Vote for a cover

[John Desjarlais]

My publisher just sent me 4 mock-ups of covers for my forthcoming novel, "Bleeder." I had no say at all about the covers of my previous books and I find it refreshing to be with a small house and an editor who is truly interested in my input. I wouldn't mind hearing from some of you about the 4 proposals displayed at my site, http://www.johndesjarlais.com

Here's the premise: a stigmatic priest bleeds to death on Good Friday in front of horrified parishioners. A miracle? Or bloody murder?

OK, that explains the cleric and other symbols there. And how about the typestyle? I'd be interested in your reactions to that, too.

Thanks-

John

[Jaden Terrell]

I liked the one on the top right. (I posted this elsewhere.) It's so sharp--dramatic without being overdone.

[K.R. Lewis]

The cover on the top, right. Definitely.

[John Desjarlais]

Yes, I think the Roman collar will be evident with the real model. As for the gloves, it's just a recognizable sign of a stigmatist. The publisher - accustomed to re-issuing classics - would have a hard time with a 'pulp' style cover, I think.

[I. J. Parker]

Why fingerless gloves when you want to catch him as he's bleeding to death? Gore sells.

[I. J. Parker]

I think whichever one you pick, it needs a priest's collar. Should do well otherwise.

[Jack Getze]

I liked the top right cover. Two of the others looked like "Bleeper."

[John Desjarlais]

Thanks, Dawn. Perhaps I should have said that these mock-ups use stock photos; when the real model is photographed, he'll wear fingerless gloves (like the famous stigmatist Padre Pio).

[Dawn M. Kravagna]

Hi. I liked the last cover the best. Black-and-white was a little spookier in contrast to the red. And the drop made it look like the priest was weeping. I wonder, though, why they chose not to show the stigmata. The cover on the top on the left seemed the weakest composition to me. Good luck. Dawn