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Monday, February 28, 2011

The Great Cover Debate

Well, as we mentioned in our introductory post we have a lovely small collection of stories coming out with E-Scape Press. We have a title - Brief Encounters. We have the stories, four fabulous contemporary stories - two from Phillipa and two from Nell, plus two gorgeous historicals from Elizabeth.
So, how do we find a cover to demonstate all this fabulousness we thought? And, (insert drumroll) who better to ask for an opinion than you, our lovely friends and readers.
Below are four pictures which we thought had the potential to be the perfect cover, or has elements which may make the perfect cover for Brief Encounters - What we'd like you to do is to choose which one you like best and tell us in the comments. This will be open until Saturday midnight (GMT)
As an extra bonus, Nell has offered to choose a random commenter to recieve a free PDF of her latest release - Making Waves. So take a look and get voting! We can't wait to see what you pick.
Number 1

Number 2

Number 3

Number 4


Have fun! Hope you like our pics!

52 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Sorry, made a boo-boo in my comment above. I vote for Number 2, the couple look like they're having great fun getting to know each other!

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  3. It's got to be number 4 for me. Can't resist a few fireworks!

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  4. Well, I'm quite fond of number four. I like that we don't see the couple in detail and that frees the reader up to imagine them however they like.

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  5. I like 1 or 2 - I think they capture the romance of Liz's stories and the humour we expect with Phillipa and Nell!

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  6. I think this is going to be hotly contested...

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  7. I vote 4 - I like the mystery of seeing the couple only in silhouette.

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  8. Margaret over on Twitter has voted for 3! Very close contest so far!

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  9. Hmmm...I think it's got to be number 4. As Kimberly said, the reader can then use their imagination to fill in the details and I think it's more eye catching. There are lots of romance novels out there with covers that are very similar and, whilst you do want to capitalise on that market, I think you should go for something that stands out from the crowd.

    My humble opinion :-)

    C

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  10. Patricia from Facebook wants to say:" I had voted for Number 4. I thought the kiss in the darkness against the background of the brilliant fireworks display best portrayed the transitory nature of the brief encounter."

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  11. I like number 1 the best. The other one's look like some random photo shots of a couple, or something like that. But the first one I could actually see as a cover picture.

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  13. Carole Matthews (yes, *the* Carole Matthews votes for number 4.

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  14. No 4 lets you use your imagination, plus I'm a sucker for fireworks.

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  15. Elizabeth Chadwick is trying to vote from TWitter but having a few Google blog profile problems. Sorry about that. :)

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  16. Katie Fforde has voted on Twitter for number 2.

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  17. Trying again. I wanted to say that they're all good but none of them particularly fulfil the historical side of the profile. Having said that, I think number 1 would do because the face shots could be any period. Number 2 I love, but it says nothing about the historical side whatsover. Number 3 has a slightly poignant feel that could hint at many elements and for me, number 4 is probably the winner because it covers all bases better than the others and it's dramatic with some lovely colours.

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  18. Chalk me up as another Number 4 voter ...

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  19. I've got to admit to no 4 tempting me as it reminds me of a great scene in Hitchcock's uber-stylish 1950s thriller To Catch a Thief, where Grace Kelly is flirting outrageously with Cary Grant (as you do) while the fireworks are popping away in the background. Talk about a double entendre but beautifully done!

    So now fireworks and couples makes me think of Grace and Cary getting it on in the French Riviera. Never a bad thing when you're trying to sell romance IMHO.

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  20. I'm trying to decide between three and four. I like the softer lighter colours of number three and I'm wondering if number four is too dark. But it could look very different with the title added in brighter lettering - and there's room for the title at the top which I prefer - and the figures leave more to the imagination. So - number 4!

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  21. Jenny Haddon on Twitter is voting for number 4.

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  22. Number 4 is in the lead so far but which cover will win?

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  23. I have to say that's its number four for me too. The first two are lovely but don't give me any indication of a historical setting and the third, whilst romantic, conjures up a 'couples' outing rather than a brief encounter.

    Besides,there something inheritantly sexy about being in the dark.:)

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  24. I think I have to go for 4. The silhouettes give a hint of mystery and romance and fireworks scream excitement and wonder as well as being fleeting which,naturally, a brief encounter is.

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  25. Four for me too please. Sexy, dramatic and exciting.
    I like to imagine myself in the story and one and two look like models - and I'm no model, trust me :)

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  26. Fascinating to read all your comments - keep 'em coming!!

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  27. Hi

    Sam Tonge and Kareby for 4

    Chris Harding for 3

    My agent: 3

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  28. I'm voting four too. What's a romance without a few fireworks?!

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  29. Here's a vote for no 4 - I love fireworks of all descriptions!

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  30. I'm obviously on my own. I like number 1. I think it captures the heat of a brief encounter.

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  31. Margaret James likes 3.

    We like them all - we trawled through scores of them to narrow it down.

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  32. I like 3 best. But 4 seems to be the most popular. I'm a sucker for nostalgia and 3 does it for me.

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  33. It has to be number 4 - it has all the elements - romance, passion and fireworks

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  34. #4 is good, but I found myself drawn to #1.

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  35. Number 3 does it for me - 2 people walking away - seems to be the epitome of a brief encounter.

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  36. I like number two - it's a bit sassy. Judy

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  37. I would have to choose either 3 or 4. Can't decide between the two.

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  38. Hmm, well number 4 is out in front but it looks as if that might change!

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  39. Cwtcho from Twitter is voting number four

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  40. Hi,

    It's number 4 for me because you can't see what the couple look like, so they could be any age. You can imagine them how you want them to be, not have someone else's image foisted on you.

    LizzieScribbles from Twitter

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  41. Contest closing at midnight tonight - number four is still out in front. I'll draw for a free PDF of Making Waves tomorrow! Each commenter or Twitter entry so far is in the draw.

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