Friday, September 30, 2011

Upcoming Book Covers

It's time for me to dust off my old friend: the soapbox. Or as I like to call him, Mr Soapboxy (it's not original or anything, but I'm not that clever when I'm aggravated, so it's fitting).

Anyways.

Covers.

I am noticing some patterns with them.

And it displeases me.

Is it just me, or are do we only have two categories of covers any more? Or, at least, that's what late 2011 and early 2012 cover artists seem to think.

First, we have the face of the protagonist looking dramatically into the the camera:


The second category is the girls doing pretty poses in pretty clothes with a pretty background:


I mean seriously? Am I the only one who's noticed this and finds this annoying? I've never been huge on either of the above types of covers and I'm frustrated that they're becoming the norm.

I want more covers like the one Gone, Gone, Gone has; simple, eloquent, and grabbing.


 Or like the beautiful artsy cover of The Night Circus:


I know some people love the covers I dislike, but how do you feel about them? How do you feel about the covers I like?

 
Posted by Jessica B at 4:30 AM
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4 comments:

  1. EvieSeptember 30, 2011 at 4:57 AM

    I love cover art but I wish it was more varied.

    I know an artist that use to work in the art department of a big publishing house. She once told me that cover artists are not required to read the books before designing covers, but she always tried to so she could help her team with ideas. She became frustrated because team members really weren't interested in reading all the books (or at least a few key chapters) so they were coming up with very generic ideas. Plus, their hands are tied really, and have to go along with what the business people think will sell books, and they are all about trends.

    Since then, she's quit and started her own tattoo business and she makes three times the amount of money and her creativity and talent is appreciated!

    I prefer unique covers that add to the intrigue of the book.

    Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Javid SuleymanliSeptember 30, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    I love the cover of Gone, Gone, Gone

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tales of WhimsySeptember 30, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO with you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Maggie Desmond-O'BrienSeptember 30, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Yeah, I'm pretty tired of the Angsty White Girl Looking Angstily Into Camera covers, and really, really tired of the Angsty White Girl Angstily Wearing Beautiful Dress variation. I'll admit the cover for POSSESS caught my eye, though.

    GONE, GONE, GONE and THE NIGHT CIRCUS are so beautiful! More covers like those, publishers! Get on it. ;)

    ReplyDelete

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