if it is my monitor or a designed effect but the model on top is not ethereal enough to imply a spirit essence but a bit too soft focused for me if he is supposed to be more realistic and makes me want to keep cleaning my glasses. But I do like the general design of the cover.
Is that TMI...lol?
Hey Rick,
ReplyDeleteI like the second cover best. I like the "drippy" font (reminds me a little of "The Munsters"). But I like seeing the blonde guy's mouth; very sensual.
I'm going to go with the bottom one. It draws my eye in to the details of the illustration behind the title. The first one beats you over the head "HI! I'm a horror novel!".
ReplyDeleteHmmm I definitely like the second one better. Looks less Frankensteinish. *sighs* But I don't know if I can wait till August to get my fix.
ReplyDeleteThe first/top version is best. It feels much more demonic, which is appropriate!
ReplyDeleteHad to look at this for awhile. I like the top one. My reason: The bottom one, I'm straining to see behind the text rather than looking at it. The guys mouth is yum, but that's not what the cover is supposed to do. The top one, the font isn't my fave, but I am looking at it, the title, rather than trying to see past it.
ReplyDeleteHugs
I prefer the top one. It grabbed my attention first. It has a creepy feel to it.
ReplyDeleteI know it's only tomorrow but I wish you a Happy Birthday! ;)
I think the first one suits the title better than the one on bottom. It looks more Gothic.
ReplyDeleteRick,
ReplyDeleteI like the bottom one best for two reasons: (1) The top font is distracting and takes a few extra seconds to read (no pun intended). (2) The title and your name are much clearer in the bottom font - a quicker draw for the reader.
While the top font clearly shouts HORROR, so does the title; I don't think the less elaborate font detracts it.
Happy B-Day!
I like the first one better. It draws your eye to the man's eyes, making them look more sinister. The second one, you can see his face and it detracts from that.
ReplyDeleteI like the bottom one better. It just looks cleaner, and I like the fact that the man's face is covered...to me, that is just distracting, and I spent more time trying to see what his face looked like on the first cover. Both of them look dark and sinister, I just think the bottom one fits much better with the story synopsis. I'm rather odd, though! *laughs*
ReplyDeleteMy email (if I win!! *crosses fingers*): severusslave76 AT gmail DOT com
I like the first one. It looks more sinister and threatening and fits the premise.
ReplyDeleteHey Rick! I hope all is well with you :)
ReplyDeleteI prefer the top cover design. The word "incubus" is of ancient heritage. The font used on the top design reflects that ancient age and heritage, thereby instilling mystique and suggesting age-old horror. In addition, the lettering covers more of the background man's mouth, thereby suggesting secrets.
AE
I like the bottom one the best. I feel that it showcases your name better, and you need to make sure that your name is out there babes. Promotion Promotion Promotion!
ReplyDeleteAnd besides, it doesn't cover that hot guys face up so much! :)
Tami.winbush @ gmail.com
The first one would capture my attention better, Rick. It has this eerie feel to it. The figure looks darker and more sinister, particularly when the tip of his nose and mouth are obscured.
ReplyDeleteHope this one leaps up the charts!
First one.
ReplyDeleteThey're both pretty cool but if i have to pick i'm going with the second one. I like how you can see more of the guy's face - he's pretty hot!!
ReplyDeleteI love the first one. The second cover's font is far too common and overused. It is too bad that the letters cover the model's lips, but otherwise it's the better choice.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the top image especially because you say it is going to be a horror story.
ReplyDeleteFirst one is my choice--interesting how many different answers you've gotten so far.
ReplyDeleteI like the first cover because the fonts, filled in, have a stronger feeling.
ReplyDeleteThe second looks a bith more "whispy" which I don't think conveys the proper feeling. I think you might have tried to go for a ghostly look with the second one but it just comes off as more "incomplete" in my opinion.
So, my vote is for cover 1!! *-)
I know this is late, but I was lured by the idea of an incubus to check it out.
ReplyDeleteFirst one, definitely
THE WINNER! Is Tami Winbush. I will be sending you a PDF download of INCUBUS when it's released in October! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteAnd, by the way, the final cover is the one on top and yes, it's the one I prefer. THANKS SO MUCH to all of you who took the time to comment!
ReplyDeleteHey Rick I like Cover 1 cause the lettering is really gothic & creepy in a good way
ReplyDeleteI prefer the second one. I like the transparency of the font partly because you can see the beautiful mouth of the model and partly because the transparency gives it an insubstantial look that fits an other-worldly character. But having said that, they're both excellent. Wow. You aren't kidding about the talent of the artist.
ReplyDeletehmmm, 'a young couple from Chicago travel to Montreal'? Sounds familiar...lol
ReplyDeleteI definately think the second cover is best. The first one is just too Nosferatu...even borders on cheesy. OMG, did I say that?
xoj
Hey Rick,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it was the top one, too, and the one you prefer!