March 15, 2012 • Category: Ask an Editor, Blog
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Today we share our third installment in our Ask An Algonquin Editor series. Senior editor Kathy Pories knows that while many readers would never admit it, we often judge a book by its cover. She answers the question, “Why is a paperback jacket often different from its hardcover version?” Kathy shares the thoughts that go into selecting artwork for a book jacket, as well as the opportunity to give a book a “second chance” with a paperback release.
Do you have a question for one of our Algonquin editors? Have you ever wished for an insight into the publishing world? Leave your question in the comments below!
Tags: Algonquin, Algonquin Books, Ask An Editor, book jackets, Kathy Pories
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Rose says...
Of course people judge books by their covers. If we didn’t, publishers wouldn’t pay graphics people to do them. The cover of a book makes me pick it up over something else. I also judge a book by the author’s picture. I am less likely to read a book if the picture is obviously out of date or the one they always use.
March 23, 2012@ 3:41 PMtecheditor says...
For some reason, my computer blocked this article.
I think I can comment, anyhow, on how this is true for me. I may not be able to tell if I’m going to LIKE a book by its cover. But I CAN know that I WILL NOT like some books by their covers.
If I see a book cover with a drawing of a woman in long, flowing skirts or a book cover with a bare-chested man or any other book cover that looks like it’s a romance book or a YA book, I steer clear. I also skip books with cover drawings of vampires.
March 19, 2012@ 9:05 AMMary Arth says...
What is the difference between a “paperback” book and a “trade paperback? book?
March 15, 2012@ 8:19 PM