Comments on: Cover Me http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/ About the craft and business of genre fiction Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Juliet http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67115 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:26:26 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67115 Allison, I really like the softer look of this paperback cover. But then, I love Jodi Picoult so maybe I'm in the target demographic. Did you notice your name is in bigger print than the title? That has to be good! I've had some startling covers in my time, on some of which there's been no consultation whatever. For my next book, the cover image for the Australian edition is being done by an artist I know personally and I'm being consulted right through the creative process which is a completely new experience for me. In a way it's worrying, as I've always been told by publishers that it's the marketing people who know best where covers are concerned. Allison, I really like the softer look of this paperback cover. But then, I love Jodi Picoult so maybe I’m in the target demographic. Did you notice your name is in bigger print than the title? That has to be good!

I’ve had some startling covers in my time, on some of which there’s been no consultation whatever. For my next book, the cover image for the Australian edition is being done by an artist I know personally and I’m being consulted right through the creative process which is a completely new experience for me. In a way it’s worrying, as I’ve always been told by publishers that it’s the marketing people who know best where covers are concerned.

]]> by: Suzanne http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67107 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:57:33 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67107 What is so striking to me is that the hardback and paperback convey such different moods...and yes I can see the appeal to different demographics. And if the new paperback cover art will widen you audience, then I say terrific! One observation: I think both covers portray different dimensions of your lead character's personality...sort of a 'before and after' of what she has achieved through her journey. -suz. What is so striking to me is that the hardback and paperback convey such different moods…and yes I can see the appeal to different demographics. And if the new paperback cover art will widen you audience, then I say terrific!

One observation: I think both covers portray different dimensions of your lead character’s personality…sort of a ‘before and after’ of what she has achieved through her journey.

-suz.

]]> by: Therese Walsh http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67081 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:08:08 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67081 Juliet's going to think I'm making this up, but seriously, the first time I saw the cover for Daughter of the Forest, I fell in lurve. Of course the content and the cover are a perfect fit for one another. Juliet’s going to think I’m making this up, but seriously, the first time I saw the cover for Daughter of the Forest, I fell in lurve. Of course the content and the cover are a perfect fit for one another.

]]> by: ChiaLynn http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67072 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:12:53 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67072 I know I've picked up books because I liked the look of the cover (and bought them if I liked the description on the back or inside), but I have trouble naming them - the content overwhelmed my initial impression of the cover, so now I just remember it was a good book. (While I was typing that, I realized that I can name one, off the top of my head - Kushiel's Dart. Though now I remember picking that one up several times, because I loved the cover, but the blurb on the back just wasn't doing anything for me. I finally read a few pages, bought it, and got hooked.) I can definitely name a series I resisted for years because of the covers - The Wheel of Time. I think it was after the fourth book I finally overcame my revulsion for the cover art and bought the first one. And then, of course, I read eight or nine of them, before deciding I was just going to wait til the series was done, but that's a different discussion. I know I’ve picked up books because I liked the look of the cover (and bought them if I liked the description on the back or inside), but I have trouble naming them - the content overwhelmed my initial impression of the cover, so now I just remember it was a good book. (While I was typing that, I realized that I can name one, off the top of my head - Kushiel’s Dart. Though now I remember picking that one up several times, because I loved the cover, but the blurb on the back just wasn’t doing anything for me. I finally read a few pages, bought it, and got hooked.)

I can definitely name a series I resisted for years because of the covers - The Wheel of Time. I think it was after the fourth book I finally overcame my revulsion for the cover art and bought the first one. And then, of course, I read eight or nine of them, before deciding I was just going to wait til the series was done, but that’s a different discussion.

]]> by: theamcginnis http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67065 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:21:11 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67065 a cover is a powerful marketing tool - publishers have known that for years, i suppose. perhaps that is why authors want definite input on them. anyway, congratulations on your paperback release, allison! a cover is a powerful marketing tool - publishers have known that for years, i suppose. perhaps that is why authors want definite input on them. anyway, congratulations on your paperback release, allison!

