Sometimes covers are even reused. Sometimes a certain model is popular (aka: Fabio). Romance novel covers go through phases. Right now there is a trend for headless women (what does THAT say?). Other covers feature a shirtless man-- with or without tattoos.
The frustrating thing for an author is the cover. She tell the publisher how she envisions a cover, and gets the exact opposite. My friend got a contract for a book and sent exact ideas (man: James bond type, in a good suit and tie). What she got was a skinny, shirtless, guy with a medallion around his neck. Let's say she was not happy. My personal frustration with novels of historical fiction is when the publishers take a piece of real art work from a period, and use it for the another, completely wrong period. Monica Spence -----Original Message----- From: h-costume-boun...@indra.com [mailto:h-costume-boun...@indra.com] On Behalf Of Bambi TBNL Sent: Monday, September 26, 2011 7:51 AM To: h-cost...@indra.com Subject: Re: [h-cost] costume on book covers, argh Often times the costume is orderd in a certain " artist model" size, color optional. Who designs it is between the writer , the artist and the publisher, the costumes ia not seen as a designer/historian but as " the seamstress" who almost never has any more info than an artist sketch which they expect precise compliance with. The suggestion tha alteration in this might provide something more *..historically accurate, pleasing, tasteful, is at best met with " we are not flexible on this matter" and at worst with the business being conducted elsewhere , ( where their order is filled no questions asked, -----Original Message----- Date: Monday, September 26, 2011 2:27:20 am To: "'Historical Costume'" <h-cost...@indra.com> From: "Sharon Collier" <sha...@collierfam.com> Subject: Re: [h-cost] costume on book covers, argh I'm curious--does anyone know the answer to this question? Do the artists who draw the covers of romance novels just come up with a costume out of their head, or do they pose the models in a costume from a costume warehouse or something? Some novels' covers look almost like photos; the costumes are horrible, but very detailed. Sharon C. -----Original Message----- From: h-costume-boun...@indra.com [mailto:h-costume-boun...@indra.com] On Behalf Of Patricia Dunham Sent: Sunday, September 25, 2011 6:13 PM To: Historical Costume Subject: [h-cost] costume on book covers, argh Just ran across, by accident, 2 new CECELIA HOLLAND's -- hooray. THEN I looked them up online and the covers -- argh! Obviously art-directed at the bodice ripper set! The King's Witch is a Richard II period piece with a not-very-good Ren-faire wench in green, @ http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Witch-Cecelia-Holland/dp/0425241300/ref=ntt_at_e p_dpt_2. And The Secret Eleanor [of Acquitaine], which cover is better but _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
