Cover me, baby!
Apr 25th 2007
Karen HawkinsOn Writing!
One of my books, HER MASTER AND COMMANDER, is up for a cover award. Here’s the contest link in case you, uhm, you know, want to vote or something.
No pressure, of course. And you may see a cover or so from your other goddesses, too . . . I can’t remember if there were any more in there . . . ok, maybe one. But I’m not saying which; you’ll have to see for yourself!
My favorite category (besides the Two-Cover Category) was Worst Covers. I laughed SO HARD but I also winced a good bit, thinking of the poor authors who got stuck with some of these. Which made me think of today’s topic — COVERS.
It’s an age old romance question — what constitutes a good cover? Some of you may not realize that authors have only a nominal part in the cover design process. We can ask for certain things, but the decision is made at a Cover Conference meeting and no, authors are not invited.
No author wants a horrid cover. Fortunately, your lovely goddesses have all been blessed by the cover gods this season! They are all works of art.
What sort of covers do you like? Do you like a cover that depicts the characters? Those with a hunky guy draped over the cover? Or do you like a concept type of cover with flowers or castles and such? Do you pay more attention to the picture or the overall colors? And did you vote for HER MASTER AND COMMANDER (or one of the other goddesses, if there are any more) in the cover contest? 
P.S. If you want a sneak peak at the fabu cover for my August 21st release, TO SCOTLAND WITH LOVE, then this Saturday, from 2-4, stop by the grand opening of the brand new Books-A-Million in the Westfield Mall in Brandon, FL, just east of Tampa. I’ll be there and you can see the magic that is TO SCOTLAND WITH LOVE! Bring a large purse, too, as Ghirardelli Chocolate is doing a giveaway at that same time. Yummm! Chocolate AND romance! What more can you ask for?
62 Comments »
62 Responses to “Cover me, baby!”
Karen Hawkins on 25 Apr 2007 at 10:32 pm #
By the way, the cover model for HER MASTER AND COMMANDER, CJ Hollenbach, said he might stop in and say hello if possible.
Trust me, ladies, he’s a sweetie and is currently at the Romantic Times Convention where he’s probably being mobbed by his fans and getting writer’s cramp signing his name to all of his publicity photos. So if he stops by, be sure to give him a huge Goddess Hello!
Oh, and if you get the chance, feel free to vote for my cover. If you want to, of course. Or the one belonging to that other goddess, the one I didn’t notice.
Stacy ~ on 26 Apr 2007 at 5:55 am #
A dear friend who visits this blog (Judy F - hi Judy!) pointed me in the direction of the cover contest. I laughed when I saw that cover with the pregnant belly. Wonder how the author felt about it. Poor thing.
My favorite covers are the ones with cover model Nathan Kamp (the guy on Lori Foster’s “Wildly Winston”) *g* But I also love the ones with a floral cover (usually historicals) and also the fun ones like MaryJanice Davidson’s “Undead” series. As long as they are not garish and fake-looking (think most ebook covers) then I’m quite happy with them. I’m not overly picky. They should be professional-looking, not amateurish, eye-catching, and appropriate for the story. I don’t want to see a bright, colorful, funky cover for a dark, intense story, or vice versa. It should fit the genre.
joyrop on 26 Apr 2007 at 7:16 am #
I’m pretty flexible about covers. Rule of thumb: Am I embarrassed to be seen on the metro with it? Don’t get me wrong. I don’t embarrass that easily, but half naked people, or the new trend where there is just a guy staring lasciviously (in a way that could justify a restraining order) are a little much. Keep those for the inside cover.
If you want lot’s of information on the whole romance novel process and info on cover models etc. Sabrina Jeffries website has all sorts of useful info.
Oh, and I voted already, goddesses included.
jessie on 26 Apr 2007 at 7:34 am #
I like covers that are concept covers on the outside but have an inside flap with the clench cover. That way I can go out in public with my book, but I can still get a nice little visual. Oh, as joyrop said, I do not like this new trend where there is just the guy. And I am going to vote right now on the cover art. Good luck!
