Captain Wentworth in His Own Words is nearing the finish line, and I’m thinking about the cover design. So, as you may know, I conducted a survey recently, in a post over at Austen Variation, where I asked which of a collection of images should serve as the inspiration for the cover art.

I really appreciate everyone who participated! The voting was spirited and the results a little surprising – to me, at least. Before we get to them, though, let me catch the rest of you up a bit.

Using “Captain Wentworth Persuasion” as my search terms, I collected the best of what popped up. They aren’t all precisely on target but, using the artist’s license, any one of them could be sufficiently transformed to serve the purpose. This is only for inspiration, after all.

So in addition to the official Wentworths – Ciaran Hinds (#5 and 6), Rupert Penry-Jones (#1 and 8), and Cosmo Jarvis (#7) – I added a few Horatio Hornblower images – Ioan Gruffudd (#2 and 9) and from 1951, Gregory Peck (#4). Finally, I threw Poldark into the mix (#3 – Aidan Turner) for good measure!

The hard part is deciding between these lovely options! Which is why I asked for help, as I have before. (See these earlier posts: The Mr. Knightley Pageant, Colonel Brandon cover prototypes .)

Around 60 people responded to the Captain Wentworth poll, most voting for the actor they preferred (I frequently heard, “He’s my Captain Wentworth,” in the comments) rather than for the specific pose. Several mentioned that they felt, regardless which image is ultimately selected as the inspiration photo, showing some evidence of a naval uniform was very important. I totally agree (and it would be no trouble to add it where necessary). Captain Wentworth is more at home on a ship than in a drawing room, after all!

Now, without further ado, here are the poll results:

• 1st place: Ciaran Hinds
• 2nd place: Rupert Penry-Jones
• 3rd place: Gregory Peck
• 4th place: Ioan Gruffudd
• 5th place: Aidan Turner
• 6th place: Cosmo Jarvis

Are you surprised? I expected a tight race between CH and RPJ for first and second, and I had no idea which would come out on top. The surprise was how lopsided the vote turned out, CH receiving almost twice as many votes as his rival. I was also impressed with GP’s relatively strong showing. People thought IG was too recognizable as Horatio Hornblower and too baby-faced. And CJ, sadly, had virtually no support at all.

What does it all mean? As is always the case, the cover probably won’t make everybody happy. Some people will get their favorite and some will not. But it seems I do have a pretty clear mandate from the people this time, which should make my final decision a little less agonizing.

Do you have any further thoughts on the images or the cover design? It’s not too late to add your input!

I expect to have Captain Wentworth in His Own Words out late this summer, probably August. Watch for the cover reveal and other exciting announcements! (If you’ve missed earlier posts, see the book page, and excerpt 1, excerpt 2)

Captain Frederick Wentworth… was at that time a remarkably fine young man, with a great deal of intelligence, spirit, and brilliancy; and Anne an extremely pretty girl, with gentleness, modesty, taste, and feeling. Half the sum of attraction on either side might have been enough, for he had nothing to do, and she had hardly anybody to love…

Persuasion, chapter 4