The Revisionary Cover: An Unlikely Story

We all like unwrapping presents on our birthdays. For my birthday this year, I wanted to “unwrap” something my readers could enjoy with me.

So, I asked my editor Marji if I could share my new book cover with my readers today, and she said yes!

I can’t wait to share the story “inside” the cover with you on June 6 (release day), but today, there’s another story to tell. It’s the one that made this cover possible and one that began in an unlikely place.

The Story behind the Cover

The year was 2007.

I had recently graduated from college and started a job at a marketing company. A few cubicles over from my station sat Kelli, a graphic designer who soon became my friend.

On her screen, she made “magic,” my word for it looks amazing but I have no idea how you did that. (Trust me. Making a safety product catalog look exciting takes skill.) Anyone could see Kelli put her heart into her work. I thought to myself: If she can make a safety catalog appear that incredible, what can she do with a creative project like a book cover?

At the time, I was working on my second book and wanted to use Amazon’s CreateSpace  to publish. This platform offered me the flexibility to upload my own book cover or have someone on Amazon’s team design it.

But I didn’t want a stranger designing my cover. I wanted a friend, and I was confident Kelli could capture my vision. On the side, she did some freelance work, so I shared my idea with her.

Then, she worked her “magic,” not once, but twice—designing the covers for both my second and third books in the Wings of the Dawn trilogy.

A New Leaf

Since then, Kelli and I have both moved on in our careers and lives. She’s married with a darling little boy and has also started her own design business called Make It Snappy.

When I signed with Write Integrity Press for my new trilogy, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to work with Kelli again. Publishing houses typically prefer their own design teams.

But I decided to ask anyway, and to my delight, my editor approved for me to work with Kelli. We would then review her designs together and go from there.

That brainstorming meeting at Panera was electric. Kelli and I were bursting with creative energy and ideas. We received our share of stares from other guests, wondering what all the buzz was about.

Today, you get to find out.

Gratitude and a Parting Challenge

With deep gratitude to my friend Kelli and editor Marji, I’m thrilled to present the cover for Rogues, Book 1: The Revisionary.

Looking back, I can see how God worked in my ordinary circumstances, allowing me to build relationships that would have a direct bearing in my writing journey. Kelli’s story is just one of many I could share.

Maybe your current situation isn’t ideal. Maybe you’d rather be someplace else. I encourage you to make the most of the relationships and opportunities, limited though they may seem, that are before you. You never know how your current experiences will shape the future God has in store.

~ Kristen

 

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