Want to help me pick the cover for my novel?

No doubt you’ve been drowning in the image of my book cover over the past few days, seeing as it’s one of the only graphics I’ve had the talent to make so far and, until recently, I haven’t really had the time to experiment with it either.

So! I’m sure you’ll all be happy to hear that it may well be the last time you have to look at it! I wasn’t completely sold on this initial design and the more I look at it the more it starts to look like an advertisement for Irn Bru (orange and blue), which was completely unintentional on my part though I can only assume it’s my subconscious’ way of telling me there’s too much blood getting into my Irn Bru system.

But I digress! I’m here to tell you all that I’ve had the chance to play around a little bit and have a few more options to choose from now and would love for you guys to help me pick out the cover for this novel if you would be so kind?

New Options:
    

Thoughts? Suggestions? Like the text in one but the arrangement in another?
Don’t like any of them? Have a better idea? Let me know!
I’m currently using online editing sites with limited text options so recommendations would be great too!
And yes, I do actually like the orange 😉

Want to help design the cover for my novel instead?

Alternatively, if you think you’d like to do a better job, please feel free to submit your own options!

This is the photo I’m using, which I took of the Inyoni Rocks on Amanzimtoti beach a few years ago.

These rocks feature quite significantly throughout my story and I like the idea of giving a nod to them on the cover, especially so that readers can have the visual aid to refer to.

I then turned my photo into a ‘sketch’ image using a free online photo editor.

The reason for wanting the ‘sketch’ effect is because my main character, Wayne du Preez, likes to sketch but due to certain circumstances I can’t disclose just yet, he has to keep his artistic abilities hidden. So again, it’s a bit of a nod to events that happen within the story.

If you’re keen to design a cover, I’d also like the following text included:

“Amanzimtoti The Ridge”
“book one in the Amanzimtoti series”
“Carmen-Shea Hepburn”

Images need to be 1410px x 2250px in size. And you guys have until the 28th of December to get your designs in. If I get a few entries I’ll put them up for a public vote and we’ll go from there!

The winning cover design will win a paperback copy of my novel! 

With the option to have it signed as well (which’ll be one of my first official signatures, and who knows, it could end up being worth something one day!). I do reserve the right to ultimately go with one of my own designs in the end, however, if this is the case I will still reward the initial winner.

Entries can be emailed directly to me at: carmenshea.author [at] gmail [dot com]

Comments? Suggestions?

In the meantime, I’d still love your thoughts on my own designs (you know, just incase no one wants to design a cover!). Comments can either be left here or via the facebook page!

Thanks for the continued support! And don’t forget to subscribe!
Carmen-Shea