Game: Rate the book cover above you :)

[wh_vigo]

Rating the cover of @TheGreatArtisan's Tokyo Star Memories:

1.1. Creativity, Uniqueness: Overall I think the definition of objects could be improved. For example, the desk (I think?) behind the polaroid could have more texture so it appears more 3-dimensional. The polaroid is a nice touch, definitely evokes nostalgia.

1.2. What do you think the story is about:
- Nostalgia & Memories
- Characters that might be reflecting back on events that happened years ago or who have been friends for a very long time
- Characters that have an interest in either photography, outer space/space travel, or astronomy

1.3. Would you read the story if you only saw this cover: No. But if the book description had a little more detail to engage my interest then yes, I would.

1.4. According to your taste, what would you suggest to change?: I think using a photo instead of a digitally created image would make the cover more appealing. There are a lot of free, open-license photos online here: www.pexels.com. I would also suggest having one consistent font colour for the title and adding your name on the cover too. I hope you find this feedback helpful and constructive. Best of luck!

Here's my cover. I know not everyone is into horror (which is OK) but I love writing it:

50 Shades Deeper | Tapas

[hannahlaine]

Rating @wh_vigo's Cover
Creativity and Uniqueness: Extremely well done. The font is not your standard font, but is paired well with the sanserif font used for the author's name. Super creative and looks like a ton of effort was put into it's creation.

First Impressions of what story is about: I would guess, purely on the cover art, that it is a thriller/ horror story. The use of dark colors, shadows, and red font give me that impression.

Recommend Changes: So I must admit, I am a graphic designer myself, and I don't know if you are or not, but If this is just an image that you put text over I give you props dude. My only correction I would make is put more spacing between the Author name and the title. I would also change the red in the title font to match the red in the image. Other than that 10/10 great job!

Lady Death | Tapas

[TheGentleArtist]

Thank you for the feedback. ^__^

You do have a point about adding my name to the cover ; I have been thinking about changing the synopsis since the current one was thought up on the fly a few months ago, this feedback does give me ideas on what to change.

[wh_vigo]

Thank you for the feedback! The spacing is a good observation.

I worked with a graphic designer. We discussed concepts and she created all of the artwork herself. Glad all that effort is visible.

[Jen-Jen]

This game could be really useful. I know my cover's not so good (I really only use it because I need one to publish), but I'd appreciate the critique, so I know what to do for the next one. Anyway:

Rating @hannahlaine's cover

Creativity and Uniqueness: 4/5. I love the color pallette and the heavy symbolism (heavy symbolism isn't always a bad thing! We don't need a cipher to figure out a book cover!) The art is very well done. An eye through a peephole is pretty common, though. A hand reaching for someone is, too.

First impression of what the story's about: It appears to be a horror, subgenre mystery. A woman, or teenage girl, discovers the existence of a monster that wants to hurt her. On the other hand, it could be that the woman peeping through the keyhole is Lady Death herself, and she could be wrestling with her job or alter ego. The death-based symbolism points to the former, though, as the latter, I imagine, would focus more on the mind.

Recommended changes: This is very professionally done. I don't really have a place critiquing it, and if someone else has suggestions, please pipe up. On thing I will say, though, is that I can't tell if that's a light colored life butterfly, or a dark colored death moth. Maybe slightly change the shading, if I'm right about the symbolism.

My book cover:

Potions & Spirits | Tapas

[hannahlaine]

@Jen-Jen Thank you so much for your feedback. I will defiantly take all of this into account. Lady Death is the one looking through the lock, because the story starts with her in a death camp/ prison. The butterfly is something I will defiantly have to lighten up a bit. And the claw marks (made by her bc she is the monster, sort of) I will have to make look more like claw marks and not a hand.
Thank you so much

[Samuraiflame]

Woo this looks fun!

1.1. Creativity, Uniqueness
2.5/5 Sadly, there isn't much to say with only 2 character busts on the cover. From the busts, I can at least assume the characters' personalities, so that's a start!

