Art?

[bardiphouka]

I bought Emma Bull's Finder, a Bordertown novel,last week. I know and enjoy Emma (War for the Oaks was quite intriguing),and have enjoyed Bordertown novels whenever I can find them..Finder is a rerelease.

That said however,if I were not familiar with the author or the series there is serious doubt that I would have picked it up. First because it was in the YA section for some reason (lack of overt sex?the fact that it deals with drugs and prejudice?)

Second...the artwork is horrible. I do not mean mediocre, I do not mean the current style..I mean plain old bad art. Now this release is from TOR, hardly a johnny come lately in the fantasy imprint field. Either someone seriously needs some lessons or they really did not care about this issue at all. Either,alas, is possible.

Artwork I suppose is one of those touchy subjects in publishing. There is some wonderful artwork out there being used for covers and some mediocre work. But alas, there is also the dreg stuff. I am not sure where it comes from..but as a reader and a writer I truly wish it would go away. Or at least tied into writing of equal merit.

Comments

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

All of the Bordertown books can be found in the YA section at some places; others put it in the adult section.

The copy of Finder I had had a gorgeous blue cover...

[bardiphouka.livejournal.com]

The reissue is sort of a wannabe anime but let us stay occidental at the same time sort of cover?

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

Oh ew. I hate that trend.

[ogmios.livejournal.com]

The only bad art I've encountered in the world of publishing comes from either the author or the editor. Having said that, sometimes the sales team can completely destroy artwork. This stuff should often be left to designers. Authors, editors, and salesmen are good at their jobs. Leave the look to the designers . . . of course, marketing will never let that happen.

I'd love to see who is responsible for some of the excresence you can find in YA books, though . . .

[bardiphouka.livejournal.com]

I would never attempt to do actual art for my covers..well..not really. I would certainly think about it, but I would also know that I would not have much choice.

[ogmios.livejournal.com]

You wouldn't have much choice, no. But if you had any kind of leverage, you could just sit there and be stubborn, which is what a lot of authors do, sadly.

[bardiphouka.livejournal.com]

Me stubborn? Nary a stubborn bone on my body. (waits for the groaning to stop.) But seriously..clout comes with reputation..which comes from sales. Which I realise a lot of authors do not understand. If bad covers result..that is just something to file in the back cabinet for the future.