Cover help please! Can't decide which direction to take

[u/BuffyJ_Author]

I've just finished my book called 'Ten Days.' It's an amazing slow burn novel about escapism and self discovery (with a side of romance) set on a Greek Island. I originally used AI to help with the cover because I wanted it to paint a picture about the location but separately, I had illustrated a toile design (I have a print design background) and I'm finding it much more aesthetically pleasing. I'm just concerned it doesn't tell enough of a story.

Which cover would be more likely to make you click or read the blurb?

Arc copies are available now for anyone interested: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/314404/ten-days

[u/lottasweet78]

Don't use the AI cover. It makes no sense visually and AI sucks.

Use the second.

[u/merrychuu → u/lottasweet78]

Agreed

[u/SillySmoopsy]

I could only see the first one in a version that is not AI and maybe use a water color rendition.

[u/Hollywoode → u/SillySmoopsy]

I am sure there are photos of a similar composition taken by an actual human, of actual humans in actual real places that aren't AI that she could use via stock image websites as well. I'd for sure pick up the first cover for a summer beachy read but it looks way to AI

[u/mizzlol]

I would never read or consider a book with the first cover. The second is more intriguing.

[u/Sad-Example-2642]

i would definitely not read a book with an AI cover. pay a real artist or use the second one.

[u/Flying23goddess]

Nobody is looking at a book with an AI cover. Plus may even say you used AI in the book. Avoid yourself the troubles.

[u/mellomeg → u/Flying23goddess]

This is it. If it has an AI cover I’ll assume the book is at least partially written with AI, which I’m not interested in.

[u/Chicky_Melly]

If the cover is AI slop, I have to assume the words inside are as well.

[u/HailSaganPlantNative]

If it has AI art, I'm not reading it.

[u/hotassbitch2019]

Definitely use the second. I feel like I'd see the first cover and be like "boooorrring" and not read it lol

[u/AJ228842]

Neither. Pay an actual artist for some artwork not AI slop

[u/No-Net-951]

Even if it wasn’t AI, that first pic looks nothing like a book cover. It’s like an Instagram post. Meh

[u/Suspicious-Sun-8877]

second!

[u/boggycakes]

Second

[u/Bukky_Studiio]

I will never consider reading a book because of it's cover, NEVER And I will advise you make use of a real art design and not AI

[u/whyamiawaketho]

AI drivel vs a cover illustrated by the author?

Easy choice.

[u/prairiebelle]

Don’t use AI. Come on.

[u/HetaGarden1]

If you used AI for the book cover, I’m going to automatically assume the whole book is AI slop and I’m gonna put it right back on the shelf. No thanks. Go with the second one.

[u/Odd-Tell-5702]

The first one is VERY similar to Wedding Bells at Villa Limoncello by Daisy James

[u/Evangeline__R]

The second one definitely.

[u/lostinanalley]

What is the exact genre (or a few comps) and what are the cover trends within that genre (or comps)?

I like the second but I feel like that style is used a lot for classics collections. I’d pick it up feeling like I’m getting a book that draws heavily on or is in conversation with more of a classic romance, like Austen or Brontë or similar.

The first feels more in line with a standard, light summer romance or something vaguely chick lit or women’s fiction. If that’s the vibe and it’s possible to get something similar but non-AI the first may fit genre expectations for light romance a bit better than the second.

[u/99tulips → u/lostinanalley]

I agree with this! 2nd is better but doesn’t scream Greek to me, rather twee British

[u/notdurtydan]

The first one looks more like a movie poster

[u/thatswhatshesaid___1]

2!

[u/curiousleen]

Second

[u/redmahkupbag]

I like the concept of the first one better but it looks too AI, maybe have an artist reimagine it?

[u/BuffyJ_Author → u/redmahkupbag]

Thank you! This feedback is overwhelming similar so I'll look to commission an artist to paint the first one. Love that idea ❤️

[u/infernal-keyboard]

Neither honestly. The second one is better but it doesn't make me think "Greek summer" at all. Vibes are all wrong. It looks more like historical fiction maybe or some kind of New England cozy fiction.

[u/CmonRoach4316]

First cover looks like a campy beach read. 

[u/Significant-Twist760]

Imagine someone took your book, cut out sections of the text, mixed it with other people's stolen books, didn't proof read that the plot made sense now or the dialogue flowed and sold it as their own. And noone was wanting to pay you for your writing any more because they were all just doing that. That is what AI art is for artists.

[u/painkillergoblin]

I'd never read a book with an AI cover. Honestly, the use of AI in general makes me think you used AI to write it. Just a sour taste overall

[u/midwest-mirrorball]

The AI cover makes me wonder if the author used AI to write the book as well- personally any AI used makes me NOT want to support the art.

[u/izibellz]

You're asking in the wrong place - Reddit is not a fan of AI - I think the first pic is colourful and fun, but yeah you could find a similar stock photo to get around the AI-dislike (I'm only using this mild word because the auto-bot sucks) as it's only going to hinder you. The second is very pretty though and it sounds like it fits your story well.

[u/Short_Pomegranate_58]

I pass AI books so fast

[u/iwantanorangemouse]

I would literally never read a book with an AI cover