1.2. What do you think the story is about
From the title, some kind of fantasy story with magic, elves and witches involved. Also, they're looking to get lucky.

1.3. Would you read the story if you only saw this cover
Probably not, but I might give it a click.

1.4. According to your taste, what would you suggest to change?
I would make the characters bigger and include a background. The art itself is nice and the font for the title works. It is currently just lacking a lot of elements that would make it more eye catching and stand out among other covers. Since I assume that magic is involved, I'd also add some kind of magical effects/runes/potion bottles or something that would compliment the title.

Alright here's the cover for my latest comic. Thanks in advance
https://tapas.io/series/Lacey-Jones

[NellieVP318]

1.1 Creativity, Uniqueness
3.0/5 I think the cover looks nice since it makes me wonder about the characters. I do like the Wild Wild Cowboy vibe.

1.2. What do you think the story is about
Judging by the two girls, I think those two are the main characters so I'm guessing they are a couple on the run from the two guys who are out to get some money in the cover.

1.3. Would you read the story if you only saw this cover
I'm not into the wild west cowboy stuff to be honest, so it's a 50/50 on that.

1.4. According to your taste, what would you suggest to change?

Not sure, I think the cover is a little crowded. I think four characters in a cover is a little too much but I could be wrong about that. I'm not a graphic designer so I don't know much about that. I do think the logo should be a bit smaller.

Here is my cover for my story!

The Melodies of Secrets|The Anchor Towns Tales #1 | Tapas

[shooshell]

Rating @NellieVP318‘s cover!

1.1. Creativity, Uniqueness

I love the tag line. It strikes me as a very classic hook, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The out of focus sheet music draws me in and definitely invokes that feeling of mystery. It makes me want to know how it’s involved and what clues may be on it. I love the simplicity of the layout, too.

1.2. What do you think the story is about

Just glancing at the title and tag line, I’d say a mystery with elements of drama.

1.3. Would you read the story if you only saw this cover

Admittedly, no. the imagery makes it look like a textbook to me.

1.4. According to your taste, what would you suggest to change?

After reading from your summary, I would never had guessed that this was also a fantasy story! A reader who loves fantasy would probably never look at this cover and think, yes, this is up my alley, and you definitely want to try to pull those people in. I suggest swapping the image in the circle with something more fantastical - that will also help with the textbook vibe, because a landscape overlaid a blurry image is pretty dry. Maybe a fantastical object from your story, or a character. I’d also remove the watermark on the side - your name is already credited, so it’s kind of superfluous and distracting. The text itself is great, tho - clear and bold! I think with a few tweaks this cover will be very striking

My cover & story:

The Sweetness of Salt | Tapas

[NellieVP318]

Thank you! I'm not a book cover expert. I know I really wanted to go for a fantasy vibe but I couldn't find any good stock images to fit with my novel.

[mrazrielblack]

The Sweetness of Salt! Let's do it!

1.1 Creativity, Uniqueness
It's pretty simple but I feel it gets the feel of the story across. The color palette is pretty beautiful. Don't often see yellow and teal used and it kinda fits well with the darker green dress and the mermaids purple scales. Super unique? Not really but it's really sweet non the less. Fills me with good feels.

1.2 What do you think the story is about?
I would imagine it's a story that centers around the two characters portrayed and their tender and loving relationship BUT they are star crossed lovers and the world isn't ready for their romance! When will we learn that mermaids need love too?!?! I hope they get together.

1.3 Would you read the story if you only saw this cover?
Actually, given the good feels this cover gives me I'd want to read it. When I'm feeling low and need something sweet to make me feel better, something that makes me believe in love again, I'd open a tab and sit with a hot coco and read this. And after reading the summery and seeing mentions of witches, cards and divination I am all in!!!

