When I looked at my blog stats last week (for the first time since last January), a couple of things stood out. First, of course, is that recreational substance abuse—perhaps combined with advanced illiteracy—is alive and well among my blog visitors. At least, I can’t see any other possible explanation for the continued hits and searches for a combination of “sex”, “taub”, and other truly disturbing search terms, especially given the weekend spikes in same. (How could “unicorn sex c*ck taub” even possibly be a thing, let alone one that leads to my blog?)
But the second thing I noticed was that the most consistently popular blog posts are my completely irrelevant observations about death, kids, pets, life and other random topics. And it turns out that I’ve written a lot of them over the years. So I decided to gather them together for a little Kindle experiment.
But I could use your help. The blog posts (plus some old articles and columns) are written, I have a couple of illustrations that will hopefully sneak in under Kindle’s size limitations, and I’m trying to keep the sale price at rock bottom by self-publishing. That just leaves the covers.
And that’s where you come in. What should a cover for a collection of (hopefully) humorous essays look like? With fingers-crossed, I went to Canva and tried out a few of their standard layouts. I’d love your input and suggestions. Please vote, comment, and/or tell me to go back to the drawing board. [click on any to enlarge]
Oh, and if anyone would like an advance copy for review, please let me know.
Just let me know where to send an eARC and my undying gratitude.
Ritu said:
Voted!
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barbtaub said:
Thank you so much
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Ritu said:
😊
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Darlene said:
Looks like a tie right now. Big help we are!!
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barbtaub said:
This is an interesting new experience for me. So far, there isn’t any clear winner (which probably speaks more to the fact that I should get back to the drawing board, of course…)
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Georgia Rose said:
Voted – and of course I will! Are you kidding me! You know where I am so send it on over. When are you planning on releasing this?
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barbtaub said:
I’d like to release next month, assuming I can get everything else done in time. So I’m super grateful for your vote and your help. Mwa!
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ravenhawks magazine said:
Voted!
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barbtaub said:
Thank you so much for voting!
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Nancy said:
I like number 3, but I would like to see “and the dog dies” in a smaller font…. more like an afterthought.
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barbtaub said:
Thanks Nancy! So far, people seem to agree with you. I REALLY appreciate your suggestion.
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S.K. Nicholls said:
I was torn between 1 and 3 but went with 1 as it is clearer and cleaner to read, easier on the eyes.
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barbtaub said:
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help.
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Cathy said:
I went for number two – it drew my eye straight away. And I’d love a copy 🙂
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barbtaub said:
I should have copies ready to send out next week. Thanks so much for voting!
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Cathy said:
You’re welcome 🙂
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Sue Vincent said:
I’m with Cathy… the second one. And I think that’s a great idea, Barb 🙂
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barbtaub said:
Thanks SO much Sue!
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Sue Vincent said:
🙂
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Judith Barrow said:
Voted for number 2. Love this idea – in these days we all need a good giggle.
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barbtaub said:
Thanks so much for those kind words and the vote!
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quiall said:
From a purely artistic point of view (hee hee hee) #4 stands out because it is not too crowded. Also it makes more sense to me. A pig, a chick and a VW bus don’t. I do love the words! I would not ‘like’ an advanced copy for review, I would LOVE one. please, please, pick me! I do a really good grovel . . .
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barbtaub said:
THANK YOU! I hope to have the eARCs out next week. And I really appreciate the vote!
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TanGental said:
give give, feed my Taub addiction, with or without unicorns. Review it? I’ll damn well wear it stapled together as a transgender trirt or scousers
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barbtaub said:
My first trirt! So excited.
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Jessie said:
Can’t wait – and yes, yes, yes I’d review one for you!
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barbtaub said:
Thanks SO SO much! Hopefully, will be sending out eARCs next week. (Given no obvious winner on the cover art, I’ll take it as a sign that might have to go back to the drawing board though.)
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jenanita01 said:
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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barbtaub said:
THANK YOU so so much for the reblog! I really appreciate your help with this.
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Cover 2 got my vote, Barb 😃
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barbtaub said:
Thanks so much. I’m not seeing a clear winner in the votes so far, so I’ll take that as an indication that I should go back to the templates and try again, but these comments are really helping.
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Mary Lanigan Russo said:
I like all but number 4 – that one looks to me very much like a text book, or a self-help book. Maybe that’s a good thing?? Can’t wait to read it, whichever cover you pick!
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barbtaub said:
Thanks so much! People seem to agree with you about #4, but other than that I’m not seeing a clear winner yet. But I really do appreciate the comments and voting. Hope to get all this done and book released by next month. (Famous last words…)
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Lorinda McKinnon said:
I liked #4 because it’s simple. Not totally sure about the chick/egg. It could have the VW there instead, or maybe birds leaving a nest. The centered text is pleasing to my eye.
(I’d love to review the book!)
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barbtaub said:
Thanks so much Lorinda! I’m not seeing a clear winner on the cover designs, which probably tells me to do more work there. But I should have eARCS ready to go out next week, so I’ll send one to you along with all my thanks!
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barbtaub said:
I’d love to take you up on your offer to review my new book. Send email (barbtaub@gmail.com) and let me know what format you prefer. Thanks!
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Brian Lageose said:
I was immediately drawn to #3, but I agree with Nancy in that “and the dog dies” needs a little help so it doesn’t look like quite so isolated from the rest of the title…
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barbtaub said:
Thanks Brian! Such a helpful comment, so I’ll get back to work on this.
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marysue said:
VW is coming out with a RETRO micro bus in the next couple years. I am very excited about it – our retirement plans include 10 years of driving around and going camping. So – cover #3 is for me.
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barbtaub said:
In Europe, restored vintage VW vans and campers are a huge thing. When summer hits, we see them all over, and often go over to sneak peeks when they’re waiting in line for ferries.
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Audrey Driscoll said:
I liked #2, but I voted for #3 because it says “humor” better. I do like the red colour and font in #2; it’s easier to read, especially the subtitle.
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barbtaub said:
Thanks Audrey. There isn’t really a clear winner, so I think lots of people would agree with you. So it’s back to the drawing board for me!
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robbiesinspiration said:
What fun, Barb. I voted for 1 as it has the most vibrancy and interest factor. I thought cover 2 was boring and three annoyed me because the van was cut off and I am a perfectionist. Four was also nice but not as vibrant and eye catching for me as 1.
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barbtaub said:
What an incredibly helpful comment! Lots of people seem to agree with you, so clearly I need to get back to work on these. Meanwhile, I can’t thank you enough for your help. You rock!
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Kassandra Lamb said:
I wanted to vote for both 1 and 2. Like them both for different reasons. The VW bus was the appeal in one but I couldn’t figure out the pig. #2 works well to catch the eye and fits the topic, but the VW seems more you, Barb!
Not sure about the “and the dog dies.” Again I get that isn’t anti-dog because I’m used to your humor, but it may be a turn-off for dog lovers. I’ve gotten considerable negative feedback about my To Kill A Labrador title because people think the dog actually dies.
And I would be thrilled to get an ARC!!! Send it along when ready.
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barbtaub said:
Thanks Kass! (It’s actually the punchline from an old joke, but you may well be right about rethinking it…)
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Sarah Brentyn said:
Great idea and second cover. It’s lovely and stood out immediately. 🙂 Happy New Year!
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