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 7:37 am #
Did you all see the cover art from the contest for the book TAKE TWO? That one made me laugh SO HARD. It’s this mean looking woman with two wimpy, sorta chubby guys standing behind her in a very meek pose. That has to be an ebook cover, but it’s hysterical. Don’t know what the book’s like, though. You know, you never can tell.
The cover with the pregnant woman is by Rexanne Becnel who is an AWESOME writer. I don’t know her, but I’ve always loved her books. Somehow, I missed this one. Whew!
Btw, if you all want to see what Sabrina has on her website about the cover process, just click on her name in the goddess list to the left, the click on Potpourri where she has some articles listed on the left side. I checked out the cover and art for her next book coming in May while I was there. It’s called BEWARE A SCOTS REVENGE and is gorgeous!
ashefrog on 26 Apr 2007 at 7:43 am #
First the contest link isn’t working for me. Could you please post the address or check the link, I would love to vote.
Personally, I like the concept type covers better than the models draped over each other covers. I usually like that pic on the inside of the cover, but not when the hero doesn’t match the model. So many times the description doesn’t match the model, besides I like to picture him in my mind.
In Julie Garwood’s Ransom novel, Broderick is one of my all time fav heros. I picture him so totally different than Garwood’s description of him. I have read that book many times yet I always see him the same and he doesn’t look like her description - is that sacrilege to an author?
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 7:53 am #
Sorry, ashefrog! I just fixed it. Had an extra space in there. It should work for you now.
As for the characters looking different than the author pictures them, it happens all of the time. Some authors will even send photos to the cover conference of how they picture their characters, but it’s pretty much up to the art department. That can be disappointing sometimes, although there have been MORE times when I’ve thought, “Hey, this is pretty close!” so … it’s a roll of the dice as to what you’ll get.
Know what bothers me the MOST about covers? Incorrect period clothing. The last cover I had for HOW TO ABDUCT A HIGHLAND LORD originally had a stepback cover with the heroine wearing a thigh length nightgown right from JC Penneys. I complained as it made the whole picture look very modern so they draped her with a tartan,which worked for me. It was really nice of them to listen, too. I try to send pictures of gowns and things — sometimes they use them, sometimes they don’t.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 8:11 am #
P.S. Hope none of your are voting for that OTHER goddess author’s cover. Not that her covers aren’t sexy and just awesome, ’cause they are, but I DID post the link.
Do you see HER posting the link?
I think not.
Whoz your daddy, people? Whoz your daddy? Who hooked you up? Thatz right! Not she-who-shall-not-be-named, but ME!
Kasey on 26 Apr 2007 at 8:17 am #
I already voted a couple of days ago and the worst covers made me laugh. And yes, I did vote for your cover Karen. As for covers that I like on books, I must admit that sometimes I am jealous of the U. K. covers. I think the cartoon variations are sometimes cute and charming. For example, on Julia Quinn’s website she displays both the new US and UK version of the covers and I am jealous of the UK version. This isn’t always the case because I do like the US covers for Harry Potter better but more times than not with the Romance novels I like the UK version better. I also agree with joyrop that I do like covers that I am not embarrassed to take out in public and read.
Patty L. on 26 Apr 2007 at 8:42 am #
The first thing that stands out on a cover is usually the coloring. It has to be pleasing to the eye. For a contemporary read, I love to see a couple or real just the hot guy on the cover. For a historical, I like the cover to have something to do with the book. I don’t really read paranormal, so I don’t really have an opinion on the covers for those.
