Thursday, January 13, 2011

Bodice Rippers, Hunky Heroes and Secrets

Over the Christmas holiday, I spoke to The Times (and by default, The Daily Mail) about the enormous popularity of romance novels on Kindle. The reporter asked me if I thought it was due to the fact that on Kindle, you can hide the cover of your novel in a way that's just not possible in paperback form.

I reckon that's part of it. There is indeed an unfair stigma attached to romance, and riding the Tube with your sexy cover displayed for all the local pervs to eye up might attract some unwanted attention. Plus, there lurks the stereotype of the spinster getting her kicks through such books. And it doesn't help when the article itself used cliched language like 'bodice rippers' to describe romance novels; someone please tell me how that's romantic?

The bit the reporter didn't include was this: romance novels are fast-paced, entertaining and well plotted. They're as difficult to write as any genre, and as enjoyable. That's why romances are so popular, and always have been. And with the low prices available on Kindle, the masses are pouncing on them yet again.

So this brings me to my question: have you ever wanted to buy a book, but were turned off by a childish/ too feminine/ embarrassing cover? And if you have a Kindle, would you consider buying that same book now?

64 comments:

  1. I stole a book from my church's yardsale. Well, I paid for it with my other purchases but it was already tucked in my bag! The book was Outlander by Dianna Gabaldon and I was too embarassed by the cheesy cover. I was an English Major for heaven's sake! I've also noticed that the Harry Potter books were also printed with more grown-up covers, presumably for adults who don't want to be seen reading a kiddy book.

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  2. Oh, but I wouldn't buy a Kindle for that reason. I'm a bit of a Luddite and can't stand reading a story on a screen. I would resort to hiding it otherwise, I think.

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  3. I've been turned off by some really bad cover art.

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  4. I have to admit, I was one of those people who shied away from romance novels -- even though my favorite stories were ones that relied heavily on two characters falling in love -- because I wasn't into bodice rippers and throbbing anything.

    Then one day in the store, I picked up a cover because it was a 3/4 close-up of one of the most attractive male cover model's face. It wasn't until I flipped it over and read the back that I realized it was a romantic suspense and by that point I was too intrigued to NOT buy it because it was a bodice ripper.

    So that was my roundabout way of saying, yes, sometimes I've shied away from buying a book because of the cover...or more so, I didn't give it a CHANCE because of it's cover.

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  5. If I'm browsing, the cover art influences me tremendously. There are books I won't read in public, Which seems silly. Why should I care if a perfect stranger scoffs at my book choice? I have no idea. I admit to carrying classic and literary books on my kindle to balance the other stuff. At least if someone asks to see it, they'll find Shakespeare along with Lover Unleashed. Shakespeare is great btw. Sometimes a girl just nerds a little more romance than Shakespeare can provide.

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  6. I've been turned of by book covers several times, but sometimes I'll pick it up and read the blurb anyway. It pays off with some books!

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  7. An overtly sexualised cover or a cover that was childish would definately put me off, if I didn't know the writer's work. Most of the female readers of romance novels are intelligent and independent minded women, but so many of these books don't seem to be marketed with that in mind. I know many of the covers are trying to give an impression of fun, but sometimes they just look silly. And if all I have to go on is the cover, the blurb and a quick flick through the novel, the cover does have a lot of sway in my decision to purchase or not.

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  8. I'm not a buyer of romance novels, so it's not a consideration. However, I'm not turned off by covers in a general sense, but I am attracted to a book and have bought them, based on the cover. I don't think you'll find me buying a book with a hunky hero or bodice ripper anytime soon!
    Good job on the interview...

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  9. I hadn't thought about that aspect of the Kindle. I guess it could be a factor in buying a book - be the book Romance or Horror or any of the genres. And I guess that's true with any eReader - they all hide the cover. At least, I think they do (I don't have an eReader).

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  10. omg, T. I was so humiliated that I was reading those Twilight books that I hid the covers... :D Of course it was b/c hubs was ridiculing me mercilessly...

    I have some sexy sexy books that I have to hide. But I have small children... "Mommy, why is he kissing her ninny???" Ummm... :D LOL! <3

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  11. Before getting my kindle (I admit I read mostly on my iphone now and love it) I would buy the books, but wouldn't read them in public if the cover was embarrasing.

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  12. With so many readers of romance admitting to being embarrassed by the cover, I'm surprised publishers are still choosing them. I don't go near a book with a cover that looks like the photo was shot in a brothel. ew.

