Below are three potential covers for my new book. I would love to hear what you think! Please be 100% honest. I didn't create them, so I'm not going to cry my eyes out if you don't like them! (OK, maybe just a tear or two. JK) Tomorrow, maybe I'll ask a few questions, but right now, I'm just interested in hearing what your guts are telling you.
(If you like one--or all--what do you like? If you don't like them, why not?)
Thanks!
Kirsten
Kidding! I've taken down the potential covers for now, but I will post the chosen cover as soon as I know what it is! Thank you so much for your thoughts and advice. You guys are the best!
The first one is my personal favorite.
ReplyDeleteFist one definitly. I love them though kirsten!
ReplyDeleteFirst one. Because It's black. Like a ninja.
ReplyDeletei like the first cuz its mysterious
ReplyDeletein the words of kiki and the giraffe " its black. like a ninja"
I really like the black one. the contrast just makes the cover
ReplyDeleteI like the first one, but I feel that the color scheme has been done much too often! I REALLY like the second snake, but not with that background color...perhaps a deep red snake (the the second) on a dark blue cover instead of black? I mean, you might not be able to do anything about it, but I think that would be quite lovely!
ReplyDeleteI like them all, but the second two I like more. The first one reminds me a little too much of Twilight, Mostly because of the colour scheme. Black, red and white book covers have recently become synonymous with twilight and vampires. (but this is only my opinion.)
ReplyDeleteThe first one is my favorite as well. It's bold, and more mysterious (in my opinon). You have something about love on the cover, so I am assuming its a love story. The pink and red play that up more. So if it more than just that, like a mystery or tragic something, the black kind of portrays that.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite after that would be the last one though.
And I agree with Kiki and the Giraffe.
Love them all though!!
Okay I looked at them again, and they are all awesome! They are so "pinkish" that I first thought them to be. Haha so my fav is still the black but.... ;)
ReplyDelete#2: because #1 reminds me of Twilight( ugh!) and the #3 is too-pinkish. #2 is a happy medium.
ReplyDeleteCould you tell us what the book is about?
Definitely the first cover. :)
ReplyDeleteThe black one, because if it was sitting on a shelf in a book store the black would stand out more, and the design on it would really show. If the background was lighter, it would be harder to see the design.
ReplyDeleteFirst one. Even with the tagline, which says it's possibly a softer topic, the black and silver is just striking. Pink... just can't do it.
ReplyDeleteI like the first one best, but the last one is also okay.
ReplyDeleteI'm really not too keen on the middle one, but that's just my preference. :)
First one because RileyDog is right that cover would show up better ina bookstore. I should know because I practically live in them!! Also I think the black and red portrays(sp?) more of the line in the circle "What if love refuses to die?"
ReplyDeleteOh and Orchid Beast Icon!! ^.^
ReplyDeleteDid someone say bacon?
ReplyDeleteWhat is this I hear about not wanting cover number one due to an unfortunate resemblance to the most insufferable story ever published? No! Black and red is just about the coolest color scheme ever! Just because SOME PEOPLE (Im not talking about anyone here) are so narrow-minded that black is no longer recognized as official ninja uniform-- that is an outrage! We must fight back and reclaim our amazing colors! Number one!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I will give Kirsten a years supply of bacon if she tells us the plot. Pleeeeeeeeaase?!
Go Sadie!!! Let the people hear our voices united in the reclaiming of ninja colors!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst one.
ReplyDeleteFor a second I thought it said diet instead of die lol
I like the first one but it seems to have become very popular so it could be a good or bad thing. In the second one there isn't enough contrast so please don't do that one. The third one I think is the best because it is a new look for a book, not too over done, and the contrast makes it stand out, making it the perfect one! :)
ReplyDeletethe first one! It's so Kiki Strike
ReplyDeleteThe black one's the best. I think that the pink/red ones would just blend in with every other pink book on the shelf.
ReplyDeletefirst one. no contest.
ReplyDeleteOooh! Nice Ouroboros! I like the first then the last.
ReplyDeleteThe black one or the red one. Ninjas are cool!