MJ on 26 Apr 2007 at 9:21 am #
Hmmm. Well, personally, I’m not a fan of the lascivious cover. The couple portrayed never fit the description of the hero/heroine and just interfere with my imagination as I have to ‘reset’ to my reality as I read. [Plus, they are NEVER as good looking (the men) or as ‘masculine’ looking as I imagine…seems to be a current rash of ‘cute’ and virtually chinless versus rugged, but that’s likely a matter of age and taste.]And if I read in public, I’d like any red-blooded male in the vicinty to look at me rather than at the cover of the book I’m reading because there is invariably more skin showing on the cover model.
I like Mary Balogh’s current covers (plain colour with design), or Julia’s latest… nice to have medievals, for instance, with a nice castle on them. Instant recognition of the time period. Love those nice country estates too - obviously England, Georgian or Regency…. and for Scottish, add the wee plaid spine and I’m with you instantly…. Period jewelry is OK too
Cail on 26 Apr 2007 at 9:21 am #
i’m partial to the mostly blank cover wtih the 2nd cover behind. Stephanie Lauren’s has a lot like that now.
Now, off to vote… hopefully people at work don’t mistake what I’m looking at!!
Julia London on 26 Apr 2007 at 9:33 am #
My vote can definitely be bought. Sabrina? Karen? You both had fabulous covers. I am now accepting bribes.
I had the misfortune of having a cover in the worst cover competition one year. Check it out:
http://julialondon.com/material_girl.html
I thought it was hilarious. Fortunately, there was a much worse cover that year, so I didn’t have to add that one to the list of career distinctions, LOL
SuzyQ on 26 Apr 2007 at 10:06 am #
Karen H - how many times have you sent in a picture of Hugh Jackman to the cover conference??? LOL!
I’m with Jessie, concept on the outside, models on the inside. I always like to see a picture of some hunk, even if it doesn’t exactly match the authors description. I can still visual the character in my mind.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 10:13 am #
Jessie, I love the stepback covers, too. Then I get both the pic of the characters, and a cover I’m not embarrassed to show on the plane.
Kasey, thanks for the vote!
My prettiest cover is from Denmark. I’ll have to put that one on my website. I’ll go and check out JQs UK covers. I haven’t seen those.
PattyL, I love romantic color, too. One of the pretties color combinations I’ve ever seen was Suzie Enoch’s SOMETHING SINFUL. I love the peach and pale blue. Just GORGEOUS!
MJ, Balogh’s books and covers are awesome. They covers are expecially good these past two years.
And Julia, that IS a pretty wretched coverm though I like the one with the gloves. Verrah sexy!
As for bribes, I’ll let you out of our tennis match if you’ll vote for me. I know that’s what you really want.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 10:15 am #
SuzyQ, I cannot answer that on the grounds that it may incriminate me. Let’s just say, they glance at my pics, wave a dismissive hand, and say “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hugh Jackman. We get it. We get it.”
Julia London on 26 Apr 2007 at 11:19 am #
That’s it, Hawkins. Julia, going over to vote for Sabrina’s cover.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 11:45 am #
As if you hadn’t already ….
Karen, not in the LEAST surprised
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Apr 2007 at 12:18 pm #
See what happens when I have an early IEP meeting and early lunch with a friend? Karen swoops in to try to get all the votes for herself!!!
She only didn’t mention mine because she’s (shh, don’t tell her I said so; I’ll spell it so she won’t hear) j-e-a-l-o-u-s. Yes, you heard it.
Bribes? Huh, Julia, I will refrain from taking pictures of you at the tennis match. But I will be SURE to take pictures of KAREN with her hair all kawonky. And pictures of her losing!!!
Okay, so that’s probably too far. Do not want a nekkid Karen stalking me at conference with a tennis racket. I can’t run as fast as she can. Calming breath. Second calming breath.
Simple instruction for bloggers–vote for MY COVER!!! In that category, anyway. I don’t care about the other categories. Oh, except for the worst cover category–don’t vote for my friend Rexanne’s. She’s depressed enough over it as it is.
Julia London on 26 Apr 2007 at 12:23 pm #
Sabrina, any picture you can get of karen is bribe enough. I am fairly adept at Photoshop.
