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Librarian Deena Lipomi Talks Covers, Part 3
Here's another taste of my fun interview with Deena Lipomi, a YA Librarian at Brighton Memorial Library in Rochester, NY. I asked her about book covers, in relation to the Cover Stories series, and she gave me all kinds of fun tidbits. Catch Part 1 here (for some reason it won't let you comment on that one--sorry!) and Part 2 here.
Here's part 3, where Deena talks about books that don't get picked up (and she blames the covers):
"Unpopular covers that hide great books are such a huge disappointment to me! I LOVED Gary D. Schmidt's THE WEDNESDAY WARS and TROUBLE, but I have to hand sell them in order to get them to go out because the covers are so boring and dreary. Also, books with gray covers never 
go out unless pushed. Some off the top of my head that sat and sat and sat on my New YA Books shelf no matter how many times I put them face out include CREATURE OF THE NIGHT by Kate Thompson (really good ghost story with heart), and EMPERORS OF THE ICE by Richard Farr (fantastic story about Antarctica). Thank goodness word of mouth is so good for THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins because that cover is yawnsville.
"Monochromatic covers don't do too well either. I didn't read it, but I know 
DOWN SAND MOUNTAIN by Steve Watkins won an SCBWI award, but it never goes out. One could argue the sneakers on it are "iconic," but for some reason it doesn't work that way with the entirely beige book. 
Also, the solid green cover of CREEPERS by Joanne Dahme never goes out. There's no focal point, and it's especially hard once the library plastic book covers are put over them to protect them; with the glare it is even harder to see what's on them."
"Another cover type that doesn't go out much are cartoony ones. For paperbacks, they do OK, but for hardcovers, like MARCELLO IN THE REAL WORLD by Francisco X. Stork (which is a great story about a boy with an autistic-like condition), it doesn't help the cause. I'm not sure why -- is it too babyish? Or not as provocative as all the glitzy covers with real photos on them?"
I love hearing Deena's thoughts and observations. What do you guys think about what she's said? I know there's been debate about Lovestruck Summer's cartoon cover, and I totally welcome that. I actually really like the Marcello cover... but I kind of agree that the rest are a little bland.
Thanks, Deena, for such interesting answers!
PS-The winner of last week's contest for The Elite series is... Juliana! Send me your address, J.
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Comments (9)
great interview!! i'd ordered a copy of the wednesday wars based on the writer and the plot description, and my heart actually sank when i saw the cover. and my kid won't read the lighting thief series (which i know she'd love -- she's a bigger fan of fantasy than i am) because she ... Read Moreloathes those dark murky detailed squint-inducing covers.
middle grade/YA covers my kid and i agree are great: a crooked kind of perfect. savvy. emmy and the incredible shrinking rat.
Posted by marjorie ingall | July 14, 2009 11:04 AM
I totally agree with Deena! I think landscape covers are pretty much a no-go.
Posted by Marie | July 14, 2009 2:39 PM
I like cartoon covers (the original Georgia Nicolson covers, anyone?). I understand why they might not move as much, but I still personally enjoy them. I agree about the others though. It's hard to pick up a book with a bland cover when there are prettier ones to choose from. It's unfortunate but true!
Posted by Amee | July 14, 2009 2:48 PM
i have to say, "the wednesday wars" REALLY needs a new cover, because even knowing how great the book is? i still wouldn't pick it up at a bookstore. when i hit the library/bookstore looking for new things, i always first check out my favorite authors to see if something new is out, and then start perusing by covers and titles. i can't tell you how many books i've picked up randomly and bought just because of the cover art. and most of them i have absolutely loved! "wednesday wars" just looks dated - which teens/kids are NOT about today.
however, i agree, i like the marchello cover.
Posted by alaska | July 14, 2009 5:39 PM
I actually like The Wednesday Wars and Trouble covers, I would definitely haev given them a second look. Creepers doesn't go out? I remember staring at the cover and the book for a long time, I think it is beautiful :)
But that was some interesting information.
Posted by Violet | July 15, 2009 4:34 AM
I actually laughed when I read about her input on the cover of The Hunger Games. I agree, I really, really do agree! And here I am thinking that I was the only person who did not like the cover of the hunger games! I never would have wanted to read it if not for all the great reviews it's been getting! I just hope when the paperback comes out the cover will be different, I just want a pretty cover:)
Posted by Sylvia | July 15, 2009 8:56 AM
I wonder if maybe some of the book covers that are ignored might be because the colors and pictures hint toward being books for boys or their titles do. Are most library clientele for YA and MG girls?
I would love to hear that I'm wrong on this, given that I'm about to finish writing a boy MG book.
What a great discussion. Thanks to Deena for pointing the way here from Live Journal.
Posted by Jennifer | July 15, 2009 8:33 PM
I'm not sure where people were debating the "Lovestruck Summer" cover, but dude. I love all your books, and to be honest, I think this cover is terrible. I almost didn't read the book, but I love your writing so much I couldn't resist, and I LOVE THE BOOK!!! What is with that cover? Covers like your violet covers or lauren myracles' "Bliss" cover or "generation Dead" (agree that cover is better than book)just leap out at you. As a photography student of long ago and now a librarian, I think these real images have a huge gender-free appeal. Like "thirteen reasons why" what do you think of that cover? it is very nice to me and i don't care for the story. But I am a freak about covers. They really make or break a teen book to me. (I mean, unless I get myself to read it anyway) I guess that seems shallow, but look at KIKI magazine. I just saw that magazine and it looks just like J14, but the content is way more meaningful and interesting. I wonder if there is a way to use these photographic covers for fantasy etc. . .
lastly, I can't stand the cover of "wherever nina lies" what is with the different lettering and the white background? ugh. sorry. just being honest!
If I were making a cover for lovestruck summer, it would involve a dusty road and a girl like the cover of absolutely maybe with maybe a cowboy in the distance or something like that. or the bats and a truck or oh. . . the possibilities are endless. the book is sooo awesome!
Posted by mercedes | July 19, 2009 12:22 PM
aw, mercedes, i'm glad you care! and i'm also glad you read it despite the cover. all the harperteen "beach reads" have those poppy, cartoon covers, and that's what i was writing, so there you go... must work for them somehow!
Posted by Melissa Walker | July 20, 2009 10:17 PM