This study sets out to examine recurring themes found on book wrappers published by Harlequin in their first seventeen years as a form of marketing strategy. Through the use of specific image and text patterns that correspond to common themes found in paperback genres, Harlequin was able to appeal to targeted audiences, competing with other early reprint companies and eventually become the colossal modern publishing company of today. A unique approach using several digital humanities methods, namely text and image analyses, and data visualizations, will be employed to examine a special collection of several hundred wrappers. An interdisciplinary approach to research in book history will be taken, utilizing a blend of methods from digital humanities, and theories from library and information studies, humanities, and communication studies. The resulting patterns will be connected to reader’s advisory as appeal factors in successful book selection by readers.
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This thesis is structured as follows. Chapter one will explain how my topic developed over time, as well as a summary of my research questions and outline. Chapter two consists of historical background of paperback novels and Harlequin Enterprises, theories that will be used in this thesis, and literature reviews of other academic research involving image analysis. The background covers paperback novels in the early-to-mid-twentieth century and the growth of Harlequin Enterprises until the 1960s. The literature reviews will cover reader’s advisory, text and image analysis, and similar published case studies that involve book cover and image analysis, and paratext. These reviews will provide definitions and context for my study. Chapter three will cover the research design of this thesis, specifically the methods and theories used in the text and image analysis. Finally, chapter four will discuss the findings of my analysis, connecting it to reader’s advisory, as well as my final thoughts and conclusion. (4)
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