I must say I was glad to see Pocket so well represented in the historical romance covers. They do have excellent art.
I couldn’t vote for Rexanne. I have a good friend - Wendy French — and I think her cover might be the worst, but I couldn’t do that to her.
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Apr 2007 at 12:35 pm #
Oh, I guess I should weigh in on covers in general. I’m with MJ–the models are never masculine-looking enough for me, although I’ve been pretty happy with my Pocket models. My favorite clinch cover was my original cover for A Dangerous Love, but it was because of the artist, Doreen Minuto. Her style made the guy look masculine, not airbrushed and perfect. I wish she did more covers, although except for the wanting them to look masculine part, I do love Alan Ayers’ work, too. He did all the inside art for my last 5 books (go to http://www.alanayers.com/Romance/romance.html to see the paintings in their entirety), and I’ve been extremely happy with them. Well, except for Prince’s Bed, where she looked nothing like the heroine. My agent calls the front cover the “diaper cover” because it looks like she’s wearing a diaper. I don’t know if he does those, though.
(to be continued)
Suzanne Enoch on 26 Apr 2007 at 12:37 pm #
My ideal cover would evoke the feeling of the book without having a concrete picture of the hero or heroine on it. It’s not an easy thing to do — especially when you write humorous stories that are still romantic and sensual (or hopefully so). I do like my SINS OF A DUKE cover — it’s very sexy, with no heads. *g*
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Apr 2007 at 12:41 pm #
Yes, Karen, I will agree with you on the clothing thing. Drives me crazy! The initial cover for Only a Duke had a woman’s shoe that was straight out of a Dyeables catalog. Something you’d dye for a wedding. Oh, and her leg was bare. So I sent them pictures of stockings and period shoes, and to their credit, they did make the shoe more period and put stockings on her, although those are the sheerest Regency stockings I’ve ever seen. Also, Simon was dark-haired the first time round, so I had to get them to make him blond, which they did pretty well I think.
Julia, Berkley must have a thing for women with their legs in the air because I had a similar image (only with black, fishnet stockings) on the antho I did for them! Go look–it’s at http://www.sabrinajeffries.com/book_fantasy.php
What’s up with the legs in the air thing, anyway?
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Apr 2007 at 1:23 pm #
Suzie, I like your Sins of the Duke cover, too! Very pretty. MUCH better than the cover of a certain unnamed goddess who is trying to steal all my votes.
Julia, I’m reading PPP right now, and loving it!
catslady on 26 Apr 2007 at 1:35 pm #
I just voted, thanks for the link. It was hard to chose on some of them. I didn’t think the Layton cover deserved to be in the worst. I usually hate cutsey covers or ones that look too realistic or babies lol.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 1:48 pm #
Take all the pictures you want, Sabrina. But … what’s “kawonky?” Are you making up words now? Is that what we’ve come to?
Btw, on my first ever book, THE ABDUCTION OF JULIA, Avon’s art department gave me what few authors have had before (or since) — a man with hair on his chest. That’s right HAIR.
I mean, what’s up that men can’t have hair on their chest? Wanna tell me that Regency bucks, pirates, Vikings, and cowboys WAXED?
I hope not.
Anyway, I asked my editor why they didn’t do more men with hair on their chests and she said, “In a painting style picture, hair looks more like dirt than anything.”
Who knew?
Kasey on 26 Apr 2007 at 1:55 pm #
Sabrina - it is okay to make up words. Shakespeare used to do it and as my poetry professor used to tell me it if you can coin words like Shakespeare than you are in good company.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 1:59 pm #
Yes, Kasey, it’s fine to make up words, but please make up GOOD ones. I mean . . . kawonky?
julia london on 26 Apr 2007 at 2:12 pm #
Suzanne, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Sins of a Duke. And the cover Karen Rose posted — To Die For — was fabulous, too.
