What's with the cartoonish book covers for women?

It's interesting how a reader can browse the books in a second-hand store and usually tell the period most fiction was published simply by looking at the cover. There's a different vibe for each decade, especially those 30-40 years ago. Book cover art changes, but is it always for the better? And more interestingly, how does it reflect on society?     

    If you've ever seen book covers from 100 years ago, they were often classy, sophisticated, and had a touch of elegance that made them as much a pretty addition to the room as well as a great piece of literature. Fast-forward to the current times, and it's doubtful that the cover of a book, or even the contents inside, come close to the expectations of those days. But then again, can't we say that about a lot of things?

Not to suggest my books or my book covers are outstanding. I'm hardly a great writer of our times, and my covers are not necessarily works of art, but at the same time, I do put effort into choosing what I want for the cover image. It may not always be precisely what I had in mind, but I do ponder it for much longer than people realize. With each book cover, I could tell you a story of the process of choosing it.

What I never wanted for my book covers was anything that looked cheap, tacky, or as if my book was not to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, that puts me against the grain when it comes to modern fiction. I don't want to pinpoint any specific author because I generally blame the publishers and marketing people behind the scenes, but many books directed at women these days tend to have cartoonish-looking covers. It's something that started a few years ago and has never grown on me. The stories between the covers could be outstanding, but I generally avoid a book cover that looks like it may be directed at a child as much as a woman. Maybe to these big publishing houses, there's no difference, I'm not sure.

Again, I don't necessarily blame the authors. I'm sure they have a hand in choosing their covers, but I think there's a lot of pressure for them to go with what's considered the current trend, which appears to be book covers that mock the intellect of women. It's condescending and insulting. And perhaps I'm being too harsh, but I've talked to many avid readers who tell me they feel the same way. They want serious covers, not bubblegum-smacking, hair-twirling, ditzy covers. 

And hey, I could just be a bitch. I accept and acknowledge that fact. But there's something very disappointing about the fact that walking into a bookstore, specifically a section directed at women, has the same color scheme as a candy store. It's ridiculous. If you don't believe me, go check out some of the authors who's books are more directed at men. Nothing cartoonish going on there, is there? Can you imagine James Patterson's next book being bright blue with a cartoon man running down the street? Not likely. So, how come it's different for books mainly directed toward women? 

Why do you need a sharp book cover? 😉(Updated)

Book covers should symbolize the pages inside, but how much of an impact do they make? Do we judge a book by its cover?

I spend a lot of time thinking about my book covers and choosing the best option. Like everything else, I often overthink it, but in general, a cover must give an overall feel of the story inside. For example, many of my books have a dark, sinister vibe that is captured on the cover. These days, I write about criminals, so you wouldn't expect to find an image that is bright, cheery, and fun. It wouldn't make sense. It would be misleading and send the wrong message about the story and the characters involved.

Book covers should speak to their potential audience. To me, if something captivates them in the imagery, chances are it represents a curiosity about what may be in the pages. Much like a movie poster, a book cover should leave you with a sense of what to expect. Colors, the specific images, and the title create an impression and should cause the potential reader to be intrigued and want to sink into the pages.

A perfect example would be my Hernandez series. The protagonist is sinister, powerful, and dangerous. Both the covers in this article will show you the connection to this theme. I lean toward ominous imagery. I also have bright colors that are eye-catching and attractive against the black background. This is what captivates your audience.

In the end, each author has to decide which cover best represents their book while at the same time considering the marketing aspect and what will sell. It can be a difficult balance but is necessary when publishing a book.