From the hand-painted stepbacks of the late 20th century to modern digital art, the evolution of romance novel covers reflects changing tastes and technologies in publishing.
The Stepback in Romance, Circa 2000
By the turn of the 21st century, stepback covers had become the ultimate symbol of high-end romance book covers.
From the pinnacle of sensual beauty…
…to the peaks of campy wonder…
…this particular cover style ruled the day.
By Y2K, all sorts of genre changes were in swing, but one aspect was consistent in romance. A stepback was “it.” The combination of a best-selling author, a prominent artist, and fantastic design aesthetics meant quality all around.
Change is always a constant in life, however. Such is the case for the artwork for paperback romances. As artists of the second-golden age of cover art began to leave this mortal plane, publishers looked to a new, cheaper style of design.
Plain covers did not sell as well as clinches, despite the embarrassment associated with the latter. The stepback was an acceptable middle ground. and proved to be constant in an era of transformation.
Romance Covers in the Modern Age
Cover art in romance has always been controversial due to its sensual nature. Today, in 2022, the most notable trend is cartoon-illustrated design.
Many authors and readers prefer this, as this modern cover style downplays the campy eroticism and adds an air of “respectability” to romance.
Nevertheless, stepback covers are still prevalent. At least they are in historical romance. Although book covers are no longer painted by hand, there are digital artists who design fantastic modern romance covers. Alan Ayers, Jon Paul Ferrara, Chris Cocozza, James Griffin, Victor Gadino, and Anna Kmet are among them
Modern Stepback Covers
The more prominent an author is, the more likely their books will have stepbacks. Modern-era romance covers can be created quickly through the digital process, so it’s easier to design a more illustrious stepback.
Writers such as Lisa Kleypas, Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Hoyt, and Sarah MacLean have received the “special” stepback treatment.
Digital Art Covers For the 21st Century
One difference modern covers have from those of the past—besides the digital aspect—is that the exterior of the stepback is not “plain” anymore. The front may display a couple embracing. Often, the outside cover portrays a solo image of the hero or heroine. Usually, the interior artwork shows the clinch pose.
Chasing Cassandra, Lisa Kleypas, Avon, 2020, Alan Ayers cover art
Another variation is that instead of multiple hues vying for the eye, one solid source—often the heroine’s gown or the bedsheets surrounding the couple—will be the primary spot of color.
Though we adore painted covers, we can also appreciate the loveliness of digital images. So long as covers inspire romance, there’s always room for them on our shelves!
Mexican Gothic, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Del Rey Books, cover artist TBD
Your Opinion?
Do you prefer modern romance, cover artist TBD covers with computer-generated images, or are you an old-school lover of painted covers? Or do you adore romance cover art and love looking at them no matter what era the covers came from?
Where do you stand on romance cover art? Do you like stepback covers? Do you prefer them to regular clinches? Are you more drawn to the modern cartoon illustration style that’s being used today? Or does cover art not concern you that much, thanks to e-readers?
Whatever is on your mind, we’d love to hear what you think. Please drop a comment, and let’s talk romance.
- Stepback Covers Part I: Stepbacks Are Back!
- Stepback Covers Part II: The History of the Stepback
- Covers Part III: The First Stepback in Romance
- Stepback Covers Part IV: 1980s Stepbacks
- Covers Part V: 1990s Stepbacks
- Stepback Covers Part VI: Stepback Saturday
- Stepback Covers Part VII: Stepback & Modern Romance Novels
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Do you know which printing companies still make stepback covers? I’m an aspiring indie author who loves covers like these but for the life of me I can’t find the companies that are making them.