Is copy-cat book cover art becoming an unwanted trend?
As a reader and frequent book store browser, I devote a degree of judgment towards book covers while downing an uppity-caffeinated beverage. When picking up an unfamiliar title, the presentation of a book is as important as appearing professional for a job interview. The book’s cover art introduces the reader to the story. Elements infused within the design, illustration, or photography heavily contribute towards the overall presentation and appeal. In fact, there are many times when a reader cannot recall the title or author, but is able to conjure a description of its cover. Once in a while, roles reverse and the consumer influences the cover. These titles become branded by the cover art due to momentous success i.e. Eragon, Twilight, Harry Potter. However, most titles receive a new makeover as the book transforms from hardcover to paperback to reprints, thereby creating a high expectation towards packaging.
Book cover art is a fine art as it attempts to attract its targeted audience. Those of us connected to the bookworld have a high regard for the efforts invested in printing high quality book covers, especially when we are booktalking titles to teens. Attractive and varied covers help us entice readers to expand their reading preferences. For publishers to package two different products with the same illustrations gives the impression of an impetuous company undermining current ethical standards. Whether copyright has been breached is not the immediate issue, rather consumers expect that their personal dollars are purchasing a unique product. To hinder the dystopian possibility that one day there may be several different titles displayed next to each other featuring the same cover art, please voice your opinions in the comments.
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It’s not really a copyright issue. The publishers use stock photography for which they pay and use the photo as they please. It’s more of a laziness issue. I know photoshoots are expensive but it does mean your cover may be less distinctive when you use the same stock photo company as other publishers.
I just posted about three recent or forthcoming ya books with the same photo on the cover on my blog. I’m not sure if you allow html in the comments, but if you do, you can find the link here.
its been going on for years in the adult Romance paperback genre….its very annoying though when they get so lazy that they don’t even match the hair colours of the hero and heroine!
I had always been aware of this happening in the Harlequin Romance genre but have failed to even notice it happening in YA lit. I agree that it seems like more of a laziness issue. Personally, I would be less inclined to read a book the sported the same cover as another title. Despite it’s content my immediate thought would be that the two were the same. Shame since I’d likely be missing out on a good read.
Thanks for the link Keri, nice to discover your wonderful blog.
i think it’s more than a laziness issue, but a “cost cutting” issue. if the publishers are using stock photos to begin with, it’s probably cheaper than hiring an artist to design a front page. it would be interested in hearing from the publishers on how and why this is happening.
OOh and there’s a Spinelli book that looks like Doing It, too. I forget what’s it called but the girl on the cover has argyle knee socks.