FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

The way you say... a good dermatologist will take up where the saint left off.....that is EXACTLY how to think! Ask help from the saints but keep that doctor appointment as well. I truly believe neither one will mind you consulting with the other!

Cover 7 (with 4's scrolly title inset block instead of the rather harsh blockish box as in 7's current title box).

Also have you considered a photo with at least some flowers if not nearly entirely flowers since the title is 'blossoming'?

6 is a good runner up if 7 with 4's scrolly title block doesn't work. But without the grey blue bars at top and bottom. Just photo all the way.

NO SUBTITLE! - definitely not needed - I find subtitles kinda of annoying actually. They are clutter to me.

Yes, to Mom's title! I love it!

Number 2 gets my vote BUT get rid of the awful box with Vignettes of France and use the layout of 'Vignettes of France' from version 4.
Any progress on the spine and the back cover?

Good morning, Kristin! I'm still deciding which cover I like best, but I have a question: I like your subtitle very much, and at the same time agree with your mother that it would clutter the cover. That said, how about swapping out the text in the Vignettes... box for your subtitle? Persevere!

4

OK, Kristin; the Mom in me wants to assure you that no one will think less of you, if the book isn't published in 21 days! Self-inflicted "deadlines" are "guidelines", but not at the cost of your sanity! Breathe and enjoy the journey; it can still help you to keep your mind off your healing wound, but can let your emotions have time to heal, too!
XOXOX

Hi Kristin,
I agree with Mom on the Title..(let's face it..she is usually or should we just say ..always right!). No. 2 is my favorite cover with the "layout vignettes" from No. 4.

They all look nice Kristin. You should be very proud of yourself.

Here's my two cents for what it's worth. I'm an artist (painter) and feel that #4 is the best choice. #2 would be my second choice but I like the narrow bit of blue on the top and bottom of #4 to echo the blue in the photo. I think the others are either too busy or too dark with the dark borders. Years of framing my own paintings has taught me to "keep it simple and let the artwork speak for itself". Your beautiful photos do that. Peace and Love, Lee Mears

This is a late comment but are you sure about the word "blossoming"? I agree with Denise, your sense of humor needs to come through in the title somehow. Just an idea - cannot think of how to do that. I hope this is constructive. Publishing a book in 21 days is amazing and no matter what you call it, it will be a pleasure to read as I only started reading your site earlier this year. Can you get polysporin cream over there? The parents Derm. had them using that after each visit . Love your site and your writing/pictures. Keep up the good work.

Kristin,
I have been enjoying your blog for about 4 months now. What fun! Love the pictures, love the writing style, and love how you communicate your stories.
I am commenting on the book covers, because I really want you to succeed in getting people to pick them up off the shelf!
NO to 4 through 7! Too busy, too much distraction. I do like the tasteful simplicity of 1 through 3. Just enough to make it stand out. I like 3 the best because the border color coordinates with the font color. I DO LIKE THE SUBTITLE!!!!! It will tell the prospective reader just enough to get them to pick the book up. Otherwise, they might not have any idea what the book is about: Gardening, perhaps? What if (unbelievable to you and I) they've never heard of Provence and don't know where it is? The subtitle, in the nice blue box, is a big help. Happy publishing!

Cover 7 has little appeal to me. I wouldn't pick it up off a bookstore rack.

Cover 2 is visually the most appealing with the light background that sets off the lettering and image. Cover 4 would be my second choice - and close to #1 - maybe even a tie between 2 and 4. Either has high appeal to a viewer just glancing at books.

Very, very nice designs. I really liked your original, Kristin, but going with a professional always makes sense. Hats off to Tamara.

I'll wait to state my preferences until the Friday vote.

I will say, though, that you really should include some sort of a subtitle. I assume you'll be marketing and selling it yourself, but even so, you should imagine what it'll look like on a bookstore shelf. A shopper browses by, her eye is caught by the lovely cover, she picks it up, and thinks, "'Blossoming in Provence.' Nice, but what's it about? Gardening, maybe. I dunno." And she puts it down again.

Krisi I am going to ask Lisa to post the link to the song I am dedicating to all of our friends here in the comments box today.

Lisa - (Alyssa) can you do that for me.??

XOXO

JULES

I like number 6

I like covers 1 and 4, if 4 had the same writing as #1. I agree with your mother. Sack the subtitle, the 3 word title lends a bit of mystery and the subtitle inadequately overdescribes the content, and removes the mystery.

