Monday, August 1, 2011

Same covers... can they do this?!

Ok, I have a BIG question here and I'd love some insight in the matter. I found out that the AU version of "The Goddess Test" ( Link Goodreads ) and "The Vespertine" ( Link Goodreads ) are the SAME cover with slightly different colors but, come on, it's the same picture but only closer...
Can the publishers do this? I know they are from different countries but still, I wonder if this is normal...

But, if you want to see the covers without going to Goodreads here they are:


I would really love to hear you opinion about this.

25 comments:

  1. Did you ask the publishers for their input? What did Aimee and Saundra say?

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  2. @ZoeRainDasher: In fact, nope, I haven't asked the publishers but that's a good idea (still that would be my first time writing to publishers... hum... I think it kind of scares me xD). But thanks, I think I'll do that.

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  3. I see what you mean, sorry I didn't quite understand as I've never seen the "Vespertine" cover before, I thought you meant that our Australian covers were different to that of the US LOL.

    I'm starting to think that MAYBE they made a mistake ie. printed the incorrect cover for The Goddess Test? Is it the same publisher? I hope not as I don't know how they will fix that LOL

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  4. @Angelica Joy: Different publishers and different countries. I think I'm going to do some research about the matter as soon as I have more time xD

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  5. I just checked Aimee Carter's website and normally at the Author's website it shows the different covers in different countries, but in Aimee Carter's there is no other covers apart from the green one, not the one posted above.

    So the way I see it, it seems that it's "The Goddess Test" that's been printed incorrectly here in Australia. That's the only thing I can think of. Or maybe we should check who designed both books, maybe the same designers?

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  6. I think this is because cover designers use standard photos/images which can be bought on CDs, they just change them and add text. So here two different designers liked the same image:)
    I've seem something like this happened with another YA book. I think it was the girl image from Fallen cover, and it was used for another book the title of which I don't remember now.

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  7. +JMJ+

    I saw a discussion of this on another blog. If the image is a stock photo and not something created especially for the book, designers can use it as they please. It's kind of embarrassing when it's this obvious, but there's no law against it.

    Here's that other post I meant: http://www.thebookrat.com/2011/07/friday-face-off-wander-dust-v-grounding.html

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  8. Oh interesting... So they can reuse the image? Still, it's not good publicity to have the same cover as another book.. It's bad press, at least to me it is.

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  9. I think so if they both bought the stock image...but I agree with Zoe-someone will associate the cover with one book and be "WTH,thats x book" when they see the other...

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  10. Umm I think publishers should do a little research before they do a cover. It seems like the Publishers from The Goddess Test didn't known that same picture was alredy a cover.

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  11. I hate it when this happens but there is nothing illegal about it. If they are stock images like others have mentioned it can be used over and over again on different covers. I've seen this many times before and it makes me unhappy :P. I don't know why they didn't just use the US Goddess Test cover that one was very pretty.

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  12. I have seen it a lot. I also think they may buy a drawing or illus. with the contract stipulating to multiple use.

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  13. There are a lot of covers like this. I have seen many a blog post about it - you would be shocked how many covers actually do get re-used.

    It depends who owns the rights to the picture.

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  14. Funny I saw this at our bookshops here in Aus when I was on Lauren Kate's. and then I gasped Ithought this was something familiar and then realized its the Vespertine. I dont think thats cool.

    LALAINE'S FICBOOKREVIEWS

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  15. Each Publishing Company has a good feel for what cover images sell in their country/genre/demographic. Then they usually go to a company that sells stock photos. They purchase the rights to print that picture (usually the copyright owner has to sign off on any changes) as the cover and pay the negotiated rate to the copyright owner.

    I would think that two different publishers choosing the same photo for a jacket cover happens very, very rarely.

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  16. It's likely some sort of stock image and they don't realize they both chose the same picture. Kind of embarrassing for the publisher/author, I would think. I doubt this is some sort of blatant rip-off, more of a mistake.

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  17. to all of you who have commented, thanks a lot :D your opinions and information are very useful.
    As for me, well, I like the AU cover of "The Goddess Test" but it's true that it's kind of a bad publicity to find the same cover in another book... I don't think it's very clever, specially for big publishers, to do that.
    Anyway, i'm going to look for more covers like these ones, now I'm curious xD

    Hugs to all of you!

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  18. Wow, very interesting. "Can" they? I guess they can; but I'm not a fan. People recognize books by their covers very frequently. Some of my library patrons have enough trouble believing me that I am offering them the right book, if they've seen a paperback vs. hardback cover, and then there are the movie tie-ins... I would think this would be something to avoid.

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  19. I think this is the 4th or 5th time I've seen the same model and not even for a foreign versions of The Vespertine. Here is another one.

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  20. It's really weird isn't it!
    There's a list on Goodreads of 'cover twins' it's surprisingly common. http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5051.Cover_Couples#3975774
    It explains why some covers look really familiar but the book is brand new!
    RE: Meggin Cabot/Meg Cabot. prior to Princess Diaries fame Meg cabot published under pen names for different publishers and Meggin Cabot which is her full name was used for the 'boy' series and some other books :) Useless trivia for the day!
    Lettie xxx

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  21. Ok now I'm kind of sad. you know the cover for "Glimmerglass", right? I always thought that cover was gorgeous but... it's not the only book with that cover!
    All I have to say now is: I'm starting to think that yes, the publishers should do a little research for their covers, I mean, a lot of people pick up a book for the name or the cover, it's important, really important.

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  22. Thanks to Leti and SAfari Poet for showing me more covers like these ones :D I really appreciate all the information!

    Hugs!

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  23. I was surprised when I saw the Aussie version of TGT too! I think having the same stock for book covers is, legally, okay as long as you have permission from the stock's owner/copyright. But as a reader, it's a total no-no for me. I like the original version of TGT so much better than this one. And I def like The Vespertine's cover than the Aussie TGT.

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  24. There are actually 3 covers that uses this image. Here's the third one: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9015663-dark-angel

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