Okay gang, time to make your voices heard.
Of course, as is the case with our national democracy, the decision ultimately is made by the electoral college, which in this case is the publisher. But public opinion matters. Just know that if the one that I like loses, the election was rigged.
So, go to it.
Lightning bolt or purple sky?
What I need from you is not which one you feel best represents the book, since you don’t know what the book is ultimately about. What I need from you is which one would be more successful in catching your eye on a shelf or on a page with other books.
Think like you’re walking through a book pound and all the books are wagging their tails at you shouting, “Choose me! Choose me!” Which one goes home with you?
I like the purple sky
Lightning ⚡️ Bolt
~Jessica C.
That’s easy: the one on the left wins for me. Why? There’s turbulence in the sky over the mountains and desert. But that lower right corner? The sun shines bright as hope.
The cover on the right? A bit cold.
Purple
Purple sky for all the reasons stated!
And thank God for an election year alternative 🙂
I think I’m a lightening bolt fan
Honestly, neither of them would catch my eye. Are these the only choices? If forced to choose, I say the “purple sky,” because the geography is more generic than Option A which is most reminiscent of the Southwest and desert – not many people really know what the Dakotas look like, I’m thinking. In any case, Option B leaves more room for the imagination. The trouble with B is that it is TOO dark, literally. The snow (? – or is it water?) in the foreground helps. Overall, both covers are too busy – so busy that the title sinks into the colors and gets lost, despite the large font. Maybe the font could be thicker if one of these options is all we have. Enough of my rambling. Hope this helps. Hope I’m wrong. We shall see, eh? CatherineStenzel / Beltrami Island Forest – NW Minnesota
Purple sky for all the reasons stated!
And thank God for an election year alternative 🙂
Purple !!
Purple!
Both great covers, probably would go for the Lighning bolt cover if i get the choice but more importantly I’m looking forward to read the book.
Hi Ken,
Lighting bolt with the blue sky looks more intriguing to me whereas the purple sky is off putting.
Best of luck on this,
Kathleen
As a South Dakotan, I pick the lightning bolt, because the badlands are more visible, and I love a good thunderstorm. That definitely caught my eye!
While I like them both, I probably would lean toward the blue sky with lightning bolt – blue always catches my eye
Lightning bolt. Plus I’m not big on purple skies.
Option B: Purple Sky – I’d definitely pick it up!
Lightning bolt
I like the lightning bolt! With the sunrise (or sunset ) in the corner.
Option A. Better contrast on the main title (although less on your name).
Lifting Bolt
Option B – Purple sky. What catches my eye is the color variation, not the actual subject matter of the landscape. The contrasts between the colors would make it stand out more on a book seller’s shelf in my opinion. I am a visual artist.
Definitely a lightning bolt fan. Much more dramatic and eye-catching.
I vote for ⚡️ Lightning Bolt because it grabs my attention and reminds me the barren aspects of my home state — North Dakota. I find Purple Sky more soothing but less evocative.
Lightning Bolt
Somehow the colors and location of the writing work better to my eye.
At first I said a lightning bolt wouldn’t be representative, but then I thought of the scenes in Neither Wolf Nor Dog–the storm in the car and the storm at the cemetery at Wounded Knee and it seemed to fit.
Not knowing the content of the book, but the title states “Lone Dog Road”. The purple cover conveys LONE.
Karen
Lightning bolt. Big event in big sky country.
Hi Kent, Purple Sky feels more inviting. The Lightening Bolt, on the other hand, might portend more intrique and action. Hum…
Yup. Nope. I go with Purple Sky. Either way, I can’t wait to read it.
Yes, the lightening bolt shows light at the end of the tunnel! ☀️
Lightening bolt. The colors pull me in and promise that something of depth lies herein.
Purple feels common. Today only.
Lightning bolt for reasons above. I agree that the title is also stands out better.
May be that I have witnessed too many lightning strikes that I had to call in for a wildfire start in the last few years, but that cover just sends me packing. I have seen the built-up power hit the dry earth and sure enough there’s fire. But this is what happens in the west with our wide open spaces. With the passage of time and dry summers the lightning shows are great, but very powerful at the sametime. The first book has already gotten my dander up and I had to step away for awhile, but that is what good writing does for me and my becoming the story I read. I will stick to my personal desire for peace and human hood going forward. History type book that tell the truth and hard to for me to read. I press on giving myself the week to recover and weekend to read the story.
As a South Dakotan, the lightning bolt. It looks like SD.
Lightning bolt. The title doesn’t disappear into the photograph. Just my 2 cents.
I would go lightning bolt/dark blue. It looks more ominous, mysterious and fits the title better. The purple is too cheery to match the title.
Can you do a purple sky with sun and lightning, Kent?
Great Comments. Definitely a toss-up.
But lightning and sun break the tie.
Something of God’s Presence.
We need to watch for it.
Sun and Lightning
It’s mythological.
And biblical.
Like dreams.
Images affect us subliminally, like dreams.
It can bring us in touch with who can help us.
Especially with noisy loud distracting madness.
Life is ultimately A Lone Dog Road.
Nothing Lasts Forever Only God or Goddess or Both
I look forward to the Journey on Lone Dog Road, whatever cover.
Thanks Kent
NB
I apologize for misspelling Robert Plant’s name.
I cringed when I saw it. Are my eyes going bad?
I don’t recall being in a hurry. I am sorry.
It’s far worse than misspelling Nietzsche.
I love Robert’s music and essays.
He just had a birthday Tuesday
Long May Robert Plant Run
Born 8-20-1948
I’m praying for The Stairway To Heaven myself.
Been here long enough. I’m done with this sojourn.
Having seen the other side, there is a peace like no other.
