Only fifty? How on earth did you narrow it down? *heh* I like the cover, though, and I agree that you're less likely to take flak for this one. There's still the shapely woman on the cover, though... Why didn't you use a chubby one? (I'm kidding, but you just know someone's going to be serious about that). Given how much I loved your first book, I'm really looking forward to this one. Hope it's ready soon!

Hmmm...I guess I can plug my article on CampusProgress about The Daily Show in Iraq week, even though they lost out to Conan last night.

Hi Jessica,

Shouldn't men know about the double standards too? Frankly, one thing I've learned by reading this blog is how much women go through in terms of sexual street harassment - definitely made me more aware of how big a problem it is.

The topic sounds fascinating and sounds like something I would definitely read, but the cover art didn't grab me (sorry :-(.).

Shameless self-promotion? Okay - my publications:

http://dfred.bol.ucla.edu/publications.html

I agree with the above comment. The cover is too bland. Maybe a picture of a male chastity ceremony or a man wearing a wedding ring or a woman on her knees asking for marriage.

My own self-promotion: my comic strip, The Invisible Life of Poet.

i heart the cover. it's bright and fun- just like your writing. And it's something that i could take with me anywhere and not feel self-conscious reading. i'll be sure to give it plug on my lil blog.
Your last book was a fabulous gift to give to the 14 and 15 year old girls in my life- I'm proud to say that you helped turn my lovely but clueless cousin into the beginnings of a gorgeous feminist. Is your second book geared towards any specific demographic?

My Mom and I have started reading books together and discussing them over the phone. Full Frontal Feminism is on the list (I've already read it) and I'm looking forward to adding this one.

I just started a blog and would appreciate anyone who wants to come on over and give me their thoughts: http://secondhandsally.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

Not too bland for me - I love the bright colors & bold font!

I don't have any shameless self-promotion, but I have (maybe a stupid?) question. Why no "weekly feminist reader" this week? Isn't it usually a weekend thing? Or I'm I missing something?

I like the color scheme - nice and gender-neutral.

But I don't know about the title. I think the fact that "...every woman should know" will make it seem like a book for women, which will turn guys off. I think it's almost MORE important that MEN be aware of these double-standards. I would have liked it if the title were "...every man and woman should know."

Okay, so the cover looks like a cook book (fifty quick meals women should know about), or a sex advice book (fifty ways to please your man), but I like the cover, because I know some unsuspecting non-feminist would be looking at the book, thinking that's it's some shit written by Dr. Laura, and the sooner she starts reading it ...BAM! She's hit with a Jessica Valenti left and right of feminism, and then she becomes a feminist. That's cool.

I like the cover!

And shameless promotion: profeministmale.wordpress.com

Also, do not forget there's the Feminist Majority Foundation conference for women of color in North Carolina next week. Every cool kid with an FMLA on campus is going to be there!

I love the cover. Shows off that it's a "serious" book (aka non-fiction) but also edgy and not stuffy.

I just started a blog on Canadian feminism/politics and I'm always wanting to add more voices to the conversation.

feministcatalyst.blogspot.com

I think it's a very striking, bold cover that would call my attention at the bookstore. It appeals to my mod sense of style (a love of cleanness and striking, bold colors and shapes). It is interesting, though, that it doesn't really relate to the topic of the book - it could be a cover for any kind of book. Was that a conscious decision after the drama over the cover of Full Frontal Feminism? I see the little woman figure there, but I can't help but feel there should be a graphic there that relates to the subject matter more...

Anyway, congratulations! You are crankin' 'em out!

ProFeministMale has the best understanding of cover-design psychology. Book covers are never intended to be original and extraordinary. They're a lure/decoy to draw in people who bought something else with a similar cover.
I like it, and I see what they're trying to do.

