Coincidentally, I saw this link about Asian Covers the day after my cover was released. The blogger makes a comment that many of the Asian faces are occluded or cropped or not shown as full body.
I wouldn’t quite agree while looking at these covers, though these were supposed to be the ones that the author identified with. I know, however, that this has been an issue with books with ethnic characters.
I’m happy to say, no one can look at Butterfly Swords and not think it’s set in China. Now is it stereotypical because there’s a sword on the cover? Maybe.
I prefer the “prototype” to “stereotype”. 🙂
Jun 16, 2010 @ 08:20:31
I don’t think it’s stereotypical for China. I mean, that’s an important part of the novel, not to mention that’s the right time period for that. Anyway…everything can be considered stereotypical nowadays it seems. 😛 Yours is defintiely the prototype 🙂
Jun 16, 2010 @ 15:27:25
I’m with you. I saw faces in most of the covers and I didn’t find a problem with the covers. Maybe it’s me, a cover artist, but I’m assuming these designers want the people to look edgier in context with the fantasy/paranormal. I suppose if the author is Asian, the publisher would want more input to get the cover right. But what’s the difference between an author writing a hero/heroine as a blonde and they end up with a redhead or brunette hair cover. It happens all the time and so I don’t think they’re trying to make ‘stereotypical’ Asian covers. I just think it’s the art department that should be held accountable for not using the art forms to make their cover.
Jun 16, 2010 @ 15:29:27
PS. Your cover revolves around butterfly swords. I feel that it was very appropriate 🙂
PSS. If I rambled on incoherently above, it’s because I need more sleep and I’m not thinking straight. LOL
Jun 16, 2010 @ 15:41:20
No problem Jax. And you were quite coherent. I thought these covers were nice samples actually. Didn’t have any complaints about the angles. Though I know there were other cases of heads getting chopped off as well as names being hidden. That would be a much bigger deal.
And I guess a sword fighting Asian gal is sort of a stereotype. I’m willing to admit that. 🙂
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Jun 21, 2010 @ 17:51:58
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