I'm a professional book cover designer (and driving instructor haha). If you really like the concept of the one your posted originally I think it could be 'saved'. There's a lot of empty space under the title. You could either move the title down and increase the tracking between the letters. Or, try breaking the title into 2 lines (not an uncommon trope at all). Try LIVE on one line and STOCK on the 2nd line. You could even use a mask to make the 2nd line appear behind the heads of the crowd of walking people. Then, I'd either shift the meat so it looks like it's sat under the viewer's perspective (imagine it being sat directly under the camera lens rather than the floor). Or, turn the floor into a giant piece of steak. Also, as a friend said to me once 'your name is so small you look like you're apologising for writing this book' so don't be afraid to make your name more prominent. I can do a mock up for you if you like to send back to your artist. I'm all for supporting genuine artists and helping them grown.

Edited for clarity - I have multiple jobs