UK Defilers Cover

[ChrisCook]

Hi All,

Forgive me if this has been discussed already (it's a while since I've visited the forums), but does anyone know why the jacket cover for Defilers UK will be the Eggleton jacket that was on US Invaders. Whilst the US covers are good, I do prefer the George Underwood UK versions.

Kind regards,

Chris

[Moth]

Yeah, I have to agree Chris that I prefer the UK covers too - I'll be gutted if it's the US covers..

The Moth

[ChrisCook]

Hi Moth,

I noticed the bad news, about the UK cover, in Silkys March update. Maybe everyone else prefers the US covers and the UK ones only appeal to people who spend too much time starring at code! Out of interest, which programming languages do you develop in?

Kind regards,

Chris

[Ehlana]

I don't stare at code. I do work in an office. I also know what art I prefer - the UK covers!

[ShadoeWolfe]

Well bugger off to all of ya! I like both sets of covers. They are each unique and enticing in their own way. And honestly....tell me with a straight face that UK Invaders was a better cover than the US cover....I'm listening....

George has done wonderful work in the past, but UK Invaders was not good at all - you have to admit that. Or maybe you don't. obviously the publishers have a good knack for the different cultures though - most of us in the US like the US covers better and the reverse is also true. Damn those businessmen for making good decisions!

Have a good one everybody - I'm just pokin' fun....

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ShadoeWolfe
Undead WebMaster

[Mike C]

The American covers got my attention, so those are the ones I prefer. Just glad I'm reading what's inside.

[Pybob]

<font color=880000>I've got to agree with Shadoe on this one, not so much on the main image though, but that dodgy background... But then again it does fit in with his superb Necroscope cover-art, ie the red & blue life-lines that spew out of the skulls (Nec2:Wamphyri!). When you look at the main image and see one head, many faces - it makes sense, just no good for marketing!

While I've been putting together the pages ready for reviews of Brian's work it's been the first time I've really seen the American cover-art. Some of its good, some not... some better, some worse... Pretty much like everything that's different across the Pond.

Vive la difference! is what I say...
</font>

This is my World, come in, sit down, stay awhile...

[Ehlana]

Hmmmm well, I suppose this is why Canada has both versions *GRIN* I choose the UK every time! Mainly, because George Underwood's artwork is of a quality and intelligence rarely seen on covers of paperback fiction.

Of course, taste is subjective. I will stand by my choice, because it is my opinion and my taste. I don't expect everyone to concur... just hopefully enough people agree so that we can get more Underwood covers!

[Moth]

I'm sorry but I have to stand by my choice! George Underwoods covers in my opinion have a certain "je ne sais quoi'! I don't know some intelligence maybe. Either way the US covers look cheap!

I know some of you will say "But it isn't the cover that counts it's the content"! YES you are right - However, to look at those cheap looking covers mixed in with my Necroscope collection isn't good!!

I am proud of My Lumley Books and to ruin them with cheap looking artwork.....

Ahh well I suppose I will get flamed for my comments but hey I'm entitled to my opinion ;o)

[topol_sheap]

Moth,

I have to agree with you, I prefer the British covers a s they look great. I got an american copy of demogorgon, and my girlfriend, well she said "that looks like trash", I was really upset, american covers and pulp fiction....

oh yeah and the paper in american books is cheaper

[Canker]

hhmmm....a bit of amercan bashing going on here I see...*L* Tell you what...send me a copy of the English version of one of Brian's Books and I'll compare the paper ....Did it work? *L*

[Emaleth]

<font color="770000">Ok, ok..I suppose I should add my two cents in...I enjoy whats inside a book, having seen great covers with crapola inside I tend to go by that, just like with people...never judge a book by its cover.

But I must admit, the US paperback cover of Necroscope drew my eye and so I bought it, read it, read it again and haven't stopped buying or reading his books yet, regardless of what is on the cover.</font color>

[ChrisCook]

Hi all,

Having started this ‘thread’ I feel a little bit guilty about the strong feelings provoked. However, whilst I can see a lot of skill and effort has been invested in US covers, I do perceive the UK versions to be of a higher quality (even the first E-Branch cover - which really stood at from the crowd). This may be because the US covers remind me of the paperbacks sold in cheapo bookshops in UK. Such shops have walls lined with cheap, in more ways than one, horror and romance paperbacks and most of the horror paperbacks have similar styled covers to the US Lumley books (as they're mainly unwanted imports from the US). More than likely, it’s this association that has shaped my perception of the US cover art.

Kind regards,

Chris

[ShadoeWolfe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lord Shaithis:
I've never seen the English covers, as I'm over here in the states. ...Somebody please explain what the English covers look like so I can figure this out...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Have you bothered to look around this site? I only have the UK versions of every Necroscope book, Mythos book, and House of Doors books, so I can see why you haven't been able to get a look at them. I do really hope you're joking and this doesn't mean I have scanned and posted all those covers for nothing....click on the Books link above and go to Novels...

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ShadoeWolfe
Undead WebMaster

[Pybob]

<font color=880000>
As I'm putting together a reviews site and pulling together images from online bookstores (with appropriate permissions!) I've had a chance to compare US and UK editions of books.

