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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

In Honor of Handmade Book Covers


Okay, they might not be completely handmade, but they all have a personalized, handmade quality to them. It might not be the most professional business decision for your ebook, but I love the idea that something so technological can still speak to us on this level. Even when the artwork is amateurish, there's still a charm to it, especially when contrasted with the template-driven book covers that seem to dominate the independent market.

So, here it is! A celebration of covers. :)










Would you ever consider drawing your own book cover? Or, having a friend draw your book cover? Do you like the way they look, or are you more drawn to photographs and graphic art? I think so much is changing so quickly, that anything human and tangible in the book world elicits an emotional response from me. That might be why I admire this kind of cover. At the same time, I don't know if it is a choice I would make for my own work. Guess I'm already too entrenched in the digital world.

9 comments:

  1. Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog! I prefer traditional, painted covers the most. I'm not a fan of the more recent trend of using photographs or photo-quality paintings. I like covers to be close to life, but still have the painted look (brush strokes, etc.). I think a photograph cover looks cheap and hokey (I know it's terrible, but I honestly judge books with photo covers).

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  2. sure, sarah! i have a few artistic friends who do marvelous work... i even dabble in it myself, time to time :)

    i also have a lot of writer pals

    and a list of agents on my page... help yourself

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  3. Reece - I don't love it when there is a photograph of a book's characters on the cover, because it tends to supplant any images I might have in my brain of what that character would look like. (Especially if it's a facial portrait kind of deal). I'd rather base my imaginings on the writer's words than a cover image. I guess that's one of my biggest pet peeves.

    Though, I'm not against the use of all photographs. Kind of a case by base basis, I guess. Thanks for coming by!

    Wolf - Always a great resource. I've found enlisting talented friends is one of the best ways to get projects off the ground. I wonder how many writers also dabble in art?

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  4. I haven't thought much about this. My brother is an artist and I've talked to him about doing some stuff for me but so far he hasn't been interested.
    I do have some illustrator friends who are trying their hand at writing and illustrating.

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  5. These were great covers! Don't know that something like this would suit my own work, though (since I write thrillers - and there's definitely a certain "look" to thriller covers). But these are definitely beautiful and original and quirky.

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  6. I love the monsters! I would love to see more original covers like these, but I couldn't draw my own (unless stick figures make a come back!).

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  7. Those are wonderful covers!

    If I could draw better, I would consider drawing my own--but I know it wouldn't come out very well. LOL.

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  8. Wow - I think they'd especially be great for children's books.

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  9. Carrie - Sounds like you need some blackmail material to utilize. ;)

    Jennifer - Maybe more of a noirish inked cover?

    Carrie - I'm totally with you on the monsters. Especially the one with pink hair. Awesome.

    Eagle - I bet you could doodle up something cool. :)

    Okonkwo - The children's section definitely had more handmade covers than the others.

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