How to Judge a Book by its Cover

New Analytical Tools for the Book Covers and Titles
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-99222-8
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 252 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 453 g

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 that are interested in media studies, paratextual studies, publishing, internet studies, post-colonial studies and popular fiction studies.

Zielgruppe

Academic and Postgraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Cuthbert, Kate

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Mediensoziologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Sprachwissenschaft Schreiben und Publizieren, Kreatives Schreiben
• Sozialwissenschaften Medien- und Kommunikationswissenschaften Medienwissenschaften

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Thresholds Section I – The Book Title 2. Book Titles: An Analytical Framework 3. Book Titles: A Case Study Section II – The Book Cover 4. Book Covers: An Analytic Methodology 5. Book Covers: A Case Study 6. How to Judge a Book by its Cover

Über Autor(innen)

Kate Cuthbert is the Publishing Director at Books & Publishing, Australia’s news and information website for the book sector. Previously, she held senior roles at Pantera Press, Writers Victoria and launched the Escape Publishing brand at Harlequin Australia. She earned her doctorate at the University of Queensland.