What do we think of PNR covers with girls in dresses?

[D L Richardson]

You can't walk into a bookshop without seeing a PNR book featuring a girl in a dress on the cover. I'm writing an article about it and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

Here are a few questions I'd love to hear your answers on. Even if you just pick one.

 

Do you think this type of cover is limiting?

Is it overdone?

What do you think it says about YA writing in general?

Is it good or bad for the YA PNR / PNR genre?

Is it too far to featuregirls in dresses on the cover when we know for a fact the character never wears a dress?

Do you love them for their beauty?

Do you hate them for their predictability?

Do you think publishers feel that YA readers will only respond to the girl in the dress cover?

 

Don't get me wrong, I love this type of cover, but I have read a few books and not once does the female lead appear in a dress while watlzting through the woods.

 

Responses welcome from writers, editors, cover artists, publishers.

 

Best

Debbie

 

 

[Amber]

Debbie love the whole no female in the book is waltzing around in a dress in the woods..  I do feel like the dress cover is over done.. Same thing with the close up on the profile with "intense" eyes.  I find that as I am looking for books I am immediately drawn to a cover that I find interesting, havent seen before, or presents a strong story. 

Some of the women that are in these books are really strong females.  So lets show them STRONG on the cover.  For me seeing a woman in a flowy dress in the woods looking slightly lost and mystified does not represent strong.  Makes me think twilight and run in the other direction. 

I think it appeals to young readers and well readers in general bc we still think in order to be romantic and have feminine qualities the best way to do that is to be in a dress.  (why most women wear dresses on date night still!- or in the business world women are received better in skirts -ie less of a ball buster.)..

Hope that all made sense.. I didnt want it to be too long..

I would be happy to talk more about this with you if you would like!

-Amber

[D L Richardson]

Yes, the "intense eyes" book cover is pretty popular too. I know what you mean about skirts in the business world. I once (a long time ago) went to an interview in a pants suit and wore my beloved lace up boots and the recruitmet agency told me to wear a skirt at my next interview. I thought I was meant to win a job based on merit, not on looks. Nowadays I work part time in HR and I refuse to deduct points if a woman turns up in pants.

 

Thank you very much for your honest feedback. These are all good points for consideration in my article.

Best regards

Debbie

[Blodeuedd]

I liked it at first but now I am soooo over it. I never want to see one again

[D L Richardson]

Thanks for your response.