Part of what I LOVED about your first book (and believe me, it has been read, highlighted, and used as a guideline for teaching my WGS 100 class) is that people would see me carrying or reading a book with a partially nude female on the cover. It sparked conversation, it caught the eye, it was appealing to those who wouldn't normally have thought to read it. So what if this is a serious book? Does that mean it MUST have a serious cover? Who decides what serious is anyways?
I would be elated if you put a more controversial front cover on this book. Feminism should spark controversy, it should get people talking - and then more people will want to become informed. It could even cause more publicity.
Yes, it's eye-catching as it is now. And I can't wait to read it, I'll probably even pre-order it. But why not put the "macho male" and the "Fragile female" on the front cover? Or a man in one of those sleezy sex costumes made for women?
Just an idea. I love your writing though and think you're wonderful!!!

hey... i agree w/ most of everyone else's comments.
i think the problem with putting some edgy image on the cover is inclusiveness. the woman on her knees proposing to a dude would indeed be eye catching (as would perhaps, a woman walking in a door with a cheesy grin, hanging up her hat and yelling HONEY I'M HOME)...but again, there's the issue of what race she is, her sexual orientation, etc. this might seem a bit nitpicky but like the first commenter said, its what some people will take seriously.
i think whats more important than that is that the title should appeal to everyone. if a guy who isnt already interested in feminism sees that title, 9 times out of 10 he's not going to pick it up because he'll think its not for him.

I'll not-"hijack" this thread to invite people to take a look at what's happening at CCSU -- the students are in protest again b/c the paper published a cartoon about urinating on a 14-year-old Latina. (this is the same student newspaper that published "Rape Only Hurts If You Fight It," which editor Mark Rowan insisted fell on our deaf ears because we didn't get it as satire. God, we're stupid!!) Beyond first amendment rights, it is hostile workplace, intimidation, hate speech, and more. Plus it's fucked up. blog = http://takebacktherecorder.blogspot.com

There was a protest today; Monty would have loved it! ;) There's more to come, I'm sure, including lawsuits against the administration. The students there need love, and coverage of this story.

Designwise, I love the cover. It reminds me of the line that Cynthia Rowley had at Target (All to briefly, I'm afraid I can't remember the name).
Day-umn, you work fast!
As for shameless self promotion--checka my personal blog, Choose me For Champion. It's a hodge-podge of feminism, pop culture, and things that happen to me. I most recently wrote abou the stir that Chris Crocker caused over his love of Brit Brit.

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm deeply offended that that shapely woman is 1) shapely and 2) orange instead of purple. And did Jessica get her from a private artist? Because if she did that's wrong when there are plenty of shadow shapes to be adopted from powerpoint clip art. How dare you Jessica!

;) Just kidding.

Congrats on the awesome new book! I will add it to my wishlist:)

I'm afraid that to a lot of people, it'll look like another fluffy women's book about dating or finding the right man or getting "empowered."
I'm just having a really hard time w/ the title. I don't know if I like the number 50 in the title, or the fact that it's "blah blah...should know." Like, why not something more bold?

I agree with the other comments. While the design is nice, it could be more... double-ey. And the title sounds like it could be an email forward.

I'd still buy it, but I think it could be improved so that those who aren't Feministing readers would be interested too.

ooo I like the cover!Stripey!! I dunno what SarahMC is going on about the title for. I think its fine. I kinda got the feeling that it was sapose to be making fun of those dating books.. the colour scheme is very 50's. Did someone already say this?

I think the title quite clearly states what the book is about. Who's gonna think that its a dating book!? give us gals some cred Sarah.

Anyway I'm practically illiterate so what do I know?! i have a blog but it probably makes very little sense : http://www.painfulreminder.blogspot.com

Frog Queen, I know we'll be interested in the book no matter what. I'm concerned about exposing OTHER PEOPLE to the double standards we've all talked about.
I agree with La Fille Torpille about email forwards!
I don't mean any offense, Jessica. I can't wait to read it and you know I love ya. I just want MORE people to pick it up and think about double-standards.

50 double standards everyone should know?

How about this double standard?

Women have reproductive rights. Men do not.

If the woman get pregnant and does not want the child, she can abort it. But if the man does not want the child, he is still obligated to pay child support.

Oh, hello thread hijacking!

This is a general plea to everyone - PLEASE do not engage.

I can't bear to have this conversation (again, for the five thousandth time) here when we're supposed to be discussing Jessica's awesome new book and everyone else's awesome contributions to feminism.

When is the release date, or approximate release date for this book?

No offense taken at all, SarahMC! I totally hear you.

Oh, and the release date is March 2008. Woo hoo!

