Comments on: Romance Novel Cover Design

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:11:56 +0000

Guess I’m going to have to take out those crafting scissors after all. Mantitty collage anyone? (LOL)

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 21:03:53 +0000

Speaking of covers E M Lynley, I love the airheads on the cover of “Sex, Lies & Wedding Bells.”

By: Isabel

Isabel — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:07:59 +0000

I think it fits the whole idea of reading a romance novel. I don’t find it offensive that books have half naked men or women on the covers. It plays on the idea of fantasy and if I wanted to picture somebody real then it would be my husband. It needs to be seen objectively and without facial features in order to appeal to to a large group instead of zoning in on only a handful of people. As for feminists…I’m a strong minded, willed, opinionated, studying, working and passionate woman and if I don’t get offended at those covers maybe those who do should stay away from romance novels! Anne, no offense but it seems like you’re trying to justify reading these books by which covers are put on them instead of embracing the fact of what they represent which is our own sexual liberty and fantasies without limits. Enjoy the books.

By: EM Lynley

EM Lynley — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:21:02 +0000

I can see a few reasons, all of which make sense. But I agree it’s odd to see so many headless bodies or guys who only have a chin and nothing above it. Talk about airheads!

1. cover models may have more attractive bodies than faces.

2. models hair/eyes/etc may not match the characters, so this avoids having a blond hero on the cover when the story has a brunette.

3. a lot of the same models are used over and over and this prevents that from being so noticeable.

By: Anne F

Anne F — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:24:19 +0000

I find those male torso covers offensive. If a book marketed to men had a naked FEMALE torso, the feminists and conservatives would be rioting. What makes it okay to objectify males? Plus it makes the reader appear shallow, sexist and brainless!

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:24:45 +0000

I’m not complaining of the headless body trends…Not I!
I’ll be honest I think the romance industry is right on when it comes to beautiful covers. I can appreciate art & find them breathtaking. This new trend lends a certain mystery that draws many of us to buy the book in the first place. What if a book had a face shot of a blond viking but 50% of women are drawn to dark hair—there went alot of sales down the drain.
It’s also nice to picture the hero; as your interpreting the author’s description instead of having a pre-programmed image from the cover.