Now that the designer has sent me the finished cover for Paper Lanterns, I can reveal which was the one that most people preferred. (If you’re new to this site, you might like to scroll down to the previous posts for information about the results of my Book Cover Design Challenge.)

As I’ve said in the post below, my own favourite was number seven. I loved the sea and the boats with the hills in the background (incidentally this part was based on one of my own photos from my recent visit to Lamma island, and a scene in Paper Lanterns takes place on this this beach.)
I liked the subtle way that the view of an English wood merged with the sea shore, while the tunnel through the trees on the bottom left gave the almost surreal impression that if you followed it, you might emerge on the hills on other side of the bay. (This was also based on one of my photos of a place that features in the novel.)

And here is a selection of what 23 other people said in support of my favourite:
- “ It is cleaner and crisper than the others but still conveys the Hong Kong angle and the green of mystery.”
-“I find number 7 interesting. If this book moves from Far East to England , (or vice versa), intends to take me down a tree-lined past, put me on a junk in some hidden bay -then the cover has got me fantasising. I shall read it anyway.”
-“cover seven is best for these reasons: a)Absence of sea shore in upper part gives greater sense of openness, freedom, mystery ,etc Also less cluttered (b) horizontal divide more pleasing (c) slight fuzzyness of transition also pleasing as paradoxically allows more distinction to be made between scenes (d) Nice vivid green colour in lower picture pleasing as gives refreshing feel of early summer”
-“ I think the colours work well and portray a bit more of the dark/light side of the book that you mention.”
-“I like cover 7 best, because it’s the most simple one – the text looks great and I do like the overall layout. “

BUT I COULDN’T IGNORE THE 84 PEOPLE WHO WANTED NUMBER 3 TO BE THE COVER FOR PAPER LANTERNS because:

-”I feel it stands out the most, very atmostpheric and sophisticated and covers most of the criteria you had stipulated.”
-“I think it’s probably because there is a tie up between the title and the picture that I don’t have to think about too much. In my experience, the average browser doesn’t have time to stand in a bookshop mulling over covers. They’ll go for the obvious. And no 3 is striking”
“I should go for number 3: honest, mood-evoking, promise of emotions not suspected…I’ll be looking forward to reading the book!”
-“I feel very strongly that no 3 is the best. I think it’s the clearest, most striking and it’s also quite reminiscent of Kate Morton’s covers (top half) and looking like a bestseller won’t do you any harm!”
-“…the one which to me is absolutely outstanding is cover number 3 - it is the only cover with lanterns on it; as there are 3 lanterns and your main characters are drawn from 3 generations, so there is symbolism in the imagery. Also the 3 generations of women in your story are central to the novel, and the 3 lanterns are central to the cover. For me, it far outshone the rest…”
-“….The lanterns allude to the title , but are not too much the red/gold/fringed chinese-restaurant-cliche type, which avoids your worry that the cover might suggest a more native-chinese theme. And the line they draw across the page reflects the separation of the 2 locales in a clearer way than the soft-focus divisions of the others.”
-“The lanterns are obvious… but …we view them from indoors. This suggests that we look past them to what is offered beyond the frame. I also like the trees better in number 3. You get a suggestion of ‘darkness to light’ and they look more quintessentially English than some of the others. You also get the contrast of the light and heat of the Orient with the more temperate summer weather in the other picture. This suggests different sorts of emotional intensity and experience…”

A big THANK YOU to everyone who took part in this challenge.
Although I still like number seven as a picture in its own right, I now feel that the one chosen by the majority is the best one for my book. But I was thrilled when the designer sent me the full cover version.
When you see the back cover you’ll understand why!

1. Linda Gillard Says:
   January 7th, 2010 at 3:52 pm

   Love it! It’s a really strong cover, Christine. Glad you’re happy with the final version.

2. admin Says:
   January 7th, 2010 at 9:54 pm

   Thanks, Linda
   I’m glad you like it too - if it gains Paper Lanterns even the tiniest fraction of the success of the best seller you referred to in your comment about the cover, I’d be over the moon!!

3. LindyLouMac Says:
   January 8th, 2010 at 5:01 pm

   I hope to visit Lamma Island myself soon when we visit our daughter, do you think I should read Paper Lanterns before or after our trip?

   The competition produced interesting results. I see my guess was with the majority but I also managed to correctly choose your preferred cover.

   Looking forward to reading.

4. admin Says:
   January 8th, 2010 at 6:16 pm

   Yes,Lindy - you were one of the few to make that combination!
   As for your question of ‘before or after Lamma’ I’d suggest you read it before you go, and then dip into it again and compare .your own experience with that of Ann in Paper Lanterns - If you do get Lamma, do try to get to the ‘Power Station Beach’
   When are you planning to fly out to HK? Paper Lanterns is with the printer now, and the next step will be for me to have a proof copy to check before full production

5. David Says:
   January 10th, 2010 at 9:06 pm

   Hi, I suspect the best cover one. Nice to see you at Nicola’s party. Lots of luck with the novel!

6. admin Says:
   January 10th, 2010 at 10:03 pm

   Hi David
   Thanks for dropping by - I’ve only just spotted that you were at Nicola’s too. Yes, I like that cover best now.

7. Nicola Morgan Says:
   January 11th, 2010 at 10:43 am

   At last - here I am, late from my own blog party! So many blogs to visit, so little time. Actually, I’d made a note to come to yours later today and do some work first, but then you DMd me on Twitter and I thought, hmmmm, maybe I could just take a little peek… And here I am. I love what you’re doing here, taking your writing very seriously and professionally, from the quality of the words to the cover of the book. I need to explore a little more to find out how you went from Transita (which I know isn’t doing novels now) to what i think looks like your own venture. (Am I right? can you direct me to the most relevant posts to find out what you’re up to?)

   Must go now - but I may not get back here for a while so if you want to tell me if you’ve replied, do use twitter again.

   The power of social networking! People knock it but I say it’s all about people.

8. admin Says:
   January 13th, 2010 at 7:06 pm

   Thank you, Nicola, I really appreciate your comments. It’s lovely to get encouragement from such an experienced blogger, mentor and writer!

   One reason why I haven’t responded earlier is that I’ve been side-tracked by trying to find out about what’s been causing ‘trouble at t’printers’ with embedded fonts. It seems to be sorted now, though.

   I’ll get back to you about relevant posts etc a.s.a.p.

   I’ll include your party in my next blog, as I like to share good things with as many people as I can!