Stuck on Fonts

Instead of writing my next poem like a good little blogger, I have been obsessing about which font to use for the title of one of my next book covers for the last three hours.  I narrowed down the choices to 4 fonts from 15.  This is a rough sketch for the front cover of “Pirate Bear” in the 4 different fonts.

Which font do you like the most?  I am leaning towards one, but I’m not entirely convinced.

To give you an idea of the story, here are the first two pages of “Pirate Bear”:

Pirate Bear 1-2d

Any input on the font style would be very welcome! 🙂

148 thoughts on “Stuck on Fonts

  1. Third one!

    1. Okay, so that’s one vote for #3. Thank you! 🙂

  2. Looks like a fun book, Sonya. I may be no help but like both one and four. One because it doesn’t take away from the illustration and four because it looks piratey to me but also doesn’t detract from the picture.😊

    1. Alright, so one vote for #1 and one vote for #4. Thanks, Jordy! 🙂

    1. That’s two votes for #3. Thank you! 🙂

  3. 4th.it seems to match “pirate” concept to me. Best of luck!

    1. Second vote for #4. Thanks for your input! 🙂

  4. 4 lol 😊 It’s bold and clear. Just sayin

    1. Lol thank you! That’s three votes for #4. 😊🌸

  5. One is the best choice if the ones you have given, but I’m thinking something a little more playful

    1. Hmm, interesting. So that’s two votes for #1, with a little more playfulness. Thank you! 🙂

  6. Font #3. Clear is definitely important, but it’s clear enough to use for a title only and has more style or character than the others.

    1. That’s three votes for #3. I like your explanation as to why you like that font. Thank you so much for your input! 🙂

    1. Ooo, you are the first one to vote for #2. Thank you! 🙂

  7. Def. not no 2! It’s too thin and delicate. 🥴
    Think I would settle for no 4! Rough, and makes me think of older times. Vikings and such. Could that one fit the story? 😉😄

    1. That’s four for #4 then. So far #4 is leading with the votes. Vikings would be hilarious, but I didn’t write any into my story. I have bunnies, crocodiles, and one bear, no Vikings. 🙂

      1. And your drawing of the bear, makes him look as bold and ferocious as any viking might have been…
        … at least in my fantasy. 😀

        1. Lol then you can call him Viking Bear instead of Pirate Bear. But only you. 😉

          1. How nice of you!!! ❤ I'll cherish that!

            Anyway! Wasn't vikings actually some kind of pirates? Though not on the sea, but in far away countries… like east of Mediterranean sea. From Iceland or Norway to Constantinople (now Istanbul).

            I'm just babbling… 😉

            1. Lol that’s okay. You babble very coherently. 🙂

    1. You just tied up #3 and #4, now both with four votes each. Thank you for the vote! 🙂

  8. I understand why it’s so hard to choose! I say, trust your instincts, feline or otherwise 😊

    1. After three hours of humming and hawing, my instincts were telling me to gather intel hehe.

      1. Intel seems to be humming and hawing a bit too!?

        1. Lol yes, that makes things a little more tricky 😉

        2. It’s taken me a bit to decide, and I kept changing my vote in the way to the polling booth, but I think…. 3! (Or 1).

          1. LOL err alright, I will put you down for #3! Thank you for voting! 🙂

  9. I liked 1 initially, then I thought 4 was bold and would work well, then I moved to 3 as being more piratey. So, not giving my vote for 2 – liking 3 more, but 1 and 4 nearly up there, too.

    Hope this helps.

    G:)

    1. Okay, I’m going to put your vote down for #3, which puts #3 in the lead with five votes. This definitely helps! Thank you! 🙂

    1. You love that I’m so indecisive?

        1. Lol I was just teasing. 😜 Thank you! 😊🌸

  10. First or last would be my choice Cubby.
    When will the book be published?

    1. Hmm, I will put your vote down for #3 then since you listed it first. I am hoping “Pirate Bear” will be ready by April, although it be later if the illustrator needs more time.

    1. I’m putting your vote down for #4! That makes for a total of five votes for #4 and six votes for #3. Thank you for voting! 🙂

  11. I like 3 and 4, but would choose 4 as it stands out more, and is clearer to read for children especially.

    1. You just tied up 3 and 4 again, both at six votes each. Thank you for the explanation and vote! 🙂

  12. Pirate Bear must be very bold…..4 for me

    1. Hmm, good point. That’s the seventh vote for #4. Thank you! 🙂

  13. Possibly 4. I like 1 but it’s maybe a little formal and 4 seems easier for children to read than 3. If 2 had broader strokes it would be up there, though.

    1. Okay, I’m putting you down for #4 then. That makes eight votes for #4. Thank you for voting! 🙂

  14. The third font is my choice. It goes well with the pirate theme of a swashbuckling bear.

    1. #4 was starting to get ahead but you are closing the gap again. That’s seven votes #3 now to eight votes for #4. Thanks for your input! 🙂

  15. I like #4. Though I haven’t read through all your comments, a brief scan suggests a lot of variability in preference. I’d say that means you might want to go with what YOU like best 🙂

    1. I kind of like all of them, which is why I was so stuck. Your vote puts #4 at a total of nine, in the lead. 🙂

  16. I think number three looks like it was slashed with a rapier, so it would be more pirate-appropriate, but a WIDER slash, like with a cutlass, would be even better!