ReplyDeleteI really like the first one. The snake blends into the background on the second one too much, and the color of the third one is just too... sissy. :P
ReplyDeleteI would pick up the first one right away, but hesitate on the othet two (though I would probably still pick them up becuase I LOVE your other books). :)
i like the first one becuase the white and red look great against the black
ReplyDeletei also like the second one because it playes into the whole love quote, while still looking mysteriouse
but honestly i dont care which one you do its the words inside that im excited for :)
Wait I change my mind. With the light a different way (a more noraml way) the middle one is best)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read it!!
I liked the black one at first, but it definetly looks too twilight-y (those books ruin everything) So I'd say the 3rd.
ReplyDeleteThe first looks like something I'd pick up because I don't really like books unless they've got a dark theme. But, then again, I'm considered "unique" and "different".
ReplyDeleteFirst one! GO NINJAS!!!
ReplyDeleteThe moment I saw the first book cover, I thought of Twilight. I know many who don't like anything Twilight, and would avoid the book on that basis. I also know Twilight fans who avoid any thing that looks like it's trying to jump on the Twilight band-wagon. So, that's something to think about.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I don't like any of the covers. I think it's kind of hard, at first, to see that it's a snake. And, I think the whole design is a little too cheesy romance novel. It looks like something you'd pick up in the supermarket checkout line. Sorry!
I know it's terrible to judge a book by it's cover, but sometimes there's just so many books that you have to start by picking up the ones with the most interesting covers. If I were browsing at Barnes & Noble, I wouldn't pick up that book. Of course, I will buy the book no matter what it looks like, but that's only because I already know that I like your work as an author.
First one!!!! I love the black it's sleek elegant yet dangourus! Plus the silver! I want to read this book know!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...they're all fine, but I like the first one best. It would catch my interest more than a pink book and it's NINJA-COLORED!!! >:D I like the 3rd one second best because even though it's pink, the the silver snake pops out. I kind of like the middle one, but it's really pink and the snake doesn't really pop. For some reason, though, I kind of like it. Whichever cover you choose, I'll be waiting to see it in the bookstore!
ReplyDeleteThe first one seems the most eternal.......
ReplyDeleteThe first one, by a mile. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI like the colour scheme of the first one. Yes, it is overdone. Yes, people will think it's a vampire book, therefore will more likely try to read it (and sell more copies).
ReplyDeleteHowever, the thrid one is nice too. I don't see males reading many books about love and that tyoe of stuff anywyas, so you might as well go with the pink cover. It's a nice shade of pink and better than the second one because the 'o' for the word 'one' in the second one is white, whilst there is no other white on that cover. But the third cover does have that big white circly thing, so it suits the 'o' of the word 'one.'
Can the colour scheme be changed? How about shades of grey and blue? Kinda ghosty yet still dark.
I love the first one, it is mysterious and dark looking. For the second one, I think the snake blends in with the background a bit too well, so I'm not a fan of that one. If you're trying to get a very girlie reader group, the pink one might work. In order of favorite to least favorite;;
ReplyDelete1, 3, 2 (:
Truthfully (and you told us to be honest!) I don't particularly like any of them. I think the first colour scheme is the best, but the cover doesn't really call out to me personally, even though I am really looking forward to reading the book.
ReplyDeleteI most definitely like the first one. The colors are perfect - black looks good on anything.
ReplyDelete#1 is my favorite, but it looks a little much like twilight, the other are too pinkish for my taste, personally I'd go with a silver snake on a dark blue background.
ReplyDeleteand oh, hey don't know if this is true but I heard that real ninjas wore dark blue uniforms to blend in with the night, black is just how they were portrayed in plays. Or they'ed just wear normal clothing to blend in with the crowd.
Hmmm... concept is interesting. If it is for something not even remotely related to Kiki Strike then you might be onto something here.
ReplyDeleteBlack one is best as the other two look too much like romance book covers.
The broken gap though is a problem. It breaks the whole image of a snake eating it's own tail. Turn it into one big long snake and go with the black (or some other non-valentines colors) and it should be awesome.
ahh I liked the first one as well until I realised the Twilight similarities and it definitely is extremely similar.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, you don't want to associate your books with the twitards!
heh. I'm not so much a fan of the hot pink thing though, what happened to the other cover?
