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According to consumer research conducted on what factors matter to people when they decide whether or not to pick up a book in a bookshop, the cover design comes out as most important.  So this might be the stupidest thing we've ever done.

However ... Just over two months ago I was standing in the corridor talking with my boss about books, and suddenly we had a new idea: why not publish our favourite books without front covers?! And that's what we're doing. It's been a secret project with about seven people involved, and from the idea two months ago we now have six books that are ready to go into the shops and onto www.penguin.co.uk at the end of November.

In essence, we've started a new series because if the first six work we'll publish more.  The series was named My Penguin by our rather marvellous Creative Director, who came up with the name after about two minutes.  The tag line is 'Books by the Greats, Covers by You', and throughout the rush to design the (back) covers, get the right paper, and tell people about them, we've had a really great time.  The covers are art-quality paper, and from internal Penguin efforts we know that they hold ink, paint, pencil and glue (see the first efforts here).  Each one comes shrink-wrapped so the paper doesn't get dirty, and I hope people might give them as gifts.  They're went round Penguin earlier in the week and we've starting an online gallery that will launch with staff efforts at the end of November (no doubt we'll talk about this here).  All of the books talk about the gallery on the back cover, because we want anyone and everyone to send in pictures of their own covers so we can put them up too.

I love this project, because there are no rules, and what we want is for it to be fun.

Helen Conford, Senior Commissioning Editor at The Penguin Press

Comments

[James]

a fun idea - great for gifts, I agree.

quite challenging to see 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' transliterated into 'Dorian Grey' - what would Wilde have said to that, I wonder?

I look forward to creating 'Ulyseas'

[Penguin Blog]

The cover in question was created by the five-year-old daughter of The Penguin Press' MD - we like to start them working early at Penguin ;-)

[John Gooley]

This is a great idea. It deserves to be a success. Also the previous two comments made me laugh. What a clever five year old, translating gray into the more common British usage. Well done. (Or am I wrong here? An online dictionary tells me gray is the correct orthography. My New Oxford Shorter prefers grey but gives gray as an acceptable alternative. I've always believed gray is corrupted American usage and grey is correct British, Irish, Indian, South African, Australian, New Zealand etc etc usage - what's the answer? What was the question again? Time for a drink.)

[James]

That's impressive. I'd not read Dorian Gray when I was five. ;D

[Eoin Purcell]

Very Very Cool idea!

I like it a lot!
Eoin

[simon]

Maybe you should run some sort of competition for different ages groups and get some publicity on Blue Peter and the like - please make sure there is a 30-35 years olds category!

[May]

I think this would be great for children's books as well! Would love to see this happen.

[David Pearson]

Lovely stuff.

I hope you have as much success with it as we did back in the summer:

http://wemadethis.typepad.com/we_made_this/2006/07/va_summer_fete.html

and for the winning covers:

http://wemadethis.typepad.com/we_made_this/2006/08/va_summer_fete_.html

[Booklad]

Wonderful idea. I'm looking forward to creating my own covers. Thank you! And is enjoyed your links, David Pearson.

[jeroen]

This reminds me of this book 'Lemon' by McSweeneys author Lawrence Krauser. The book had a white cover and Krauser made a fresh drawing himself for each unique book.

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/authorpages/krauser/krauser.html

[Michael Harrison]

I absolutely love this idea. This sounds like a great opportunity for artists to decorate their favorite books and give them as gifts. I know I'd treasure something like that.

[Blue]

What an absolutely brilliant idea! I'm itching to choose one...

[Wibbo]

Great idea!

[dan]

ummmmm... where do I buy these in the US?

[stanislau]

This is terrific--I didn't notice though, did anybody mention Beck's new CD which was blank with graph lines and a book of stickers to use? He's doing the same game: going to put them on line.

Meanwhile for more inspiration for all you paperback art directors there's some great Alvin Lustig covers--a certain DIY vibe comes across with him, though he's one of the greats: look at http://www.mensvogue.com/arts/books/articles/2006/10/16/new_directions

[Nathan Ostgard]

I'm in love with this idea, especially the online gallery. I can't wait to pick up some of my own.

[jen]

this is going to be the best way to give personalized gifts for xmas.

[Adelyn]

Interesting concept.

[Blogaulaire]

Don't like the idea.

I prefer art covers. A good example of this was the Virago titles of English classic novels.

How far will the price drop. Where's the discussion of how graphic artists are commissioned? Has the cover art/design field provided a secure livlihood for the people who have mastered the techniques, for photographers, in-house or under contract?

What about the 'contests' upcoming for best designs: are we trading off making artists insecure for gratis work and easy buzz?

[L. Shell]

I used to work at a book store when I was an undergrad. Consequently, I have many paperback books with no covers (i.e. "stripped"). At one point, I was going to make my own covers for all of them but I only got as far as making a cover for Stephen King's Christine.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lshell1/312304552/

[Mr. Cavin]

I say take it one step further: print Dorian Gray with blank inside pages, too; and then the creative can write it for themselves as well. Why stop with one static, stilted version of a book that could be tailor made for individual personalities? Make a great gift.

And as an aside: do you think anyone would draw a self-portrait on their blank cover version of Dorian Gray? Heck, now I want one.

[Rosemarie Morris]

Nice tool for teachers - have kids read the book and, instead of a traditional book report they can illustrate the covers.

Bring this to the US?!

Rm

[Sid]

I love the idea! It's so creative and different that I think it may just work. It's a little like pet rocks, except that you end up with something useful. I'm going to post this information on my web site for people who want to write and publish books. They'll love it.

[Rosie]

These comments have been invaluable to me as is this whole site. I thank you for your comment.

[Nathalie Bonney]

When are you bringing out new titles!? It's my best friend's birthday soon and I'd love to get her Pride & Prejudice...