    1. So I’ll put down your vote for #3 then. Hmm, wider slash with a cutlass… something to look into. Thank you, soberflight! 🙂

  17. I like the second one 😊

    1. Ah, the second one was getting no love. That’s the second vote for #2. Thanks for you input! 🙂

      1. You’re welcome! 😊 Waiting patiently to what your final choice is.

        1. It’s a pretty tight race so far. I’ll do the reveal when the colored version is ready. 🙂

  18. The Graphite Syringe February 5, 2019 — 6:45 am

    Third one

    1. And you just tied it up again at nine votes each for #3 and #4. Thank you for voting! 🙂

  19. Number 3 – looks like it is meant to be for a pirate theme.

    1. So that’s the tenth vote for # 3 then. Thanks for the vote! 🙂

    1. Ooo that’s the fourth vote for #1. Thank you! 🙂

  20. #4 – it’s bold and easy to read. #1 is easier to read, but not as fun for a Pirate Bear. #3 is more fun, but harder to read.

    1. You tied up #4 and #3 again with ten votes each. Thank you for the vote and explanations! 🙂

    1. I’ll put your vote down for #1 and #4. You have such an artistic eye, so I find your choices very interesting. Thank you! 🙂

  21. EntangledDesigns February 5, 2019 — 8:05 am

    First or third.

  22. EntangledDesigns February 5, 2019 — 8:09 am

    Ooh… not third. I meant 4th! It should be either 1st or 4th. This looks so interesting, Cubby! Reminds me a little of TaleSpin, if Baloo were the villain instead of the loving, bumbling hero. 😋

    1. I’m putting you down for both #1 and #4 then. I’m hoping this book will appeal to a lot of kids and adults… and cat lovers. It’s got a cat in it. 😊

      1. I’m sure it will. I love the excerpt you have shared. Kinda want to know what’s next 😹 is my cat emoji doing the trick to get you to reveal more? 😸
        I kid, of course, Cubby! It’s gonna be great! 💕

        1. Lol I will be revealing more when it gets closer to the release date. 😊💜🌸

  23. # 4. It draws the eye to the title.
    I also like # 3, but it isn’t bold enough, so NUMBER 4 gets my vote.
    Best of luck with your new book. 🙂

    1. #4 is coming out further ahead with your vote with a total of 13. #3 is second with ten votes. Thank you for your vote! 🙂

  24. Three or four. Can’t decide!

    1. You and me both! I’ll put you down for one of each. 🙂

  25. Viner font because that seems most appropriate for words like “Pirate Bear.” They lend character to the title.

    1. #4 had been pulling ahead, but you are closing the gap again with your vote for #3. Thank you for your explanation as well! 🙂

  26. I say #4 – it’s as bold as a pirate. x

    1. Alright! It definitely is bold. Thank you for the input! 🙂

  27. Stylistically I like 3. 1 is good too.
    But, and I’m going to preach a little preach here based on experience, whichever one you choose please remember to make it accessible. The partially sighted are excluded from a lot of things simply by style choices. But I’m confident you’re way ahead of me on that already.

    1. Hmm, honestly I haven’t given the partially sighted too much consideration, but I do know I want the inside font to be a decent size and easy to read. I have seen some fonts in children’s books that are really difficult even for the almost fully sighted to make out. I can’t imagine what that would be like for the partially sighted. Thank you very much for the advice and vote! 🙂

  28. Personally, I like # 1 the best. I’m sure it’ll be cute either way

    1. Interesting! I’ll put your vote down for #1. Thank you for voting! 🙂

  29. No 1 for me and looks like a lovely book in the making

  30. I would definitely go with number 4. It’s swashbuckling and bold.

    1. I love that word, “swashbuckling.” Thank you for your input! 🙂

  31. Cubby one of my friends said she was going to order a few 🙂 and pass the info to her friends. Fingers crossed Jen

    1. Awww that is so nice. Thank you so much for reaching out to your friends. 😊🌹😘💖

      1. No problem. 🙂 Especially if I believe

      2. And you’re very welcome 😊❤

  32. In the shoes of the children I’ll say the thicker font, 4th (thick and unserious)… like which kid doesn’t like a thinker lollipop (lol.)

    It must be an interesting book.

    1. LOL a thicker lollipop, that’s hilarious. Thanks so much for your vote! 🙂

      1. Yes, that book is really a candly. I can see it

  33. *thicker

  34. I hope I’m not too late to the font party. I love a good font party. I see all the good snacks are gone. I like the third font the best, but I think the forth stands out and is most legible.

