Like the font of the word scared but don’t like the little eye peeking through the continent of Africa.

What’s the point of the added picture?? It looks good without it.

I saw the original cover with just the outline of Africa and the African woman inside and it looked mysterious, interesting and exotic. Definitely a book I would at least flip through and read the back of if not buy. The addition of the picture of the man’s back makes this book look like a travel manual. NOT a book I would give a second glance to.

I like the addition of the handwritten text, but I like it better w/o the added photo. I don’t think it adds anything and, if anything, takes away from the impact of the rest of the cover.

I like it. It’s pretty close to the last version i think – except the Africa eye is smaller, the faint writing, and that man is new. Why is the man there? Is there a way to make that child look more distinctly like a girl? The Africa eye is the most gripping piece of this cover; it could stand to be bigger. : )

Heather hit the nail on the head — that pic of the guy is rather reminiscent of a tavel manual. I agree with her on that. The book is about a girl right?

Drop the man, make the Africa/eye part larger….more gripping and different.

Tom, what an attention getter! For you not only want to catche the attention of the reader, but draw them in to find out more. You’ve accomplished that with this cover to say the least. It’s truthfully one of the best covers I’ve seen in a long time. Great Job!

I like the added text, the colors, the font of “Scared”, definitely the Africa “eye”…..but I don’t find the addition of the photo of the man necessary. It made me think of a travel book, too. Can’t wait to read it!

Love the provocative look of the book and I liked the first design a lot. Ditch the photo of the man in the corner. Way too distracting.
You know I love you enough to give my humble and honest opinion!

I really like it. Tells me so much more than just the word “scared” due to the picture of the little boy with the tear down his face as well as the Westerner’s back ad the written note. Also like the color.

I would agree with most of the other posters. I like the cover expect for the picture of the guy.

Hey Tom,
I agree with removing the guy. It distracts your attention away from the focal point of Africa with the young face peeking out. I think that is what will grab a potential reader.

I like the cover it really draws you in but, I like most others here think it would be better with out the picture of the guy’s back. I will read the book no matter what the cover. Keep up the great writing. I look forward to reading it.

Perhaps if the man were in a pic similar to the child (a different country outline) it wouldn’t look so out of place? Like the rest though..very mysterious. Love the pic w/the child’s face & African continent…very cool.

I agree with many who spoke.. the guy on the cover is a distraction. The statement was stronger before with out him. The writing is faint as well. The color of the cover is good as well as the script on the word Scared. can’t wait to read it.

I tend to agree! I love the cover without the extra photo of the man!

The cover does grab my attention. Like the others who commented, I don’t like the picture of the guy. That takes away from the simple, powerful cover that makes me want to read it. I would read anything with your name on it, Tom. Can’t wait until it hits the shelves!

Hey Tom!
Hope you are doing well, friend.
I agree with the many people that said to do something different with the picture of the guy with the hat. I think it takes away from the cover.

It is awesome, looks great and speaks volumes! No offense but I’d ditch the old photograph.

speaking as a graphic designer and one who hasn’t seen any previous versions…
I agree with everyone else – ditch the snapshot at the bottom and make the african outline bigger – what would be ideal is to do the African outline as a cutout and the first page inside would be the full version of the picture so that when it’s closed you just see the eye but when it’s open you see the whole photo – if that makes sense.
the snapshot definitely gives it a “travelogue” feel and creates confusion in the mind – the photo elicits a bit of the “scared” feeling and generates an emotional response but then you see the snapshot and think “australian walkabout?” or “man on safari?” and then you get confused and it loses the impact of the initial impression.
the typography is good. the d on scared feels ‘off’ to me somehow – maybe because I’m expecting a tail or something. I would be inclined to make the top text stand out a bit more and make your name smaller – it’s a bit overwhelming as it is.
the colors are good and I like the handwritten note part.

I really like it… After reading the little faded note I understand the purpose of the picture of the man.
Love the colors, Love the font. Love the eye in Africa.

Tom, it’s great. Really. I’m super-excited to read it. I agree with everyone else about the guy and making Africa larger, but LOVE LOVE LOVE it no matter what you do. Thanks for sharing the picture.

I would definatly pick this one up off the shelf! I am very excited to read it. I love the eye.

I keep looking at the man trying to figure out what he is doing there…looking forward to reading it FINALLY!!!!!!
Love you…tell Em and the kids we said HI!

I love the cover. The eye with the tear stain barely showing through made me want to find out more about the child who seems to be “Scared”. I did get distracted by the back of he man picture inset. But definitely a book I would pick up and read the back cover and possible a few pages inside to see if it captured my interest.

As an artist, I agree with everyone else. The cover is captivating. Except for the pic of the man on the bottom right. It doesn’t fit. I also like the idea of the complete photo of the child being on the inside page and Africa cut out on the cover. Making africa alittle larger would be better as well.

never have liked the font on the word scared it is too frilly and looks like the work sacred

Great cover Tom! What’s up with Indiana Jones in the corner there? Makes me wonder if the book is a memoir or some kind of travel/adventure guide…not a novel. Thanks for letting us comment.

Hey Tom… The picture of what appears to be an “Indiana Jones” kinda guy… doesn’t fit. It doesn’t “speak” to the child looking through the map. What’s the connection? It’s confusing. Excited about reading the book, however!
Anna Sternberg

I also think the picture of the child in the Africa outline needs to be bigger and get rid of the guy in there. I absolutely love the picture of the child in there, what an impact it will have, make it bigger!!!!

hey tom
i really like this cover…. i would like to see the africa picture bigger and the picture of the man completely removed. i think it takes away from the mystery of the child’s eye in africa.
amazing though! i can’t wait to read it!

Hey, I was always told, “don’t judge a book by it’s cover.”
That aside, I’d like to see the eye in the Africa key hole looking more direct at me, instead of to the left. Like that child noticed me while peering through.
The handwritten note speaks about a “path.” The travel theme is an appropriate response, when viewing the picture of the man. It tells me that some sort of journey is going to take place, rather than a travel guide on Africa. I would opt for the picture to be a bit smaller and position it to the left with the note to the right.
All these responses. Hope the book elicits much more!

I also think the man’s photo is distracting…clutters it up. But LOVE the cover over all. Can’t wait to read the book!!!!

Still like the cover and the faint handwriting. However, at first glance, I thought, “What is Indiana Jones doing in this book?” LOL! That said, I have to agree with everyone else who stated that the added picture is a distraction. Can’t wait to read it!

i’d remove the guy, too. i like the eye peaking thru Africa, but I still think the “scared” font looks feminine. it would deter me from picking it up. it’s slightly reminiscent of a romance novel. not sure what it’ll look like in person, but i might consider taking the red a slightly darker hue. on my screen it isn’t maroon, but more of a bright red with a slight hue of pink. Again, not to sound chauvinistic or anything, it feels a little feminine to me. but if the story is about a girl, maybe that’s the point. that’s my two cents’ worth, and it’s probably not even worth two cents (what with the economy and all).

I really really like it. I think I like the idea of the cover without the man and the africa outline/peeking child (very powerful by the way) larger. Really excited to read it.

Good Morning Tom,
As a previous marketing person only six short years ago – I would ditch the man on the cover. I didn’t see your original cover – but I like the tears coming down the boys face behind the cut out of Africa. I like the red color and faint writing.
We are adopting our 8th child from Ethiopia and his court date is this month. We wonder if you met him on this trip. He is at Selenat. I can’t wait to go through your pictures to see if he is in any.
What an amazing journey you have been on.
God bless you and may the harvest blow you away from the seeds you have laid!
In His amazing grace,
Jill