The Nipple Dilemma

AAdaire · Jul 24, 2014

Hey, everyone. I'm so glad I found this forum -- what an amazing resource!

I'm about to self-publish my 20th erotica book and have a question regarding the cover that I hope can be answered by someone more knowledgeable about the guidelines on the various sites.

I'm aware that Amazon doesn't like exposed nipples, but what about covered ones that are still pretty visible?

Here's the image in question (not posted directly in case someone doesn't care to see it).

The tank top in the picture (and its wet state) are a big part of the plot, so I'd love to keep this as is. If need be, though, I can stretch the lettering on the shirt to cover the offending ladyparts.

So, would Amazon not allow this as a cover image?
What about the other major vendors: Smashwords, AllRomance, Kobo, Nook, Google Play, iTunes? Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks in advance,
Alexis

V.W.Singer · Jul 24, 2014

I would say it is a definite risk with Amazon. Even if it does not lead to an outright ban, it could attract further review and examination of the actual contents of your book.

I'm not that familiar with the others but I would guess they would follow Amazon's lead (except for Smashwords who might be different).

Maryn · Jul 24, 2014

I wasn't going to say anything, since I tend to be overly cautious and don't have much actual experience with covers getting me shunted to the Adult sector (which doesn't come up when shoppers browse), but it seems to me that in practice Amazon does not want to show female nipples, bare or clearly seen through clothing. These show pretty clearly.

If it's easy to change the logo on the shirt to hide that, it seems like a good solution and you'd probably be okay.

Maryn, who actually has female nipples (gasp!)

AAdaire · Jul 24, 2014

Thanks for your input, V.W. and Maryn.

I do my own covers, so expanding the lettering on the shirt to obscure the offending ducts is not a problem. I just didn't WANT to, because I find the changed version to be that much less sexy.

However, I think I'll err on the side of caution here.

Here's the new, more chaste cover, on the right.

Maryn · Jul 24, 2014

Okay, that solves the problem with the nipples--but I'm not sold on the way the lettering is just as (or more?) stretched at the top of her breasts than where they're fullest.

I know exactly how a tight shirt with lettering there is going to have its lettering distort, and the capital I and apostrophe won't be like that, nor will the final H.

It seems as if we've had a discussion somewhere on covers getting the books listed as Adult because of heavy bondage, like we see in your background. Might be worth a search to see if my memory is at all accurate. (Break it to me gently if it's not, okay?)

Maryn, wanting your cover to work in your favor, of course

mirandashell · Jul 24, 2014

Yeah, I agree that you need to distort the lettering a bit more to make it look like it's stretched. And the moment it looks like it's just floating above the Tshirt.

elindsen · Jul 24, 2014

The thing that stood out to me is the arrow. It looks like it's pointing at her boob and she's calling her boob stupid.

Okay, I'm weird, I know, but that's all I can see.

AAdaire · Jul 24, 2014

Thanks again for the input.

I've stretched the lettering to make it look more realistic, and removed the ropes from the guy in the background (although the ball gag stays!).

Here's the result.

mirandashell · Jul 25, 2014

That's much better.

Elly_Green · Jul 29, 2014

Very nice. Like it a lot!

Forbidden Snowflake · Jul 29, 2014

AAdaire said:
Thanks again for the input.

I've stretched the lettering to make it look more realistic, and removed the ropes from the guy in the background (although the ball gag stays!).

Here's the result.

I like this cover a lot

AAdaire · Jul 30, 2014

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.

I do my own covers because I don't trust anyone else, but the process is usually more grueling than I hope when I begin. I go through a bunch of ideas before I land on one I like, then it takes a lot of patience to execute it.

Here are some of my others, in case anyone is interested.

Elly_Green · Jul 31, 2014

Just in case you wanted to know... the image of the maiden on your cover for the minotaur story is actually a statue of Hermaphroditus - a man/woman. He was the son of Hermes and Aphrodite, explains the name, and was hit-on by a nymph. He scorned her and her response was to wrap herself around him and pray to the gods that they never be separated. The gods answered and their bodies melded. This statue is a sleeping hermaphrodite.

cwschizzy · Jul 31, 2014

I didn't see the tied up guy until it was mentioned. I probably should have.

I like the cover though.

AAdaire · Jul 31, 2014

Elly_Green said:
Just in case you wanted to know... the image of the maiden on your cover for the minotaur story is actually a statue of Hermaphroditus - a man/woman. He was the son of Hermes and Aphrodite, explains the name, and was hit-on by a nymph. He scorned her and her response was to wrap herself around him and pray to the gods that they never be separated. The gods answered and their bodies melded. This statue is a sleeping hermaphrodite.

Ha! I had no idea. Well, as long as the stray organ in question is hidden, I think I'll leave it as is.

Viridian · Jul 31, 2014

I really like the cover where the nipples are covered... it actually seems more sexy that the original version.

It's a pity the ropes had to go, though! Ha.

The Nipple Dilemma

AAdaire

V.W.Singer

Purveyor of naughtiness

Maryn

Baaa!

AAdaire

Maryn

Baaa!

mirandashell

elindsen

Zombie lovin'

AAdaire

mirandashell

Elly_Green

Daydreamer or Living Nightmare

Forbidden Snowflake

I'm quite put out.

AAdaire

Elly_Green

Daydreamer or Living Nightmare

cwschizzy

Eviscerate the Proletariat

AAdaire

Viridian

local good boy