J. J. Johnson, M.Ed. - Author, Editor, Writing Coach
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Interview! That Cover Girl: I'll Judge a YA Book By Its Cover

3/17/2011

 
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_From the interview: I really didn’t have a sense of what the cover might look like, and I didn’t give any concept input to Peachtree. The only thing I knew for certain was that I did NOT want what I call a “headless girl body” cover:  those YA covers with a photo of a skinny teenager, wearing trendy clothes, whose head is either cropped out of the picture or hidden behind some object. I assume those covers are trying to encourage readers to picture themselves as the heroine (“insert your face here”), but I think they’re very objectifying.  Our culture already tells girls to think their bodies and clothes are the most significant part of their identity, and “headless girl body” covers reinforce that idea. What does it say when the heroine of a novel doesn’t have a head worth including on the cover? It’s a subtle message, but it’s unhealthy.  Readers need to see whole people, with strong minds and smart brains attached to their healthy bodies....

read the full interview: http://thatcovergirl.com/2011/03/17/authorthoughts-jj-johnson-this-girl-is-different/

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I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. -Mary Oliver
Photos used under Creative Commons from Doun Dounell, Andrew-Hyde, melenita2012, f_lavins
  • Books
    • Believarexic >
      • FAQ - Believarexic
    • The Theory of Everything >
      • A Teoria de Tudo
      • Mi Teoría de Todo
      • La theorie du grand tout
      • FAQ - The Theory of Everything
    • This Girl is Different >
      • Esta Chica es Diferente
      • Cette fille est différente
      • 이 소녀는 다른 것입니다
      • Eve sieht es anders
      • Ova djevojka je drukčija
      • FAQ - This Girl is Different
      • 'This Girl' Discussion Questions
  • Editing & Coaching
    • College Application Essays >
      • Coaching Scholarship Fund
    • Web Design
  • About
    • Interviews
    • Blog
  • Contact