I just have to play devil’s advocate here: perhaps the premise of the book is crazy, but does that make the cover art bad? In terms of artistic execution, what would you tell Kirk DuPounce he should have done differently on this in terms of illustration or typography?
This book has landed on a couple “worst cover” sites, and I really just think people are having a visceral reaction to the premise, not the actual quality of the illustration. Just sayin’
Otherwise, some real gems here, good for a tear-inducing laugh.
As someone who has actually read this book (see review – http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/amish-vampires-in-space), I will admit that I was drawn to it because the cover and title are hilarious. Nobody can deny that… But I ended up getting the book because it actually looked interesting. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I ended up liking it.
I’m a bit baffled… what exactly is wrong with the cover? Have you seen some of the sci-fi covers out there? I think there’s an issue here separating the books *concept* from the artist/typography. Though I guess press is press, right?
For generations the people of Pawsatucky were puzzled by waking in the morning to find crop circles and fully erected barns appearing mysteriously in their fields…
Apparently it actually originally started with an Christian Sci-Fi Editor making a joke cover for “Amish Vampires in Space 3: Vein Pursuit” about the popularity of Vampire and Amish fiction (at least in the Christian community), then one of the authors he worked with actually went and wrote it. See http://www.speculativefaith.com/2013/09/06/explaining-the-epic-amish-vampires-in-space/ for the author’s description of the process. (Includes the epically bad mock-cover for Vein Pursuit)
I guess those commenters have a point that it’s not so much the cover art as the premise that makes one do a double take and stare. It seems to be the ultimate in “write a story with a dartboard of topics.” Thanks for the true backstory, TimP.
I suppose you can’t fault this for truth-in-advertising. And, really, what else would you put on the cover? Another unfortunately-suggestive-shaped spaceship? Would a space-age Amish even travel in such a spaceship?
I realize some of the commenters have stated that in this book is apparently better than it sounds, but I still find the title hilarious. It looks like it leapt straight out of a ’50s pulp.
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July 2nd, 2014 at 9:06 am
“Oh ja, Mary Lou, you look very plain covered in blood!”
July 2nd, 2014 at 11:09 am
Geez, these box ticking exercises just get more ridiculous. Good luck powering your spaceship with no electricity.
July 2nd, 2014 at 11:33 am
Amish spaceships are powered by chucking hay out of the exhaust ports!
July 2nd, 2014 at 12:02 pm
The fellow in back was drained of all of his colours but green…so, I rather think the potted plant is safe.
Good reviews on GoodReads. I know what my wife is getting for her birthday this year!
July 2nd, 2014 at 12:10 pm
To be fair, Amish vampires anywhere else would be silly.
July 2nd, 2014 at 1:48 pm
The Transylvania Dutch
July 2nd, 2014 at 2:28 pm
This cover is missing out on some excellent tagline opportunities:
“Barn to be wild.”
“The end comes not with a bang but with a wimple.”
“She’s got more than just a bee in her bonnet.”
July 2nd, 2014 at 3:08 pm
What does John Book have to say about this.
July 2nd, 2014 at 4:43 pm
“In space, no one can hear you Rumspringa.”
July 2nd, 2014 at 4:58 pm
I just have to play devil’s advocate here: perhaps the premise of the book is crazy, but does that make the cover art bad? In terms of artistic execution, what would you tell Kirk DuPounce he should have done differently on this in terms of illustration or typography?
This book has landed on a couple “worst cover” sites, and I really just think people are having a visceral reaction to the premise, not the actual quality of the illustration. Just sayin’
Otherwise, some real gems here, good for a tear-inducing laugh.
July 2nd, 2014 at 5:12 pm
As someone who has actually read this book (see review – http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/amish-vampires-in-space), I will admit that I was drawn to it because the cover and title are hilarious. Nobody can deny that… But I ended up getting the book because it actually looked interesting. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I ended up liking it.
July 2nd, 2014 at 5:37 pm
The cover is trying to make us think ‘Buffy’ but I’m thinking ‘Rosie Dixon, Night Nurse’. Which is showing my age somewhat.
July 2nd, 2014 at 6:21 pm
I’m a bit baffled… what exactly is wrong with the cover? Have you seen some of the sci-fi covers out there? I think there’s an issue here separating the books *concept* from the artist/typography. Though I guess press is press, right?
July 2nd, 2014 at 8:02 pm
The cover depicts the book’s story.
Its a “what if” sort of book, which all good sci fi does.
What if the Amish persist hundreds of years into the future to a time when cultural colonies are being set up?
What if they go along but something then goes terribly wrong?
The title was meant to be a bit if a joke, but the story is not.
Have an open mind and give it a try.
July 3rd, 2014 at 1:51 am
Bibliomancer wins.
July 3rd, 2014 at 2:56 am
For generations the people of Pawsatucky were puzzled by waking in the morning to find crop circles and fully erected barns appearing mysteriously in their fields…
July 3rd, 2014 at 5:36 am
Apparently it actually originally started with an Christian Sci-Fi Editor making a joke cover for “Amish Vampires in Space 3: Vein Pursuit” about the popularity of Vampire and Amish fiction (at least in the Christian community), then one of the authors he worked with actually went and wrote it. See http://www.speculativefaith.com/2013/09/06/explaining-the-epic-amish-vampires-in-space/ for the author’s description of the process. (Includes the epically bad mock-cover for Vein Pursuit)
July 7th, 2014 at 3:34 pm
Are all Amish hot green eyed blondes or just he vampire ones?
July 7th, 2014 at 7:12 pm
I guess those commenters have a point that it’s not so much the cover art as the premise that makes one do a double take and stare. It seems to be the ultimate in “write a story with a dartboard of topics.” Thanks for the true backstory, TimP.
Can it be topped? Maybe not.
July 10th, 2014 at 10:53 pm
I suppose you can’t fault this for truth-in-advertising. And, really, what else would you put on the cover? Another unfortunately-suggestive-shaped spaceship? Would a space-age Amish even travel in such a spaceship?
July 28th, 2014 at 8:54 pm
@A.R.Yngve Not hay, horseshit.
April 12th, 2015 at 2:07 pm
“Actually, I’m a Mennonite vampire.”
August 27th, 2015 at 2:34 am
I realize some of the commenters have stated that in this book is apparently better than it sounds, but I still find the title hilarious. It looks like it leapt straight out of a ’50s pulp.