Ed, go with yellow. I enjoy your blog!

I also found this a tough part of the publishing press - - though it remains to be seen how my first one will be r'cd.

I like the yellow one much better.

Ed, excited about the book's upcoming release. I vote for "Yellow." The brightness stands out and would definitely grab the attention of the shopper in a bookstore. The other design is a bit busy / Napolean Dynamite-ish looking.

Enjoyed meeting you at the convention and your appearance on Dr. Mohler's radio show. Maybe we could get you to come be a professor here at Southern and get you another nametag??

My vote is for yellow.
For what it's worth, I wasn't a fan of yellow until I saw white. I would not purchase white without a great referral.

yellow.

sounds like a great read!

I've got to cast my vote for the yellow cover. It is simple and clear.

Option #1 is better, but I can barely navigate the traffic in Indianapolis with a world famous author in the back seat, so take my thoughts for what they are worth!

yellow

The other one is to hard to read....

Yellow any time, and make that two votes as my daughter agrees. She says that its eye catching and you cant read the second one!

I don't really like either cover. The first is too bland and the subtitle is buried at the bottom. THe second cover is too wild and hard to read. If I had to choos then I would go with the first one, but move the subtitle.

Ask and ye shall ... (etc etc)

#2 .. whitey .. is out for me. I've always heard things should be readable (just look at the Ford dealers' signage .. the big blue oval for nostalgia and then the big block letters so you don't have to "read" it to know what it says.)

I'm thinking of somewhat of a generic "Lost & Found" sign like you might see in a cheap hotel, with the magnifying class over the word FOUND.

But what do I know?

Depends on what you are going for. The yellow is much more classic and probably appeals to a wider audience. The white looks like the cover to maybe a Francis Chan book. I say yellow, simply because the actual cover communicates the message of the book better.

Go for the yellow. The white one makes me dizzy.

Option 1 (yellow) sticks out clearly and it doesn't take much time to understand what the book is about by the title and by the magnifying glass. The second cover (white) is somewhat hard to read and doesn't seem to fit too clearly into the theme of the book. I don't know if that was much help, but those are my thoughts.

Yellow!

Definitely the yellow one. The white cover is confusing and not very legible. Simplicity is in and the cursive writing looks too feminine. I can't wait to get a copy at Catalyst!

I would go with yellow, also, except that I first read "TANDFO" on it. The white is difficult to read, though. I enjoy your blog, by the way.

I like the yellow option for its clear lines and "pop-out" color. It just looks like a finished product.

I do like some of the ideas behind the white cover though. It makes a statement about the wandering nature of the new generations keeping the thought of the on-going journey and conversation that is life.

Blessings on the outcome.
Benj.

Yellow! The white one seems kind of "beach read mystery novel" to me.

Ed, please go with the yellow. When I tried to read option #2 I felt like I was getting lost!!
Always enjoy you at each Sunday morning at FBC.

Neither. If I have to, yellow. The white one is unreadable, and the yellow is boring.

The Comback churches cover is HOT! but yellow and white, these are bad - sorry to say that, but seriously, I think you have a lot of important things to say, and the postmodernism thing is making it important to have a compelling cover and title.

I recommend something black or gray, with diagonal lines, and use some cyan and magenta.

White. The yellow is too generic. Thats just my opinion though!

Go with the yellow. Follow the 'simple' design (like apple, google) it's in right now.

I am unsure about the bottom of the book cover. Does the yellow end at the top of the letters?

Ed,
It really depends on how you are planning to sell the book. If you are concerned about bookstore sales, then I really don't think either of them work. If I were your editor, I'd promote your name a lot more. Not because we want to inflate your ego, but because your name is the selling point and the common thread among all your books. Take a look at the best selling authors, who have sold more than one title. The publisher promotes the author's brand. Your brand is your name.

Think long term, and not just about this book. Build your brand.

Definitely yellow. It might look better with the subtitle in smaller font inside the magnifier. Put all the authors at the bottom where the subtitle is now.

I like where the artist was going with the white cover, but I couldn't even read it and would probably skip right over it in a bookstore.

yellow for sure...

Go with yellow.

I vote for the yellow one too!