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  13. I've never not bought a book because of its cover. And, I wouldn't buy the same book on the Kindle just because I felt embarrassed by the cover. I feel that if I want to read it, I should (and will) and have no shame over it whatsoever.

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  14. I've never NOT bought a book because of the cover but I defiently have bought one BECAUSE of the cover. I love romance along with all the other great genres so I won't let a really cheesy cover sway me. The blurbs and titles do that for me.

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  15. I haven't not bought a book because of the cover, but I have seen covers that might make me blush if I were to read them outside the house.

    Although I love my Kindle not because it hides covers but because I can have tons of books all in one place...without it weighing tons. :)

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  16. I definitely have been turned off by covers, but not because I was afraid of someone seeing them. To me a cover should and to a degree does reflect upon what the book is about or it's mood, tone, ect. I never picked up the Sookie books because I hate the covers. There I said it.

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  17. If I wanted to read a particular book I wouldn't care two hoots about the cover.

    Yvonne.

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  18. I've heard this recently about the eReaders, that the romance readers just love them for this reason. What a great promotion for the Romance industry, technology keeps surprising us in unexpected ways.

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  19. I read over at Jen's (unedited) blog that she made covers for her Twilight books so she could read them on the bus, or the train or whatever, without getting eyerolls from those around her.
    So, yeah. I only pick books with cool covers to take with me in public.
    A kindle would TOTALLY change that.

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  20. Thank you for weighing in, everyone! Such an interesting discussion. I'm not sure why publishers keep churning out the covers, but they do define the genre and help people recognise it - so it's probably a catch 22.

    I admit that I would be slightly embarrassed to be seen reading a novel with a steamy cover. It's silly, I know, particularly because I have the utmost of respect for the genre.

    Hopefully the stigma will be laid to rest soon!

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  21. HA this is interesting, i don't fancy a kindle cos i'm one of those weirdos that like to feel and smell books...but ive never thought of being able to read stuff secretly hahaha oh the possibilities!!
    As for the covers..I totally judge a book by them, so I probably wouldn't even pick the book off the shelf if I didn't like the cover..

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  22. The sentence about riding the Tube with the sexy cover and the local pervs made me laugh out loud, Talli. You are so awesome.

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  23. I would probably read more romance, particularly historical romance if the covers weren't so cheesy. As it is I've read some pretty fine romance, despite the covers. I think a lot of people pick up books because of their covers. I know my husband does when it comes to scifi. He rarely reads the back of the book to see what it's about, it's the cover that catches his eye. If there were a bodacious dude and buxom wench in an alien setting on the cover, I doubt he'd pick it up.

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  24. Hello! I saw your comment on Inkpots and Quills and came on over. You know, when I was younger, I was shy about borrowing the bodice rippers from the library, mainly because of what the clerks would think! And then I didn't want my kids catching me reading them. (I used to sneak peeks at my mom's "naughty" books when I was a kid.) Are romance novels still as blushing-face, bodice ripping as they used to be? This granny doesn't have a Kindle (yet). I'm not sure what to think about the secrecy effect and if it matters to me or not. Interesting question!

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  25. I think a cover would need to be really, really cheesy before I'd be too ashamed to be seen with it! I read a wide variety of genres though and don't really worry what other people think about my taste.

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  26. Interesting, Talli.
    I would be fussy about what book I would be seen in public with, but I am one of those people who would read anything, a good story is a good story.

    Even Douglas Kennedy has his book covers changed to appeal to each market, have a look at this:

    Three different covers for the same book, its all about marketing:

    http://www.alibris.co.uk/booksearch?qwork=692462&matches=699&author=Douglas+Kennedy&cm_sp=works*listing*title

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  27. Generally I would buy any book and not afraid of what people think. It's my money and I'll read whatever the hell I want ... so there! lol

    All kidding aside the only think I'd be uncomfortable with is something too pornographic. I'm not a perv, and I don't want anyone to think that.

    I love m/g and y/a so I do walk around with them. I'm a big kid what can I say...

    Michael

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  28. Well, I have not picked up books due to covers, sadly, but if I'm already interested it doesn't bother me!

    But that is a really interesting point on the covers of romances vs. kindle. Huh...