I don’t like the really cheesy clench (clinch?) covers on books. I don’t mind a good grab in a stepback, or even on the back cover. But on the front it’s hard to pick up. It’s just too cheesy.
People, WHAT am I doing? I haven’t written a blessed word today!
I have to go now. :-(.
SuzyQ on 26 Apr 2007 at 2:23 pm #
OK Suzanne, shall we nominate the cover of SINS OF THE DUKE for 2007?
Kasey on 26 Apr 2007 at 2:24 pm #
Yes, kawonky is a strange word but maybe we should learn what it means before we give her to much crap about it.
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 3:17 pm #
Julia, please do go and write. SOME of us finished PERILS OF PURSUING A PRINCE and are thirsting for the next one. When does it come out, btw? September something, I think? I’m gonna need a fix!
SuzyQ, I quite agree - SINS OF A DUKE is incredible. I think it should have its own category — like HOTTEST AND MOST GORGEOUS COVER WITH THE GUY WE’D MOST LIKE TO MEET. I mean … those MUSCLES! Wow. I could look at that all day.
And Kasey, you’re right!!! Our beloved Sabrina has indeed made up a new word — she added KA for KAREN to the well known British adjective WONKY, which is a lovely word and fun to say, plus has the added benefit that it sounds like what it means — Crazed or unsteady.
KaWonky makes me think of the Jabberwocky poem. Do you remember that one? I love it. That one and Strictly Germ Proof were my favorites.
About covers — one more thing I don’t like is a cover depicting snow when the book is set in spring, or flowers when the book is set in the dead of winter.
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Apr 2007 at 3:26 pm #
With apologies to Julia for HER cover (great book, though), I don’t like the landscape pictures at all. I find them boring and too sweet for words. I’d rather a clinch over that, although what I really like is stylistic covers with people, like Suzie’s or my new one or Liz Carlyle’s. I also like object covers. Hate landscapes. Too generic. Although I guess the others can be generic, too, but at least you can differentiate them in the store.
Pocket had a lovely landscape cover to give me for To Pleasure a Prince, but the Borders people saw it and gagged (I’m only slightly exaggerating here), and I got the other one instead. Which wasn’t much better, but at least it showed what I wrote. The first one looked like it belonged on an inspirational, and I definitely don’t write those.
That’s the thing–I think the cover should signal the style of book. That’s most important to me.
Yes, Karen, I suppose I WAS thinking of wonky. But hey, making up words keeps me from writing, doesn’t it!
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 3:29 pm #
Sabrina, I never thought about it, but you’re right — the cover SHOULD reflect the book. I looove Liz Carlyle’s look and it is ‘like’ her writing, too.
I also love the historical looking covers, too, like on Candace Hern’s books. So pretty and also very striking.
And Sabrina, I’m all about procrastinating. So wonk on, my sistah! Wonk on!
gannon on 26 Apr 2007 at 3:34 pm #
OMG, I’m gone all morning and you goddesses are at it again—kawonky! LOL!! Excellent new word to use.
I went on that site a couple of days ago. Karen, it goes without saying that your cover would win my vote.
My favorite category was the worst covers–definitely chuckle worthy. Who comes up with those?!
Kasey on 26 Apr 2007 at 3:40 pm #
Wonk on! I love it. I think I am going to start saying that instead of Rock on!
helen on 26 Apr 2007 at 4:12 pm #
OK I have been and voted boy some of them made me laugh.
Have Fun
Helen
ladydawgfan on 26 Apr 2007 at 4:26 pm #
Speaking of the “Worst Cover” category, did anyone see the cover for “Hell Kat??” Yikes - o - Rama!!! Now THERE is a view that I could have done without on the cover of a romance novel!!! How did THAT one get past the author??? And what in the HECK is he doing with his fingers???
Given the competition in the “worst cover” category, what is Edith Layton’s book doing in there?
