We’re here to judge a book by its cover
Quick change of focus this week! I’ve been through a few life changes and my only aviation writing has been here on Fear of Landing. But I’m excited to say that I’m finally making progress on my next book, which is turning out to be a bigger but also better project than I’d originally envisioned.
In 2015 I wrote a book about Malaysia Airlines flight 370, collecting everything we knew at the time. As you can imagine, parts of it are wildly out of date and I pulled it off the shelves a few years ago for fear of misleading people. But the deeper in I got, the more I realised that there was more to say. A key facet of this case is not just “what do we know” but the sheer number and variety of the theories that have built up around it. So instead of just repeating (over and over and over) that we don’t have enough evidence to reach strong conclusions, we should actually explore these theories and how they came about and what they can tell us.
(I’m sure that I will receive at least one email telling me that it is “obvious” what happened and they will then quote one of three prevailing theories as fact. Bonus points if I get all three before next Friday.)
I’m super excited about this and of course one of the funnest parts of writing a book is designing the cover. I have two here that I’d like you to look at, both of which I think accurately reflect the dark subject matter and that there are no easy answers.
(Did you know, my previous book got a one-star review from someone with the explanation “She didn’t tell us what happened.”)
Now I want your opinion! The tricky bit here is that you are not my target audience. You do not need a quick refresher as to what MH370 is or that Sylvia Wrigley writes about aviation. You know me and my writing and you’ve likely already made up your mind as to whether you want a copy before I even show you the cover.
(Please buy a copy! Or tell other people about the book. This is how I fund Fear of Landing.)
So, for a moment I want you to imagine your friend, a friend who is not very interested in aviation. But maybe they read non-fiction, maybe they really enjoy true crime, and maybe you think, oh, this is an aviation book that isn’t really only about aviation and maybe they would like it. I want you to imagine that friend and think about which cover might grab their attention, just enough that they hesitate before walking on, maybe pick the book up to have a second look at.
(I have never seen my books in a bookstore so this is veering into wild fantasy.)
OK, ok, maybe just intriguing enough that they hesitate before scrolling past.
Which do you think is The One?
Don’t spend too long on this; I’m really interested in knee-jerk responses. But also, feel free to add comments to discuss what, specifically, you like or dislike about the variations or (eep) why you hate both of them.
The first cover clearly shows a plane.
The second one shows wreckage that could be anything – a ship, just some flotsam/ jetsam.
I’d also suggest saying somewhere it’s about the Malaysian Airlines flight that vanished. Someone who doesn’t care about aviation (or who’s young!) might not remember what MH370 was
It’s obvious – they were abducted by space aliens. Don’t blame me! I voted for Kodos!
Option B brings to mind the Taraia object and all the connotations of incompetence that go with it. Def choosing A.
Both covers will work but trust me what will catch people’s attention is “MH370 and the making of a modern history” – I would put that out on top in the same font.
I don’t think so — people will see the large type with the grabbing title, then follow to the explanation. As others note, some potential readers won’t remember MH370 until prompted.
seconded
I think the uncertain origin of the wreckage is a direct link to the uncertainty of what actually happened. The quieter sea and lack of cloud/storms has more impact. imho :)
I agree with the first commentator, the wreckage could be a submarine or some other object(s). It’s not immediately obvious? The aircraft silhouette, communicates better.
Option A is a fast vivid capture. I didn’t even have to think a second!!! Ive always wandered about this particular tragedy with so many permutations. Shame there was never any “closure ” for the families etc. I still can’t fathom how a plane can just “disappear “. It would be fantastic if a confirmed ending could ever be given.
We don’t know what option B shows. The other option on the other hand is clear, and to the point, when glancing at multiple covers in a bookstore.
Just to be “that guy”… What is on the wing tips on the aircraft in option A? Did the 777 really have that kind of wingtip devices?
Neither , I think Diego Garcia should be in the picture somewhere . . . 😉
A says “airplane” clearly (cf notes that some people may not remember what MH370 was), where people glancing over books would have to parse the pieces to make sense of them. Also, it’s a strong graphic anchor where the other cover sort of dribbles away below the subtitle.
Definitely A, and I agree with the earlier comments that you need to show the plane and not just some could-be-anything wreckage. Also, the background is more easily identifiable as the sea in image A.
I would remove the fade effect from the word “ENDS”. It’s not consistent with the rest of the lettering, and stark block capitals without anything to soften the edges would have more visual impact.
It would also make it easier to read from a distance, e.g., for someone in a bookshop seeing this dramatic word on a distant shelf and wondering what it’s all about.
Sylvia,
It is obvious
that the disappearance of this flight has opened a mystery that equals that of the disappearance of Amelia Earhart.
You have been publishing a podcast that is finding new angles, without being so technical and complex that it requires an experienced airline captain, or aviation technical specialist to be able to follow the argument and understand it. I like the excellent, but now rapidly diverting from his original brief that requires hiring a whole team of researches like Petr Hornfeld. No, he IS doing a brilliant job but he also is very didactic. And highly technical.
What is brilliant about “Fear of Landing” is its diversity, and that many people can chip in (pun intended) and feel connected.
Your new book will no doubt follow the same path: You always write in a style that ordinary followers can, well, follow. You base your stories on known facts and give the possibilities a fair and balanced view.
I will be looking forward to the publication Make sure that you have it ready in time. It will be on my Christmas wish list!