I've searched the help docs and don't see this mentioned, which I suppose makes it technically okay, but....

Is it permissable for a paperback book to have writing on the front cover? I know the flyleaf is permitted and text pages are not.  I ordered a book for my child that has a name written in black sharpie on the front cover, and I'm annoyed by this, but don't know if I actually have any right to be :)

Well I think a lot of us would be annoyed by it :) But I don't think it breaks any posting rules. A used book store can write its price on the cover so I can't see that other writing (unless it is totally excessive) would be against the rules.

It's allowed.

not how I understand it.  Thought outside cover, front and back, had to be 'clean'  except for stickers.  

My understanding of writing  on the "outside of book" was that only markings on the edge of pages were allowed--- name or the slash that some stores put on books when they get discounted.

I just tried to search the help docs and though it doesn't say "no writing" on covers, it also does not say writing on cover is OK.

If it doesn't say its not allowed Jeanne, why would you assume it isn't? There is nothing that says only stickers are allowed on the cover. "Clean" means not soiled or stained (both of which are in the rules as not allowed). Writing is neither a stain nor soiling.

There is nothing about a name on a book cover that stops it from being usable nor makes it unsanitary - what the rules are targeting.

I don't really see how this would differ from writing a price in Sharpie in the front, which is fairly common. It's allowed.

My understanding as well that this is allowed.