16 Responses to “Cover Changes”

1. I’m a mass market gal, definitely.

   Kidding aside, it’s not so much that I like people in the covers as that my reaction to cartoonish/cutesy covers is rarely–if ever–one of curiosity towards the books. Mostly, I’m put off by them. The covers on the right have a better chance to get picked up and their back cover blurb read by me.

   by azteclady on March 20th, 2008 at 7:37 am
   
   

2. I kinda of like them both. But the mass market definitely gets your attention more. But I look at the title more. So if the title sounds interesting I’ll pick it up and read the back of the book. Cover help but they don’t sell me on a book. I pass a good cover if the title dosen’t sound interesting enough.

   by Rebekah on March 20th, 2008 at 8:25 am
   
   

3. I was just thinking about the Brava covers yesterday because I was at Walmart and saw the mass market reissue of Nancy Warren’s “Turn Left at Sanity”. I have the original trade with the bright, funny, quirky cover, and I think that might be the most radically different of the reissue covers I’ve seen, the mass market being dark and very sensual (which, though I love it, I don’t think it’s as…true to the story inside?)

   As for trade vs mass market, I’m definitely a mass market girl when it comes to price. I buy probably 90% of my books in impulse at Walmart or the grocery store, unless I can only get it in trade and I don’t want to wait indefinitely for a reissue (like a HelenKay book).

   But as for the trade vs mass market Brava covers, to be honest, I prefer the original covers almost every time. They’re original, fun and really fit the books. The mass market covers sell the erotic romance over the story and it’s getting hard to distinguish one hot naked guy from another.

   by Shannon Stacey on March 20th, 2008 at 8:34 am
   
   

4. I like both cover versions of each, but each cover really sends a different message. The “cute” trade covers make me think the story is going to be light and funny, but the “sexy” mass market covers evoke an entirely different expectation. Above all, I think the cover should reflect the tone of the story. I am one of those people who puts a lot of stock in the cover, the title and the blurb. Just the other day I was struck by a stunningly beautiful book cover (The Tea Rose), which made me pick up the book. I read the blurb and was sold. But if it hadn’t had that gorgeous cover, I might never have discovered it.

   by Lucie Simone on March 20th, 2008 at 9:27 am
   
   

5. Hm, well I like both- but I have to say I like the Trade covers for the first two a bit more. I’m all for the hot half naked men - but it’s not necessary - sometimes nice to have a book without it. Although, the trade cover for Mouth to Mouth doesn’t tie into the book at all. Ah well. The MMP for “Fangs” is MUCH better - the trade cover looks like a bad graphic. I’m looking forward to seeing what the cover for Your Mouth will look like!

   by limecello on March 20th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
   
   

6. I like the mass market covers better.

   by Estella on March 20th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
   
   

7. I do like both, but I think I prefer the trade covers more, especially the “Mouth to Mouth” cover. I think that’s a very clever cover. I’m quite fond of the hotter mass market covers, too.

   by Jane on March 20th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
   
   

8. It seems like we’re seeing a trend toward sexier covers. Which I’m all for as long as the content matches the cover. And I know your books deliver, HelenKay!

   I feel like I’m getting so wishy-washy on this topic. I like sexy covers but the perfect male model/ hairless chest/airbrushed, manscaped look is giving me a flatline lately.

   On the other hand, it seems as though we (as romance readers) aren’t as uptight about reading/buying books with hot covers anymore. I know I buy them with a baby on my hip and don’t blink an eye. Maybe it’s a female empowerment thing.

   by Jill Sorenson on March 20th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
   
   

9. I like both versions of the covers. For my personal bookshelf the sexy covers are great! But if I were reading the book in public, I might be a less shy about showing the fun covers!

   by Allison on March 20th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
   
   

10. I think I agree with Shannon and Jane–I like both versions, but have a slight preference for the trade covers–they tend to feel a bit more clever/playful rather than just sexy. I don’t know if that’s a cover trend in general, or just when moving from trade to MMP.

    by Fedora on March 20th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
    
    

11. That is a huge differents. I loved the Mouth to Mouth cover. It is my favorite.

    by Virginia H. on March 20th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
    
    

12. I like the mm better also and I agree with Virginia H - Mouth to Mouth is my favorite of the 3 - but they are all great.

    by Pat L. on March 20th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
    
    

13. I prefer the real people on the cover books -mass market. The cutesey covers turn me off!

    by Laurie G on March 21st, 2008 at 4:50 am
    
    

14. yea the paperback look a litter hotter whooo.

    by kim h on March 22nd, 2008 at 3:41 am
    
    

15. I have to admit I don’t quite understand what’s going on with Kathy’s trade cover. It’s hard to tell here, but Tina’s trade cover is actually REALLY BRIGHT. It’s eye-catching, but I much prefer the hottie on the mass market. And I love both of Erin’s covers for her book. One is cute. One is sexy. Both work for me.

    I do wonder if people will get bored with the “hot guy” photo covers like they did for the cartoon covers. And I agree with Shannon that there is a question about whether or not these hotter mass market covers are really true to the content inside. The Brava mass market program is new. I’ve heard it’s doing really well. Since mine comes out in March ‘09, I hope that trend continues

    by HelenKay on March 22nd, 2008 at 10:49 am
    
    

16. I feel like an utter dork, but until it was mentioned upthread, it didn’t occur to me that the mm covers may reflect the book itself less than the trade ones. Considering how often we (readers in general) bemoan that, I should kick myself for not thinking about it. Heh.

    by azteclady on March 23rd, 2008 at 8:26 am