MICHAEL CHABON
I have been ruminating a good deal on the subject of book covers recently. Having spent a fair amount of time involved in the final stages of preparations for 'Moscow Drive,' I decided to get in front with my third book, the novella 'Get Stupid!' the cover of which now appears above the excerpt on this site.
We all have our own tastes when we view covers, just as we enjoy individual reading preferences. I know that people are often drawn to or repelled from a book due to the initial response engendered by the cover.
I have received e-mails from a number of people who loved the artwork and subsequent cover for my first novel, as designed and illustrated by Eric Uhlich.
I decided to have a look at the approach of some larger publishers and well-established writers in respect of covers and the role that they play in drawing our attention, as readers, to the novel. This is in no way scientific - I have yet to draw any kind of conclusion on the matter - but in selecting 'The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon, it has been easy to provide an example of the various options open to the large publishing houses. Small and independent publishers and indeed, self-publishers are not able, generally, to reconsider a cover design on subsequent print run's or for various formats and markets. At the foot of the publishing ladder, for covers at least, one size is invariably made to fit all.
A word about Michael Chabon... I chose Michael Chabon partly out of a personal bias toward his writing (I am unabashed in my fandom) and partly because Harper Collins have done such a tremendous job in packaging the novel and providing an array of covers. Many critics and readers feel this novel represents the peak, so far, of Chabon's career. Whilst I personally prefer 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union,' I can whole heartedly recommend 'K&C.'
Two final notes here, if we regard the word on Michael Chabon to be a prelude to a footnote (pretext to a subtext? prologue to an epilogue? I'll stop there).
1) The examples of the covers below were ham fistedly culled from across the net and are in no way supposed to represent the best quality of reproductions available. Also, the copyright obviously remains with the relevant people).
2 or 3) finally and for the record, Michael Chabon does not know who the hell I am and did not co-operate or be asked to co-operate for this blog.
Anyway, enjoy the covers and perhaps post a reply if you have a strong opinion or have read the novel.