Hi, all! I’m Antonia Pearce. As the newest guest Novelite (kid) on the block, I thought I’d discuss something safe today—leave the more daring stuff for the established ladies of The Novelty Girls.
Forget cheese. I want to talk about The Power of “Man Nipple.” No, I was not the genius who coined that phrase, unfortunately, and it may not really be new. You know what I’m talking about. Book covers graced by gloriously smooth, perfectly formed, naked male torsos. In most cases, the beauteous torso dominates the cover. The heroine is typically not depicted at all or relegated to the background and we may not even get a glimpse of the man’s face. Perhaps just a portion of a strong jaw and cleft chin. *insert goofy grin* I can’t help myself. These covers make me happy. They make me drool. Both as a reader and a writer.
I hadn’t really thought of the enormous appeal of “Man Nipple” until just recently. Then our very own R.G. Alexander received her cover art for Lifting the Veil. *blissful sigh*. Take a look at this stunning cover and very tasty bit of Man Nipple!
Robin L. Rotham’s cover for Alien Overnight is another memorable example, featuring a spectacular display of Man Nipple and a rather large sword (no, really—a real sword). See?
As readers and as writers, which covers do you find most enticing? Which is more likely to encourage you to purchase a book? Blow the cover up into a life-sized poster and tape it on the ceiling over your bed? (Oops! Did I ask that?) A female alone on the cover, a couple, or “Man Nipple?”
Just for the record, for my next book cover I WANT MY MAN NIPPLE!
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:15 am
LOL
I, too, am a fan of “man nipple”. There is definitely nothing like seeing that on a cover. I’ve only been fortunate enough to have one cover with “man nipple” on it, but it was yummmmmmmy. Heck, it was even up for cover of the week on a website before. It’s gotta be the “man nipple”. Those covers you put up…*sigh*…are perfect examples of what I would pick up and read.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:30 am
Robin’s cover is totally inspiring LOL-something about it just screams HAWT.
Its so exciting that my cover is an example of the sexy man nipple!! I love it. And I’m so glad to see you on TNG Doppleganger!!!!
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:41 am
What I find beautiful to look at on a cover is not necessarily what I want to carry around with me in my purse for public reading. I was trying to finish one of the more recent SECRETS anthologies — after they changed their cover from elegant graphics to serious man-titty (to borrow a phrase). Very embarrassing. I don’t mind reading romances in public — I really don’t. But I’m not so comfortable flashing nekkid men in my children’s Tae Kwon Do class, y’know?
So, man-titty on e-covers, but not in print for me. And while I do think that RG and Robin have some truly awesome covers (hubba hubba!), they’d be strictly at-home reading material.
Honestly. You can’t take those girls anywhere!
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:55 am
LOL! Sela, you know I always felt exactly the same way. I used to be really bad-I would try to find creative ways to hide the beefcake {See Johanna Lindsay and Fabio lol} while I read in the diner, on the bus, in class {shhh} But you know-thats one of the reasons I fell in love with e-books. Was it Forbes or another Mag that called them “the 3 am booty call for women”? LOL Thats just baaad. But a little true.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:14 am
LOL, Sela! Good point. I’m sure that’s why the discreet step-back covers for print romance have become so popular!
I can’t really read in public any more because I have to have eyes on my Wild Child every second. I will admit though that I romance read my way through High School, okay and Junior High, too. I used to make book covers from foil or paper!!! LOL LOL
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:22 am
Ooooh, yeah. Gotta love the man nip. Robin and RG got slap-happied by the cover fairy.
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I think the use of the naked male torso will attract me to a book everytime. I take them to work to read…I don’t care. I’m proud to display yummy man flesh wherever I am. I tell you it gets people asking me about what I’m reading. Hehehehhehee…good advertising for my fellow authors. I just want to say…Man Nipple for all!!!
-Kat
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:51 pm
I can’t think. I’m too busy looking at those hawt covers!
Drool.
July 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 pm
I love couples. That’s what catches my eye the most. Though man nipple can be fun, too