Cover changes are part of the publishing industry. Sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. Working with teens, books in my library get judged by their covers all the time. And I'll admit it, I judge the covers to. Sometimes the original cover doesn't make me want to pick up the book at all. Then, the cover changes and I'm interested! The content hasn't changed, the story is the same, but the cover change had made all the difference.
Dust City is a fairy tale-esque story about a wolf trying to solve the mystery of his family's past. This hardcover cover is pretty cool and I like it, but I really like the paperback cover:
I think this paperback cover has more crossover appeal and is appealing to older readers. I also think it gives it a hint of comedy and I can tell it's fairy tale based, whereas the first cover looked more paranormal.
The hardcover for Shadow Hills has an OK cover, but it's really nothing special. It's plain and forgettable.
The paperback looks more interesting to me. It has a more haunting feel to it. I also think this cover stands out a bit more than the hardcover.
I don't know why exactly, but the hardcover for Siren just doesn't appeal to me. I like the texture that makes it look as though it's underwater, but other than that, I'm not a fan.
I really love this new paperback cover. I think it says more about the book and it feels more mysterious.
The hardcover for Ruby Red isn't bad-in fact I like it a lot. I do think it makes the book look like it's for a younger audience though. The paperback looks more aged up:
I think this is a beautiful cover and I think it tells a bit more about the time travel/historical aspect of the book that the hardcover misses.
Any other hardcover to paperback covers that you like or dislike?
I judge books by their covers all the time! I agree with your statements. The first "Ruby Red" cover reminds me of a V.C. Andrews cover. Haha.
ReplyDeleteThe second Dust City cover has way more kid appeal - I might have thought the first cover was for an adult novel. And for some reason the second Ruby Red cover looks Disney to me. Not a bad thing - just an observation!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a difference for all the covers. And I agree, the covers do make a difference.
ReplyDeleteI love when you do the cover comparisons- keep it up!!
ReplyDeleteIn all cases (except Dust City's) I like the newer cover better.
ReplyDeleteI find hardover-to-paperback cover changes so interesting! It's such a visual representation of marketing psychology. The Ruby Red cover change is somewhat amusing to me... both covers are beautiful, but the paperback is as if someone threw up their hands and said, "FINE. We'll put a pretty dress on it like all the other books!"
ReplyDelete(I really like the pretty dress trend, but it IS everywhere.)
Seeing these sets of covers, I must agree with you. I read Dust City with the first cover, and the second cover would have much more teen appeal. Good food for thought here. Thanks.
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