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Em S. A'cor's avatar

I write later-in-life, Gen X romance, so cartoony or illustrated covers don't feel right to me. I've gone with discreet covers so that people can read my books on a plane or on their commute to work without feeling self conscious. Not on trend, but I'd like to think there's a want and need for that.

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S.H. Schreiber's avatar

I love that you’re leaning into what feels authentic to you and your readers.

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Em S. A'cor's avatar

My readers favor paperback. I believe that has something to do with the covers.

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S.H. Schreiber's avatar

That makes sense

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S.H. Schreiber's avatar

In what way do you think it makes a difference? Do you mean in terms of the cover needing to be more discreet?

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Em S. A'cor's avatar

Yes. No one can see what you’re reading if it’s an ebook. When you hold a paperback in your hands, everyone can see. So if someone wants to read romance as a physical book without displaying a half naked man to the world, my covers have that appeal.

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Stephanie Nguyen's avatar

Thank you for a fascinating read! I don't mind character-driven romance covers, but personally, I'm not a fan of the cartoon illustrations. Give me real models! I particularly love the covers that feature abstract photography of real people — Pictures of You and The View Was Exhausting come to mind (with the latter being probably my favorite book cover of all time; so aesthetic). Alternatively, I also love really bold, graphic, modern text and no pictures at all — Romantic Comedy is a good example.

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S.H. Schreiber's avatar

Thank you! I loved reading your take. I’m with you on the cartoon covers.

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