I like the cover, though I'm curious the thinking behind it so we can better assess whether it's conveying what you want. It's bright and the font is large enough, so that works, but is there something else you're trying to convey?

For my shameless self-promotion, I'd love to point people to my blog, The Redstar Perspective (click on my name above), and especially my discussion of gender bias at work - how it emerges and is built into the work environment over time.

http://www.grahamad.com/blog/2007/09/05/tracing-the-construction-of-gender-bias-key-findings/

(You all were so kind to put my full study in your Weekly Feminist Reader on 8/26!)

You'll also find quite a bit on cities, politics, inequality, and race and ethnicity there.

Happy Reading for all of us! Thanks for letting us share w/one another!

Love the cover, definitely going to buy it.

Do you know any more details about your tour to the UK yet?

If the woman get pregnant and does not want the child, she can abort it. But if the man does not want the child, he is still obligated to pay child support.

Gotta comment, just gotta do it:BULL. SHIT. If a man doesn't want to ever make a mistake in his reproduction freedoms then he will make sure to wear a condom every time or if he wants it 99.9% certain he'll get a vasectomy until he's ready for kids. If you don't want mistakes made then don't put your reproductive freedom in someone else's hands.

Now, back to the thread:)

Actually, chem_fem, I'm going to be in the UK in Dec speaking at Oxford and some other places...will let folks know for sure.

As for the thinking behind the cover--I didn't design it, so I'm not really sure. They showed it to me, I loved it, so that was really that.

I really like it because it's all poppy and I had the SAME thought as Moxie about the Cynthia Rowley connection. It seems bright and fun, and commercial (so hopefully reaching out to a wider audience than just already-self-identified feminists).

Great, hope you can make it to Cambridge. If you need any help with that let me know!

Congratulations! I do book reviews and trend writing for several magazines and newspapers. Feel free to contact me off post or have your publisher send me a review copy.

Shameless self-promotion: My book, biography of burlesque dancer Lili St. Cyr, comes out in one month. It's called Gilded Lili and you can learn more about it or even win a free copy on my blog: www.thecandypitch.com.

I believe they're actually working on Cambridge as well, but I didn't want to say anything until it was a definite. Fun!

So excited!!!!

Okay, I can play this double-standard game with Heir to the Throne.

How about this one: if a woman makes a stupid statement, she gets a pass - but when idiots like you make a statement, they're more than likely to get their asses beat by violent feminists. Never seen a violent feminist? You've never seen me at a bar.

I am home from vacation next week. Consider flying to Virginia, I'll show you about double standard with a beer bottle over your head.

Marc

Yay! Can't wait to read it!

I really like the cover.

Title idea.

Thinking over SarahMC's points, it might be cute if there was a little asterik after woman in the title, and then down below it said (and men!).

i.e.,

50 Double Standards Every Woman* Should Know

*[And Man!]

First, I'm the last person anyone should ever take artistic advice from. I think it was sort of the dull autumn colors that didn't grab me.

If it was your cover, what would put on it?

How about a boy dressed in pink and a girl dressed in blue?

A woman proposing to a man?

A woman doctor posing with a male nurse?

Those are more "gender role reversals", but any ideas out there?

I like the cover. It looks sharp, sophisticated, and appeals to a broader audience. In conservative areas, the controversial book covers are passed over completely. This will stand a much larger chance of being looked through--and better yet, teenage girls out with their moms can pick it up without getting chastised. Yay, subterfuge. : )

I think I'll offer my art site instead of my writing blog, this week:

http://alexremy.com/

I *heart* the cover. Very bold and attention-grabbing.

Here's my shameless self-promotion for my blog:
"Under Construction...Until I Say So"

Shameless self promotion?? YAY!!!
http://www.lauratheartistjones.blogspot.com

the book looks rad, jessica!

I have to say i am torn. i do like the bright colors and graphic design. I also find the reference to a cookbook someone previously observed kinda hilarious too. However, i do think it's important to note that the double standards aren't just for women to know, they are double standards that totally blow. I get that perhaps your approach with this book is not as confrontational as Full Frontal, but as it stands, I wouldn't be drawn to this book. I like confrontational feminisms.

also, for self promotion. I had a recent blog that touches on double standards in loving friendships... you can check it out at my blog, The Radical Mirror.
[I'm not