tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17224228.post3316266207931253642..comments2023-10-25T03:40:54.655-07:00Comments on Neth Space: Nethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963540055415924510noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17224228.post-2523965829302785842007-02-20T10:44:00.000-07:002007-02-20T10:44:00.000-07:00Don't know if you've read this older post of Scalz...Don't know if you've read this older post of Scalzi's or not, but his comments about cover art later in the post reminded me of you. Thought you might enjoy it:<BR/><BR/>http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/003914.htmlCarl V. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948764216438379394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17224228.post-68257418359929323382007-02-16T12:08:00.000-07:002007-02-16T12:08:00.000-07:00At the very least I'll come over and agree or argu...At the very least I'll come over and agree or argue with you about your choices. ;)Carl V. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948764216438379394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17224228.post-43295292113005990332007-02-16T08:42:00.000-07:002007-02-16T08:42:00.000-07:00Neil - thanks for the info. I imagine that cover a...Neil - thanks for the info. I imagine that cover art is a big factor in marketing and the like, but if I'm any example, it's impact is less now than it has been in the past - and maybe book sellers should take notice. Of course, I could just be a bit on the cynical/skeptical side of the line (which isn't exactly uncommon).<BR/><BR/>Best of luck with the store closing and all. I'm sure it's a very bitter-sweet time.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Carl - we'll see. I've been kicking the idea around in my head for a couple days and it's still there.Nethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16963540055415924510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17224228.post-66584348697895191462007-02-15T11:42:00.000-07:002007-02-15T11:42:00.000-07:00In my opinion anyone who can communicate why they ...In my opinion anyone who can communicate why they personally do or don't like a piece of art is qualified enough to critique art. So go for it.Carl V. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948764216438379394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17224228.post-80053289322365062152007-02-15T11:26:00.000-07:002007-02-15T11:26:00.000-07:00Actually, the cover art seriously influences what ...Actually, the cover art seriously influences what books you will see in a chain store. Aside from prior sales figures, chain book buyers will use the cover art as a criteria which books to buy and how many. This says to me that their data suggests the cover art is extremely important. <BR/><BR/>This information comes from a friend in publishing on dealing with the buyers for B&N.<BR/><BR/> -NeilAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17224228.post-31028967152018198922007-02-15T07:52:00.000-07:002007-02-15T07:52:00.000-07:00Well, I do enjoy good cover art, but even then, it...Well, I do enjoy good cover art, but even then, it still holds very little actual value to me. I guess I'm just not passionate about that sort of art - I don't think this would surprise people that know me well.<BR/><BR/>I do like to 'collect' books again, but it's not really the asthetic quality I'm collecting - but the story itself. So I'm less worried about the art or that it matches other books in a series.<BR/><BR/>I'll think about making this a 'series' of rants - I could regularly pick a 'good' and 'bad'cover and discuss why I think that way - but then I'm hardly an art critic. I'm far less 'qualified' there than I am for offering my thoughts on books - and I have no 'qualifications' for books other than the fact I read them.Nethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16963540055415924510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17224228.post-81618317870889789582007-02-14T11:09:00.000-07:002007-02-14T11:09:00.000-07:00You probably have the better attitude about it all...You probably have the better attitude about it all. I am still very, very influenced by cover art...at least when it comes to whether I'll purchase a hardback or just pick a book up from the library. At this point in my life I am very obsessed with illustration. I wait impatiently every year for the newest Spectrum art book as I always discover new artists that I like. That in turn leads me to check out the books that they have done covers for. A very large amount of new authors that I try is because of cover art that appeals to me. But that is the thing about art, what appeals to me doesn't necessarily appeal to others. <BR/><BR/>Bad cover art certainly wouldn't stop me from picking up a book by a favorite author: Neil Gaiman, Patricia McKillip, Jonathan Carrol (Land of Laughs is GREAT). It would, however, make me less likely to try someone new unless someone I trust raved about them. <BR/><BR/>I'm also the type of person who likes to 'collect' books, in the sense that I most often buy new hardbacks, the reason being that I like the art and presentation of the book and want to possess it, to read it, and hopefully to love it enough to read it over and over again. By and large judging a book by its cover hasn't gone wrong for me. There have been a few stinkers but mostly I am pleased with my purchases on some level.<BR/><BR/>I hope you continue to 'rant' about covers that you both like and dislike as it always makes for fun conversation.<BR/><BR/>And I agree with you on the His Majesty's Dragon thing. I have hated that title all along simply because it makes me think of Christopher Stasheff's book Her Majesty's Wizard that I read long ago. Everytime I see it I think of this other book, that I enjoyed long ago, and it feels to much like a copycat title. I know that is ridiculous, but that is the effect it has on me personally.Carl V. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948764216438379394noreply@blogger.com