Apparently Orbit Books has one of its summer interns write a report on cover art. This year’s intern compared the differences between 2008 and 2009 cover art for urban fantasy heroines. If you want to know the results. Click here. Apparently someone clued into the fact that stilettos aren’t the best for chasing after other worldly critters. We’re looking at sturdy, kick-ass boots. I wonder if they’ve got steel tips at the toes.
It gets better. Click on this link and you’ll find The Chart of Fantasy Art, which breaks down the types of objects found on the covers of urban fantasy novels for 2008 and 2009. The big losers are swords, castles and glowy magic. The green bars are pretty cool since they track new trends. I’m seeing the first hints of steampunk with dirigibles and zeppelins.
I have to say I wish when I had been in college that I’d lucked out on a summer intern position like this. It sure beats out some of the jobs I had. 
