Glad I bought it with the manga cover. I really loved the illustrations, especially the back cover and I do think it, along with the viral marketing memes (plus the book being free to read) pushed me to check the book out.
For what it’s worth, I love how deeply you’re thinking and tinkering with the aesthetics of your book—I haven’t read it, but if a physical edition is available (does Amazon self-pub still do POD?), I’d definitely be interested in checking it out.
Both versions of the covers you ended up using are pretty awesome tbh! 👏
I love all of the art styles you experimented with, even the one you concluded with. I think it is a very unique concept to carry out, and i’m surprised it wasn’t received better! Especially with such a name as incel and the manga styling, i’m sorry but it just fits, haha!! I’m all for unique experimentation when it comes to novellas/publications. One of mine is formatted similar to “House of Leaves” another is entirely hand collaged, and my 2 most recent are adapted from a junk journal and hand-collaged as well! So seeing someone with as multi-medium and creative of a mind is brilliant!
I had a ton of fun with the process and I do wish that publishers were better with covers than they are (one exception I can think of are Hari Kunzru's last two covers for 'Blue Ruin' and 'Red Pill').
I am following a somewhat similar approach. Doing everything by myself is fun even though resources are limited. I decided that If I can do something myself, I will do it, otherwise seek professional help. Doing it myself feels more intimate, like I care about and control every aspect of the work, not just the words. And also it reminds me how I used to create books from scratch all by myself when I was a child. They were handwritten, stitched and glued together, had very original artworks and such. Was a lot of fun and still is.
A lot of people argue the cover art doesn't matter, only the story. They're wrong. Even outside of making sure your cover resembles the genre and aesthetics of your story to move product, the cover sets the proper mood for the story inside.
I love the aesthetic & I kinda don't care between meme-book and literary - but I get how it affects the marketing! We know it's literary but it's annoying to have to explain to an audience. 🖤
Glad I bought it with the manga cover. I really loved the illustrations, especially the back cover and I do think it, along with the viral marketing memes (plus the book being free to read) pushed me to check the book out.
Appreciate the feedback! One day I may very well do a simple re-release.
For what it’s worth, I love how deeply you’re thinking and tinkering with the aesthetics of your book—I haven’t read it, but if a physical edition is available (does Amazon self-pub still do POD?), I’d definitely be interested in checking it out.
Both versions of the covers you ended up using are pretty awesome tbh! 👏
Thanks! You can get a physical edition on Amazon of the current version (later on, I may re-release the old anime version later on at some point).
I liked the manga cover personally , not even being a manga enjoyer myself, but now I understand your reasoning behind the change.
Yeah - people either loved it or hated it, but the biggest problem was just customers being confused.
I love all of the art styles you experimented with, even the one you concluded with. I think it is a very unique concept to carry out, and i’m surprised it wasn’t received better! Especially with such a name as incel and the manga styling, i’m sorry but it just fits, haha!! I’m all for unique experimentation when it comes to novellas/publications. One of mine is formatted similar to “House of Leaves” another is entirely hand collaged, and my 2 most recent are adapted from a junk journal and hand-collaged as well! So seeing someone with as multi-medium and creative of a mind is brilliant!
Thanks!
I had a ton of fun with the process and I do wish that publishers were better with covers than they are (one exception I can think of are Hari Kunzru's last two covers for 'Blue Ruin' and 'Red Pill').
The aesthetics catch a vibe but aren’t timeless, if you get my meaning. Cool
Interesting to see the process. Great job!
I am following a somewhat similar approach. Doing everything by myself is fun even though resources are limited. I decided that If I can do something myself, I will do it, otherwise seek professional help. Doing it myself feels more intimate, like I care about and control every aspect of the work, not just the words. And also it reminds me how I used to create books from scratch all by myself when I was a child. They were handwritten, stitched and glued together, had very original artworks and such. Was a lot of fun and still is.
There's a craftsmanship that comes even with a POD book printed off Amazon - very much agree.
Is that pixellation filter available somewhere? You're right, it is cool as fuck.
Sadly not, no idea how my friend did it
A lot of people argue the cover art doesn't matter, only the story. They're wrong. Even outside of making sure your cover resembles the genre and aesthetics of your story to move product, the cover sets the proper mood for the story inside.
Agree 100%
I love the aesthetic & I kinda don't care between meme-book and literary - but I get how it affects the marketing! We know it's literary but it's annoying to have to explain to an audience. 🖤