Congrats! :o)

I think the funky, hip, non-traditional layout will be appealing to Cultural Creatives and younger people. Not sure a C-level exec or conservative manager will be as likely to pick it up. So, depending on your desired audience you may want to make some design changes.

Looking forward to receiving my copy! Peace.

Either way, I’m looking forward to receiving your draft soon!

Concerning the layout:
* The design signals happiness and spirituality to me, and I like that very much. However, as Toby mentioned, it might signal selfhelp book and in that way scare off some of the potential audience. Maybe those who would benefit the most…
* One way to avoid that might be to go for a darkish, “serious” blue. Personally, I’d like purple, but again, that would probably signal self-help. Which it is, of course, but… I guess you know what I mean. Also, the dots could maybe be turned into something a bit less “spiritual”, and more “bubbling”.
* I agree with Jach that the white title is lost against the background – that might be helped with a darker background colour.
* I’d use another picture on the back – even though you’re standing straight, you seem to hunch,which seems like a contradiction to your messages. Somehow, one has to think a while to realize that the reason is that you’re in deep thought.

I agree with the other bloggers that the title might be problematic. I suggest using the plural: Happy hours are… / 9 to 5 are happy hours! / Work hours are happy hours!
The subtitle? I have a problem with the “how to”. To me, it makes the book seem (too) simplistic, a bit like the Mars – Venus books. A few ideas:
* You profit – they profit (might bring it up in a web search for profit – and it’s neutral. No matter your perspective (manager / employee), you’re in)
* Everybody profits
* Life and profits work together / co-work
* Make life and profits work together / co-work

Have fun with your further work!

I like your book already, so I asked someone (a former boss) who didn’t know about it what does he think about it. I’ll try to summarize.

[Since we don't work from 9 to 5] the title doesn’t say anything special to me this may or may not be a problem depending on your target audience in which, in fact, be the common denominator

The thing about the happy hour and work caused a little confusion (but then again, that’s maybe what you want :)

The white title is lost against the pale green background.

The “kick butt” thing may lead to people to question the seriousness of the info. In the other hand, it may be something refreshing in the middle of a bad stroke (and here is where I read again the whole e-mail and realized that cheering-up is in order)

Looking forward for this book

Toby & Alfredo: You’re right, managers are in the target also, but are left out of the subtitle. Damn, I’ll have to fix that. Any ideas?

Uri & Anne & Silvia: We’re changing the colors a little to accentuate happy hour.

Mary & Shel: You should see some of the other design suggestions – they were even wilder :o) I’m glad you like it overall.

Pauly: I agree, CHO needs to be a little bigger.

Traci: Thanks!!

rich: The book is both about making your current job happy or moving to a new one – whatever it takes to make you happy at work. Of course happy hour is about drinking but I’m hoping people will know that I’m talking about less alcohol-driven good times here :o)

MyNamesIsMatt & Nneka: Wanna know something funny: The little man is not even intended as a clock :o) Funny what we see when we look.

1. I think the bluish-green color isn’t happy enough. I would go with either a warm color (reds-oranges) or a funky green (bright acid).

2. I would color “Happy� or “Happy Hour� on the title the same red as the “9″ and “5″. Either way, the visual accent should be always lean towards “Happy�.

As others have said, not digging the color scheme, although on the monitor I’m looking at this with, my colors/contrast can be WAY off, so I’ll have to take another look at home (I refuse to sit anywhere else than the sunniest spot with the sunroof over head and a view of the trees outside with more sunny spilling through). Personally, I like the “Good to Great” styling, and I think that was a powerful cover for a powerful book. Maybe you could do a compare with some book covers that have grabbed you?

As a final note, and on the upside, I do really like the author text at the top for whatever reason.

I agree with the color scheme problems. Read the title on the thumbnail — what jumps out? “9″ and “5″. Remember that if your book is going on Amazon and friends, a thumbnail is all your potential customers are going to see when they’re browsing.

Lastly, the subtitle doesn’t make me want to pick it up. I don’t know if it’s about improving my current situation or about leaving a job to find a better job elsewhere, and that’s a big distinction to make.

(Also, have you given consideration to the primary meaning of “happy hour” as a time to drink?)