Comments on: Cover Art | Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie (US Edition)

By: Here Be Dragons « Everything Is Nice

Here Be Dragons « Everything Is Nice — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:54:44 +0000

[...] less said about the American version the better but at least the paperback edition had character. Anyway, I know I’m very late to [...]

By: Woodge

Woodge — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:48:19 +0000

Honestly, I like both versions of this cover and I like the US one better! I don’t think it’s worth griping about either.

By: Cover Art | Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie (US Paperback Edition) | A Dribble of Ink

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:16:41 +0000

[...] completely panned Orbit’s first attempt at creating a cover for Joe Abercrombie’s Best Served Cold. It was a disaster. A cover that [...]

By: Swainson

Swainson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:45:25 +0000

Balls, I forgot; what is it with lefthanders on the covers of books.

http://www.jackofravens.com/2009/02/03/lord-of-silence-cover/#comments

This is the cover art for Marc Chadborn’s new book. More left handers.

Maybe it’s just me.

By: Swainson

Swainson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:42:22 +0000

I googled Junot Diaz. That’s a mighty weird person to have endorse Best Served Cold.

I’ve always thought American cover art has dumbed down the genre. For this reason I don’t like it; if I can get a book with only this artwork I’ll buy it.

You don’t half get a bit ticked off to be thought as the lowest common denomiator when what you are reading is of a high caliber.

The UK cover speaks to the fan, the US cover speaks to the casual observer.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:15:26 +0000

I also find it interesting that they’re using a cover blurb from Junot Diaz. His latest novel won the Pulitzer for fiction so if you’re trying to pull in people who usually read more “literary fiction”, the blood-spattered cover makes even less sense. And people wonder why mainstream publishers are having issues…

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:48:48 +0000

The most egregious error in cover judgement I’ve seen in a long time is the difference between the US and UK versions of the Erickson books. The US Hardcovers would be better suited in the Romance section of the bookstore based on the cover art. I’ll gladly pay the same price to get the UK paperbacks shipped to me.

By: Harrison Holtz

Harrison Holtz — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:00:10 +0000

Aidan, I couldn’t agree more that cover art is atrocious. The UK one is subtle and in my opinion much more tasteful in my opinion. I’ve given up all hope of ever seeing tasteful cover art in the states. (Granted there is some but they’re few and far between.)

And John, granted you’re right it does fit Orbits US Branding, I think they need to overhaul their marketing/branding strategy with covers like that.

Definitely would not want to run into that “chick” in a dark alley.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:57:31 +0000

I think this is not too bad, but I vastly prefer the UK version: that ona has personality.

By: John - Grasping for the Wind

John - Grasping for the Wind — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:48:07 +0000

I prefer the UK edition – but I recognize that this fits in with Orbit US’ branding.

By: thrinidir

thrinidir — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:49:13 +0000

Plain. Ugly. American publishers must think the world of their readers or just have no taste, like a stale Coke.

By: hagelrat

hagelrat — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:08:27 +0000

my favourite Uk vs US covers are the Kim Harrison ones. The UK designs are so unusual and cool, I would completely have missed the US ones among everything else on the shelves.

By: aidan

aidan — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:19:41 +0000

I’m just glad that we get the UK edition here in Canada.

By: Jeff C

Jeff C — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:46:34 +0000

I totally agree with you, Aidan. I made a post a few minutes ago saying the exact same thing. I guess I will be importing this one.