Redesigning Historical Romance Novel Covers to be Actually Historical

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Editing by @Dani Banner
@danbanstudio

Research Assistant
Heathcliff McLean

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Soundtrack:
(From EpidemicSound)
“Cleaning the Castle: by Arthur Benson
“Ruffles and Rust” by Fabien Tell
“This Round's on Me” by Medite
“Mother Goose Is Here” by Erasmus Talbot
“Save Your Love for Later” by Medite
“An Afternoon at the Versailles” by Cercles Nouvelles
“Highlands” by Philip Ayers
“The Bard's Tale” by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen

[Kyuuei]

What I've learned: The regency period's clothing will be used with any romance novel UNLESS it occurs in the regency era.

[cevadesign]

As someone working as a graphic designer in the book industry, I can 100% tell you that every single time we suggest a book covers with accurate fashion history, the marketing team tell us to change ut to a "sexy modern queen marie-antoinette or empress sissi type of girl". And how many time I read in an email "can we have more boobs/pecs."... Way too many times.

[adriennegonzales]

The casual-ness of how your artistry is displayed is such a killer flex.

[catsforchaos]

Bernadette is the reason that my search history has shit in it like "1840s mens underwear" despite the fact that it will never be described in my story, because if im not historically accurate in my writing I will feel the look of "I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed" upon my shoulders from her and lord cesario.

[oceanmariep]

I want to see a romance novel depicting the love between a historical clothing fanatic and a cosplayer.

[tony]

the second one i think turned out MORE scandalous and sexy than the original cover. her being fully dressed and him being shirtless is even better to show how they're different and "can't be together"

[ihnatko]

"Our love cannot be! For I am the high-born eldest daughter of a lord most favored in the royal court, and you are but a lowly stable hand. Plus, I just can't get past whatever the hell it is you've got going on there with that...is that supposed to be a _doublet?_ Seriously?"

[christineherrmann]

"... which... is actually historically accurate, so he can stay in his jeans-"

I LOST it. I often find myself saying something, stopping, looking away, and often saying, "OK, that sounded better in my head."

[trevoris]

You drew those two friends so beautifully at 9:48 And it's so great that those two women are such good friends that they even sleep in the same bed. And even though neither of them ever found a husband I'm so glad they decided to live together as friends for the rest of their lives.

[pheebsbee]

As a ghostwriter with over 500 historical romance books under my belt, I approve of this message. The publishers (who own the rights to my books) drive me mad with their cover choices!

[raym]

I'd be interested in more romance cover redesigns - possibly also "good" covers & what they do well?
ex. Cat Sebastian's Sedgwick series clears the very low bar of not showing us the men's rippling washboard abs via ahistorical front-closure shirt alchemy

[lindsaykinard]

I love how you just *casually* decide to use stripes for the second dress. Trying to draw patterns on intricate bustle folds is intimidating to say the least, but STRAIGHT LINES!? You are a glorious madwoman & I bow to you

[Kyrande_Foxfairy]

Interestingly, the redesign of the "The Lady's guide to Celestial Mechanics" is not only more historically accurate but a better design from a color theory perspective. On the original cover it's just a blob of red with a tiny bit of white, but on your version with the white chemise the colors pop, they complement each other resulting in a much more balanced and visually striking cover.

[juleslovesbooks]

As an avid romance reader, that is actually friendly on Twitter with a couple of these authors, I really, really appreciate how lovingly you did this! So many other creators would have taken the chance to make snide comments about the romance genre of writing or made a classic “Fabio” joke. Thank you for acknowledging that these are a marketing choice by publishers that doesn’t make the book quality lesser. You had fun but you did it with kindness not disdain which is so often the case!

[writerlisakaye]

Several years ago at a Highland Festival, I saw a man demonstrate how an actual kilt was worn. Yes, they put the fabric on the floor and then he "wrapped" himself up in it. He described as a cross between origami and burrito.

[Hildegardvonblingin]

I can’t love this more, it’s so fun! Venus in Winter has to be my fav. Long live the ruff!

[sofiaholmann]

It was wonderful to see you paint what you're so passionate about and I loved the side-by-side photoshop magic! 😀
It really is true that we don't get to see your wonderful painting skills enough, but the amount of paintings you did for this video is impressive and must have taken
✨forever✨

(like, the detailed faces and garments are crazy.)

[pgheartemoji]

I gotta say, "The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics" is a GOD TIER book title. Obsessed in every way

[ReglasdeOro]

I love that we got a 'Professorial Red Blazer' Bernadette moment to school us on what our smut covers should look like.

[Ninnisha]

What I absolutely wasn't expecting from this video is finding out that Bernadette is an excellent painter, in addition to all the other things she excels at that we more extensively knew about.