“There is a certain awful cover for one of my books that elicits in me an almost violent response. Every time I am asked to autograph that edition, I feel the impulse to rip the cover off the book.”
It had never occurred to me before, but if the author isn’t the client and doesn’t have much, if any, say in the cover design of their own book, it is infuriating to think that authors sometimes have to wear clothes and present their writing in a way that doesn’t reflect them at all.
This is such a good deep dive into the topic of cover design and opened my eyes to things I had never considered.
Thank you Jen! I had a good time exploring this subject and doing a bit of soul searching about my profession.
Sometimes it can be—paradoxically, again—in the book’s best interest for the author to have little say in the cover. After all, they’re writers, not designers. I’ve seen first hand what too much input looks like.
But I do sincerely feel for the authors who hate their covers. Ideally, they love it, AND it’s good for the success of the book.
I love Jhumpa Lahiri’s books so I really want to know what cover she’s talking about!
Just chiming in, not with anything superlative, but to say... I was just in Italy last week and I can totally echo that series design(s) seem to be quite prevalent there. I noticed it immediately as I perused book stores. And they're all damn good too.
One of my favourite things about being an independent author is the freedom to work with a cover designer to get a book jacket that fits. I love the covers my designer Donna Rogers has made for me, and readers like them too.
I had no idea Lahiri's essay existed and can't wait to read! I really appreciated your thoughtful waffling on the importance of the book cover and the fact that you didn't make any grad conclusions. I love that a cover can be both essential and ephemeral. And I can imagine returning to read this page in your notebook in the future when I'm stuck on a cover!
This is so fascinating, Nathaniel! I really wonder if lahiri *always* hated the cover she’s referencing (also dying to know which one it is) or if that’s an opinion she evolved over time, which could be influenced by design and market trends. Maybe it just feels dated, to her? Or maybe she really did hate it from the get go and she just didn’t feel like she could say anything at the time. I’m sure she has waaaay more sway over covers now considering how big of a name she is.
That’s an important wrinkle to think about! Our feelings about covers can and do change.
She may have more say now, I can’t say! Though she did win the Pulitzer with for her DEBUT and The Clothing of Books was published in 2016/2017. I’m particularly interested in her level of input and opinion because I love her writing so much.
I've never thought it before, but you really do have a point with the cover of Catch-22. It really is part of my mental image of the book. Now I wonder how many books there are that I associate with their specific covers.
I’ve been thinking about this topic lately, and I haven’t come to a solid conclusion. My current working theory is that the best cover for a book is the one that works for me as a reader, as in either a) makes me want to read it, or b) doesn’t stand in the way of me wanting to read it. My personal preferences will differ from others though, which is perhaps why having several different cover options, editions, and sizes available could be useful to the market. One person may love the uniformity of the penguin classics, while another may prefer every addition to their collection to look and feel different.
Thank you for sharing your musings! Much to chew on here.
I think you’ve touched on why there isn’t a single conclusion: what “matters” can and will be different between reader, writer, designer, and publisher.
“There is a certain awful cover for one of my books that elicits in me an almost violent response. Every time I am asked to autograph that edition, I feel the impulse to rip the cover off the book.”
It had never occurred to me before, but if the author isn’t the client and doesn’t have much, if any, say in the cover design of their own book, it is infuriating to think that authors sometimes have to wear clothes and present their writing in a way that doesn’t reflect them at all.
This is such a good deep dive into the topic of cover design and opened my eyes to things I had never considered.
Thank you Jen! I had a good time exploring this subject and doing a bit of soul searching about my profession.
Sometimes it can be—paradoxically, again—in the book’s best interest for the author to have little say in the cover. After all, they’re writers, not designers. I’ve seen first hand what too much input looks like.
But I do sincerely feel for the authors who hate their covers. Ideally, they love it, AND it’s good for the success of the book.
I love Jhumpa Lahiri’s books so I really want to know what cover she’s talking about!
Just chiming in, not with anything superlative, but to say... I was just in Italy last week and I can totally echo that series design(s) seem to be quite prevalent there. I noticed it immediately as I perused book stores. And they're all damn good too.
One of my favourite things about being an independent author is the freedom to work with a cover designer to get a book jacket that fits. I love the covers my designer Donna Rogers has made for me, and readers like them too.
Thanks for reading, Anna—
I’m glad you have covers you and your readers both love!
Readers like to see covers when shopping for a book. Sometimes the cover pulls in a buyer.
I had no idea Lahiri's essay existed and can't wait to read! I really appreciated your thoughtful waffling on the importance of the book cover and the fact that you didn't make any grad conclusions. I love that a cover can be both essential and ephemeral. And I can imagine returning to read this page in your notebook in the future when I'm stuck on a cover!
Oh thank you, Rae! I appreciate you. I’m pretty sure “thoughtful waffling” is my whole brand 😂
I really recommend the Lahiri book!
This is so fascinating, Nathaniel! I really wonder if lahiri *always* hated the cover she’s referencing (also dying to know which one it is) or if that’s an opinion she evolved over time, which could be influenced by design and market trends. Maybe it just feels dated, to her? Or maybe she really did hate it from the get go and she just didn’t feel like she could say anything at the time. I’m sure she has waaaay more sway over covers now considering how big of a name she is.
That’s an important wrinkle to think about! Our feelings about covers can and do change.
She may have more say now, I can’t say! Though she did win the Pulitzer with for her DEBUT and The Clothing of Books was published in 2016/2017. I’m particularly interested in her level of input and opinion because I love her writing so much.
Thanks for reading, Suze!
I've never thought it before, but you really do have a point with the cover of Catch-22. It really is part of my mental image of the book. Now I wonder how many books there are that I associate with their specific covers.
Yes! It’s a fun little thought experiment. Gatsby is up there too, but maybe not as much.
More contemporary (speaking of Peter Mendelsund): The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Thanks for reading.
I’ve been thinking about this topic lately, and I haven’t come to a solid conclusion. My current working theory is that the best cover for a book is the one that works for me as a reader, as in either a) makes me want to read it, or b) doesn’t stand in the way of me wanting to read it. My personal preferences will differ from others though, which is perhaps why having several different cover options, editions, and sizes available could be useful to the market. One person may love the uniformity of the penguin classics, while another may prefer every addition to their collection to look and feel different.
Thank you for sharing your musings! Much to chew on here.
Thanks for reading, Renee!
I think you’ve touched on why there isn’t a single conclusion: what “matters” can and will be different between reader, writer, designer, and publisher.
This inspired a note.
https://substack.com/@contarini1/note/c-69115036