More judging a book by its cover(s): Phantom vs. Phantom
by paultremblay on Nov.12, 2009, under Paul G. Tremblay
Phantom is a forthcoming (should be available later this month, and hopefully I’ll have copies on hand at the Boylston reading) literary horror anthology that I co-edited with Sean Wallace of Prime Books. When we originally put the anthology together, we imagined it as a relatively small selling, pocket-sized, boutique kind of anthology. And this was to be its cover:

Phantom 1
However, as the publication date approached, Prime got an unexpected (but most welcomed) bump in bookstore orders, prompting a change in physical size (so the book wouldn’t be lost on shelves) and a new, more eye catching cover.

Phantom 2
What say you? Do you agree with Prime that cover 2 would be more likely to be picked up by a walk-by shopper/browser?
Related posts:
- Judging a book by its cover The saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” When browsing through a store, no particular recommendation in hand, you really don’t have much else to go on. Stick a plain, boring or unattractive cover on even an outstanding book, and it is DOA. You’re not picking that...
- More fun with book covers: The Little Sleep Jeff is 100 percent correct in saying that his level of input on the design of covers is not the norm. Though like Jeff, I was fortunate that Henry Holt came to me for some pre-input on what feel/look I wanted for the cover of The Little Sleep. My novel...
- The Trouble with Covers: Getting to Final with Finch One of the great privileges of my life as a writer has been getting a say in cover design. As someone with a strong visual sense who originally published in indie press and also ran an indie press, I’ve always dealt with artists and graphic designers. So when it...
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- Hi Folks! I’m pleased to be here, hanging out a Babel Clash for at couple of weeks. Should be fun. There’s actually a lot of different angles to look at covers from. I’ll start small… Very cool that Jeff has always had input and creative influence on his covers. (Sounds like Paul...
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November 13th, 2009 on 1:08 am
I actually like both covers very much, but can see where the second one may be more “commercial” given the sorts of covers I see walking through a bookstore.
November 13th, 2009 on 8:12 am
That’s how I see it, Spaz. The first cover actually made for a cool, little, book. But I do think the new cover is more eye catching.
November 13th, 2009 on 3:13 pm
I like the sound of the book, but I don’t like the second cover. I prefer a cover that infers rather than sledgehammers. May I copy and print out the first cover to tape over the book?
November 13th, 2009 on 7:27 pm
Be my guest, Brenda!
November 14th, 2009 on 2:28 pm
I definitely agree with Brenda. There’s no way I’d pick up the book with cover #2. #1 I find intriguing.