They say that a jacket design is very important in first grabbing a potential reader's attention. Do we agree with this? I had some lively discussions over the jacket design of my book 'Pets in Prospect'. It now has a savvy cat with a parrot perched on his head. What I'd like to know is whether this does tempt the reader and does it reflect the content of the book - humorous animal anecdotes. It would be great if anyone could be bothered to look at the cover on Amazon .co.uk and report back on how they view it. I'm hoping to design the cover of the sequel so any feedback would be very welcome. Thanks.

Of course a jacket design is important - it's one of the things that will make me pick up the book in the first place.

I had a look at your cover. I think it's cute but it also felt slightly 'dated'. What I mean by that is that many covers in the current market are highly coloured or make use of cartoon/stylised characters. I have to say though that I don't feel the title really sums up the feel of your book. If I hadn't read the synopsis I wouldn't have known that this was a funny book. In fact my first thought was that it was non-fiction. The synopsis on Amazon does not explain what 'Prospect' is at all, and I think, given the content of your book, that you could have chosen a more catchy phrase.

Hope that helps - I don't mean to sound negative but you asked for feedback! I just searched on Amazon for 'comedy animals' and got this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chicken-Soup-Lovers-Soul-Communications/dp/0757303315/sr=11-1/qid=1164792970/ref=sr_11_1/026-2613140-0297261 which has a great title and quite a funky cover.

Thanks for getting back to me. Just the sort of feedback I am looking for. Other people have also commented that the cover somewhat dated. But perhaps the target market is likely to be the older age group in which case maybe it's apt. Thanks again. Hope you manage to get to read the book in due course -even if it's a copy from a charity shop in years to come.

I went to look at the cover expecting to see "funny" cartoony animals and was pleasantly surprised. I like the fact its more realistic and illustrational. I read a lot of books about animals as a child and teenager including all the James Herriots and Gerald Durrell books and this cover would probably have appealed to someone like me as it looks like it is going to be real-life. It reminds me of the covers of the books I read (which could mean its a bit dated I suppose). I agree the title doesn't really communicate what its about though.

I prefer your cover to the link above. But I think it depends on who they are aiming it at. I think the link above looks more "novelty" and mainstream and "cute" but who are not necessarily into animals so much.

Aaagh - I mean BUT WOULD APPEAL TO PEOPLE who are not into animals so much.

Thanks for the reply Snowbell. Feedback seems to be 50/50. I've had the local library put up a poster of the 'Pets in Prospect' cover enlarged to A4 with comments of 'How Sweet'. The title is a pun . Prospect ie what I have in store as a newly qualified vet and Propsect referring to the Veterinary Hospital which is called Prospect House - its entrance is shown on the cover. But of course the potential reader isn't going to know that. The sequel is supposed to be Pets on Parade. Maybe I need to rethink that one.
Thanks again.
All the best
Malcolm Welshman

Just looked at the cover, and being truthfull, it looks like the cover of those books you buy in the vets or pet shops which tell you how to care for your pet.

Not a book I would want to pick up and read the blurb on at all - sorry.

Katerina

I like the jacket, particularly the animal pictures, but agree it does look a bit dated, especially the typeface. To me it says 'second-hand bookshop' rather than 'new book' But was this perhaps done on purpose, to give the book an accessible/comfortable feel for a certain target audience?

I also notice you've got some great five-star reviews!

Frances

Hello Frances. You verify what seems to be a general concensus that the jacket of 'Pets in Prospect' does seem a little dated. Pity as the contents are not. I thought I was writing a bit like James Herriot but have been told by several people who don't hold back on criticism that the novel is far pacier than Herriot and zips along. I put that down to the fact I have been writing animal features for magazines for many years and they certainly don't accept articles that contain too much waffle.I will just have to hold out for the written word proving the point. The proof of this pudding will be in the reading. And this one certainly isn't stodgy.
All the best
Malcolm

Malcolm, after reading the other comments I was rather nervous when I went to look at the cover. I agree it's not particularly ground-breaking in terms of design, though I wouldn't say 'old-fashioned', exactly. (I was imagining something like my ancient James Herriot cartoon-fronted paperbacks still lurking somewhere in my mother's house. NOw those have dated!) It's clean and unfussy, and I suspect it's pretty on-the-button for the most obvious market for the book. If I liked animal stories, I'd pick it up in the shop and dip in, and I think I'd probably feel that it does what it says on the tin.

Emma

Thanks Emma. Your comments are a bit more reassuring. Interesting that you mention cartoon characters of the old James Herriot books and how they would seem dated now. My original sketches fo the Pets in Prospect cover had a harassed vet- in cartoon mode - peering nervously from the door of Prospect House at the pack of pets waiting outside. Thinking about it now perhaps that would have been even more dated. You mention you used to have the Herriot books. I wonder if there is a new generation who would like an up-dated version. Or maybe it's not 'wicked' enough. We'll have to see.
Thanks again for your comments
Malcolm.

Well, the children's series Animal Ark has about a million titles in it, and those readers need to graduate onto something. And Gerald Durrell still sells. I'm not an animal person (I think I liked James H more for the 30s period detail and the humans) but I think animals will always sell.

Emma