Exciting new cover!

Whoever said you can't judge a book by its cover...I think they were right. I TOTALLY pick books based on their covers. If the cover doesn't draw me in, I'm not going to pick it up. If the cover draws me, I'll at least pick it up and read the back cover blurb to see if it's something I would enjoy. The problem comes when the cover doesn't represent the book properly. For instance, a cover that would be right at home on a literary novel doesn't represent a humorous romance so well. Just as putting a cartoon cover on a very dramatic novel or a thriller wouldn't work either.

Now, don't get me wrong. The VENUS ENVY cover is beautiful...from an artistic standpoint. The artist, Raul Colon, mostly illustrates children's books, and I think the artistry is intriguing (lots of neat swirls and texturizing that you can only see in person, I think, not so much with the jpg file to the right) and quite beautiful.

I also understood what they were going for with drawing her to look like the Venus de Milo statue in modern clothing. However, there were a LOT of people who didn't get that and were kind of grossed out by the armless woman. The cover was even nominated for the 2006 Worst Cover Contest! It didn't win (or LOSE depending on how you look at it!), but came in 6th out of 10. A lot of the voters just couldn't get past the dismemberment. A lot of the fan mail I've received echoed the same sentiment.

My sole problem with the cover is that I don't think it depicts what's in the book at all. Venus is fun and flirty, a little too "made-up", a LOT vain, and is a fashionista with a touch of trashy thrown in. She has a closet full of stilettos, leather minis, and see-through animal prints. Soooo not into the bohemian style shown on the cover.

Again, it's not about the artwork, it's about the representation, or misrepresentation, of what's inside.

So, now for the news...VENUS ENVY is coming out in mass market paperback size in January 2008! I've literally held my breath waiting for the cover. Would it be the same cover? Would it be different? Well, it is different. And....completely freakin' adorable!!!


Now THIS is the cover I dreamed about for VENUS ENVY, back when it was still a dream!

THIS is Venus. The shopping bag, the stilettos, the hot pink zebra-striped mini skirt. The completely awesome cupid tattoo on her ankle. THIS IS VENUS.

I do love that they kept the same title font, which is about the only thing on the original cover that I completely loved. :-)

I'm so completely excited about this that I can hardly stand it! I think more readers will pick up the book who will enjoy the book, which is what really counts in the end, isn't it?

Let me know what you all think of the cover. And what you think about book covers in general? What makes you buy a book? What makes you pick it up in the first place...the title? The cover? Or do you completely ignore the covers and just pick up every book and read the back cover blurb? I'd love to have your opinions.

Well, anyway, enough of that. I have some writing to do today. Things have finally settled a bit around here, and I've been able to work on my WIP 2 days in a row. Today will make 3! I had to hit the bookstore this morning though. I picked up Diana Peterfreund's newest, UNDER THE ROSE, DEMON MOON by Meljean Brook, and THE UNFORTUNATE MISS FORTUNES, a novel by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer, and Anne Stuart. (The tagline to that book is hysterical..."Hocus Pocus. Hanky Panky." *snort*)

So, lots of writing to do, lots of reading to do. And a rocking new cover to admire!!

~Shannon