Holy Kaw! (pronounced "Holy Cow!")

Nice cover

Very nice design

nice one guy - looking forward to reading it...

It may seem trite—and I’m usually not slavish about such rules—but in this case I really would drop the “and” to start the line below and also drop the “Your” to start the last line. I really think that will look better.

Have you tried using the yellow of actual no. 2 pencils instead of the red? Then you could also change the subtitle to the same color of the print that’s on no. 2s. It would make for an all the more interesting contrast with the pencilled words (tho’ I’m not 100% sure of the title and your name being in both the same type and t the same size as the title.

I like it but I think the bottom (name and "best selling author") is hard to read because of the background and font color.

Maybe with Stephen's suggestions this gets better.

Looking forward to see the inside...

To be honest... I'm used to something better from you, Guy. Are you sure this is the best design?
Anyway, good luck with your new book... People that know you will buy it even with the ugliest cover ever :-)

Guy, for what it's worth, your name is key and should be on top:

(smaller font)From the Best Selling author of The Art of the Start

Guy Kawasaki's

Irreverent Guide
to Outsmarting
Outmanaging, and
Outmarketing Your
Competition

Reality Checks

I'm not sure I get the red pencil and the last one still being sharp. Maybe I'm missing the symbolism.

I like it overall. The pencils are a nice touch. My only suggestion would be to make the type on the pencils appear a bit more stamped into the wood like a traditional pencil logo/name. That would look cool. Otherwise, nice design.

Guy, I don't know if you wanted more feedback on this cover or this is the final you're showing off, but these are actually some very good observations people have made that could make it have more impact. I agree especially with the "stamping" effect on the pencils, word adjustments and color change to typical No. 2 pencil (hey, you could theme it around not being No. 2.. hehe) but also, I think the bottom part with the sketchy font should be changed to something stronger and not be sketchy. Your name will sell this book regardless of the title and it should stand out - you're just cool like that!! :-) Good luck and I can't wait to hold it in my grubby paws.

Well played. The drawn type is a nice payoff, Guy. Looking forward to reading it.

Agree with all the constructive critique - whether it's welcome or not!! :-)

One observation / suggestion:
I'd have the last pencil the one with worn down / broken lead... why would "competition" be represented as the sharpest pencil?

Of course I'd *buy* the book even if it was in a brown paper bag... but there you go!!

twitter @simmonet

I suggest you make it three pencils colored red white and blue and you rewrite the title. Irreverence means disrespectful...I don't get the title...how about Playing Dirty Competition

I'm fussy and I like it. Simplistic is a good thing.
Like HolyKaw. :)