And Now Here's Another Episode of Cover My Ass

 May 22, 2025

   Nothing creates more controversy at True West magazine than arguing about covers. Here are two proposed versions of our next cover designed by Dan The Man:

Cover #1

Cover #2

   And, here for you reading pleasure are some of the sincere and smartass responses from our staff and contributing editors:

"The first one. It's more colorful, and has less horror movie vibes."

—James B. Mills

"I like the new one. #2"

—John Fusco

"I think the first image is the more appealing of the two, but I'm not sure if the 2nd might make someone more likely to pick it up and take a closer look, and it does match the headline better. And headline-wise, I'd rather be optimistic: how about YOUNG GUNS III IS FINALLY GONNA HAPPEN!"

—Henry Parke

   "The corpse is creepy and different, and it fits the headline. The horse is colorful and what readers are used to seeing. So ... will creepy and different turn off more potential buyers or will it attract them and new readers? Will colorful and the expected grab their attention or will they think, Nothing new here? You never know. That's why I never ask for cover approval on my novels. If I don't ask, then I can blame the publisher for putting a bad cover on an awesome book. It was the cover, not my writing, that killed those sales! That's my non-answer, and I'm sticking to it. Good luck."

—Johnny D. Boggs

"First one is obvious and more appealing.  Second is creepy and interesting.  So I'll do a Boggs and say, 'Good luck!'" 

—Mark Boardman

"The first one is a great cover, but it’s not really any different from your other great covers. The bottom will get more attention on the newsstand, and, I believe, sell better." 

—Mark Lee Gardner