- Lisa Baca
- Anna Baldi
- Marlene Breakfield
- Lee Brewer
- Heather Brooks
- Marian Clough
- Maria Rosa Contardi
- Linnae Crady
- Leanne Davis
- Ann Garland
- Mary Alice Gibbons
- Jenny Gustafsson
- Christiane Johnson
- Mary Ann Johnson
- Elaine Lee
- Tobi Liedes-Bell
- Jeanette van de Lindt
- Mary Lynne Nielsen
- Jackie Priadka
- John Rothermel
- Sharon Shearouse
- Debbi Sochia Eyfells
- Jo-Ann Walmsley
- Karen Wheless
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- Q: What is the Cover Cafe?
A: It is a group of people that review covers of (mainly) romance novels and run an on-line contest yearly to select the best covers in several categories.
- Q: How are the members of the group selected?
A: There is a core group that came together under another website several years ago. Friends of this group have nominated others.
- Q: How are the covers selected?
A: Members of the group nominate covers as do readers of the website.
- Q: What is the process?
A: Once a group of covers has been selected, it is posted on-line and members of the group vote on the ones that they think voters will like. Periodically, as the numbers of selected covers get large, run off ballots are held and only a select few reach the final voting.
- Q: What are the standards used by the members when they vote?
It depends on the person voting. Some members apply artistic standards and look to the theme, the type style of the title and other words. Others look at colors and authenticity of dress, hairstyles and surroundings. Others look more towards the attractiveness of the models and whether they are believable together. So, you see that when a cover has been agreed to by the group it must appeal to a large segment of readers.
- Q: Are all of the members the same age and sex?
A: No. Members range in age from the late 20's to the mid-50s. We have one member who is male.
- Q: Do only the great covers make your list?
A: Oh, not at all. One category is named Worst. In this category, garish or outlandish qualities make up the majority of winners. Examples are military heroes who are way too soft; female models that look too modern for a period or historical story; extra arms or legs in the picture; people simply doing things that seem to defy the laws of gravity or physics and cartoons that where the characters are too grotesque to be attractive.
- Q: Who makes the final decision? On line voters.
A: Each spring a list of the finalist in each category is published and anyone interested in the project can vote, once as determined by email addresss. The winning covers are determined by the vote of these folks.
- Q: Why do you members take this much time on such a trivial project?
A: Again it depends on the individual member. However, all motivated by a sincere desire to see well done, attractive and innovative covers for a segment of the book world. And make no mistake about it, romance or women's fiction is a large and growing segment of the publishing world. And besides, it is fun to be able to critique another's work and discuss your ideas with like-minded people. |
