Thanks to all of you who commented on the book's initial cover design.
I promised I'd post my opinions, so here goes.
As I mentioned before, I am immensely pleased with the overall concept and like the idea of the car driving away from the reader with my name tied on to the bumper as if the letters are tin cans. When I first saw it, I thought that was the most clever part of the entire design.
I'm glad to see that most people understood that the title is a play on words. Obviously a groom is engaged to be married, but the type of groom I write about is the type who will be involved in much of the wedding planning. Originally, I had proposed a title using the phrase "Enlightened Groom," but it was decided that this was a little too specific or new-agey. Not every man might be enlightened - in fact, many may still be big oafs - but even the most backward-thinking of men can still be engaged. After a brainstorming session, my editor suggested the new title and I was sold on it immediately. I think it works, and based on your comments, I think it will stick.
I agree with E, who commented that the number of times there is a variation of the word "you" - "You're Getting Married," "Your Complete Wedding Guide," "You Better" - is a tad repetetive. (Although in an earlier design some of these elements were separated so it was not as noticable.)
One way to fix that would be to change the only thing I really don't like about the cover, which is the message, "You're Getting Married. You Better Read This Book." Contrary to MCM's observant and smart comment, I'm okay with the improper grammar, as I think it reflects the book's conversational tone.
Despite my comfort with grammar that doesn't read so goodly, I would still change this to read "You're Getting Married. Read This Book." Why? Both are just as punchy, but getting rid of "You Better" does something I've sought to avoid throughout almost two years of writing this blog and the last two months of writing a book. My experience with wedding planning, especially as it is presented in my manuscript, showed me that, despite what much of the wedding industry peddles, a wedding is not something that should cause a great amount of fear. "You Better" implies some form of consequence. "You Better Read This Book." Or what? Or you'll wind up getting married down at City Hall when you can't find a caterer? You'll get divorced? There are already too many people trying to scare brides and grooms into buying things they don't need and stressing them out to no end. I'm hoping that my book can be a little more relaxed. Keeping it to just "Read This Book" makes it no less urgent, but loses the fear factor.
Nevertheless, the design is far from final and, as I mentioned before, I am 99.99% happy with how it looks now. Seeing as how I just turned in my manuscript, I'm sure much will change between now and when it goes to press.
Thanks for your comments, and please continue to leave them if you feel like expressing any more. The focus group continues...
Posted by Doug at June 22, 2005 09:35 AM