Jenn McKinlay: What is a spredge, you ask? I’ll tell you! It’s a mashup of sprayed and edges — spredges — and it’s all the rage in publishing right now.
I did some spredge recon so you could see what’s out there — you’re welcome!
Aren’t these gorgeous??? Here’s some more. Yes, I might be obsessed as the influencers say.
And here are three books that I bought for myself for the spredges! Aren’t they pretty?
I tried to convince my publisher that Witches of Dubious Origin required spredges but they said no. 🥺
Can’t you picture spredges on this one? *sigh*
What about you, Reds and Readers, are you a fan of spredges or no? Would you buy a book just for the pretty edges?
Spredges are quite lovely and, yes, I might be persuaded to buy a book because of them. I'm wondering, though, just how much more readers have to pay for those prettily-decorated edges on a book . . . .
ReplyDeleteUnless I wanted to read and own a book like that for its story, the spredge would not convince me to buy it. But they are pretty! Also, new word. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA clever marketing ploy to get a buyer away from the ebook. I think this might be more for the interior design team than for the avid reader (unless the reader will wear gloves while they read.)
ReplyDeleteYes, Coralee! Suddenly the light dawns! Spreadedges are the direct result of all those home shows that have put books on shelves with the binding in so that titles don’t show…and subject matter does not spoil the chances of making a good impression on buyers of real estate or viewers of the show. Bah humbug says this Ms. Scrooge! Good morning, all. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vocabulary lesson.The decorator trends for zoom background shelves must be influencing the art department at publishing houses. How do they decide which books are worthy of spredges? I searched “books with sprayed edges” on Amazon to look at the prices. It didn’t recognize the term spredges. The books don’t currently seem to be higher priced from my brief perusal. In fact many of them had been discounted. Would the same be true in a brick and mortar store? I don’t think I would buy a book just for the edges, but they are enticing.
ReplyDeleteI did find you can buy a kit to decorated the edges yourself!
Never heard of them before you Jenn, our personal Reds influencer:). Do you know how they choose who gets a spredge?
ReplyDeleteI bought 5 books on Saturday, none had spredges.
ReplyDeleteAnd I did not notice any of these pretty edged books in the 2 bookstores I visited.
But thanks for teaching me a new book-related word!
I had never heard of spredges before this JRW post! Yes, I think they would be amazing on your book, Witches of Dubious Origin! I wonder how many will buy books just for the spredges--you did, and others probably will too.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if any of my pre-orders will arrive with spredges? That would be a hoot! Of course many of the books I pre-ordered are for my Kindle, so, that won't show. They are pretty, Jenn. Witches of Dubious Origin would be the perfect book for a spredge. (Can it be singular or is it always plural?)
ReplyDeleteI guess that books with spredges are okay but truly I am much more interested in what is written on the pages. I especially like the story to include a map. I love maps!
ReplyDeleteJudy, I’m with you! I LOVE maps in books! I refer to them all the time.
DeleteWhile they look nice and all, being the cranky fuddy-duddy that I am, I would have no interest in a book simply because it had this spredge thing going for it. If there was a story inside that I wanted to read...MAYBE. But here's hoping no one I like to read already ever has this done because I would be aghast if I had to buy it in order to read it.
ReplyDeleteI also like maps in books and I like it when they have a list of characters. Sometimes who is who requires going back in the story and searching.
ReplyDeleteJENN whether you have spredges or not I would buy your book just for the cover alone. It's beautiful!!
I confess that covers and artwork are a huge draw to get me to consider a book. That being said, if I take a peek at the content and it is a nonstarter then all the beauty in the world won't get me to buy it. Give me an interesting cover like Witches has and I'm half way there. Add that Jenn wrote it and I'm all in. If you have maps inside, I may swoon. -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteMany of the new fantasy, romance, and romantasy books coming into our library have spredges. There might be some on a few general fiction books as well. The first ones I noticed were just colors--on the books spawned by the Bridgerton streaming series. Pretty, but I wouldn't buy a book based on its edges.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful, but they wouldn't convince me to buy the book if I wasn't otherwise interested.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know they were called spredges, but I love, love, love them. I've bought books just for the pretty binding alone, so this would 100% influence me.
ReplyDeleteJenn, maybe you can have an artist spredge a few of your books and give them away as super limited edition prizes!
Spredges is a new book related word to me, Jenn. Thank you. I have seen a few books with spredges.
ReplyDeleteWould I buy a book with spredges? If I like the look of the book AND I already like the story, then yes.
I've actually bought a couple of books that I wouldn't have done otherwise. I love the edges. I will read the books. I won't buy a book I won't read but if it is borderline I'll buy it and if it has the spredge binding.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago I had a friend who collected antiquarian books that had hand painted spredges. I always loved them but could never own them as they were expensive.
Everything old is new again, right? Decorated edges, including gilded, were once a sign of a special volume. I'm pretty sure we have at least one example at home, from inherited books on natural history. The spraying part is new, and being a sort of pop culture trend, too. It's fun and if it gets more books bought that's huge.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I’ve ever heard of spredges. I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy a book with with a spredge but if someone gives me books with spredges (I’m having the hardest time getting Autoincorrect to accept that word!) I won’t turn them down.
ReplyDeleteDeb Romano
LOVE LOVE LOVE and am swooning with envy...they are so enticing! I bought one book ONYX STORM because of them--sort of--I was on the fence, and knew I should read it simply because I need to know this stuff, and the spredges sold me.
ReplyDeleteJoan, I forgot to look to see if they were more expensive.
(And Jenn, Dubious NEEDS them. Is there someone we all should call?)
I love the spredges and will hunt one down. I have a nineteenth century prayer book with gilded (?) page edges and ivory (?) covers with a leather binding, but nothing as fun as a book with spredges.
ReplyDelete