You need to check out Kate Hart’s post about YA covers from 2011. Awesome graphics and information.
She also takes a good look at minority representation on covers. Not surprisingly, there’s barely any. Also:
“But hey! Only about 6.6% of our girls appear to be dead this year! Which is… still more than our POC representation! But only 1% are actively drowning! So… that’s… kind of a win?”
Curious to see if dead girls still dominate in 2012 and 2013. And can filigree maintain its hold as hottest cover design element?