Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Cover Judging - rules and regulations

One of the joys associated with working in a library is romance novel covers. Often, six or seven paperbacks are turned in at once, giving my co-workers and I a chance to determine which cover is best.

A good boredom game is looking through the shelving cart for the cover that best embodies the romance novel. Points are awarded for the following:
  • bare chest
  • kilts
  • bare-chested in a kilt
  • highlander
  • highlander with bare chest in a kilt
  • long hair
  • wind flowing through long hair
  • standing on a moor with arms wrapped around lady love
These are merely the basics - I will consider sci-fi and Regency tropes as they occur.

Additional points are available for exceptional tag-lines or back-of-the-book synopsis. Terribly punny titles will also be considered. Entries will be based on books checked in during my regularly scheduled library shifts; finalists will be posted on this blog each week.

Finalists will be awarded one of the following:
The Golden Fabio - for true excellence in romance covers; finalists receiving this award exhibit a dedication to craft and a willingness to go above and beyond mere requirements.
The Silver Deveraux - for technical and creative proficiency in the craft of romance covers; finalists exhibit a keen understanding of the elements required of a successful cover.
The Bronze Feather - for a basic understanding of romance covers; finalists receiving this award may excel in one area, but need work in others.
and finally . . .
The Steele Pendant - for those finalists exhibiting a disregard for the art of the romance cover; those receiving this dishonor have abandoned true passion and are merely follow formula for the purpose of book sales.

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