]]> by: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67064 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:01:23 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67064 The new cover is beautiful, Allison. It IS weird how covers follow trends, and now we're getting partial heads. I hated the "kicky shoe" trend that was big until recently. Every single women's fic/chick lit book showed either feet or shoes. It was insulting, actually. The new cover is beautiful, Allison. It IS weird how covers follow trends, and now we’re getting partial heads. I hated the “kicky shoe” trend that was big until recently. Every single women’s fic/chick lit book showed either feet or shoes. It was insulting, actually.

]]> by: Trish Ryan http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67059 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:39:38 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67059 It's such a surprise when the cover differs from what you've had in your mind during all those months of writing! I was shocked by my cover, but now I've come to love it...in no small part because it's EXACTLY the type of cover I'd pick up in a bookstore :) I loved your first cover...but I think it's cool that you've got the chance to reach so many more readers with a new one for the paperback. Such a great alternative to publishers throwing up their hands and saying, "Better luck next time..." Here's to your back of the head girl being in millions of reader's hands this summer! (Wait, that doesn't sound right...) It’s such a surprise when the cover differs from what you’ve had in your mind during all those months of writing! I was shocked by my cover, but now I’ve come to love it…in no small part because it’s EXACTLY the type of cover I’d pick up in a bookstore :)

I loved your first cover…but I think it’s cool that you’ve got the chance to reach so many more readers with a new one for the paperback. Such a great alternative to publishers throwing up their hands and saying, “Better luck next time…”

Here’s to your back of the head girl being in millions of reader’s hands this summer! (Wait, that doesn’t sound right…)

]]> by: Allison Winn Scotch http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67053 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:06:50 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67053 Diana, Thanks for sharing your experience! I remember seeing the various incarnations posted on your site as they happened. Yeah, it's really jarring but I've come to accept it! Teri- I was thinking that I should have added in some more stuff about exactly what you posted above - GalleyCat has been running a big thread (in which my book is noted) about the current trend of "back of head" covers. Weird. I also think it's a little odd that there's no market research about what cover might work: why not survey some potential readers as to what resonates? Just another odd thing about our industry! Diana,
Thanks for sharing your experience! I remember seeing the various incarnations posted on your site as they happened. Yeah, it’s really jarring but I’ve come to accept it!

Teri-
I was thinking that I should have added in some more stuff about exactly what you posted above - GalleyCat has been running a big thread (in which my book is noted) about the current trend of “back of head” covers. Weird. I also think it’s a little odd that there’s no market research about what cover might work: why not survey some potential readers as to what resonates? Just another odd thing about our industry!

]]> by: Diana Peterfreund http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67049 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:14:01 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67049 It's absolutely a shocking moment, when you see the paperback. My publisher, also, went for an entirely different kind of image for the paperbacks of my books -- trying to hit the beach-going, younger market. I think the first two are extremely preppy looking -- like a girl in boarding school. My hardcover, by contrast, was very collegiate feeling. The third one captures the book best of all, though. And no, being compared to Jodi Picoult is NEVER a bad thing! It’s absolutely a shocking moment, when you see the paperback. My publisher, also, went for an entirely different kind of image for the paperbacks of my books — trying to hit the beach-going, younger market. I think the first two are extremely preppy looking — like a girl in boarding school. My hardcover, by contrast, was very collegiate feeling.

The third one captures the book best of all, though.

And no, being compared to Jodi Picoult is NEVER a bad thing!

]]> by: Therese Walsh http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67046 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:44:37 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/04/10/cover-me/#comment-67046 It would be an interesting thing to explore, wouldn't it? Look at your bookshelf and pull out those books you chose solely based on cover art. What trends do you notice? It's a little like psychotherapy via bookshelf. :-) Congrats on both covers, Allison. And best of luck reaching that new demographic! It would be an interesting thing to explore, wouldn’t it? Look at your bookshelf and pull out those books you chose solely based on cover art. What trends do you notice? It’s a little like psychotherapy via bookshelf. :-)

Congrats on both covers, Allison. And best of luck reaching that new demographic!

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