Comments on: When Bad Covers Happen to Good Books: Rating the Cover of Katha Pollitt’s ‘Learning to Drive’ http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/ Janice Harayda Reviews Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry for Adults and Children Mon, 20 May 2013 13:35:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: speedytexaslibrarian http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4469 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 18:29:26 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4469 Hey Janice – I just found, among a bunch of review copies Little Brown sent me, Sherman Alexie’s book! I’ll try to read that next (after I finish “The Memory Keepers Daughter” for one book club next week, and before I start “Nobody’s Fool” by Richard Russo for the other book club on November 20).

]]> By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4465 Fri, 19 Oct 2007 05:39:07 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4465 They really are different, aren’t they? I actually find that interesting, because I like seeing how the tastes of readers in the U.K. and U.S. differ.

A related trend is having different covers for the SAME book. For example, the U.S. publisher of the international bestseller “I Don’t Know How She Does It” by Allison Pearson (of the BBC’s “Newsnight”) released the novel simultaneously with a pink cover and a blue cover with the same design. I’ve always wondered if that occurred because Pearson was outraged that her U.S. publisher wanted to put a pink cover on her book — pink being the standard here but not necessarily in the U.K. for “women’s fiction” — and the publisher tried to mollify her by saying, “OK, we’ll do it in blue, too.” That’s pure speculation (Pearson may have had no problem with pink), but I’ve never read a good explanation for that marketing strategy.

]]> By: kevmoore http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4464 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:35:10 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4464 On another note…what are your views on different covers for different markets? It always surprises me when in the States that so many of my favourite books are almost unrecognisable due to them having completely different artwork to the UK versions.

]]> By: kevmoore http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4463 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:31:43 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4463 For the uninitiated; Richard and Judy are a husband and wife presenting team who rose to prominence on ITV’s “This Morning” and latterly Channel 4′s “Richard & Judy show” They are a fairly laid back, cozy presenting team but have recently begun to handle more contentious issues, and also set up the Richard and Judy book club, which I’m sure has introduced a great swathe of quality literature to people who would otherwise never have seen it, let alone read it. They also promoted a new writers competition, following right through to publication. Any show that promotes the reading of books and creative writing has to be a good thing!
I will try and find out about Apostrophe, my partner is French, so I’ll quiz the relatives!

]]> By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4462 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:40:52 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4462 All of you travelers who are headed for the Britain, listen to Kevin. There’s been something about Richard and Judy in the papers almost every time I’ve been to the U.K., and I’ve always wanted to catch their show but haven’t managed it. Nor have I seen the French program “Apostrophe,” which is supposed to be higher-toned than their Oprah’s or Richard and Judy’s. Would love to have comments on that one from someone who’s seen it.

]]> By: kevmoore http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4460 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:52:49 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4460 Jan: Given the all-pervasive nature of the internet, it’s heartening to know that the number of books published is soaring, though of course it makes it harder to sort the wheat from the chaff. Interesting point about Oprah – I live in Spain, but as a native Brit, I know we have a similar thing there with a talk show pair called Richard and Judy. Their recommendations have led me to some interesting reads, such as The Time Traveller’s Wife.

]]> By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4459 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:35:48 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4459 Sean: Those posts are good, especially Part 1. Konrath mentions a point I’ve made on this site — that authors typically have little or control over a cover — and suggests how you can get some control. A particularly good post for authors …
Jan

]]> By: seanlindsay http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4457 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:18:40 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4457 Author Joe Konrath wrote a while back about getting the cover for his latest book changed: That About Covers It, Part 1 and (better) Part 2.

Janice, thanks for the kind words. And you’re welcome.

]]> By: lisamm http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4453 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 06:09:53 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4453 Great points on this less-than-great cover. I don’t think I would have picked it up in the store, but thanks to you, I might now.

]]> By: speedytexaslibrarian http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4452 Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:19:08 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4452 Actually, Janice, I think Sherman Alexie’s book will be even bigger in my former state of Washington, since that is where he was born and raised (and I think still lives).

]]> By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4451 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 21:03:09 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4451 Kevin: A good book sometimes can find its way with bad packaging — just let Oprah choose it for her book club — but I agree with you that in most cases the cover is extremely important. And it’s getting more so all the time.

One reason for this is that the number of books published each year is soaring. When I was the book editor of the Plain Dealer in the late 1990s, about 50,000 books were published annually. I read that the figure now is 192,000. I don’t know if I believe that. But the figure is clearly going up, owing partly to the greater ease of self-publication through places like iUniverse. So publishers have to try harder to give books every advantage, including a great cover. Thanks so much for your comment.
Jan

]]> By: kevmoore http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4449 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:58:05 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4449 So the old saying; “You can’t judge a book by its cover” really does ring true?

I think the packaging is unbelievably important. I can be drawn to a new author (or musician for that matter) if the product has an appealing, interesting design. It should draw new people in, not alienate the loyal.
Nice article!

]]> By: 1minutebookreviewswordpresscom http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4448 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:06:29 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4448 Thanks, Amanda. Speaking of children’s books, I just picked up the new Sherman Alexie YA novel that’s a finalist for the National Book Award, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” which I’m hoping to review before the ceremony in November. Would love to have your comments on that review when it appears. Bet that will be a big book at your library (actually, all over Texas). Jan

]]> By: speedytexaslibrarian http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4445 Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:37:52 +0000 http://oneminutebookreviews.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/when-bad-covers-happen-to-good-books-rating-the-cover-of-katha-pollitts-learning-to-drive/#comment-4445 This was great, Janice – looking forward to more of the book cover series in the future. Book covers are so important, especially with children’s books (which is what I buy for my library).

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