What is Your Preference?
I just received my cover art for an upcoming Blaze anthology that I’m a part of (out in December), and while I can’t say that I love it, I can’t say that I absolutely hate it, either. 
This is one of those covers where they used “props” instead of people in a pose, and while I’ve seen downright UGLY prop covers, I know this one isn’t bad at all and goes with the theme of the stories inside. And, considering there are three different stories in this book, by three different authors, it makes sense not to put characters on the cover because all our couples look different. Anyway, I thought I’d share the cover with you all today, sort of a sneak peek, and to see what your opinions are on the matter.
If you had to make a choice, what kind of covers do you prefer on your books? Do you like seeing a couple, which gives you a better idea of what the characters look like? Or would you rather see “props”, and leave the rest to your imagination?
You’re right, Janelle, it’s not a bad cover, and for an anthology with 2 other authors, it makes sense. I would have chosen different shoes though - I don’t think these ones look very sexy - something open-toed is my preference, but that’s just me LOL.
I’m a fairly easy-to-please reader when it comes to book covers. People, or a floral border, or props - it really doesn’t matter because I let the story take me where it will and don’t pay as much attention to the people on the cover. I think as long as they look anatomically correct, and nothing looks amateurish or cartoonish, I’m okay with it. I think the idea is to be eye-catching, but in a good way. Something that makes a person’s eyes keep going back to the cover, and eventually have them picking up the book.
Comment by Stacy ~ — October 5, 2006 @ 6:44 am
Maybe too much red in the cover? Why is it that is the only color that anyone uses on an Xmas cover. But it isn’t bad. I have seen worse.
Cover art only seems to matter, to me, when it is romance novels. I have no idea why.
Comment by ev — October 5, 2006 @ 7:49 am
Given the situation, it’s not bad. I’ve seens worse! Sometimes I like the couple covers, especially when the guy is hot, sometimes it’s nice to see props so you can use your imagination.
Comment by Yolanda — October 5, 2006 @ 7:58 am
Props are ok. But I don’t care for the full on view of a guy on the cover. Why? See, I don’t care for blonde men. Just not my thing. If you write about one, I’m going to change it in my head as I’m reading. If I have to see a picture of him everytime I pick up the novel, I probably won’t buy it. I’d rather see a silhouette, or something cut off around the shoulders like Dirty Little Lies. But that’s just me.
Comment by Madison — October 5, 2006 @ 8:11 am
I think it’s a good cover. I don’t have a preference except if it’s a cover of a couple that looks silly.
Comment by Maureen — October 5, 2006 @ 8:58 am
Janelle,
I actually like the cover!! There’s something sexy about a ladies red stiletto !!! It’s very Hot!!! I would buy the book based on the cover!! But then again I would buy the book because Janelle’s name is on it!
Comment by TRICIA — October 5, 2006 @ 9:12 am
I actually like the cover. There is a lot of red but the golden sort of color breaks it up to draw your eye to the shoe. The red shoe is not bad but something strappier with the heels being even higher would be sexier.:P
Comment by Vicki — October 5, 2006 @ 9:13 am
My vote goes for covers with people in them.:thumbsup2:
But in the case of anthologies it is better to use props. That way one author wouldn’t think their story was getting special treatment over other authors.
I just know whenever I’m shopping for a book the covers with people on them catch my eye before the prop covers do. Or either I’m looking for authors names on the covers that I am familiar with.:doggie::doggie::doggie:
Comment by Gigi — October 5, 2006 @ 9:22 am
I don’t mind props, and your cover is very nice!
But, I do prefer people on the cover. Unless the people don’t look like the characters. That drives me crazy :-)
Comment by Julie S — October 5, 2006 @ 9:36 am
:thumbsup2:I don’t know…this is a pretty hot cover. I’d buy it (okay, I’d buy it because it was a plotmonkeys book). LOL! I have to say my favorite, favorite covers was a series of anthologies (there were three, I believe) and all three of them, put together made a hot picture. Okay, I still find “Surf’s Up” hot, too. LOL. I was just staring at that.
Comment by katie — October 5, 2006 @ 10:02 am
I think to cover is good, but I think I do like covers with people on them better. Doesn’t even have to be the whole person…the “Surf’s Up” cover is very hot and you can only see the killer ads on Mr. Hot! Props are fine if they show how sexy the book is going to be. I would have picked an open-toe red shoe for the cover, but other than that it’s a good cover.
Comment by Liza — October 5, 2006 @ 10:31 am
It’s not a bad cover. I do agree the shoes could have been a bit sexier than just plain red pumps. There is a lot or red but then it is a BLAZE book. I would buy it.