...now I'm annoyed that Twilight has basically ruined for me anything relating to vampires or sparkles :P
i like the 1st one, but (my personal opinion)i suggest u change the snake thing or watever the animal is into a dragon,just think its cooler this way. And since black and red has been too used. how about we change the bottom to grey and it will slowly change to black as it goes up the book.and the wordings into yellow?
ReplyDeleteor change the wordings into blue? since the icon of kiki and the girls are blue, how about blue?
ReplyDeleteand not just because i like blue
I like the first one, except that it really looks Twilightish. A bad thing, in my opinion. But it would draw in popularity. (Seriously, it would.)
ReplyDeleteGO NINJAS!!
ReplyDelete(So you know my opinion; it's #1)
And I will contribute to the BACON if you tell us what it's about!!!
I like them all, but I personally like the black one best. If, however, it's a kind of girly chick lit book, I think the pink one would be better; if it's a more mysterious, sinister, and romantic book, the black one. I'm not a huge fan of the red one (in the middle).
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the decision!
whoops, I didn't notice the second one was red - I really like the 1st one best (if you could just change it to avoid the twilightiness..?) but if you removed the pinkishness from the second cover that would be really cool as well.
ReplyDeleteIs this a book for YA, (young adult) Adults, or Junior readers?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't really matter to me, since you're a good writer all around, but I'd still like to know.
The black is definitely my favorite. It stands out the most and makes me go "oooh!"
ReplyDeleteThis Sound of Music at Antwerp is really cool!:
ReplyDeletehttp://kristincashore.blogspot.com/
Apparently it was completely impromptu for the passengers!
(And don't forget to watch the dominoes)
I think it's coolest in black. The contrast is good, and it looks more creepy and less cute. Judging by the snake/orobourus, I'm guessing that's what you're going for.
ReplyDeleteI personally like #1(GO NINJAS!!!!!!!!!) but as previously, it does remind me of twilight. i don't really like the red one because it gives the loop a pinkish tint, and all know, pink + red = big no-no.
ReplyDeleteblack for me as well.
ReplyDeletethe contrast is really nice, and it looks really mysterious and suits the title, and because of the eternal thingy it can look old etc.
I think the coloured ones are too in-your-face and gaudy...
It's ok I like the black one a lot more than the others
ReplyDeletePlus the snake graphic looks like a person hugging someone not a snake at all. I agree that #1 looks like twlight and the rest look like blood (or is that what your going for?) and is this cover for your new YA book or for the new kiki strike? I'm a non meat-eating person but I would give you some gum if you spill!!
ReplyDeleteFirst one, if you ask me ^^
ReplyDeleteThe first one!
ReplyDeletethe first fer sheur!
ReplyDeleteThe first one is my personal
ReplyDeletefavorite. I think it should still have a red eye though. The ouroboros is awesome!
Second because first is to much like twilight. I dislike the third.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dragon Master person. I would like the first, but it does look wayyy to much like twilight. The second one makes my eyes hurt, and the third one is nice, just a little pink. (but that's just me-- i'm preferable to purple)
ReplyDeleteThey're all great though!
Yeah, NINJAS!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the first one! I can't wait for it to come out! This calls for a SQUEE!!!
definitely the first one.
ReplyDeletealso, kristen, i write for a YA site, and my co-blogger jenny just reviewed this book and loved it! i can't wait to get my grabby little Irregular hands on it!!
here's the review:
http://www.foreveryoungadult.com/2010/01/26/time-keeps-on-slippin-slippin/
PoshDeluxe: I saw that! You know it's the first proper review of the book I've read? (Such a shame it had the temp cover!) I love that site, btw. Very, very amusing. (And informative, of course. Ha.) If you send me a note at kikistrike@gmail.com, I may be put one in your grubby Irregular hands.
ReplyDeletePardon me. GRABBY hands.
ReplyDeleteMy first inclination would be towards the black one, but it's quite Twilight-y. So... I like the last one.
ReplyDeleteoh, they are most DEFINITELY grubby (but in a metaphorical sense, not an actual germ sense, cos gross!).
ReplyDeletewow, i can't believe that's the first review you've read of yr own book. on behalf of FYA, we are HONORED!!! your good opinion is like, the freaking pulitzer as far as we're concerned. and just so you know, not every character gets a BFF charm, much less a crush relationship status!