1.4 According to your taste, what would you suggest to change?
I would like to see something more in the background to give it a little bit more oomph. Since the two characters are so brightly colored I would contrast it with darker, deeper shades of blue from the ocean. But otherwise it looks great. Also get your name on there, dear creator

Here be mine:

Frontier | Tapas

[Pony_wearing_a_hat]

1.1 Creativity, Uniqueness
Everyone's posed differently and has their own expression, the glowing auras are something you don't usually see on action covers. While the "characters grouped together and facing out" thing is definately a staple, it's one that I'm a fan of and this is a nice twist on it!
1.2 What do you think the story is about?
Okay, be warned, I'm bad at this. Fighting. Fighting as a team with a lot of action and strong end goals. Also looks like theres some heavy companionship vibes going on. Again, I'm super bad at this.

1.3 Would you read the story if you only saw this cover?
Oh, yes. The world building looks like it's gonna be really good based on the character designs alone. I wanna know what these guys are about and what they're gonna be fighting and how they're going to fight it. I wanna know the rules of this world and I wanna meet these guys.

1.4 According to your taste, what would you suggest to change?
uh... I'm bad at this too. Maybea little more accent on the edges of the background? just like, some faint glowy deals? I don't now, I'm still bad at this. It's great as it is.

Agents of Jerm: And the Mysteries of Chuck-Wills | Tapas

[Dysis]

Oh, I have one. But first, let's proceed with the game:

Agents of Jerm:

1.1 Creativity, uniqueness: I liked how you fused animated characters with nature. Each individual's personality is showing: The girl is adventurous and reckless, the guy with the book relies on facts and takes charge/ is reliable, the guy with blue hair is an introvert with an aura of gloom, the girl with the brown hair knows how to be a friend and is cheerful with maybe a little smugness to her?

1.2. What do you think the story is about: A group of adventurers discovered a book and went to a forest but are stuck in a forest/ exploring a forest with a book journal that serves as the guiding object for the story. It seems like an adventure story or a mystery.

1.3. Would you read the story if you only saw this cover? : Personally, I'm not that big a fan of adventure but the mystery aspect did draw me in (especially that book opening part). I might give a click and see the genre and tags first before delving in. ^^

1.4. According to your taste, what would you suggest to change?: Um, maybe give a more mystery feel to it? The heading could be more distinct, I can't seem to understand what's written. The background appears a little too real as compared to the characters, so maybe make it a little posterized?

Time Out:

It's the first cover I made () but didn't put it on the story because:
1) First-cover anxiousness.
2) Not sure if it would gain traction.

Leaving it for you to judge:

Link to the story:

Time Out | Tapas

[Crusoe]

1.1) creativity and uniqueness:
The tagline is very cool and mysterious and draws you into at least reading the synopsis and I love the dynamic poses of the characters on the front cover. Their stark contrast with the white clock also works really well. The art itself could have been better, but it's a novel, so this works well enough.

1.2) what do you think the story is about

So I think this will be a race against the clock. Without the tagline I would say about saving the beastman, but after reading it, I think the beastman is rather trying to save the girl. It's probably fantasy.

1.3)would you read the story based on the cover

Nah, cus I'm busy enough as it is, but if I were looking to read something new probably.

1.4) according to your taste what change would you suggest

If the tagline is a quote from the book, put quotation marks in. I think the concept and layout is great, the art itself is just a little bit lacking and I personally would have liked to see their features so we can see what they're feeling, potentially with a stark contrast highlight from the moon clock.

Fair, no Fair

Made a new cover yesterday I'm proud off, so wanna throw it to the wolves immediately

Fair, No Fair | Tapas

[Dysis]

Wow, you described it spot on! It makes me so happy.

Yes, the art is the problem. I'm no artist though, so maaaybe I can get away with it? I didn't put the cover on the story for the exact reasons.