From Jules with love! XOXO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIFABN6JUDg&feature=share
Go and enjoy!

dear, dear Kristin,
i must offer some loving kind words about your post today and your tears about your wound "healing." i just want to say i have been there and completely understand your frustration and sadness, and what it is like to have scars on one's face. "The face" that sticks out there in the world for all to see and judge. Please remember, a scar does NOT and will NOT take your beauty away - you will always have the beautiful bones and perfectly balanced features of your face. Soon, there will be a line, or a scar, and it will make for great stories. And it will allow anyone who may feel threatened by your perfect prettiness to feel less threatened and perhaps more empathetic. So in the end, it may bring more love to you. Kinda cool!
One thing i did with my face disfigurement, was to get around folks that cannot walk, or use their arms, (or have those taken-for-granted freedoms that i still have). Then the facial scar issue will lose its hold over you very quickly. i hope this helps your sadness in some small way.
And on a more humorous note as i get older i grieve for loses every day: like not being able to do things with the vigor of my youth or fit into the clothes of my youth because of the new belly muffin top. I believe it is healthy to grieve and then move forward like you are doing - find a new project (like you are with your book) and put something lovely out into the world. Yes you are on the perfect path - i believe

Absolutely #2. It is light and cheerful, and the photo looks best without all the busy-ness of colored edges and frames. The title font in 1, 2 and 3 is a favorite as well. Not heavy, but it draws the eye to it. As a painter, I agree with William Mears that the artwork or, in this case the photo, should speak for itself. Hope you choose #2!

Mon choix est #2 aussi!

I really like cover #5 for the layout and type faces. The color of #1 is exquisite.
Number 7 looks so much like a blog screen with its narrow stripe.

No need for the subtitle, I agree. Any words like that should go on a page inside the book.

I like the title, and the photos that show old Provence style.

As to today's update, it is just right to have faith and then see another doctor to ease the healing along.

#4. #5, #6 and #7 are definitely out.

Hi Kristin,
I've read your blog on and off for ever now it seems :) I love it. For your book cover my eyes jumped to 4 (I'd buy that book!) to #7 as well. All the best to you.

I prefer #2 without the blue box.

4 is my choice..and the title stands on its own. good luck...i have been reading along...th ebook will be great!

#6-love the contrasting colors and the photos. That is my vote!

Hi there, Kristin,

Last Monday my son did a face plant and cut his face in two spots as well as receiving a couple of rather large cement burns. Although this is not even close to what you've endured, I feel compelled to mention that I put a tincture (purchased from a local herbologist) of olive oil, calendula flowers and lavender essential oil on his wound and in 6 days is now almost completely healed. Am wondering if you've given any thought to the magic of herbs and natural remedies? I could send you a bottle if you weren't able to find something similar in your corner of the woods. Let me know...

Love the covers. #6 would be my pick, but I'd scoot the image to the right a bit (enlarge image if necessary) so that the text could be centered between the door frame and the window. Also would bold up that text a wee bit so it stands out more. But very lovely options....

Bonne chance pour demain and with the marathon,
Angela

#4 is my choice; the words on the cover do not get in the way of the photo.

I feel the subtitle "Journey of Enlightenment Among the Lavendar" could actually be the title of your next book!

Hello Kristin,

Wow, you have a lot to consider re:book cover opinions. I don't have an issue with the title at all. My cover configuration would go like this.
Cover #4 with the title in the script of #'s 1,2 and 3. Love the full photo. The border detracts, in my opinion.
As for finding comfort in something higher, my belief for years has been in Notre Dame de Laghet in Laghet, France by La Turbie. She has gotten me through so many difficult times and has NEVER let me down. Think I have told you about her before.
Your book is going to be a HIT. Just know it! The light at the end of this endeavor is coming into view. I admire your ability to take on such a HUGE task at this time.
Look forward to voting on Friday.
All the best,
Cheryl

i love #7. I agree with the commenter who suggested a flower of some kind would be an apt visual addition.

"Englightenment Among the Lavender" is compelling--but i fear it may suggest a different kind of book to a potential buyer. I love the 'Vingnettes.....Language of Love' subtitle--it seems simple, but is actually quite profound. And lets me know exactly what i am holding.

and i loooove that you are having a dinner party in the middle of this! sometimes it's that distracted time in which the subconscious continues to churn things around and spark something amazing.

