I thought we’d already discussed this whole “no crotches on covers” thing.
Because…really?
Thanks (and no thanks) to Kelly for pointing out this cover. Did you think that crotchety covers were only relegated to female-focused YA artwork? Not so! Covers like the one above for Williams’ Teenage Rewrite show that both genders’ nether-regions are not safe from the crotchtastic cover.
Seriously, you would not believe how many times I’ve had to re-write this post to avoid penis puns. Do you know how difficult that is? I’ve never had to use a thesaurus with such frequency for such a minuscule amount of copy in my entire life.
And, just so I can re-emphasize where I stand:

Wear this badge with pride. (Not on your crotch.)
I’m sorry, did you say something? I couldn’t stop staring at that cover, which is NOTHING BUT CROTCH. WHY!?!?!?
I don’t want to look at teenage boy crotch. I feel kind of dirty now.
Can you imagine booktalking this one to teens? Watch how you hold that book!
OH MY GOSH YES. I hate crotch covers so much! Sarah Dessen’s That Summer AND Keeping the Moon also are very crotchy. Covers should just stay away from cartwheels, back flips, and zippers in general.
Here is one I read several years ago. Fangs4Freaks by Serena Robar. Cute series.http://www.amazon.com/Fangs-Freaks-Colby-Blanchard-Series/dp/0425211959
Yeah, that’s totally crotchtastic, too. Thanks (and no thanks!) for sharing!
Why the crotch? It’s not like it’s an attractive body part and it’s not like a lot parents want to really avoid their teens even thinking about that area of the anatomy when all the hormones are flowing. It makes no sense.
I’m so happy that I read this post while my boss was sitting next to me – we just started busting up laughing! I wonder what the thought process was behind that cover choice…
On the bright side, it’s a kindle edition (from what I can tell), which means that all your fellow travelers / workers / acquaintances won’t be staring at the cover FOR A FULL HOUR while you ingest the contents. (Hmmm, maybe that was an ill-advised turn of phrase, given what’s on the outside.) Shame, as the book has some nice write-ups on Goodreads.
This is probably exactly WHY Kindle exists, right?
Oh no! I saw the first lines of the blog in my feed before the pic, and even though I knew what I’d see, it’s still worse than I imagined. This + the title seems like a hard sell for actual teen readers.
That you avoided the puns is pretty fantastic. Because I’d have a dick of a time.
Oh. My. Word. Who thought this cover was ok??!!! I feel like something could poke out at any moment! *covers my eyes*
Oh Ginger and Kelly. You make me laugh.
This is one way of selling the whole package. I mean, book….
!!!!!!
+10.
I’m speechless.
Bwahahaha, oh man. So terrible it’s hard to believe it’s real. Thanks but no thanks indeed.
Yep, agree – this cover is strange
Why all the crotch hate? Juuuust kidding. I’d really like a compiled list of crotch-filled covers. Talk about a collection of awkward.
who thought the crotch shot was a good idea? awkward!
Oh my. Just, no. *bursts out laughing*
The blog is looking good!
And at least you can’t see a bulge in his pants
Ha, ha.
If you read the book, it becomes obvious why that’s the cover…
I’ve read the book – the cover isn’t meant to be perverted. I’ll admit that I didn’t really get the cover at first and that it’s supposed to be a glimpse at a character’s crotch. What it is, is a reference to a scene in which the protagonist accidentally photographs the crotch of his crush.
Thanks for the clarity on the cover, Donovan. And re: accidental photo — that sounds hilarious!
The sheer lack of penis puns dismays me.