Porthole or Chart?

2/1/2018

Which of these book covers peaks your interest? Would prompt you to pull it off a retailer’s shelf for a “good summer read?” Or grab your attention on Amazon? The porthole or the chart?

Would you vote? Please?

As many of you know, this summer I am launching Uncharted Waters: Romance, Adventure, and Advocacy on the Great Lakes. It is a charming, funny, and honest series of essays sharing the tales of a Fortune 500 executive (me) learning to sail, learning to love, learning to fight for the water and life I hold dear.

So . . . what do you think? Porthole or chart? Comment on this site or send me a confidential email at [email protected]. Please include suggestions on how either might be improved.

Second, would you be willing to share this blog with others? The more input I receive before making a decision the better. Forward this link https://www.marymckschmidt.com/blog or share my post on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mary.mckschmidt.

Not surprising (especially after you read the book), Rubin and I don’t agree on the best cover. We bet a buck on the outcome of the vote. So thank you for taking a moment to share your opinion. It matters.

I’ll keep you posted on the results.

17 Comments

Dave Dempsey

2/1/2018 08:00:19 am

Chart by a fathom!

Pamela Harman Daugavietis

2/1/2018 08:24:52 am

Mary, while both are handsome and appealing, I like the one on the right best. Perhaps the colors are softer and the map that invites the witness into some action and purpose and meaning. I truly can't wait to read it.

pat Eldean

2/1/2018 08:35:28 am

I prefer the colorful cover on the right. It attracts my attention. (Purple is one of my favorite colors) Although the cover on the left is certainly nautical, it fades away in the back ground. It would probably stay on the shelf.

Patricia Roehling

2/1/2018 08:41:27 am

I like the porthole best.

Ed Sturrus

2/1/2018 08:58:25 am

The chart - definitely more attention getting.

Joan Rothenberg

2/1/2018 08:59:43 am

Porthole, hands down! I'd love to see the chart inside the cover on the end pages at the beginning and the end of the book; or, even better, a chart that charts your journey, if that fits. Can't wait to see the book!

Mary Ellen Miller

2/1/2018 09:51:41 am

I much prefer the porthole (of course, I'm not a sailor!) The idea of poring over charts and using measuring devices is much less appealing to me than the beauty of the endless horizon stretching before me out the window.

Todd Ambs

2/1/2018 10:27:28 am

I like both of them but my experience has been that people are drawn to maps. Back when I did a lot of tabling at events, if we wanted to bring people over to our booth we would put up a map as a backdrop. It acted like a magnet and sucked people over to the booth.

Nancy Laflin

2/1/2018 10:56:40 am

I’m looking at both from a phone - and loving both! But the one below got my attention 😊

2/1/2018 11:01:33 am

For what it's worth, Mary, I asked my husband which he prefers and he said the one on the right, but without the word "Romance." Of course, I snickered at his response and said, "Only because you're a man," but then I thought to "lure" some men into your story who might agree with him, you could switch the order to Adventure, Advocacy and Romance. Just a thought . . .

Sandy Hack

2/1/2018 01:41:43 pm

Mary, my eyes were definitely drawn to the cover with the map. It looks intriguing and that there might be an adventure inside.

Emilie Vardaman link

2/1/2018 03:32:17 pm

The chart. I think. I like both!

Lynn Smith

2/1/2018 04:06:31 pm

Tough choice, Mary, because they're both really good. My initial response was to vote for the porthole, but upon further reflection, I feel strongly about the other cover. The chart is more "open" to any and all directions (possibilities) and gives the viewer the option of active participation, rather than passive observation. Finally, after reading the above comments, it would appear that men are more interested in the chart cover and they should also have the opportunity to read your insightful, and often hilarious, stories.

Eric Stemle

2/1/2018 08:02:12 pm

Such a decision! The porthole's image is stunning, and it metaphorically suggests a view to what's inside. The chart is more literal (perhaps why so many of our comments link that to a man's preference), and it does speak to the title more directly. My head goes with the chart, my heart goes with the porthole. I always follow my heart!

Lori

2/1/2018 08:12:32 pm

Just showed the covers to Bill...he said the chart. It adds more mystery. I sent you an email earlier, I also voted for chart. Our friends Randy and Anita are split. Randy likes the chart, Anita is voting for the port. FYI, Bill really thinks you should have a picture of you and Rubin sailing from Chicago to Holland in the mega storm. A picture of your boat being tossed in the waves would be dramatic.

Barb Ferguson

2/1/2018 08:30:04 pm

I vote for the porthole....although when I glanced at the subject of your email, I read it as ‘pothole’ and couldn’t figure out why you were writing about deteriorating roads. Oops!

Joyce

2/2/2018 03:21:28 am

I vote for the porthole...with additional photography somewhere in the book. I love some of your photos of Lake Michigan, Big Red and the sandy beach. Maybe include some?!

The Journey 2012-2023

Porthole or Chart?

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