Cover art

[Machine's Way]

Did the same person design the cover for Sleeping Beauties as Bazaar of Bad Dreams? Can't help but to notice they look very similar. From the font, to the butterfly and basically the whole overall design itself. At first glance I thought I was actually looking at BOBD.

 

[Moderator]

I don't know off the top of my head if they're both by the same person but they both were done by Scribner's Art Dept. The colors and the butterflies are very similar, though, so understand the resemblance you're seeing.

 

[AchtungBaby]

I dig it. Like Bazaar, I am sure it will be even more arresting in person.

 

[Machine's Way]

I am not complaining, for me the cover could be blank its all about whats on the inside. BUT they seriously look so similar to me as if this cover could of just been a rejected cover for BOBD.

 

[RichardX]

It does look very similar to BofBD. Maybe with a dash of Silence of the Lambs. My guess is that some marketing guys make the cut on the covers. And then go some place fanxy for lunch where they congratulate one another. It does seem fairly lazy and uninspired to go with such a similar copycat look. Like King can't sell enough books unless the unwashed masses recognize a standard brand of King covers. Here is probably what the marketing guys expect our reaction to be: Saddle up the mule. That lookie like a Stephen King book. I buys it.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...similar elements, but still striking......

 

[kingricefan]

It does look very similar to BofBD. Maybe with a dash of Silence of the Lambs. My guess is that some marketing guys make the cut on the covers. And then go some place fanxy for lunch where they congratulate one another. It does seem fairly lazy and uninspired to go with such a similar copycat look. Like King can't sell enough books unless the unwashed masses recognize a standard brand of King covers. Here is probably what the marketing guys expect our reaction to be: Saddle up the mule. That lookie like a Stephen King book. I buys it.

Most of the books Steve did with Viking used the same lettering on the covers, where the 'S' and the 'N' were larger than the 'tephe' in his first name with 'King' nudged in between the larger two letters under his first name. That's definite brand recognition there. It worked for me!

 

[carrie's younger brother]

My guess is that some marketing guys make the cut on the covers. And then go some place fanxy for lunch where they congratulate one another.

Having worked for Scribner I can tell you that is not at all how it works. In a nutsehll...
Art is commissioned, the in-house designers work hard coming up with a design, that design gets yays and nays from a lot of different people (including booksellers) and ultimately (Ms. Mod correct me if I am wrong) SK gets final approval.

"It does seem fairly lazy and uninspired to go with such a similar copycat look. Like King can't sell enough books unless the unwashed masses recognize a standard brand of King covers. Here is probably what the marketing guys expect our reaction to be: Saddle up the mule. That lookie like a Stephen King book. I buys it."
Like it or not, SK is a "brand" and there needs to be a consistency with the covers so when people are bombarded with the myriad book covers in a bookstore or online, something must be instantly recognizable to the customer.

Lastly, as someone who has worked in marketing for many years, I find your snarky comments kind of rude.

 

[RichardX]

Having worked for Scribner I can tell you that is not at all how it works. In a nutsehll...
Art is commissioned, the in-house designers work hard coming up with a design, that design gets yays and nays from a lot of different people (including booksellers) and ultimately (Ms. Mod correct me if I am wrong) SK gets final approval.

"It does seem fairly lazy and uninspired to go with such a similar copycat look. Like King can't sell enough books unless the unwashed masses recognize a standard brand of King covers. Here is probably what the marketing guys expect our reaction to be: Saddle up the mule. That lookie like a Stephen King book. I buys it."
Like it or not, SK is a "brand" and there needs to be a consistency with the covers so when people are bombarded with the myriad book covers in a bookstore or online, something must be instantly recognizable to the customer.

Lastly, as someone who has worked in marketing for many years, I find your snarky comments kind of rude.

I didn't say how it works. Just what it looks like. I'm not sure why you find someone else's opinion so objectionable to but each his own. I forgot to place you on my ignore list from previous such outbursts. Which I'm now correcting.