Number 4 for the covers! BUT with the writing of number 7. Clear, NO fiddly fuss!

Not everybody knows what a "tumbleweed" is... careful! It's a very American reference, which we Aussies know from American TV Westerns we grew up with. LOL

Oh! And I vote for 2! Thanks for letting all of us FWAD readers be a part of your newest venture! Bises!

My vote is for number 4 or 6. I enjoy your stories online; it is wonderful to take a few minute vacation to France in the midst of a workday. THANKS.

After 7 Art History classes at CSULB and all the art classes too...this is what I see: The photo in 1,2,and 3 is the right way to go, but in 1 there is too much blue, in 2 the color (in your name at the bottom)gets lost with the light background. And, with 3 you don't have these two problems. As, for #5 the green is great, but I would still use the photo from 1,2,3. #4 would just get lost among all the other books on the shelf...my typography teacher from Boeing Aircraft said that type should stand on it's own, you don't need to bubble the area around the type to make it work, so if you do outline the type like in #4...it's not a good design. #6 Looks like a cook book...nice but I don't think that is what you were looking for. #7 Looks more like a present and you are cover too much of your lovely photo. So, I guess I like 3 the best with either the color it is or with green. I hope this helps. Good luck!! :)

Hi Kristin,
I like 1 and 3. They have the feel and colors of Provence. The blue is a lovely color and the brown stands out and catches your eye. The others are too busy and have too many mixed pictures and boxes. I agree with Mom regarding the subtitle. Both 1 and 3 draw me in immediately with memories and the ambiance of the area. Good luck!
Nancy

dearest kristin,
your openness in sharing the feelings and thoughts about life as you live it earns you the friendship and love of all your reader-friends. I do believe that such love also promotes healing! And on a empirical note, scars like yours continue to heal and fade for 2 years at least. at one and 1-1/2 years after our 2 surgical scars each, my daughter and I were only mildly reassured when told that a year ago but are both finding it to be true.
yours is a spirit that abounds in healing energy -- creative, loving, honest, loyal, generous, full of humor and life-affirmation.

Hi Kristin,
My favorite is #2!!! It's light, warm, sunrising, promissing and mood-up! It stands out! I immediately spotted it from the others.
I am glad to hear that you are going to see a good doctor.
Dear, believe and everything will be all right! And no mercury or other heavy metals anymore!

God Bless You,
Olga.

My eyes are immediately drawn to numbers 3, 5 and 6.

Hi, Kristin! I'm always amazed at how many comments there are before I ever post. Maybe it has to do with time zones. I vote for #2 cover--love the font, the color, and that you are already an established author. I'll leave the editing to the pros in the crowd, but I do have an encouraging word about the Lourdes water. During my recent breast cancer treatment, a friend visited a Catholic grotto in Portland, Oregon and brought me some holy water for healing. I am Catholic, so it was not unusual to me, but I wondered if it had any extraordinary powers. I sprinkled it on myself every day before or after radiation treatments. All I can say is the radiation oncologist and nurses were astounded that I had not one iota of dermatitis the whole time...very unusual to come out unscathed. So I say, "Spray and Pray." You never know from where or from which one of God's instruments your healing comes. But it will come. And you may want to thank Him. Bonne guérison!

Oh, I am enjoying every post of your whirlwind journey through the world of internet publishing. And I'm sure that as your book "blossoms" into fruition and success with the help of your beautiful mother and your fans, your scar will fade into oblivion with the help of a good dermatologist. PS - I am contributing an edit only to add my name to your list of credits ... I find your style to be wonderful. :)

2,1,3. 4,5,6 are too busy and/ or hard to read. The simplicity of 2,1,3 allow one to appreciate the photo and the provencal colors.

I believe tears are flowing to further your healing. Let them flow and they help us to let go. :)

Today’s story so beautifully captures what I love about you and your writing. The book covers are lovely!!! So hard to choose just one… Glad we have until Friday to decide! Wonderul work Kristi!

My favorite is 4 and my second favorite is 6. No offense the rest of the designs feel a bit dated circa late 90's.

Hi Kristin -
My favourite is #7 - it stands out from the other traditional covers but fits perfectly with the "feel" of your stories. "Blossing in Provence" does not seem to speak to me nor reflect the your writing style, so I would suggest working with "vignettes" a bit more as I think it suits the context more.
Good luck with the publishing!

Nr 4 looks fine.