Edward Gorey: cover star of book design

The author and illustrator is much revered for his own weird and wonderful books, yet his 200-plus jacket designs are virtually ignored. Steven Heller celebrates his contribution to a unique era of publishingDeliciously and subversively cryptic, Edward St John Gorey’s books, plays, postcards, toys, stage sets and costumes – indeed an entire lifetime of utterly sublime, mockingly apprehensive artistry and authorship – are celebrated and critically acclaimed by everyone from cultural pundits to goth cultists. The rare front-page New York Times obituary, on 17 April 2000, is testament to Gorey’s eclectic narrative range. “In creating a large body of small work, he made an indelible imprint on noir fiction and on the psyche of his admirers,” Mel Gussow wrote.Yet, understandably, less attention is devoted today to the 200-plus illustrated paperback covers and hardcover jackets that Chicago-born, Harvard-educated Gorey (known to his friends as Ted) created while working as a staff artist, art director, editor and freelance illustrator at various American publishing houses for a large portion of his career. In two brief sentences, his obituary tossed aside this impressive output: “After graduation he remained in Boston, illustrating book jackets. Then he went to New York and worked in the art department at Doubleday, staying late in the office to create his own books.” Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2015-07-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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You’re Deciding the Best Book Cover of 2022

Tis the season for some literary pageantry and Electric Literature is hosting our third annual “Best Book Cover of the Year” tournament. You, our beloved readers, will decide a winner amidst a sea of book covers that published in 2022 via an interactive poll on our Twitter and Instagram... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2022-12-20 12:00:35 UTC ]
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The Pantone Color of the Year 2023, Book Cover Edition

Pantone's Color of the Year for 2023 is Viva Magenta, and we've got a roundup of books fit for celebrating the new color. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-12-16 11:38:00 UTC ]
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The 103 Best Book Covers of 2022

For what is now the seventh time in a row, I am pleased to present the best book covers of the year—as chosen by some of the industry’s best book cover designers. This year, I asked 31 designers to share their favorite covers of the year, and they came back with a grand total of […] Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-12-13 09:55:52 UTC ]
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Lucia Bernard, Book Interior Designer at Penguin, Dies at 29

Bernard, a senior designer in the Penguin Black interior design department who worked on books by Lauren Groff, Ruth Ozeki, Ocean Vuong, and others died on November 18. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-12-11 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The Nine Lives of a Cat (Book Cover)

While others sweat the fate of their book cover, for me, it’s the part of the publishing process I look forward to most. I not only love contemplating book covers and exploring options, but as the former art director at a major publishing house, I have a unique appreciation for how important the... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-10-26 08:53:11 UTC ]
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'Black Hollywood' photo book stars Black actors at the center of film's golden ages

Photographer Carell Augustus' book recasts classic Hollywood films with Black actors. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-10-04 21:56:02 UTC ]
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The 11 Best Book Covers of August

Another month of books, another month of book covers. The hazy rainbow trend is back for August, in among a series of bold and mysterious cover treatments. Featuring a whole lot of red and some I-wish-this-was-a-poster standouts. Here are my favorite book covers of the month—as always, feel free... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-08-31 12:51:26 UTC ]
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A Former Nickelodeon Star’s Memoir Has Become the Summer’s Big Hit Book. It’s Very Clear Why.

I’m Glad My Mom Died details the abuse the iCarly actor suffered as a child star. Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2022-08-18 20:31:47 UTC ]
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When Books Become Brands, Graphic Design Is Key

In the first of a planned series of webinars focusing on branding as a metaphor for modern times, the American Institute of Graphic Arts hosted a conversation aimed at illuminating how books have become recognizable brands. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Underneath It All: Books Where The Hardcover Has a Clever Design Beneath Its Dust Jacket

15 of the best hardcover book designs where there is something clever underneath the jacket.. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-07-01 10:32:00 UTC ]
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A Definitive Power Ranking of the Sexiest Book Covers

Designing a book cover is challenging, even more so when the work contains a raunchy subject matter. How do you convey, in a single glance, that the book is sensual, even sexy, without falling for pornographic tropes?  My debut novel, Little Rabbit, is about a sub/dom relationship between a... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2022-06-30 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Book to Film and Back: 'Star Child' Returns to Print with A24

Indie entertainment company A24's publishing division is bringing Claire A. Nivola's 2014 picture book 'Star Child' back into print in a redesigned and expanded edition; the book was prominently featured in the 2021 film 'C’mon C’mon,' written and directed by Mike Mills. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-09 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The 17 Best Book Covers of May

Cheek and irreverence abound in my favorite book covers this month. I also noticed an unusual number of interesting textures at play, some excellent uses of text as image, and at least a few geometric echoes bouncing around in there. But as ever, though I love to try to draw connections here in... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-06-03 08:51:46 UTC ]
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This children’s book about design should be required reading for CEOs

Jason Mayden’s new book breaks down design so simply that a child can get it, so your C-suite stands a chance, too. Jason Mayden has lived many lives. Starting as Nike’s first Black industrial design intern, he went on to become lead designer of the Jordan brand, launch his own children’s shoe... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2022-05-09 08:00:37 UTC ]
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The Story Behind Jonathan Franzen’s New Backlist Book Cover Redesigns

Last year not only marked the twentieth publication anniversary of Jonathan Franzen’s The Corrections, it also saw the release of his first novel in seven years, Crossroads. So it was only fitting that Picador would embark on a redesign of the author’s backlist. We spoke with Alex Merto, the art... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-03-17 08:54:52 UTC ]
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How To Design A D&D Character Based On Your Favorite Book Character

Here are all the basic dos and don'ts of how to design a D&D character based on your favorite book character. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-03-02 11:35:00 UTC ]
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The 10 Best Book Covers of February

Another month of books, another month of book covers. This February, while short on days, was long on eye-catching cover art—from the moody to the playfully nostalgic to the downright naughty. Below, my favorite book covers from February. Colorful blobs are a certified cover trend, but it’s the... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-02-28 09:51:41 UTC ]
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The World of YA Book Covers

Let's take a peek at a handful of YA book covers with different, compelling, and interesting designs outside of the US. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-02-06 11:32:00 UTC ]
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The 12 Best Book Covers of January

While 2022 may have started with a whimper when it comes to the things that really matter—voting rights, filibuster reform, vaccines for children under 5, a robust and timely government pandemic response—it also started with some pretty nice-looking books. This month, my favorite book covers are... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-01-28 09:51:39 UTC ]
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James Bond books dedicated to Paul Gallico among star lots at library auction

Books owned by The Snow Goose author up for sale this week include Ian Fleming first editions inscribed for his former colleagueA first edition of Diamonds Are Forever, in which Ian Fleming thanks his friend and fellow author Paul Gallico for “spread[ing] his wings over my first-born [Casino... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-01-26 10:27:30 UTC ]
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