Definitely the first one, although I quite liked the plain red of the arc I reviewed for foreveryoungadult.com.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!!!!!!!!!!
first 1 no contest
ReplyDeletei like the last one the most, but they're all great!
ReplyDeletethe symbol is cool, but i don't like how it breaks in the middle. plus it looks much better white. and as for the backround color, i don't like any of them. the black one does look a little bit to much like twilight and a lot of books are black now a days, especially in the YA section. the red and pink one just doesn't work for me. and the last one... well, i don't know how many people at my school would pick up a pink book. i know i wouldn't, if i hadn't heard of it before. but the color does stick out a bit more than black. i think you should change the color to green. there arn't many green books. or a dark purple. or maybe red? just a color that whould stick out more. but not orange.
ReplyDeleteI like the first one the best by far.
ReplyDeleteI love the first one because its darker than the others.
ReplyDeletei like the first one
ReplyDeletereel dancer
Jenny: Thanks so much for the review of The Eternal Ones! I spent a lot of time on your site the other day. It's fantastic. And very, very funny. I couldn't help but read all the other reviews. I recommend Forever Young Adult to anyone who likes juicy YA books. (Who doesn't?)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.foreveryoungadult.com
Also glad to hear you liked the red ARC. I winced when I saw it. But I have to admit that its growing on me. Every time I think of it, I'm reminded of The Omen. Don't know why.
On second thought... the second one is really cool too. The third, I think, is too pink.
ReplyDeleteI repeat what Kiki said; the second is cool too.
ReplyDeleteThe black one.
ReplyDeleteSecond one would be so much more eye catching. I think the first one would look like many other books next to it on the shelves...
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the first, and third one. sorry number two! :(
ReplyDeleteI like the black one and the red one. The pinkish one, not so much.
ReplyDeleteI like the first one best because not only does it constrast with its bold colors, but it adds a aura of mystery. The second two, personally seem a little too pinkish. But maybe thats just me considering I strongly dislike the color pink. The first one also just seem far more interesting. Awesome sauce.
ReplyDeletethe black one!!
ReplyDeletei agree with brave chickens: grey and blue
ReplyDeleteOne way to stray away from the whole twilight theme would be to change the snake from silver to gold, but leave the writing red and the background black. You could also make the eye of the snake red, so it stands out more. Last year when we were creating coats of arms we made the tongues and eyes red to have a more dramatic effect. I dont really care what the cover looks like though, because I just want to read whats inside!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't really like the black because it seems too dark. Surprisingly, I sort of like the pink, but the red is all right as well. I don't love any of them, though. I think maybe dark blue or green would be better.
ReplyDeleteI definite LOVE the first one, the contrast makes it seem really cool looking
ReplyDeleteI like the black but I think it would look good with a silver snake and red background.
ReplyDeleteMy sister likes the last one best and the black one second.
The first one's the best, but it looks too much like Twilight (and countless other books with that color scheme)
ReplyDeleteRileydog has a good idea... change the snake to gold (:
The first one but yes, I agree it does have that similarity to Twilight. Which I am sick of. The last one is WAY too pink for my taste. And the red in the second a nice red.... Maybe darker. I don't know. It goes with the love theme. And Red is more attractive. Studies say so.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kiki and the Giraffe, but I agree more with Ariana. But, then there's the whole pink thing. I really don't like pink. The red I think will go nicely to whatever story is in those pages. Plus, Red is attractive.
ReplyDeleteThe first one (black one) is my fav. when will it come out??!
ReplyDeleteHmm. i like them all, but I have to choose the first one. But actually, I would go for a black background with light blue accents. maybe some white?
ReplyDeletei like the first one
ReplyDeletei swear there was no peer pressure
The first one!!
ReplyDeletei also like the third one Ariana does have a point. When's the book coming out?
ReplyDeleteReel Dancer
First one, it makes it more mysterious~
ReplyDeleteOr maybe gray background with a black snake! Or the top could be black and fade into a deep, dark red with a silver snake, since almost every one likes both the black and red, and Kirsten Miller in white letters? Anyone like that image? It should stand out.