I'm glad to say that it isn't uncommon for jackets to be very similar if not identical.

But, unfortunately, there are some disturbing differences, especially the paperback covers of US editions... the worst example being for Dean Koontzes Dark Rivers of the Heart.
(Click here for an example on one of my pages)

It seems as if the marketers consider paperback buyers, a vast majority of the book-buying community, not worth descent cover-art.

But then again, they are all experts at selling books, else we wouldn't be doing what they are doing, sales wouldn't be as high as they are... Or it could be that sales would be better...

The only way to change the system is to do just that... Change it! Write to publishing houses complaining that the cover-art isn't what it should be if that's what you think...

Have FUN playing the system! Beat them at their own game...

Pybob! Get off that computer you silly anarchistic boy! Stop trying to incite people to revolution...

Gotto go... fininshed Soap-Boxing...

Come visit me...

[Moth]

Chris... Nahhhh it's nice to see a bit of emotion stirring going on in these chat pages... By the way Chris I've used a few languages in my time but COBOL beats em all hmm don't laugh!!

Pybob... Nahh not American bashing just book cover bashing heh..
In defense of ALL the covers though - err I just wish I could draw as good as any of em.. Ahh well

I don't know about the paper quality (not compared them to be honest) but I can say one thing.. The bindings on the UK wersions are holding fine while on my US they are falling apart USE BETTER GLUE!!

Emaleth - err we all read whats inside them but thats not the issue is it.... It's the covers - and it's another issue thats good to argue errr duscuss ;o) heh!

[topol_sheap]

Good paper, glue, and covers...... THat's what everyone wants.

The whole paper issue apprear to manily be in the TOR copies of the brian stuff that I own, the Necronomicon Press stuff is quality and so is the ganley stuff....... I think TOR must produce a lot of pulp.

can someone please explain to me why anyone would purchase a book without a cover????

Why would anyone want to deface a book in such a way.... not like it over this side of the fish pond lads and ladettes.

[masinger]

Well, this has been an interesting discussion to read.

I just want to say that it's been a perfect recreation of almost every conversation I've ever had about the differences in packaging between American and UK publishing. There's a real difference in artistic sensibility in the two countries, in both mainstream and genre fiction, and in what the "mass" market likes to look at and buy. In the US, most of the packaging Brian has had in the UK would pigeonhole him as a pulp author and restrict his audience to the small (under 20,000) audience for pulp horror.

In defense of our packaging approach (and please don't think I'm upset or angry--I alwyas enjoy this sort of discussion) I think it may be that the Brits on this site don't see enough of the broader spectrum of US publishing to see where Brian's US packaging is aimed at positioning him. This is actually a more high-end package for horror, not a pulp look at all, despite the skulls and bones art. It's not literary horror, to be sure (again, that's a smaller audience, and not what we're looking for).

There've been radical changes in the US book business in the last few years--loss of outlets for sales, high returns, fewer distributors, etc. Throughout that, Brian's work has not just stayed steady (a hard thing to do in a volatile market) but grown (slowly, but it is happening). It would be a mistake to fool around with the look too much, especially only a few books from the end of the Necroscope series.

We do know about the ongoing problems with glue. It happens a lot with thicker books. We're trying various new glues to combat this. If you have a book with glue failure, you can reseal the pages by ironing the book (seriously). Use a low heat setting and be patient. (You might try on something you don't care about at first, until you get the right setting for your particular iron.)

The hardcovers are produced with acid-free paper. For mass market paperbacks, that's much too expensive--paper costs have risen astonishingly in the last few years. But we have reduced the acid content of the paper and are trying to buy better paper. However, there is a cost limitation in terms of what we charge the reader. Brian's books already cost $7; better paper would increase that cost by at least $1. While you dedicated readers wouldn't blink at that, a lot of other people would.

Hope this helps demystify things a bit.

Melissa Ann Singer

[Moth]

Melissa.
Quote -
"I think it may be that the Brits on this site don't see enough of the broader spectrum of US publishing"

Nice defense, but being a Brit living in Canada I am lucky to see both versions of every book I choose to look for and 99% of the time in my opinion they look cheap.
For a CLASSIC example take a look at "Eddings & Feist" book covers for both sides of the pond. When I saw the US covers for the above books I was absolutely gobsmacked and wondered how they ever sold at all over here.

Now for your 'Pigeonhole' you maybe right, however do the covers still have to look cheap? Surely good artwork appeals to everyone.

I suppose George Underwood (U.K Covers)could have created different artwork that would make the book appeal to a wider audience and I am sure that if he did, it would not look trashey!

I am not saying that anyone should fool about with the look of the Necroscope covers in the US, but they are fooling about with the look of them in the UK by giving us a cheap looking US cover..

By the way can anyone think of a different word for cheap? ;o) I think i have overkilled the word with this one...

[Moth]

Shadoe!!

There you go - the next opinion poll you have here could be about these here book covers..

Which do you prefer U.K or U.S?

Which book cover from all the Necroscope related title is your personal Favourite?


Thought you might like the suggestion )

The Moth