I've been working on my book covers since publishing my first one using a template that left me unsatisfied and looking for an alternative. As it so happens, a person who dabbles in creative outlets of all kinds is able to work on cover designs as well.
I've improved over the years and look forward to moving forward into even better covers as I go into the next half century of my life. Onwards!
This is the first book in the series and as such, went through several versions. I finally settled for the image of the boy and cat overlapping the shadow of the killer as he enters the home. A definite worst-case scenario that no one wants to see. Still a fave.
The second book in the series was one I had to go back and fix. The first cover was good at the time but after the fourth book, I looked back, thinking how much better I could do the cover. The result made me go into the book and illustrate the whole thing with a few edits as well. Now I can't help but want that cover on a poster someday.
This third book in the Linked series brought about the first personal tragedy of the series for Tommy and I was finally getting the hang of working the cover designs and making them my own. Making Tommy a cover image with Snow on his shoulder was a great task, as was having them face opposite directions to show how they are at odds with one another. (How great it is to tell stories with both words and images!)
Book four of the Linked series took a turn that I had a tough time juggling. Tommy found someone he cared about and wanted to repeat what his father and mother had while the object of his affection was revealed to have the same abilities as he but was also in fear for her life as elements of her life kept repeating to unwind a fate she has been dreading her whole life. The cover touched on several elements at once which become clear by the end.
Book five was done many years ago but was shelved over struggles with publishing, promoting and other nonsensical excuses. The cover came to me almost at once and when it was done I was thrilled to share it. Sadly, my computer died before it was published and all my originals were lost. Thankfully, I posted several high definition copies on my site and was able to at least keep the quality of the final product. I may tweak it again someday but for now am thankful it survived to see the world.
This book was the first. The big cheese. It started the ball rolling in my books and publishing journey. Unfortunately, the style I used was not one I favored and the cover was just a black cover with the title and a blue stripe. (Templates)
I re-made the cover a few years back then came across a cover design site called canva which had the look I wanted. It isn't my own design but it was so close to what I wanted that I couldn't help but use it. When I release the revised book, it will have this cover. I am thankful to have pulled the story away from the blank canvas it was fading into.