I think I am more drawn to books with people on the covers. It bothers me when they get basic things wrong though like hair color….wouldn’t stop me from buying the book…because most of the time the differences aren’t known until you start reading the book.
Comment by Barbara — October 5, 2006 @ 10:53 am
I have to say it is very eye catching with the red but my initial reaction to it was, “It looks a little blurry, what is that?” The images could have been outlined sharper. I had to squint to make it out. Maybe I need glasses!
I have to agree with the other comments above that the shoe would have been sexier if it was a strapless one.
My preference on covers is fantastic artwork depicting the theme of the book or people, even part of a person. I absolutely love your cover of “Surf’s Up”. No. 1 :thumbsup2:
Comment by michele l. — October 5, 2006 @ 10:53 am
I prefer characters to props. But I think this is a very attractive cover and understand why they made the choice.
Oh. But I also want the models to actually look like the characters. Same color hair/weight is always a nice thing.
Comment by Heather Harper — October 5, 2006 @ 11:26 am
I like it. It is very red, like christmas. I prefer covers that has people because it give me a better sense of the characters. But this is one is pretty sexy.
Comment by Barbara — October 5, 2006 @ 11:39 am
it looks so hot. i like seeing couples. the guys on the cover are so damn hot. but i buy for the stories lol :thumbsup2:
:love2:
Comment by kim H — October 5, 2006 @ 12:39 pm
I agree with you, Janelle - the cover is just ok. From a photographer’s point of view, the placement of the objects doesn’t flow. And there’s too much red and it is fuzzy. Many Blazes have people on the cover and they focus on the torsos - put them in a smokin’ hot pose - and don’t get into details like hair color, facial characteristics, etc. I prefer to see sexy bods on the cover as long as it’s not too garish or bordering on “bodice ripper”. Cherry Adair’s covers are a great example!
Comment by Nina — October 5, 2006 @ 12:51 pm
The cover is okay, not fantastic but okay. I think the shoe should have been laying on it’s side! Just my personal opinion!! If the covers have people on them I want them to look like the people described in the book & they often don’t & that is a pet peeve of mine. The cover of Surf’s Up & Julie’s book The Domino Effect have great covers! The cover of a book can often draw me to pick it up & check it out but if the book is by one of my favorite authors I don’t much care about the cover because I will by the book! :thumbsup2:
Happy Friday everyone, have a great weekend.
Comment by Donna M — October 5, 2006 @ 3:01 pm
Props are ok, but I prefer people or scenery.
Comment by Estella — October 5, 2006 @ 3:13 pm
I like the cover. I like the props on anthologies or scenery that gives an idea of what the book is about. But when they use people on the covers they should ensure that they actually look similiar to what the characters in the book are like………..
Comment by Cryna — October 5, 2006 @ 3:58 pm
:thumbsup2: The cover id good. I really like it, it kinda reminds me of the song Santa Baby.
I personally prefer partial bod shots or props. I really hate it when my idea of the characters do not mesh with the pics.
Although, I will admit that when I book shop I read the backs and my husband buys me books based strictly on the cover. With him it depends on the color or the flowers, mainly.
Can’t wait to read it.
Comment by Debbie — October 5, 2006 @ 4:18 pm
I like colorful covers, whimsical like Marcia Evanick’s Misty Harbor series, Sherryl Woods full sized series books, Marilyn Pappano’s Bethlemhem series books for example.
Comment by Pat L. — October 5, 2006 @ 6:12 pm
Janelle, I like the cover!!
Comment by Jill — October 6, 2006 @ 11:42 am
I love the cover! :mrgreen:
While I do like some of the “couple covers” (the partial body shot, like others have mentioned are my favorite), *some* couple covers aren’t the best things to be showing while reading at the school waiting on kids or at the doctors office.
Now I’m in no way, shape, form or fashion ashamed of what I like to read! Not at all! But I hate to make some little old ladies blush at the doctor’s office when they see the covers of some of my books. It’s a wonder their dentures don’t fall out when their mouth’s drop open.
And when I’m reading, I usually have a totally different picture in my head of what the couple looks like than what is portrayed on the cover. LOL
Totally off-topic —- Pat L ~ My mother started reading the Bethlehem series by Marilyn Pappano and really loved what she’d read. But those suckers are hard to find! LOL I tried to get them for her (the ones she needed), but finally gave up since I couldn’t find them. *sigh*
Comment by Cindy — October 6, 2006 @ 11:41 pm
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