podcast friday

[sabotabby]

 I was going to recommend something else but nah. Check out this episode of Writing and Editing, "What to Look for When Hiring a Cover Designer with Rachel Rosen" for a brief, rather funny discussion of cover design do's and don'ts and how to approach working with a cover designer, particularly for indie authors.

Also to make this more interactive, feel free to post covers in the comments and I'll critique them.

Comments

[gingicat]

One of my least favorite covers is the book jacket to the umbrella edition hardcover of The Dark Is Rising series.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1538496

On the other hand, any book cover (or inside illustration) by Garth Williams is simply awesome. For example: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24384

[sabotabby]

Holy shit that Dark Is Rising cover is terrible. It has bad typography, the illustration makes it look boring, and there's once again awkward amounts of negative space.

I love the illustration for the Garth Williams one but the typography is terrible and distracting, and they should have gone for a lighter coloured background that would do that image justice.

[gingicat]

I have a distinct recollection on the original cover (well, the 1970s cover) being much better for the typography and background. However, I was somwhat less discriminating.

Speaking of not being a very critical child, Trina Schart Hyman's covers look very cluttered to me now.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10118
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2118296

[sabotabby]

I find them charming but it wouldn't pass muster anymore. You pretty much have to be type-forward these days.

[greylock]

What the actual FLIP is that cover?
I get it's got a '60s/'70s Enid Blyton vibe. but really. That is TERRIBLE.

I'm actually offended by the aggressive blandness of this cover.

Although, looking, it appears there are a LOT of terribad covers for this sequence.

These are the ones I grew up with, and I think are just objectively some of the best ever:
https://yakbooks.com/book.php?id=26

[sabotabby]

That one slaps. No notes.

[greylock]

That whole series (Green Witch was the first I recall) is awesome.

It was a different age, but that cover grabbed me.
It is one of the greats.