I can only hope like Jung, I won’t have to come back again.
My Jungian analyst walks with both feet in the spirit world now.
Someday we’ll all return to the spirit world, the eternal dream.
Thanks for helping us thru Kent, with your wonderful books of life.
Peace and Blessings
Purple sky…blue cover too similar to other books.
Purple sky. Beautiful.
I vote for the lightning bolt. It makes me want to pick it up.
Purple sky. Love it
Personally, I’m drawn to purple. But, the lightning bolt creates more mystique
Purple Sky…subtle, breathtaking, inviting.
Purple Sky.
Lightening Bolt. Striking colors enhance the crisp white letters.
I like the purple sky better, but I wish there was a lonely looking road in the picture.
Purple sky
Kent,
Thanks for reaching out, fun project indeed. I prefer Option A “Lightning Bolt” which is powerful, bold and beautiful image while still encompasses the essence of purple sky and sunset/sunrise energy too…conveys best of both! The Option A also looks much sharper image to me and easier to see the small print at top and bottom. Keep the Council fires burning strong, much respect! dj
Purple sky….
The contrast with darkness and purple really call you to read the book.
I vote for the purple-sky Option B. I’m actually feeling a bit confused by Option A. Toward the bottom right, is that the sun (rising or setting), as another person’s comment suggested? Perhaps I have an overly active imagination, but at first glance it looked to me as if it could be a mushroom cloud from an atomic bomb explosion! If anyone else were to view it that way, they might wonder if the story inside was some type of doomsday tale. (I don’t think it is…?) If I weren’t already familiar with the author, and to a tiny extent the book’s content (just what Kent has publicly posted about it), I wouldn’t feel tempted to buy a book with the Option A cover. Option B suggests to me that the story may contain at least some beautiful, hopeful aspects. I guess we’ll have to wait and see….
Lightning Bolt seems to imply more of a mystery.
lightning Bolt. It strikes me as though there’s something unsettling, disturbing and or intriguing is happening inside.
To my eye – the purple cover is more comfortably read. (So I would lean toward the purple cover).
Lightning is an attention grabber.
Both are eye catching. I prefer the lightning.
Lightening bolt. I see too many purple book cover scenes
Thank you Mr Nerburn for including us in this project. I am drawn to the purple sky and the landscape is especially eye-catching for me. The lettering for the title is a bit lost in the purple cover, though. I agree that a road in the landscape would enhance the cover photo. Really looking forward to reading the book.
Lightening bolt! The purple cover is too grabbing at one’s attention.
Purple sky. Just the beauty of the landscape. No false or implied drama from the lightning bolt and impending storm. You could use a plain brown wrapper and I will still read it.
Purple sky. Just the beauty of the landscape. No false or implied drama from the lightning bolt and impending storm. You could use a plain brown wrapper and I will still read it
Lightning bolt It reminds me of a storm I saw from a distance when staying at CAIRNS north of Martin, SD, one very hot summer night. It’s a sign of power!
Lighting Bolt
It is the plain states setting and the appropriate cover for the your story
Lightning Bolt for sure! My reasoning is based on initial internal response and upon reflection more representative of how most of our lives are these days
The one with the lightning bolt grabs my eye and attention more than the purple one
Lightning bolt
As another South Dakotan weighing in, A.- Lightning Bolt has more clarity.
Normally I would go for purple but on reflection I would say the one on the left and from a publisher point of view the title jumps out more on the blue … your name not so much! 😏
Lightning bolt – as the jolt in your heart when you read certain insights in your honest and heartbreaking, eye opening book. The lightning bolt is the Universe communicating with us
As a photographer, the lightning bolt speaks to me on so many levels. In addition, there is a nice contrast between the title and the background, making it easier to read. Either way, I am looking forward to reading the book. Thank you Kent for all that you’ve shared with us.
I find the purple one feels more reflective, contemplative and somber with quiet resolve.
Lightening bolt. Can’t wait for it to be released.
Lightening bolt!!!!!
Purple sky! Since I was the bookstore manager at St. Martin’s Table f0r 16 years until we closed in Dec. 2010, I have a keen sense of knowing which book covers are more compelling to capture a customer’s attention.
I can’t wait to read your latest gem, Kent!
Lightening Bolt~
You never know the power one bolt can have, the location of the next strike and finally the sound of crackling static all projects exactly what the book will give the reader. Most importantly it reminds me of our land. Ahó
Lightning bolt. Better contrast of title color to background. Storms draw emotion and attention more so than purple background.
Lightning Bolt definitely.
Dear Kent: I personally like the purple sky (makes my heart want to go there) but as throughout my life (lame as it may be… [I play the banjo and I’m retired] ). If you do the opposite of what I like it’ll be much more marketable. So as some of your reviewers have said the lightning bolt is much more dramatic. I think it will catch people’s eyes. Thunder storms are always dramatic. I’ve always enjoyed reading your books and the PBS piece was really, really, cool.
Sincerely, Beverly
Lightning Bolt for me. However the authors name on the spine and front are the real highlight. Looking forward for the book.
Purple sky draws me right to it!
Lightening bolt for various reasons as some have already stated. I especially like what I perceive as symbolism of
the sun (light) after the storm!
I also think of Wakíŋyaŋ
upon seeing the lightening.)
Additionally, as a retired graphic designer, the font(s) are much more legible, particularly the top line.
((And lastly, on a random & completely unassociated subject, I love that my very favorite artist/musician of all time (“Planty”) is friends with my favorite author of all time!
Purple is my favorite color, the lightning bult is so powerful in many ways. I choose the lightning bolt.
Purple sky
Lightning Bolt with the different weather fronts. It shows there is a storm brewing better reflecting the state of mother earth.