How to Judge a Book by its Cover

Combining both an industry and research focus, How to Judge a Book by its Cover not only judges books by their covers but provides a methodology for others to do the same.

Despite book titles and book covers having been identified, defined and discussed as paratexts, beginning first with Gérard Genette and by many paratextual and publishing scholars since, there is currently no methodology or defined vocabulary for the analysis and discussion of their creation, the intent and effect of their structure, and their constituent elements. As these paratexts become further and further removed from their texts then, like texts, they can – and should – be studied, especially as literature is inextricably embedded in industrial and social currents. How to Judge a Book by its Cover looks more deeply at book covers and book titles, two paratexts that are of broad academic interest but crucial to the placement, marketing, and commerce of the publishing industry.

Bringing together paratextual studies, publishing studies and media studies, visual design analysis, and the world of advertising, this work marries academic rigour with industry experience to first define the role that book covers and book titles play and then articulate a methodology for their analysis. By identifying intent behind book covers and book titles, defining the elements that may be achieved in this intent, and providing opportunities to measure their success, both scholars and industry professionals will have a clear and robust vocabulary in discussions of these key marketing paratexts. This book can be used for students and researchers who are interested in media studies, paratextual studies, publishing, internet studies, postcolonial studies, and popular fiction studies.