    That Pirate Bear does not sound like a nice gentleman. I bet he’s the one who ate all the good snacks.🚣🐻 (I don’t have any pirate emojis, so you get rowboat guy, and I’m not sure that’s a bear.)

    1. The third and fourth fonts have been the most popular so far. With your vote for #3, the total becomes fourteen for #3 and seventeen for #4.

      Pirate Bear won’t say who ate the snacks, but it probably is him as I see some crumbs on his fur. 🐻 Apparently that is a bear. 🐰 And that’s a bunny. 🐊 And that’s a crocodile. The three animals that will appear in my book.

      1. It looks interesting and exciting. How far are you from publishing it?

        1. I think it will be a few more months. Javier, the illustrator, has just finished all the rough sketches. I don’t know how long the coloring will take, but I am hoping it will be ready to be released for May.

          1. You don’t want it too close to the release of your first book, anyway, right?

            Why are you using a different illustrator? It seems to me that similar artwork would help with the familiarity. Or do you want to put out a variety?

            1. Actually, they say it’s a better strategy to release multiple books one after another in close succession so that you don’t lose momentum, which makes my timing completely off for this one.

              As for using a different illustrator, that’s because I think each illustrator has a certain style that works best for different stories.

              Kate, the illustrator of “I Want an Ostrich,” has a really wonderful whimsical, cute, semi-cartoon style that I think works well for that book as well as for “My Teacher Dad.”

              Javier, the illustrator for “Pirate Bear,” has a style more suited for creating realistic characters in realistically surreal settings.

              I have a third illustrator as well working on my fourth book. I would have used Kate again for that one, but her schedule is already ridiculously full.

              1. Well, you have obviously done your homework. That all makes sense. Chinchilla Books is going to be an empire. I’m excited for you.

                1. Ha I don’t know about an empire, but I’m sure as heck gonna try to turn it into something that can pay the bills. 🙂

                  1. You keep the modest goals. I’ll make the huge plans. We’ll settle for something in the middle.

                    1. I was thinking I would have big bills. 😉

                    2. 👍💰💴💵💶💷💸💲💱

                    3. Well, first I have to buy a dinosaur. That’s going to cost a fortune.

                    4. You don’t have the dino, yet? Have you considered a rescue? I think they’re less expensive.

                    5. I need more than one dino. I should have said, “first I have to buy another dinosaur.” That’s a good idea about a rescue. I’ll have to look into that.

                    6. You just have to be careful. There’s a big difference between a traumatized cat or dog and a traumatized dinosaur.

                    7. You are the pet guru. *takes notes*

                    8. Yeah, just ask the little dogs with the enormous snowballs in their ears.

  35. If you’re still taking votes – 1 or 4.

    1. Okay! I’ll put you down for one vote #1 and one vote #4. Thank you for voting! 🙂

  36. I got in on the decision cover process a day late. My choice is #1 is the Top Pick. The letters are more Kid Friendly for Early Readers to recognize. It just needs needs to be a little darker.

    1. Not too late at all. I appreciate your input and your explanation as to why you chose #1. Thank you! 😊💜

      1. You are welcome. I love that you can illustrate too. I have some rhyme books written I wish I could illustrate.

        1. HAHAHA sorry I’m laughing because I can’t illustrate worth a stick figure. These illustrations are by Javier Gimenez Ratti. I just hope I’ll break even at the end. 🙂

          1. I’m thinking I’ll just do mine with stick figures. That way it’s all good. I’ve thought about hiring someone, but finances just aren’t there yet. Maybe one day.

            1. I understand what you’re saying. Now, if you could write a story about stickmen, that would be perfect! 🙂

  37. Charlee: “Our Dada says we have to vote for #3, so here we are voting for #3!”
    Chaplin: “He says he knows how you feel, he’s spent many an hour picking out fonts for his book covers, too, and many more deciding exactly where they should go and how big they should be and things like that.”
    Charlee: “It all sounds like too much work for us. We would rather just sleep!”

    1. You only get one vote between the three of you, so I’m putting down one vote for #3. Thank you for voting! It’s a close race between #3 and #4. 🙂

      It’s amazing how all the little details can take so much time. But I get the feeling you may have slightly obsessive-compulsive tendencies like I do. 😉

  38. I like number 3 the best for two reasons. First it seems to match the style you used in the story. Second…I was my favorite before I saw the first page of the book. 😁😁

    1. This is a really tight race! #4 is now only ahead by three votes. Thanks for voting! 🙂

  39. Number three – but can you have more than one depending on the flavor of your post?

    1. I only get one choice for my cover, unless I want to make it different for paperback and hardcover versions…which I could do. Hmm, that’s something to think about. Thank you! 🙂

      1. Yes! The hardcover is more serious and formal while the paperback is a little bit flighty and less formal?

        Like trying to choose between wearing a suit and tie or just slacks and a short-sleaze shirt!

        Does that make any sense at all?

        1. It definitely does! This is some serious food for thought. Which makes me hungry. Need brain food.

  40. Oops! Forgot to vote. I like font #1.

    1. Thank you for your vote! 😀

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