ReplyDeleteActually, the 1st one is twilight-ish(that title does NOT deserve capitals!) so maybe a black background with dark red letters and snake. The last one kind of reminds me of a gum package.
Kiki; Gold is over---done. Is this a Kiki book?
Or a dark blue with a a silver snake.
Or like the second one except ALL a dark red with a silver snake.
Please, please PLEASE not the pink one! It's not suitable at all! P.S. You like my ideas?
i also like the thrid one! guess what this book and Hunger Games 3 come out on the same day!!!!!!!!!!!! i can't wait!!!!
ReplyDeleteReel Dancer
Kirsten you've broken your comment record! Celebrate by telling us your story word for word! XD
ReplyDeleteThe black cover is the most striking on the page, but the second cover might be more eye-catching in a store. The colors on the third cover seem much flatter than on the second.
ReplyDeletei have a few pressing questions: how many kiki strike books will there be? OK well i guess that's the only one i can remember at the moment...I'm turning into Dory
ReplyDeletethe first one reminds me too much of twilight (which i HATE, HATE, HATE!), but the third reminds me of The Empress Tomb, so, i'd go with the third
ReplyDeleteAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!:):):):) I just found out that my novella has enough words!!!!!!! I may be asking for ideas on covers soon!!!! It's a ghost story!
ReplyDeleteI'd go with white on red, but since that's not an option, then number two gets my vote.
ReplyDeletethe first or last. when will this book be published?
ReplyDeleteok the black is stunning on a shelf. plus teen girls will think it has to do with twilight and flock to it like flies to honey. the red is very lovey dovey. the pink is a little too chick flick pink for my taste. I'd have to go with black. off topic--to the anonymous before me, i'm guessing you Irish dance. awesome.
ReplyDeleteI like the first one.
ReplyDeleteYeah; when's the book coming out?
ReplyDelete(Man, there are a lot of comments)
I like the first one because when it says "refuses to die.." I think the word 'die' suits a black colour. And black books look interesting and mysterious, and strange.. The design is really nice.
ReplyDeleteI like the second cover as well, the red one. The third cover, pink seems more girly, but I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteI think they're all very nice, but maybe a different design would suit your book better, depending on what it was. I don't think many people would pick up books with this design on the cover, because I certainly wouldn't. There's nothing that really catches your eye. I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but the whole reason I picked the Kiki Strike book off the shelf at Borders was because of the cover.
ReplyDeleteFIRST one is my fav black and white just looks so cool together
ReplyDeletepeople asking for release date check November 20, 2009 post all your possible questions are there
ReplyDeleteThe First cover is awesome but maybe give the snake an emerald green eye for a little more contrast
Btw is that snake supposed to be the arm band that Sidonia was wearing in book #1?
Lol seems like I accidently started something with my innocent ninja comment ^_^
ReplyDeleteAnonymous: Yesits true they wore regular clothes in public to blend in, but when in training they wore black (or dark blue) uniforms. If I remeber correctly the dark blue uniforms were for the lesser trained or begining ninjas. And the black were for the higher more skilled ninjas. That's why they are usually seen wearing black so that the ninja they were using would seem as though he were more skilled and professinal.
ReplyDeleteAww I wanted to see the potential covers. :(
ReplyDeleteAw, sucks! I missed it.
ReplyDeleteugh!!! i missed them! oh well.... i will simply hack ur computer and look at them... once i figure out how. what tree do u use?
ReplyDeletejk, i won;t do that. maybe
Where are the real pics?
ReplyDeleteI can only see the orange GOOD HABITS one.
Can someone please tell me where they are?!?!?!?!
The shadow city shop (or wt evr the heak it wuz) Has been gone 4 a long time when is it gona b opend again???
ReplyDeleteHey, Kirsten, when I buy this, could I send it to you and get it autographed? PLEASE?
ReplyDeleteMia: Sure! But it won't be out until August.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the covers, but from the descriptions I read, I think the 3rd one sounds best. I like pink. The first one seems to remind everyone of twilight, and the second one isn't really mentioned. Can you please put the covers up again? Also, the title "refuse to die" sounds awesome. But is it coming out in August? I thought it's coming out in March.
ReplyDeletedang i was hoping 2 see the shirts:(
ReplyDelete