This week at uni I am expected to write a short and witty review on my favourite author. Not their books per se, but them as a writer: their history, achievements, skills etc. Turns out it’s harder than I expected.
I started researching Karen Marie-Moning, author of the New York Times Bestselling Fever series (I was doing this at work of course). As her blog loaded, an enlarged image of the front cover of the latest Fever installment consumed my page – a burley, bare-chested faceless male; the kind of man women swoon over.
My first thought: “Urgh! Why?”
But seriously, why? I am not a prude, don’t get me wrong, but up until now, the entire series’ cover art has encompassed images of gloomy alleyways, street lamps and burning moons, perfectly reflecting the dark storyline within. But why, all of a sudden, do I feel a little embarrassed when I stand in a bookstore holding the book with the half-naked man on the front? Or when I have to quickly close my screen at work before someone chides “whatcha lookin’ at over there?”
I am yet to read the newest instaLlment, even though the series has been an absolute favourite so far. My opinion has dropped a few pegs since seeing the cover, and I reluctantly feel as though the author has jumped on the sexualisation bandwagon and I can only imagine how this has affected her writing style.
This may be an unfair judgement, but to me, first impressions are important.
in Creative Wilderness 