BTW, authors aren’t the only ones who can take bribes!! I’ll vote for the cover of whomever sends me something nifty in the mail!!!! (Shameless, I know, but there you have it!!)
ladydawgfan on 26 Apr 2007 at 4:28 pm #
Well, there WAS supposed to be a sarcastic wink after my last comment . . .
dbrown3400 on 26 Apr 2007 at 4:47 pm #
I review small press and get mostly galleys, many of which are for ebooks. I find I miss cover art even though I form my own faces based on the author’s physical descriptions. It’s difficult to review books when I don’t know the genre going in. Sometimes the genre isn’t apparent until a couple or more chapters into the book. Sure, an historical is obvious, but it might be paranormal, time travel, etc., either of which would be revealed on the cover. That makes it difficult to review because you need a certain mind set going in, that kawonky, as it were.
I had a difficult time deciding between the two Goddesses’ covers in the voting. Politicking aside, I let my mouse decide, sorry Karen, but I did close my eyes. Luckily I know how to fill in my name and email address with my eyes closed.
Again, when will the winners be announced?
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
db
dbrown3400 on 26 Apr 2007 at 4:54 pm #
OT (Olympian Talent Thread)
Here is the link for the Center Court seating plan for Wimbledon.
http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/about/seatingplan/cc/seat_cc_01.html
Donna
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 4:57 pm #
gannon, except for ebook covers, which I understand are mainly jobbed out to computer graphic designers, the horrible mass market covers are put together by the same ones who do the great covers. It’s just that sometimes they get it … and sometimes they don’t.
Kasey, wonk on, darlink! It IS catchy, isn’t it? See what you’ve started, Sabrina? You’re making literary history.
ladydawgfan, if I didn’t think I’d get a million emails offering to vote if I’d also mail them something, I’d take you up on that offer. Btw, I like a woman who knows her own price and a book for a vote isn’t a bad deal!
db — mimsy! I looove that word. As for Sabrina’s cover, hey — it’s an incredibly good cover. I would have voted for it myself but I do looove my sea captain.
Judy F on 26 Apr 2007 at 5:13 pm #
HI Stacy…. Those worst covers are something. A friend of mine has a copy of the book were the lady has three arms. I don’t remember who the author is.
I am no to picky on the covers. Sometimes you wonder “what were they thinking”
Like when the girl is a skinny blonde but you know from reading the blurb she has weight issues and is a red head.
If a guy is on the cover, I will not pass up a nice looking chest. LOL
Kasey on 26 Apr 2007 at 5:25 pm #
Judy - Christina Dodd was the one that had the cover wtih three arms. She just talked aobut it on her blog on squakradio a few days ago. I think the book was Castles in the Air.
Karen, it is very catchy. I think your right, Sabrina did start something.
Wonk on everybody!
MizMacgyver on 26 Apr 2007 at 5:38 pm #
I gotta say you Goddesses just make my day. I already voted and it was a hard choice, being the diplomat that I am, I am not saying who I voted for but it was a hard, hard choice.
I like the book covers that actually show the period of the book. Though we know in the book the heroine is most likely going to be in a compromising position, I like to really get a good look at the clothes on the cover. Some of them were really great. The costuming and artwork was astounding. Just about busted something from laughing at the worst covers, and thankfully I didn’t vote for either of the goddesses friends (whew).
Nicole Jordan on 26 Apr 2007 at 5:48 pm #
I think you both should win, KarenH and Sabrina!
As for the worst category, I couldn’t bring myself to vote in that cause I’d feel too bad for the poor author and feel her pain too intensely. It can be so traumatic to get a horrible cover!
NicoleJ
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 8:09 pm #
Christina Dodd (or as I call her La Dodd) laughs so much about that cover! It’s true though, as Nicole says, it’s usually painful when YOUR cover is horrible.
In fact, I hesitated putting Rexanne Becnel’s horrible cover up and only did so in order to say that I’ve heard a lot people say that book is awesome. The cover is the only thing that’s horrid.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you COULD judge a book by its cover, though? I know Pocket has tried to give me what they’ve called a ’sexy and fun historical feel.’ I like that and I’ve looooved the covers they’ve given me. So far, so good!!!
