Random: Rough cover drafts of P&P

A friend of mine, Em, decided last year that she would like to raise money for a charity close to her heart: Breakthrough.

Her mother, grandmother, cousin, and her sister had had breast cancer, and only her mother, cousin and aunt survived. Obviously, breast cancer deeply affects all her family and because of this, almost everyone in her family are involved with fund-raising activities.

Last Christmas, she decided she would like to publish a selection of her favourite novels, with the costs she will pay out of her own pocket.  Since then, she worked non-stop to investigate and file copyright clearances, and has successfully secured five of seven certain public domain editions, including:

• Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
• Daddy-Long-Legs - Jean Webster
• The Tower of Oblivion – Oliver Onions
• (can’t remember) – Beatrice Chase
• Tales of Men and Ghosts – Edith Wharton

There are two more to be cleared.

A couple of days ago, friends and I met up at Em’s for coffee. She told us about what she’s done so far and that she’s set on releasing them in Q1 of 2011. She suddenly asked if we know anyone who could create book covers. At that question, everyone in the room looked at me. I said, “But I’m not professional.” Julia stared at me and made a long sigh, and then turned to Em, “She’ll do it.”

I decided to tackle Pride and Prejudice and The Tower of Oblivion first. P&P because I’m familiar with it. The Tower of Oblivion because the title is quirky and challenging enough to fire imagination. Plus it’s Oliver Onions! I could knock up rough draft of both titles quickly, so Em can see if she’s still willing to entrust the entire book design task to me over the next few months.

I dread Daddy-Long-Legs the most because… Well, what can you do with that title? I haven’t read it and don’t plan to. However, I do have a black-and-white photo of my granddad’s friend who had those awesome 1930s-era trousers and shoes. I might use that. A cliché, but I think it’ll work. I hope so.

Tales of Men and Ghosts should be fun, but I would like to read the book first because it’s Edith Wharton. I don’t know Beatrice Chase, but Em says Chase’s stories are “bloody fantastic”.

Anyroad, about P&P, I’m a little stuck because of these two concerns:

1) Pride and Prejudice is a tad too well known, which means I have to make the cover different and interesting enough to catch attention.

Em plans to sell copies at various shops in Camden Town and some parts of Islingston, which are home to – and for some, a popular hang-out – teenagers, tourists, people who lead alternative lifestyles, wealthy hippies, young married couples with children, and the artistic crowd.

2) Em has a small collection of specific images she would like to use as part of book covers. She chose those because a) she likes them and b) she’s paid for them.

Fair enough. While she has a good eye, I could see some may cause problems for other people. You’ll see why if you scroll down to my collection of P&P drafts.

All uploaded covers below are in rough draft. I’ll re-do the popular cover with correct colours, resolution and blah blah. For now, I would love feedback.

1. So Pinky!	2. So Noiry!
3. So Blocky!	4. So Plainy!

Suggestions and criticisms, welcome! If you don’t like any of these, please say so.

I’m not keen on any of them, to be honest, because the typography and design fangirl is cringing at my attempts. I need it to be eye-catching enough to stand out in Camden, Angel and Islington (think the artsy type, the Groucho club crowd, well-off young families, and the 18-25 crowd).

I still have a month to mess with the cover.