Cover Wars: Christmassy Books
I must admit, when I originally saw the book cover for Carmen Reid’s new stand-alone novel The Jewels of Manhattan I loved it. It wasn’t until Miranda Dickinson took to her Twitter account that I noticed that, actually, the cover for The Jewels of Manhattan is actually pretty much a carbon copy of Miranda’s novel Fairytale of New York.
I mean, look! The same bridge, the girl with her arms out wide, the snow flakes/sparkles, the author’s names in the same position. It’s actually spooky. I must admit, I also think it’s wrong. There are millions of books set in New York and not one cover looks the same as another. So I truly don’t understand the reasoning behind the new Carmen Reid cover because it’s a bit of an insult to Miranda (sure some would say it’s also flattery but if I saw someone had nicked my book cover I’d be majorly irritated).
So, dear readers, which cover do you prefer? The original, or the copied cover? Me, I prefer Miranda’s. It’s miles better, and I just can’t accept Carmen’s. Sure, I’ll read the book, but I just can’t get over the fact it’s practically a carbon copy of another Chick Lit novel.
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May 5th, 2011 at 9:26 am
I prefer the original cover. I love Mirandas Cover its miles better. the colors are prettier, even the font looks better compared to Carmens Cover. I dont know how to describe it but Mirandas kinda looks more romantic, kinda like a painting or drawing or something. Carmens just looks like someone used a computer programme, i dont really like hers.
May 5th, 2011 at 9:34 am
Miranda’s deffo. It stands out more.
May 5th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Miranda’s cover looks very authentic where as Carmen’s looks too over processed (trying too hard). Why not a lush house with a women covered in diamonds etc! Just as ridiculous but different!
May 5th, 2011 at 10:22 am
Miranda’s is heaps better. I fell in love with that cover from the moment I saw it. Carmen’s looks cheap. :/
May 5th, 2011 at 10:49 am
Prefer Miranda’s. Cheeky of Carmen to steal a cover and then go on to write on the cover “can you steal the perfect life”! Tacky tacky tacky.
May 5th, 2011 at 11:55 am
Oh my goodness, this is news to me, but seeing these covers side by side no one can argue they’re not alike. Authors have no say over covers, so this decision was not made by me, but I can refer the comments back to the publishers. One thing I can promise is that the story is certainly different: it’s about three sisters from Texas who commit a jewel theft. Carmen x
May 5th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Thanks for your comments - I need to say that Carmen’s story looks amazing and this should DEFINITELY not stop you from buying her book. We don’t get a say in what our covers look like as authors and Carmen’s story is completely different from mine. This is just one of the unexpected things that we authors have to face!
Miranda xx
May 5th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
I must admit, I like carmen’s is better
May 5th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Both covers are gorgeous. I think someone in the art department had a brain fart and this happened as a result. Neither Carmen nor Miranda are at fault. And I can honestly say I’m looking forward to reading both books once I get my hands on them!
May 5th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
You can look here to see the actual bridge! http://fineartamerica.com/featured/central-park-bridge-al-blackford.html
Carmen x
May 7th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
This is nonsense, no author can have a claim on a scene from a real life place! What next copyright on new york city?Makes Miranda Dickinson petty & childish for getting into a snit about it & would put me off her & her books
May 16th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
It isn’t about copyrighting New York, the only thing in question is how similar the covers look, which you can’t deny. I don’t think either author is being childish or petty because book covers are like brand logos for authors. I agree with Chanpreet that it’s obviously the mistake of the design department and nothing to do with Carmen or Miranda. Both books are on my list!