Ok, I’ve GOT to write. My book is due in the mail by noon manana. Meanwhile, wonk on, my goddess sistahs.
Brandy on 26 Apr 2007 at 8:11 pm #
Speaking of covers, has anyone noticed the trend lately of figures with the heads off?
dbrown3400 on 26 Apr 2007 at 9:41 pm #
Clarification: KarenH. I never said I didn’t vote for your cover. Plus my 28 yo daughter just cast her votes. I hope we covered both bases. Does this give you a chance to tie?
db
Karen Hawkins on 26 Apr 2007 at 9:59 pm #
db — Lol! If we do, I promise that Sabrina and I will announce it with glee.
We goddesses love to tease one another, but in real life, we’re friends first and writing rivals second. I’m just glad you all are such jolly good sports and such fun to nudge a bit!
And Brandy, yes I have noticed that. Sometimes I like it, and sometimes, I think “Where’s the head?” Or, as I’d say it now, “Where in the wonk is the head?”
julia london on 26 Apr 2007 at 10:19 pm #
I said it, DB. I said I didn’t vote for Karen H’s cover. In fact, I became Master and Commander of the vote and logged in as 15 different people and voted for all the other covers but hers. “Let me out” of the tennis match, indeed. Especially after I bought a really cute outfit and everything.
KMB25 on 26 Apr 2007 at 11:02 pm #
See…this is what happens when I work all day…I miss all the fun!
I’m all for adding new words to the English language..so Wonk On Y’all!!
As far as covers go…I’m a little confused…It doesn’t seem at all fair to the authors to vote their books for the worst/best cover…since isn’t it the publishers that pick the covers? Unless the awards are actually going to the artists that drew/photographed/created the cover? (ok, so I’ve been gone all day and I’ve really tried to read everything, but the eyes are tired and I may have missed some vital information…someone fill me in please!)
~Kim
TheNightPoet on 27 Apr 2007 at 12:10 am #
Dang, I’ve missed what happened! That’s what I get for having class and work and taking time to write my own story! lol Alright, after I get done writing here, I will go vote. And Karen H, Andr-evil-a will not come out! I promise!
Andrea
P.S. Suzanne, I just read Lady Rogue this week. It was the first book of yours I read and I loved it! Kit and Alex were great characters to get to know. I loved their story. It was so much fun.
dbrown3400 on 27 Apr 2007 at 12:54 am #
Julia, ROFLMAO. You are too much. Will you be wearing regulation whites or something in a DayGlo shade. Paisley perhaps? Versace?
This is virtual tennis, right? See link.
http://www.pacrechawaii.com/Bg_Kahala_Tnns_Crt.html
Follow the link for the court and I posted the link to the seating chart for the Goddesses and their escorts. . .
We need a referee because things are heating up as we approach the match. Nicole seems a bipartisan choice or drawing straws would be nice.
We have a thunderstorm hitting right now so I’ll quit this foolishness. Whew y’all say.
Donna
Karen Hawkins on 27 Apr 2007 at 7:48 am #
Julia, Julia, Julia. Don’t be a hater. Or a hatter. Or even a mad hatter. Just keep practicing that lob. ##swish!##
Hey Kim! It wouldn’t bother me if one of my covers was voted worst cover. I didn’t paint it, so … shrug. What bothers most authors is that a bad cover can really hurt sales and your career. So voting worst cover isn’t a bad thing; I think sometimes it’s a good way for readers to send the publishing industry a message. Like this sort of cover is NOT acceptable.
Some authors may be more touchy about it than I am, but that’s the way I see it. In fact, I never liked my first cover. Or my second one, either. But the third — The Seduction of Sara — loved it and about every one since then.
Donna, you’re crackin’ me up. And now Julia’s talking as if she’d going to be wearing Dolce and Gabbana on the tennis court. I’m off to check out the virtual tennis … it looks like it might be a great way to AW (Avoid Writing).