Yellow. More striking, though the scrawly thing has some merit.

Yellow all the way, it will jump out at you when looking for it on the shelf. The other one looks like a women's self-help design.

Ed, we need to listen to the people. You know my thoughts. Let's go yellow.

go with the YELLOW

Option 1 with the yellow.

Yellow.

yellow

This is a no brainer...Yellow

I agree with the above assessments. The second one is maddening. Yes, it DOES look like a "Napoleon Dynamite" rip-off, which might appeal to that crowd, but probably not to the crowd you really want to read this.

The Yellow, on the other hand, is smart, noticeable, and lively.

Yellow, dear fellow....

yellow, the white is messy.

Ed, I don't think either cover is very appealing. Yellow is better than white in my opinion. It's certainly more readable, and a bit more interesting to look at. But still, I would go back to the drawing board on the cover if possible.

BTW, I've always liked the Comeback Churches cover.

i too like neither - but if i had to choose, it'd be yellow. the second is too busy and i would pick it up (except that your name is on it) - the first one's ok, the subtitle is buried. the magnification on the text in the yellow copy could be a bit more making the letters appear larger...

bottom line, i'd ask for their 3rd-5th options and see what they have to offer up.

I think there should be babies dressed up like church people posing on pews, in the choir loft, performing a baptism, and other traditional church-type things.

Or maybe an overhead shot of a baby being baptized. Don't worry, they know how to hold their breath, I think.

Those are unsolicited ideas and I will not seek compensation if they are used.

Unless your book will have pop-ups use the yellow option.

Yellow. I think the simple look appeals to the very heart of the book. The white choice appears a bit busy and in my opinion might immediately turn some conservative readers away. The title alone will attract many who are already wondering how to reach the emerging generation. The simple cover will convince those who have turned away from anything dealing with the subject of the emerging generation to take a look.
Just my opinions, and I look forward to reading the book.
Brett Clements

They both suck - have the publisher go back and spend some time and money on it this time.

Yellow ... definitely.

The other one looks like the cover of a "Wild West Show" brochure.

Yellow. Interested in reading your new book. And you were just prayed for!

I immediately chose yellow.

#1, but I don't love it. If your market is those that are trying to learn about how to reach the younger unchurched, then the subtitle could be a little more prominent. Without your name on it, it could be a novel.

As for your name being prominent, it definitely has some value. I totally know that you are a missiologist and serve old and new churches, but when I see your name, I tend to first associate it with church planter, and others may also. The topic and your name are equally important for me.

#2 looks like a sewing book. How I lost my sewing needle and found it with this magnifying glass. And then I stitched the title. Only kind of joking here.

I like the Comeback Churches bookcover.

YELLOW.

YELLOW.

yellow

Yellow

Yellow

The white looks much better stylistically since the yellow is rather boring, but the font on the subtitle is impossible to read...therefore I too vote yellow.

Yellow all th way. The white did not get my attention at all.

yellow for sure.

If those are the only two choices go with the yellow. But I would suggest maybe something like a sign in front of a door that said lost and found like you might see at a store or a school.

YELLOW!!

My initial reaction was yellow--so take that for what it's worth.

I will say, with a little redesign, the second one could be be better.

1. The tag line is not readable enough

2. The design reminds me of one of those Family Circus cartoons where the kid walks all over the neighborhood. I like that idea a lot

Running with that--make that more prominent of a concept. Maybe have several structures--pool hall, restaurant, sports stadium with several churches--have a young person walking around leaving a trail (making the Script) avoiding some churches, going to others.

Or you could go with yellow.

I vote YELLOW. I like the crisp, clean, uncluttered look. The co-authors names will look great inside the glass with yours, but the subtitles at the bottom definitely need to be moved up into the yellow under the handle.

Thanks for letting us vote!

The yellow one looks the best to me. Always great to read your blog.

The yellow. Definitely the yellow. It's clever, which makes me think that what's in the book may be clever, too.

#1 - yellow!

yellow...definitely yellow. The white book reminds me of a kids book.

OK. Thanks for the great input.

I have been at Disneyland all day and have been slow to respond.

Now mine.

Yellow is OK, but I am not 100% sure I like it.

