Cover Reveal: Last Summer

Normally, I don't have a problem creating book covers. I have a general idea of what I want them to look like before I even begin the process, but this was different. I narrowed down the stock photography I loved (even this was difficult), and then chose one. I knew I wanted a "Chloe and Logan" (yep, these are the main character names) picture with them lakeside, since the majority of the book will take place at Chloe's summertime cottage by the lake. I stressed, revised and pulled out my hair more times than I can count--the font wasn't right, the colors weren't right, etc. This was worse than writing a manuscript and editing it!

BUT . . . I toyed with the picture a little more, and, thanks to help from close writerly friends, I settled on the final cover.

Ladies and gents, I present to you . . . Last Summer. :)

I love the colors. I love the dark halo around these two. I love how their figures are silhouetted against a sunset. I love that I set a blue overlay of color so that it reminds me of cold water, clear, bright skies and everything else that spurs thoughts of summertime. *sighs dreamily* Did I mention I love it? ;)

I will do something I've never done before, and that's show you the before pic, the stock photography, just so you get a general idea of what happens with colors, fonts, even the birds in the background. Here it is:

While the original is cute, it was a little too orange for my taste. I wanted to invoke the colors of a sunset--blues, pinks, purples. Plus, I felt my eyes drifting toward the sun more than the couple. 

So, the colors didn't work for me, obviously, but what also didn't work was the blank canvas of a background. Sure, there's the mountain terrain (I guess that's what it is?) and the lake, of course, but other than those two things and the sun, it was boring. Which is why I added birds. Birds are always soaring over lakes, skimming the water for fish, gliding on the breeze. The birds gave this cover a more realistic aspect, in my opinion.

I get asked a lot about my book covers, and who creates them. I thought this would be an opportune time to explain a little about the process.

Anyway, I'm rambling so I'll wrap this up.

There's not really an official description of the book . . . yet. However, I did post this short description on Goodreads so readers will at least get some sort of idea of what this book is about:

YA edgy contemporary about a girl who not only discovers a homeless, drug-addicted boy during a normal vacation at her parents' summer lake house, but also discovers how far she'll push herself to save him.

I'm really excited to begin this project, and plan on starting very soon.

Last Summer is set for release in July of this year. :) You can add it to your Goodreads shelf HERE.