publishing a book: the pain of designing a cover

At first, I wanted comic book artwork with one of the main characters holding a sort of high-powered rifle. That idea never materialized as the quotes I got were beyond my budget (average cost of $800; most beautiful artwork and most expensive coming from British artist Aidan Hughes (better known as Brute) whose art I’ve admired for his work with KMFDM).

Then I contacted an artist at deviantART. I was ready to buy a beautiful and half-creepy artwork, but I couldn’t wire the payment to her on time. I understand she sold it to someone else. I missed a great opportunity.

I settled to do it the poor-man’s way using stock photography. Now I’m trying to decide between the two images on this post.

   

I asked my friends for help deciding. It seems that the winner is the image of a silhouette of tree branches on foggy morning. One of my friends even pointed out John 15:5, which I’d include in an inner page of the book (full quote) or on the cover itself (first eight words though).

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
– John 15:5 KJV

So which image would you choose as the cover of my book?

• Since there’s no monetary gain on posting these two stock (royalty-free) images on this post, I hope I’m not sued. Needless to say (type), I can’t afford it and most likely no one would make a dime off me.

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