    Bodice ripper doesn't get you all hot and bothered? pft...;)

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  29. Talli, I am a lover of all things trashy romance novel. And I have quite an obsession with my guilty pleasure. But now I think they've started toning down the covers. They aren't quite so "racy". But you know, I'm proud of my bodice rippers. Be proud!!! =) Thanks for the interesting post.

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  30. Congrats on being quoted there!

    Ever since I've been online I've paid attention to book covers. Some of them just scream amateur artist & I think if the cover's that bad, who knows what lurks inside? Just an initial reaction. Sometimes the writing's quite good, but it doesn't change the bad cover art.

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  31. Yes I'm often put off by the covers, I wish they'd be a bit more creative some times *grin*

    The Arrival, on Amazon NOW!
    www.damselinadirtydress.com

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  32. Yes. That's my answer.

    I would be more likely to buy it on Kindle.
    CD

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  33. I never don't buy a book I want because of the cover, but I have been embarrassed by a book cover before. I drives me crazy when they put those really cheesy cliched pictures on the front that say nothing about the characters or the plot and only about the typical idea of what a 'romance' is.

    Jai

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  34. I think they're perpetuating the stereotype. Most people read a variety of genres. A good book is a good book. Period.

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  35. I tend not to bother about what the covers look like, bit I'll probably be a bit less exclusive with my genre choices now I have a Kindle. It means I can give paranormal romance the chance it deserves, hehe.

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  36. I read my first Barbara Cartland when I was like 9 and got hooked!! And you can't get more romantic than Ms Cartland!!!

    I think the essence of romance is in nearly all genres anyway!! There's always a love story or three lurking in the edges of every vampire/sci-fi/thriller/litfic novel.

    The only book covers I've been slightly embarassed to be seen gawping at are the erotica ones but then that's because they're herded in one stack with the words EROTIC FICTION emblazoned across the shelves! Ahem. Hey, it's all reading so it's allowed! LOL!

    And no I wouldn't buy kindle or anything kindle related. But if someone gave me that as a pressie I wouldn't say no either!

    I'm rambling as I do when it's close to midnight!! Take care
    x
    p.s. yay for being in the Times (booo for the the Daily Mail! LOL!). I squealed when I read the first para and there was your name!!

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  37. When I read Henry Miller's "Tropic of Cancer," it had a picture of a naked breast on the cover....
    I'm ashamed to admit this, but I actually covered it with masking tape.

    What can I say? I kept like to read on my lunch break, and didn't want to have a book with a naked boob on the cover sitting around on my desk!

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  38. I haven't seen a book yet whose cover would be a deciding factor in buying it or not.

    I do prefer though, the adult version covers of the Harry Potter books, for example.

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  39. I cheerfully judge every book by its cover, and no I wouldn't be seen reading a "bodice ripper"!
    If truth be told, I wouldn't have bought The Hating Game if you hadn't written it - but I was able to read it on my new kindle with no-one the wiser ... and I really, really enjoyed it! (ok, it's not a bodice ripper, but you know what I mean!)

    The thing is - people look for a steamy cover to tell them that this is the book they are looking for, they just don't necessarily want it visible when they have bought it. Exactly where the kindle scores.

    :Dom

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  40. I don't think any covers have embarassed me. Some titles perhaps. Then again, I don't read romances, so never had to worry about that kind of cover. Although yours is not THAT kind of cover, Talli.

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  41. I genuinely am not concerned with the cover of a book; it's what's inside that matters. (And somewhere the producers of after-school specials are rejoicing.) I don't think I've ever read a book I was embarrassed to be seen reading. There've been some where I was embarrassed that I wasted my TIME, though....

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  42. I don't read romance but at the used bookstore by my house, from which the profits go to the catholic church across the street and which is manned by little old ladies...

    I found a copy of erotica from anais nin, i might have blushed a little when she looked up at the cover and looked at me but it wasn't going to stop me.

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  43. I enjoy reading romance novels. There are some I won't even borrow from the library because the covers are too much. It does drive me crazy. It's a definite bonus of having my Kindle :)

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  44. Umm.. I think once or twice, but I won't names the books ;) I probably wouldn't take them on the train with me, but I'd definitely still read them at home.

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  45. I’ve never walked away from a book just because of the cover, but I know people who have.

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  46. I have read many a romance novel -plenty of them historical- and not once did I encounter the ripping of any actual bodices. I don't like that expression.

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  47. No, book covers are so gorgeous these days, there aren't too many I've seen that I'd want to hide, well,er, perhaps...