[Crusoe]

You can definitely get away with it! The cover is good enough as it is in my opinion

[neardrive]

As due bad luck my cover was un rated, i'll do it again, i hope all you understand ^^'

Rate the cover above you according to the following criteria:
1.1. Creativity, Uniqueness: I looks OK. Nothing to special, but there is a nice contrast between tha background and the characters and the perspective is nice. I like the blush from the one on the front.
1.2. What do you think the story is about: It looks like a romance drama between those two.
1.3. Would you read the story if you only saw this cover: I'm not a fan of the genere, but I would check the sinopsis at least.
1.4. According to your taste, what would you suggest to change? I like covers to be more misterious or emotional, so I would try to achieve one of those topics. I feel it's quite "flat" right now.

-> Then i read the sinopsis and yap, romance And also... sadly this isn't the genere I love the most.. But i like the fact one of them is a ballet dancer

Project AT, the novel | Tapas

[diestreve319]

@neardrive
1.1 Creativity Uniqueness: For the uniqueness of your cover, I think it's unique enough and I really like your art style and how the characters look.
1. 2 What do you think the story is about? I didn't read the blurb yet so that I could guess what your story is about. It looks like action because of the color scheme and posing and family because of the little girl the guy is holding. Maybe a hint of fantasy as well. Maybe he kidnapped the child or maybe he is protecting the child from someone or maybe monsters? Or maybe the child will fulfill a prophecy of protecting the whole kingdom/world/humanity that's why he must protect her.
1.3 Would you read the story if you saw this cover? Maybe I will because it intrigues me about what will happen to the guy and the little girl. I'm not into action and fantasy that much but sometimes I want to add something different to my reading list to read something new.
1.4: According to your taste, what would you suggest to change? I think the color of the title could be a different color, something similar to the reddish background or a color from your characters clothes. Maybe try to make the title all caps. You could maybe try a different font with a more bold effect. Also, I suggest to try a more different shade of green if you prefer the green color to remain. The rest already looks great. Love the design of the background. It's like smoky ashes which definitely makes your book cover look more interesting. Love your art style, so overall a solid good book cover that is definitely intriguing.

Here's a book cover done by Rei-chan for my story: The Love We See in the Stars.

The Love We See In the Stars | Tapas

[therosesword]

Many apologies for not getting back to you on this yesterday. I was offline for a bit. Thank you for all comments. I understand your ideas on number ranting, I have a few of my own, lol. Eye-catching is what I like rather than unique. Sometimes (for me) unique distracts. Regarding what the subject of the story is, not quite but I see other people have different ideas but the main thing is, it intrigued you. Job done! Would you read it? Don't worry, not horror but the "maybe" you gave is pure gold. thank you. Re: suggestions for change. In the original the quote does have more contrast. I work on several different devices and its interesting to see how it shows up (or not) on which one's screen. Modern technology... meh. If you look closely at the top you'll see the artist's name is there so the only place left for author's name was down the side. or across the face (ewwww)

I'll try and get to your cover today. Again, many thanks for your comments. I really appreciate it. They made me feel I'd achieved what I wanted to and that's a good feeling.

[therosesword]

Good morning! Sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday I was offline quite a bit.
thank you for the review. It appears that, for you (and others I hope) it achieved its goal! Yay.
To answer some questions:
I'm glad (truly) that you didn't find it particularly unique because sometimes I feel uniqueness distracts. You got (from your comments) an overall emotional connection and emotion with the characters etc. So this for me, was great to read. thank you. It's not quite revenge (although there is some) but the "seeking" is dead on.

You're on (and off sort off) with the modified photo idea. I handed several different ones to the artist (I'm in Seattle she's in Tasmania) and this is what she came up with. The really important part was the coloration of the character's skin because, as you read further into it you find that his race has the ability to change the color and that underneath, when he relaxes, the colors kind of fade in and out and swirl around.

Your eyes were drawn right where we wanted them to be so ... it worked!!! yay.

Yeah, working with the thumbnail is weird and don't even get me started on the banner! lol

Again, thanks bunches.