I have just been sent what will most likely be the book cover for my Sex.com book. And here it is. I like it. The previous one was entirely red with a pixelated woman behind the name. This one feels more right to me: interesting but not sleazy. I like the woman making out the “X”.
And the “O” being a mouse is good too. The background to the “sex” is a dollar bill and to the “com” it is a pixelated woman’s mouth. I’m not sure these come out clearly here but then we are talking about computer images files and computer screens – the publisher assures me it is clear when printed out – and that, after all, is the main point.
We are currently deciding on the strapline though. The publisher – Nic Cheetham likes: “One domain, Two Men, Twelve Years and the $65 million battle for the Dubious Jewel in the Internet’s Crown.” He’s attached to “dubious jewel” – which is the one bit I’m not at all sure off. I suggested: “Two men, one prize, 12 years and counting…” which he felt was not supplying enough information. I’m tempted to agree.
We are currently working with a formulation around a line I came up with: “The first great battle of the digital age.” Does anyone have any ideas? I may knock up a few straplines and ask people to vote on them.
Anyway, there is the cover – what do people think?
Update:
People aren’t sure the woman as “X” is strong enough – she should have her hands behind her head. I have knocked up a quick comparison and I have to say, you are right…
neil
January 24, 2007 at 1:28 pmdirty tricks, filthy lucre, and smutty websites? i like the cover, but one minor crit- the female silhouette would be more recognisable as an x if her hands rested on her neck, rather than her head.
Graham
January 24, 2007 at 1:29 pmI like the cover, although without your explantions I may have missed the more subtle points – dllar bill, mouth and the ‘X’ is not ‘that’ clear, but I actually think that makes it work better, because it’s obviously a woman in an erotic pose.
As for the strapline. I hear you with dubious jewel, but I think it works as it adds an elemen of mystery for people to want to read on and find out what this jewel is. You could rework the dubious bit though. I agree, his line adds more info that yours, which is more dry, more journalistic…
I’ll have a think when I have a moment, but I think Nick’s works.
Max
January 24, 2007 at 2:51 pmI agree with the previous comments – the X isn’t clear enough.
Don’t like ‘dubious jewel’ at all – what’s dubious about it? it was clear from the outset that the domain name would be a big earner
Two men, one prize, 12 years and a lot of rich lawyers …. 🙂
Kieren
January 24, 2007 at 4:06 pmYou’re right Neil – see above
Kieren
Kieren
January 24, 2007 at 4:12 pmI was going to say: come on, it’s not as if you don’t see the word “sex” straight away – but actually with the comparison above, the hands behind the neck is clearly stronger.
I have the same thing with “dubious”. Dubious is a weak word in my mind, it blurs words nearer to it. Plus of course there are the questions – what exactly was dubious about Sex.com, and can you actually have a “dubious jewel”. You can have fake jewels but dubious jewels?
I’m sure there’s better wording to be had. And of course, if someone can come with something I will buy them a pint and send them a signed copy.
Kieren
Patrick Jones
January 24, 2007 at 4:57 pmWith the changes suggested above it should be a great cover for the book. Looking forward to reading it when it comes out. “Two men and the battle for the Internet’s Prized Domain.”
PJ
January 24, 2007 at 4:59 pmthe vicious feud for the internet’s most desired domain
Kieren
January 24, 2007 at 5:06 pmMy original title for the book was: “The brutal battle for Sex.com.” Maybe: “The brutal battle for the Internet’s hottest property” ?
I like introducing the “two men” aspect though because that it is a big part of it, and the theme of the book – these two men fighting non-stop 24/7 for years.
Kieren
Kevin Murphy
January 24, 2007 at 5:16 pmI think the dot looks like a nipple.
PJ
January 24, 2007 at 6:02 pmTrouble is that just mentioning two men doesn’t tell readers that they are fighting each other. You need to find an economical way of indicating that they are duelling it out. Otherwise a browser might get the impression that they are fighting together against “the system” or something. That’s why feud is good, because it’s tight. The other thing to think of is to try to get an active verb in. I don’t know what the word counts are here. But a verb is often worth sacrificing other things for.
Kieren
January 24, 2007 at 6:25 pmYeah but you think anything round looks like a nipple, Kev, you randy old goat
Kieren
Kieren
January 24, 2007 at 6:27 pmFeud is good. Feud… feud… feud…
neil
January 24, 2007 at 7:01 pmFeud is excellent, and has connotations of epic / archaic / chivalric, good to contrast with the “new media”, futuristic aims of the battle. I can’t think of a snappy line that ties the two elements (i’ll think on it..), but in the meantime, how about something along the lines of “Two men and the feud for lewd” >
Graham
January 24, 2007 at 9:24 pmHands behind head version gets the vote in France. I just consulted my sister-in-law fashion designer/art person and she immediately plumped for hands behind head. Feud’s good, but how does that rework the sentence in its entirety, in your mind?
Kieren
January 24, 2007 at 11:19 pmWhat about:
“The incredible story of the digital era’s most bitter feud” ?
Kieren
Richard A
January 24, 2007 at 11:42 pmI prefer the more-X-y cover, you’d be right to change it.
Good otherwise, very striking.
Riel Roussopoulos
January 25, 2007 at 1:01 amI really like the woman as the X and the rest of the subtleties, don’t change a bloody thing.
Here’s my pitch for the tagline:
“The $65 Million battle for the most valuable keyword of the Internet age – SEX.COM”
Skippy
January 25, 2007 at 3:09 pmAre you really sure the cover artist went for “mouse”? I’d have put my money on “spermatozoid”. And the fact that the “O” has those colors makes for a pretty lurid effect. Of course, it may just be my dirty mind. 🙂
I still say you’d have sold more copies if the cover looked the front page of the kind of sites you find when you search for “naughty kittens” if you catch my drift…
richard
November 21, 2007 at 4:45 pmhi kieren I just wondered, why you have not replied to many comments left on the chris langham article lately ,, so seeing as you reply to all comments regarding your book wondered if you could spare some attention for your other fans thanks,, hear from you soon
Prakash
July 25, 2008 at 4:49 amHai
lisa23
October 15, 2008 at 4:37 pmpireal