    So it is an interesting question you were asked and I don't think romance novels will never lose that stereotypical aura.

    BTW I have a Publication Party series on my blog. Kicked off this week. I'd love it if you could come by and read what other authors have to say about getting published. Perhaps you could leave a comment about your recent success. There are prizes each week. Please come by if you can. The champagne's free!

    Denise :)

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  48. apart from tearing the covers off when I was too young to read some romance books I dont care about covers.
    Im sure most pple have re-enacted those covers with their partners so why are they coming out and pretending to be nuns now?!

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  49. Interesting post. I have to admit that I'm much more likely to browse for romance novels online than I am in a bookstore. I guess the covers do embarrass me a little. It's like you said about the stereotype of the spinster. I figure that if anyone sees me in the romance section they'll automatically assume that I'm single. And I know that that's wrong, since a lot of people who enjoy romance novels are in relationships. And I think that romantic fiction has definitely evolved, which is partly why it continues to be so popular.

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  50. Fantasy covers have (in the past) been every bit as embarrassing as romance covers, and I used to refuse to read them on airplanes and such because of that. (People are nosy on airplanes!) In general, I don't read in public, so it's not a big issue, but I do probably read things now that I have a Kindle that I wouldn't necessarily want lining my shelves. Friends do look at my bookshelves when they come over!

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  51. Hi,

    Funny you should ask this question - it's a popular topic right now: what would one read on a Kindle that one wouldn't have been seen dead reading in public!

    Romance (bodice-rippers) have always been a no no for reading in public same as erotica, and of all the former they only grace my boudoir shelves. Below stairs the bookcases are lined with thrillers, mainstream, historical fact, and classics. Visitors d judge people by the books on their shelves! ;)

    best
    F

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  52. Like most people here, I've never not bought a book because of the cover, but some books I will only read at home because I'm embarrassed about them - usually teen novels, which are my guilty pleasure! There is a very definite trend on this side of the Atlantic for YA books to have illustrated rather than photographic covers and it does make them look more childish and cheesy. Especially ones that are heavy on the pink.

    OMG, the paper called you 'Bestselling romantic author Talli Roland'! How exciting to see that :D

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  53. I saw a piece about you in the Times one weekend - well done you Talli! I don't have a kindle but if I like the book I will buy it regardless of the cover.

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  54. I might not have been attracted to a book because of the cover art maybe, but I've never not bought a book that I wanted to read.

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  55. I don't believe I have never bought a book because of it's cover. I'm curious why the cover design, but it is not a deal breaker. I have bought a few romances at my local drug store, and, yes, they are displayed close to my Dickens and Hemingway.

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  56. I never let the cover sway me to the negative if the story sounds good, though many have been the cause of me picking a book up. A friend of mine uses pretty cloth book covers that she picks up at craft shows. They protect the book and hide your choice of reading material from prying eyes!

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  57. Well, I was looking for a reason to buy Kindle. I think you just gave me one.

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  58. Yeah, the dreaded cover. You've given me a reason to buy a kindle or a nook. Can't have those covers when you have children watching what you read.

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  59. Best-selling Author! Best-selling Author! I might have to read it again to see what else was there as I loved that bit so much. :)

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  60. Yes book covers grab me ... or turn me away.. - sorry to say...
    I would so love an ebook reader...

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  61. I don't buy romance novels, so I guess that is not an issue for me. I've won a couple in book giveaways, but the covers are very nicely done, without half-naked people on the cover, so they don't scream "bodice ripper." I've not read them, so I can't comment on the contents.

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  62. Surely you know that along with the maturity that advanced age brings, along with it comes a bonus. The ability to not give a flip what other people think! No, the possibly embarassing cover would not deter my purchase decision. :)

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  63. Hi Talli .. completely not sure - I used to read romance as a teenager, and have occasionally picked up one since .. but then they seemed to follow similar themes.

    Now - I guess authors vary their work more .. and are more sophisticated .. so when I get the book as opposed to the Kindle .. I shall find out!

    Can't pass comment on screen reading - but feel I do enough of that anyway .. a book is a book ..

    Good to have you back and such good news re the Times and the Mail .. and of course they'd leave the important bit out "fast-paced, entertaining and well plotted"!

    Cheers Hilary

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  64. The cover wouldn't turn me off if I knew the author, but it does sometimes make it harder to give such books as gifts - the giftee assumes it'll be a generic Harlequin from c.1970 and maybe doesn't even get around to reading it...

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