The Heart Changer Cover Reveal! The Evolution of an Image

---

Spoiler alert: Withstand the temptation to scroll down. ;-}

It's time to reveal the cover of The Heart Changer! I think the process involved in creating an image to suit a story will fascinate you. So, stick with me and be patient, okay?

The Very First Cover Image

I was asked what I envisioned for my cover in Ambassador International's marketing questionnaire. I like that about my publisher. They want you to have as much input as possible to feel a part of the process. Since I have a Pinterest account, I gave them a link to a secret board with ideas pulled from other middle grade novels. Trouble is, I chose fantasy covers as well as historical fiction, because I loved the swirly themes -- almost Medieval-like. Looking back, they didn't fit The Heart Changer. 

So, when Hannah Nichols, the creative director at Ambassador (who read my book before beginning her design), sent this first image around Thanksgiving, I had a strange reaction. Actually, almost no reaction, and I don't know why. It was a feeling of peace and contentment.

But, as I studied the cover which, to this day, I love, I quickly surmised, although the woman on the cover was beautiful, it sadly was not my main character. Also, my first name was misspelled, and was not my nom de plume. I had chosen Jarm Del Boccio, for many reasons. And another thing, the story is set in the middle eastern country of Syria, which is largely desert. The best part of the first image was the title. I was mesmerized with the font and the gold to burgundy progression.

​In quick succession, the next four images arrived in my inbox. This one below was better, but still not my MC, the title color too plain, and I missed the contrasting blue sky!

Then this image, which was my least favorite . . .

Nope. I didn't like her legs showing. And in Old Testament days, they would not have been allowed o show off  their legs. On to the next image.

​I had asked Hannah to try a sunset instead of blue sky. When I saw it, I didn't care for it at all. I had also asked her to place a flowery image of a heart in the title. I didn't like that either! And I missed the gorgeous title.

So I sent her an image from the Internet with my vision for Miriam, my main character.

Image from Rhian Non's Pinterest account

​This was my MC - a servant girl, scruffy, but cute, with a bit of sass. Even though I sent her this photo, I made it clear I did not want her facing outward. Readers love to imagine their own MC, so I chose to leave it up to them.

I LOVED the one above, even though it had a ghostly appearance. For some reason, that appealed to me. But, it needed to be filled in, which she did below. The color and pattern on the shawl I was not crazy about, although this was the closest yet! 

Maybe because I am right handed, or maybe it’s my visual artistic bent— I preferred Miriam on the right side of the cover instead of the left. And burgundy would suit her shawl instead of red. She also needed to bring the image down or disguise the colored sleeve.

​One more go!

---

Ta Da! Here is the final image. Lonely, deserted, isolated. Just like my MC. True to her character, and true to the story. And it’s rather ironic that I am becoming a minimalist in every way — including my artistic choices! What think ye? What you imagined?

---

 To tell you the truth, you’ll need to read the story before making the finals decision. In that case, here is the Amazon pre-order LINK! 

Thanks for stopping by to watch the evolution of my book cover! And being so good about reading the story before scrolling down to the end. You were good, weren’t you?? I’d love to hear your thoughts about the process. Did anything surprise you?