White... haaaattttteeeeddd it.

Ed Stetzer

Who is the book for? If it's not the Emergent Village, go with the yellow. It'll get to more of the people who need to read this stuff and get their horizons expanded.

The white cover is to appeal to those who want to be patted on the back for their hipness & the difficulty of anyone else "getting" them.

Just thought I'd chine in. The Lost and Found sign idea could look good, but it's really "on the nose." Kinda obvious. Meh. My favorite suggestion was going back to the drawing board.

Hi Ed:
Ummm yeallow. I like that one. And it has nothing to do with my love of Colplay who has a song called Yellow or the fact that Viva La Vida comes out tomorrow. No relationship whatsoever...
Look at the stars....

Umm I meant yellow. I am sitting in a rental car at a coffee shop with no seating in Starke Florida where wireless is hard to find and thus can hardly see my screen lol.

Good choice... going back to the drawing board. The question is not how do we sell this book and this book only. You as an author, have to think about "how do we build my brand so that I can sell this book, but also 25% more of the next 5 books I put out."

Define the brand. And build on it.

Ed -

Sorry, but I am not crazy about either of them.

Hey man use the Yellow book cover. The white looks like a cowboy novel. I enjoy your blog very much

I vote yellow.

Yellow for sure!

Given the two choices, I vote: BLUE.

I wish there was a third choice.

(If this is all you got, go with yellow.)

Yellow.

The white reminds me of that "Do you see the old or young lady" sketch. I kept trying to find the hidden picture. Yep, OCD!

YELLOW ALL THE WAY!!!!

Since you're not a middle school girl, go with the yellow one :)

just a thought...

white background, old cardboard box across the bottom with "lost and found" and subtitle hand-written (but legibly!!!), cartoonish drawings of the "younger generation" shoulder to shoulder in the box, steeple kind of above/behind them to the top of the cover, author's names across top

or, stick with the non-magnifying magnifier or the cross-stitch

love the blog...

YELLOW YELLOW YELLOW... go with yellow

Neither of the two presented compel me. The first is cutesy and predictable. The second is far to complex.
None of them grab me.

Go back to the drawing board.

Good Doctor, oh my, the bottom one is just awful...the yellow cover for sure...and how about a picture or an update on your trip right now? ...nothing would be happier than a shot of the Big Cheese with one of his best girls at Disney...

Ed-

Man, it's not even close. Yellow it must be. If it's good enough for Coldplay, it's good enough for you. :-)

Yellow!

White is too girly and scrapbookish. (I can say that since I'm a girl.)
Yellow seems to have a plan, a point.

Maybe the publishers will take all this feedback into account.

Have a good vacation!
Robin

I don't think I like either one. I'm thinking white cover. In the bottom corner (either one) have a quarter sitting (or a penny might be a better idea) there with a hand coming down from the top picking it up. Use black words for the title set off to the opposite side of the book cover.
It communicates something is worth finding. It's worth picking up. Wow, maybe I'm trying too hard on this design.

If I had to choose one of these, I would pick the yellow one.

After more thought.. Neither. Scrap them and think even more outside the box. The yellow cover and design is totally predictable. You don't want potential readers thinking the same thing about what's inside.

Yeah - this one is easy - I need a bright yellow book on my shelf. It's easier to find!

Go with the "Yellow Book"

http://walkingwithchris.blogspot.com/

YELLOW---definitely yellow. I enjoyed meeting you at the convention aka annual meeting. When you are in town to teach, David and I want to have you over. Our kids will love you--enjoy your amazing adventure with your 10 year old---such joy. I wish we had thought of that!!

Definitely yellow. It's attractive to the eye. More readers!

Go with the yellow- the white looks like ...
confusing?

Maybe option 3 (not on here yet)... Though if I had to choose, I'd choose Yellow - all day.

Ed,

I'd go with yellow.

Maybe if they up the magnification on that lens a bit we would be able to see your co-author's names too...lol.

Yellow!

I'll go with the yellow.

I'm pumped about the book. Being one of the few young adults I know who stuck with the church, I'm passionate about learning how to reach them.

absolutely yellow.

go for the yellow...