 

[Moderator]

Having worked for Scribner I can tell you that is not at all how it works. In a nutsehll...
Art is commissioned, the in-house designers work hard coming up with a design, that design gets yays and nays from a lot of different people (including booksellers) and ultimately (Ms. Mod correct me if I am wrong) SK gets final approval.

"It does seem fairly lazy and uninspired to go with such a similar copycat look. Like King can't sell enough books unless the unwashed masses recognize a standard brand of King covers. Here is probably what the marketing guys expect our reaction to be: Saddle up the mule. That lookie like a Stephen King book. I buys it."
Like it or not, SK is a "brand" and there needs to be a consistency with the covers so when people are bombarded with the myriad book covers in a bookstore or online, something must be instantly recognizable to the customer.

Lastly, as someone who has worked in marketing for many years, I find your snarky comments kind of rude.

You've got it right.

 

[Haunted]

Having worked for Scribner I can tell you that is not at all how it works. In a nutsehll...
Art is commissioned, the in-house designers work hard coming up with a design, that design gets yays and nays from a lot of different people (including booksellers) and ultimately (Ms. Mod correct me if I am wrong) SK gets final approval.

"It does seem fairly lazy and uninspired to go with such a similar copycat look. Like King can't sell enough books unless the unwashed masses recognize a standard brand of King covers. Here is probably what the marketing guys expect our reaction to be: Saddle up the mule. That lookie like a Stephen King book. I buys it."
Like it or not, SK is a "brand" and there needs to be a consistency with the covers so when people are bombarded with the myriad book covers in a bookstore or online, something must be instantly recognizable to the customer.

Lastly, as someone who has worked in marketing for many years, I find your snarky comments kind of rude.

Gosh, we are discussing a beautiful cover of an exciting new book coauthored by two of our favorite tale tellers we should be excited and happy that we have a new story to look forward to!! Please let's just be grateful.

 

[GNTLGNT]

I didn't say how it works. Just what it looks like. I'm not sure why you find someone else's opinion so objectionable to but each his own. I forgot to place you on my ignore list from previous such outbursts. Which I'm now correcting.

...it was an opinion that had more than a whiff of snark to it...which is not uncommon for you-i.e. feeling the need to post that your were going to "Ignore" him....not being offensive, just an observation.....

 

[Moderator]

Gosh, we are discussing a beautiful cover of an exciting new book coauthored by two of our favorite tale tellers we should be excited and happy that we have a new story to look forward to!! Please let's just be grateful.

Not sure if you misunderstood as you quoted CYB but that wasn't his opinion. He was quoting RichardX's post with the highlighted text. But either way I agree with your sentiment.

 

[GNTLGNT]

Not sure if you misunderstood as you quoted CYB but that wasn't his opinion. He was quoting RichardX's post with the highlighted text. But either way I agree with your sentiment.

...yes'm me too.....as I've been told on countless occasions-I'm not a Mod-just don't like friends being attacked for speaking out.....

 

[carrie's younger brother]

I apologize to all. I should have waited a while before I hit send. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I thibk I;ll take a rest from the board until next week. Have a great weekend all!

 

[Haunted]

I apologize to all. I should have waited a while before I hit send. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I thibk I;ll take a rest from the board until next week. Have a great weekend all!

 

[kingricefan]

I apologize to all. I should have waited a while before I hit send. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I thibk I;ll take a rest from the board until next week. Have a great weekend all!

Monday's almost here CYB!!!

 

[ServantThirteen]

Did the same person design the cover for Sleeping Beauties as Bazaar of Bad Dreams? Can't help but to notice they look very similar. From the font, to the butterfly and basically the whole overall design itself. At first glance I thought I was actually looking at BOBD.

I agree that at first glance, they appear very similar. I think it almost has more to do with the color scheme. The black background, red lettering and blue center. But if you look at other recent novels such as REVIVAL....it also has similar colors....and even DOCTOR SLEEP used the black jacket with red. Glad to hear though that Mr. King does get final say on the cover.