PS Andrea, Lady Rogue is one of my favorite books.
Sabrina Jeffries on 27 Apr 2007 at 10:17 am #
No, I don’t take it personally when a cover is bad OR good. I don’t have much say in it. The problem with cover contests, though, is sometimes a cover that is aesthetically pleasing isn’t necessarily the one that pops on the shelf. For example, Dance of Seduction’s cover (a truly beautiful cover) won the contest, but I remember a bookseller weighing in on the bbs board discussion to say that it was too dark. That dark covers don’t sell as well. Which I’ve kind of noticed to be true. There’s just so many factors.
I mean, Leaving L.A. was a fantastic book about an almost 40 rock star promoter who gets pregnant by her rock star boyfriend and decides to change her life; in the process she deals with a lot of crap from her past AND falls in love with a wonderful guy to boot. The cover didn’t reflect that at all. But I sort of wonder if the shock value of the cover might have actually attracted some readers. It’s hard to know.
cookeemama on 27 Apr 2007 at 11:53 am #
Karen, I also wonder why the cover guys don’t have hair on their chest. I can’t believe the artists can’t draw hair, for heaven’s sake. They draw it on heads. What’s the difference?
I like the stepped-back covers a lot. And I prefer that the cover convely something of what’s inside. I like cartoon-like covers if the story inside is humourous. I have read at least one book where the story was grim and the cover makes one think you’re getting a light-hearted read.
Margaret
cookeemama on 27 Apr 2007 at 12:02 pm #
Not being as nice as Nicole, I voted for “Breakup Babe”. I’m not familiar with the author but she has my deepest, most heartfelt condolences. Not only is it an awful cover, but has one of the worst titles I’ve seen in many a day.
The cover of “Get Lucky” didn’t seem to hurt Suzanne Brockkmann’s career too much. LOL It’s pretty awful and she writes about it on her web site. I had that book for ages but it’s disappeared. Probably slunk off the bookshelf in shame. Not only does Lucky look less than a heroic Navy Seal, but the cover model looks like she’s been working the streets too long. That said, I enjoy all her books. http://www.suzannebrockmann.com/Lucky_Cover.htm I notice old Lucky has a shiny new cover.
RachelG on 28 Apr 2007 at 12:38 pm #
I don’t recall who I voted for in the cover contest–except for the worst. I voted for the girl on the motorcycle with the cod peice.
TheNightPoet on 30 Apr 2007 at 11:09 am #
Pesonally, I don’t like men with a lot of chest hair. I don’t know why, but I just don’t. I think it’s alright if they have a little, but not anything like what I call a hairy ape. lol For me, if I saw a cover with a hairy chest man, I wouldn’t like it. I would think he was somewhat unattractive, but that’s just me. If it was a book I really wanted to read, I would buy it and try to ignore the fact that he has chest hair. lol
Andrea
Stephanie on 02 May 2007 at 8:46 pm #
I like a cover that shows the clothing and landscape/countyrside for the time period. I also like to see the castles and homes they live in. I prefer that the couple favor the description in the book. I have seen a few where the pictures and descriptions did not match.
Karen Hawkins on 02 May 2007 at 9:42 pm #
Cookeemama, I almost mentioned Suzanne Brockman’s GET LUCKY cover and decided not to. It’s WRETCHED, isn’t it? That has to be someone’s favorite nephew or something because he’s like no cover model I’ve ever seen.
RachelG, the codpiece was interesting, to say the least. I could only assume it was padding as the seat was REALLY uncomfortable. But I dunno!
Andrea, NO chest hair AT ALL? Surely a little is nice! I mean, the Nair Smooth look would sort of give me pause.
Stephanie, I do hate it when descriptions and pics are different. It’s a tough gap to bridge sometimes, what the author sees in her mind and what the artist has seen in various pics, etc.