By Joel Friedlander
Welcome to the e-Book Cover Design Awards. This edition is for submissions during August, 2018.
This month we received:
60 covers in the Fiction category
13 covers in the Nonfiction category
Comments, Award Winners, and Gold Stars
I’ve added comments (JF: ) to many of the entries, but not all. Remember that the aim of these posts is educational, and by submitting you are inviting comments, commendations, and constructive criticism.
Thanks to everyone who participated. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did. Please leave a comment to let me know which are your favorites or, if you disagree, let me know why.
Although there is only winner in each category, other covers that were considered for the award or which stood out in some exemplary way, are indicated with a gold star: ★
Award winners and Gold-Starred covers also win the right to display our badges on their websites, so don’t forget to get your badge to get a little more attention for the work you’ve put into your book.
Also please note that we are now linking winning covers to their sales page on Amazon or Smashwords.
Now, without any further ado, here are the winners of this month’s e-Book Cover Design Awards.
e-Book Cover Design Award Winner for August 2018 in Fiction
Kimberly Coleman submitted One Last Good Day designed by Kimberly Coleman.
JF: Hits all the bases with an evocative illustration that leads us into the story, clear and readable type, and a cohesive composition.
e-Book Cover Design Award Winner for August 2018 in Nonfiction
Matt Hinrichs submitted To Comma Or Not To Comma: The Best Little Punctuation Book Ever! designed by Matt Hinrichs. “This is a book on all the ins and outs of proper comma use—so of course it has a giant comma! Author was pleased with the eye-catching final results.”
JF: A catchy title, strong and simple graphics, and a specific subtitle combine to make this a winner. Stands out from the usually very dry covers found on most grammar books.
Fiction Covers
Alexandra Brandt submitted A Froth of Starry Sea Foam designed by Alexandra Brandt. “Contemporary literary novella, based on a fairytale.”
JF: A simple yet effective cover. Well done. ★
Alicia Wright submitted Crushed Velvet designed by Alicia Wright. “Crushed Velvet, the title itself refers to the holding down of woman; the pressure women must endure daily with the expectation that she should still be soft and yielding. Just an extreme circumstance, in this lady’s case.”
JF: Although there’s some visual confusion here, the “hook” is clear as day.
Caroline Walken submitted Behind the Fan designed by Talia’s Book Covers. “For years I carried this story in my mind, a tale of a love that transcended time. It was inspired by a sweet story of devotion that I added my own twists. She was amazing, she produced the very emotion of the story! This cover is an example of art meeting writing.”
JF: A visually arresting image that perfectly matches the title, but the font used for “the fan” doesn’t really work.
Chad Robert Morgan submitted The Last Rite designed by Chad Robert Morgan.
JF: More assembled than designed.
Crystal Green submitted Evershade designed by KP Designs.
JF: Does the ornamentation in the corners really add anything to this cover? Title is hard to read.
Dan Cray submitted Piercing Maybe designed by Carl Graves. “I love the way Carl’s cover centers on character while retaining hints of the hidden society that drives the book’s plot.”
JF: The composite is well done, but overall the cover is quite flat.
Dan Van Oss submitted The Bowman Boys designed by Dan Van Oss.
JF: Expert and attractive design that’s very cinematic.
Dan Van Oss submitted Red Lineage designed by Dan Van Oss.
JF: Textures and colors combine to highlight the protagonist, and the title adds impact. ★
Darja DDD submitted Let Sleeping Dragons Lie designed by Fantasy, Paranormal & Urban cover design by Kitten from Deranged Doctor Design. “Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery cover design by Kitten from Deranged Doctor Design, The Modern Dragon Chronicles Book 1”
JF: While this series design has well-coordinated covers, the title seem a bit weaker than they should be to balance the visuals. Cool dragon seal.
Darja DDD submitted It’s a Dragon-Eat-Dragon World designed by Fantasy, Paranormal & Urban cover design by Kitten from Deranged Doctor Design. “Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery cover design by Kitten from Deranged Doctor Design, The Modern Dragon Chronicles Book 2”
Darja DDD submitted You Can’t Teach an Old Dragon New Tricks designed by Fantasy, Paranormal & Urban cover design by Kitten from Deranged Doctor Design. “Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery cover design by Kitten from Deranged Doctor Design, The Modern Dragon Chronicles Book 3”
Darja DDD submitted The Spy in the Silver Palace designed by Science Fiction & Fantasy Mystery cover design by Milo from Deranged Doctor Design. “Science Fiction & Fantasy Mystery cover design by Milo, Deranged Doctor Design, Empire of Talents Book 1”
JF: The design of this series highlights the fact that they take place in two different worlds. Strong atmospherics help give them an attractive atmosphere, although the title typography may be a bit overworked.
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