nicklas asked: Do you think a book cover should fit the content of the book or the audience? And have you custom made a dust-jacket when the real book was too ugly? (This might just be me though.)

Also: what's your opinion about socks?

I think thinking too much about the audience is a nightmare, that if you make what you love your ideal audience sort of slowly but truly gravitates to your work. Things that are too self-conscious lose sight of the truth and bravery that we are all searching for—- ha ha can you tell i think about this a lot (too much)???? ffuuu

At work I think a lot about ‘messaging’ and perceptions and in my writing I try to forget it because I find it paralyzing.

But book covers! Also something I have been very excited to be thinking about lately. I think the book cover should convey the tone, the spirit, of the book- i think it’s lame when things are too literal but I mean, I am an asshole. It sounds sort of hacky to use a book cover to appeal to an audience, although the hacky part of my brain knows that is smart and that it works on me ALL THE TIME. I read my most hated book in the world because it had a very cute “me” cover, and I am still angry about that.

We know it doesnt really matter if the book is truly great (partly because it will be republished and maybe sold somewhere else and redesigned and blah blah blah), but we also know it is somehow easier to love a book whose cover we love. You see it on your bookshelf and you are just like, Fuck, i love you. Did I answer this question yet?

Ha, and no, no custom dust jackets. I HATE DUST JACKETS. I have taken dust jackets off, I’ll tell you that. But it sort of feels like a betrayal to hide what book you’re reading. It’s like you have to earn the right to read it by owning up to the fact that you’re reading it. But i am Catholic so keep that in mind.

2. I am really into socks. I mean, are some people against socks? Few things make me feel more equipped to go about my day than a crazy pair of socks. I sort of weigh my days based on how good this pair of socks is. Crappy white ankle socks = I am a failure. Pink and white argyle socks = Yes, this girl has it together. Even her SOCKS are awesome.

Also bear in mind that few things are more endearing than men with idiotic* socks.

(idiot in a good way).